Who Owns the Atlanta Hawks? A Local Guide for Atlanta Fans

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 Main Owner of the Atlanta Hawks

The principal owner and governor of the Atlanta Hawks is Tony Ressler (Antony Ressler). He leads the current ownership group that controls the franchise.

• Tony Ressler – Principal Owner / Governor
  • Co-founder of large investment firms
  • Became majority owner of the Hawks in 2015
  • Serves as the public and league-facing head of the ownership group
  • Closely associated with major decisions involving team direction, leadership, and long-term strategy

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.

Key Members of the Hawks Ownership Group

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:

• Tony Ressler – Principal owner and governor
• Jami Gertz – Actress and Ressler’s wife, often the most visible face of ownership on game nights
• Grant Hill – Former NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer, part-owner and well-known to local and national fans

These names are frequently associated with the team in media coverage, community events, and on the sidelines at State Farm Arena.

Quick Ownership Snapshot for Atlanta Fans

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.

How the Ownership Affects Fans in Atlanta

For people in Atlanta, ownership isn’t just a business detail — it influences:

1. Investment in the Team and Arena

The ownership group plays a major role in:

• Funding roster moves and long-term contracts
• Supporting front office hires and coaching changes
• Contributing to improvements at State Farm Arena in Downtown Atlanta

While day-to-day basketball decisions are handled by the front office and coaching staff, ownership approves the overall direction and budget.

2. Commitment to Staying in Atlanta

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.

3. Community and City Involvement

Ownership often shapes how visible the team is in the city:

• Support for community programs and local initiatives
• Presence at Atlanta events and civic activities
• Long-term partnerships with the City of Atlanta and surrounding neighborhoods

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.

Front Office vs. Ownership: Who Does What?

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)

  • Provide funding and long-term vision
  • Approve major contracts and strategic moves
  • Represent the team at the NBA league level

• Basketball Operations (Front Office / GM / President)

  • Handle trades, draft picks, and roster construction
  • Work with the coaching staff on team direction
  • Manage player development and scouting

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.

How to Stay Connected with the Team in Atlanta

If you want to feel closer to how the team is run and how ownership’s influence shows up locally, you can:

• Attend a Hawks home game at State Farm Arena
• Visit the box office at the arena for tickets or information:
  • 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Follow the team’s official outlets for updates on:
  • Ownership statements
  • Major team announcements
  • Community projects across Atlanta neighborhoods

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.