If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or just follow the city’s sports scene, it’s natural to wonder: Who actually owns the Atlanta Hawks? The Hawks are more than just an NBA franchise — they’re a major part of Atlanta’s identity, centered at State Farm Arena in Downtown.
Here’s a clear breakdown of who owns the team today, how the ownership group is structured, and what that means for fans in Atlanta.
The principal owner and governor of the Atlanta Hawks is Tony Ressler (Antony Ressler). He leads the current ownership group that controls the franchise.
If you hear about “Hawks ownership” in league discussions or local sports coverage, most of the time they’re referring to Ressler and the group he leads.
The Atlanta Hawks are not owned by one person alone. They are controlled by an ownership group, with Tony Ressler at the top and several minority partners involved.
While the exact percentage stakes are private, some of the most commonly referenced partners include:
These names are frequently associated with the team in media coverage, community events, and on the sidelines at State Farm Arena.
| Role / Position | Name | Connection to the Hawks |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Owner / Governor | Tony Ressler | Leads the ownership group; primary decision-maker at ownership level |
| High-Profile Ownership Partner | Jami Gertz | Public face of ownership, frequent presence at games in Atlanta |
| Minority Owner / Former Player | Grant Hill | Former NBA star; part of ownership group, visible in NBA circles |
This is a simplified picture focused on the names most relevant to everyday fans in Atlanta. There are additional investors behind the scenes, but they are not as visible in local coverage or public team events.
For people in Atlanta, ownership isn’t just a business detail — it influences:
The ownership group plays a major role in:
While day-to-day basketball decisions are handled by the front office and coaching staff, ownership approves the overall direction and budget.
When a team’s ownership changes in other cities, fans often worry about relocation. In Atlanta:
The current ownership group has been consistently tied to keeping the team in Atlanta.
The Hawks’ home is State Farm Arena, located at:
State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303
For local fans, this has helped reinforce the idea that the Hawks are firmly rooted in Downtown Atlanta.
Ownership often shapes how visible the team is in the city:
While many of these efforts are driven by the team’s business and community relations staff, the tone from ownership matters and influences how active the franchise is across the metro area.
It’s easy to confuse ownership with the people making basketball decisions day-in and day-out. In Atlanta, it helps to separate these roles clearly:
Ownership (Tony Ressler and partners)
Basketball Operations (Front Office / GM / President)
If you’re watching from your home in Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, or anywhere in Metro Atlanta, you’ll hear ownership referenced in connection with the big-picture health of the franchise, while the front office gets talked about more around wins, losses, and roster moves.
If you want to feel closer to how the team is run and how ownership’s influence shows up locally, you can:
While you won’t typically interact directly with owners as a fan, their decisions shape everything you experience — from ticket options and arena upgrades to the kind of roster you see on the court.
In summary, the Atlanta Hawks are owned by an investment-led group headed by Tony Ressler, with recognizable partners like Jami Gertz and Grant Hill playing visible roles. For Atlantans, this group is responsible for keeping the Hawks stable in the city, investing in the arena experience downtown, and guiding the long-term future of professional basketball in Atlanta.
