If you live in Atlanta, work downtown, or plan a trip to State Farm Arena, it’s natural to wonder: who actually owns the Atlanta Hawks, and how does that ownership affect the city?
Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown.
The Atlanta Hawks are owned by a group of investors led by Tony Ressler, a businessman and private equity executive. This group purchased the team in 2015.
The principal figures in the Hawks’ ownership group include:
The team is operated under Atlanta Hawks, LLC, and the ownership group also controls related entities tied to State Farm Arena and team operations.
For Atlanta residents and visitors, the key point is:
The Hawks are locally centered, privately owned, and actively involved in Atlanta’s civic and business life.
The Hawks are not owned by a single person. Instead, they use a group ownership model:
Majority owner (lead governor):
Tony Ressler is the primary decision-maker. In NBA terms, he is the “governor” of the franchise, representing the Hawks on the NBA Board of Governors.
Minority partners:
Partners like Grant Hill and others hold smaller stakes. They contribute capital, expertise, and connections, but do not control day-to-day decisions.
This group model is common in the NBA. For Atlantans, it means:
Even though the owners themselves live and work in various places, the team’s physical and business presence is deeply rooted in metro Atlanta.
State Farm Arena is the home court of the Atlanta Hawks:
At State Farm Arena, the Hawks’ ownership has direct responsibility for:
The Hawks also operate a modern practice and training facility in Brookhaven, just north of the city of Atlanta. While it’s not a tourist stop like the arena, it’s where much of the basketball-side decision making and player development happens under the guidance of ownership and the front office.
Knowing “who” owns the Hawks is only part of the story. For someone in Atlanta, it’s just as important to understand what ownership controls and influences.
Here are the major areas where ownership has direct impact:
Ownership hires and oversees:
These leaders then manage:
For Atlanta fans, when you see the Hawks making a big trade, coaching change, or rebuild, it ultimately traces back to ownership’s vision, budget, and risk tolerance.
The Ressler-led group has been involved in decisions around:
This affects you if you:
A willing and engaged ownership group typically means more ongoing improvements to the building and game experience.
While day-to-day pricing is handled by team business operations, ownership sets:
If you live in Atlanta and want to:
you are feeling the downstream effect of ownership’s financial philosophy and commitment to accessibility.
For information directly from the team, you can contact:
Atlanta Hawks Ticket Office
State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer service and ticket lines are generally available on standard business days and on event days.
Many Atlantans are interested not just in who owns the team, but in what they do for the city.
Under the current ownership group, the Hawks have been involved in:
These efforts typically focus on:
While exact initiatives can change over time, the general pattern has been a visible and active presence within Atlanta neighborhoods.
From an Atlanta-centered view, Hawks ownership influences:
If you live or work near downtown, Hawks home games and events can affect:
These are all linked to ownership choices around event scheduling, marketing, and arena usage.
Below is a simple overview to keep the essentials straight:
| Topic | Key Facts for Atlanta |
|---|---|
| Current principal owner | Tony Ressler (lead investor and governor) |
| Notable minority owner | Grant Hill (Hall of Fame player, vice chair) |
| Ownership structure | Private investment group, multiple partners |
| Home arena | State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303 |
| What they control | Basketball direction, coaching hires, arena investments, overall ticket/financial strategy |
| Local impact | Downtown jobs, community programs, youth basketball, entertainment options for residents and visitors |
If you’re in Atlanta or visiting:
🏀 Game Quality & Roster Moves
Ownership decides how aggressively the team pursues star players, how much they are willing to spend, and whether they commit to long-term competitive plans.
🎟️ Availability of Tickets
Season plans, mini-plans, and single-game sales all operate within a pricing framework shaped by ownership’s revenue goals.
🎧 Arena Experience
Music, lighting, entertainment, and upgrades often come from a larger arena strategy backed financially by the ownership group.
🏙️ Connection to the City
When ownership invests in community initiatives, it can create more programs and events that Atlantans can join, whether or not they attend every game.
For locals and visitors looking to interact with the organization tied to ownership decisions, the main public-facing hub is:
Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303
From there, you can:
In summary, the Atlanta Hawks are owned by a private investor group led by Tony Ressler, with notable partners like Grant Hill. Their decisions shape everything from the roster you see on the court to the experience you have at State Farm Arena and the impact the team has across Atlanta neighborhoods.
