Ted Turner 'elevated Atlanta' into the future with his vison
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Carl Dukes and Mike Bell of Sports Radio 92.9 The Game pay tribute to Ted Turner, the visionary media mogul and Atlanta icon who passed away at 87, celebrating his transformative impact on the city and the world. The hosts, joined by longtime CNN employee John Fricke, reflect on Turner’s relentless innovation—from launching TBS and CNN to pioneering 24-hour news and national sports broadcasting. Fricke shares personal anecdotes revealing Turner’s down-to-earth nature, despite his larger-than-life persona, and recounts the immense risks he took, going bankrupt multiple times while building his media empire. The conversation highlights Turner’s role in elevating Atlanta’s global profile, enabling the 1996 Olympics, and fostering professional sports with teams like the Braves, Hawks, and Atlanta Chiefs. The episode underscores Turner’s legacy not just as a businessman, but as a kind, curious, and deeply human figure who changed media and city life forever.
Ted Turner’s bold bets—on CNN, TBS, and national sports broadcasting—transformed Atlanta into a global media hub.
Despite multiple bankruptcies, Turner’s relentless vision and risk-taking built institutions that reshaped media and sports.
Turner’s humanity and accessibility left a lasting personal impact on employees and fans alike.
His ownership of the Braves, Hawks, and Atlanta Chiefs helped bring international sports stars to Atlanta.
The 1996 Olympics and Atlanta’s global status were made possible by Turner’s media influence and civic ambition.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Tribute to Ted Turner's Legacy
“He elevated the city. The 1996 Olympics are not here if not for Maynard Jackson and the airport and Atlanta, and Ted Turner, and CNN and TBS. They're just not here. It is our guy.”
The Birth of CNN and Media Revolution
“We're going to do this 24 hour cable news thing. And we're all standing there saying, ain't nobody going to watch news 24 hours a day. And nobody's going to pay for television. For God's sakes, it's free.”
Turner’s Personal Legacy and Humanity
“He was the guy that would walk in. Literally one day we're sitting in his life, 5.15 in the morning on a Sunday morning. And we're all in kind of a circle getting ready to go on the air at 6 a.m. He comes downstairs looking like just, you know, death warmed over... can I have one of those?”
Sports Legacy: Braves, Hawks, and Soccer
The hosts and Fricke discuss Turner’s ownership of the Braves and Hawks, his brief stint as Braves manager, and his role in bringing professional soccer to Atlanta via the Atlanta Chiefs.
Final Reflections and the Call for a Statue
The episode concludes with a moving reflection on Turner’s personal impact, the emotional weight of his passing, and a passionate call to honor him with a statue near major sports venues.
“The 1996 Olympics are not here if not for Maynard Jackson and the airport and Atlanta, and Ted Turner, and CNN and TBS. They're just not here. It is our guy.”
“Who the hell said good night? This is a 24-hour news network. It's 5 o'clock in the damn evening in Honolulu. It's like noon in Tokyo. Don't ever say damn good night.”
“We're going to do this 24 hour cable news thing. And we're all standing there saying, ain't nobody going to watch news 24 hours a day. And nobody's going to pay for television. For God's sakes, it's free.”
Hosts
Guest
Ted Turner
person
CNN
organization
Atlanta Braves
organization
Atlanta Hawks
organization
John Fricke
person
TBS
organization
1996 Olympics
other
Atlanta Chiefs
organization
Maynard Jackson
person
Time Warner
organization
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