If you live in Atlanta or follow local sports, you’ve probably wondered: “Who actually owns the Atlanta Hawks?” Beyond the players on the court at State Farm Arena, there’s a large ownership group and leadership team shaping what you see on game night—and what the Hawks mean to the city.
Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to who owns the Hawks, how the ownership is structured, and why it matters for fans and the city.
The Atlanta Hawks are owned by a group led by Tony Ressler, a private equity investor and longtime basketball fan. This ownership group purchased the team in 2015, marking a new era for the franchise and its presence in downtown Atlanta.
Ressler is the face and primary decision-maker of the group, but he is not the only owner. A number of minority partners also hold stakes in the team.
The Hawks’ ownership group includes well-known names with strong ties to sports, business, and entertainment. This has helped the franchise become more visible both in Atlanta and nationally.
Some notable members of the Atlanta Hawks ownership group include:
The full list of minority owners is not always in the public spotlight, but what matters for most fans is that Ressler leads the group, with Hill and others playing key roles in governance and vision.
The current ownership group has positioned the Hawks as a central part of downtown Atlanta’s sports and entertainment ecosystem. If you live or work in the city, you’ve probably felt some of the impact.
Under Ressler’s leadership, the Hawks:
These changes make going to a Hawks game more than just basketball—it’s part of the broader downtown nightlife and entertainment scene.
Ownership has emphasized that the Hawks are Atlanta’s team, with a focus on:
If you’re an Atlanta resident, you’ll often see the Hawks’ name connected to local community courts, camps, and charity events.
While Tony Ressler leads at the ownership level, day-to-day basketball and business decisions are handled by executives hired under this ownership group.
The owner’s group oversees hiring for roles such as:
Coaches and front office leaders can change over time, but their general mandate from ownership is usually a mix of:
The Hawks’ business and arena operations side focuses on:
All of this falls under the structure set and approved by the ownership group, which decides long-term strategy and major investments.
Knowing who owns the team is only part of the picture—if you’re a fan in Atlanta, you might want to visit where the owner’s vision becomes real: State Farm Arena.
State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303
Located in the heart of downtown, near:
This central location ties the Hawks directly into Atlanta’s busiest sports and entertainment district, something the current ownership group has leaned into by upgrading the arena experience.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Atlanta Hawks (NBA) |
| Principal Owner / Governor | Tony Ressler |
| Ownership Structure | Investor group with multiple minority owners |
| Notable Partner | Grant Hill (former NBA player) |
| Year Current Group Took Over | 2015 |
| Home Arena | State Farm Arena, Downtown Atlanta |
| Arena Address | 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303 |
For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, who owns the Hawks indirectly affects what you experience:
Ownership sets the tone for:
If you’ve noticed that Hawks games feel more like full-scale events with music, visuals, and fan engagement, that’s largely shaped by ownership priorities.
While prices can fluctuate, ownership influences:
Fans looking to attend more games can keep an eye on promotions and membership options, which arise from the business strategy set by ownership and front office leadership.
Ownership is ultimately responsible for:
If you care about the Hawks’ future as a franchise, understanding who owns the team helps explain why certain long-term decisions are made.
The current ownership group has positioned the Hawks as:
With a renovated State Farm Arena and a focus on community visibility, ownership has signaled that the Hawks are meant to be a long-term, deeply rooted part of Atlanta’s future.
If you’re interested in connecting more deeply with the team that Tony Ressler’s group owns, you can:
These opportunities are all part of how the current ownership group shapes the relationship between the Hawks and Atlanta residents.
In short, the Atlanta Hawks are owned by Tony Ressler and an investor group that includes Grant Hill and others, with a strong emphasis on downtown presence, arena experience, and community impact. For fans in Atlanta, ownership isn’t just a name—it’s a driving force behind how the team fits into daily life in the city.
