If you live in Atlanta or follow local sports closely, you’ve probably heard that the Atlanta Hawks are owned by a group rather than a single person. Understanding who owns the Hawks helps explain how decisions get made about the team, State Farm Arena, and even community programs around the city.
Here’s a clear breakdown of who owns the Atlanta Hawks, how the ownership is structured, and what that means for fans in Atlanta.
The Atlanta Hawks are owned by an ownership group led by Tony Ressler, a businessman and investor.
The official ownership structure is commonly referred to as the Tony Ressler–Grant Hill-led group, which purchased the team and operating rights to the arena in 2015.
So when people ask, “Who is the owner of the Atlanta Hawks?” the most accurate, simple answer is:
While there are multiple investors involved, a few names matter most to fans in Atlanta:
For most day-to-day franchise decisions and NBA-level governance, Ressler is the main name associated with Hawks ownership.
For Atlanta sports fans, Grant Hill’s presence in ownership adds a basketball-savvy voice and a familiar face to the front office.
The Hawks are not owned by a single person the way some franchises are. Instead, they’re controlled by a consortium of investors.
Here’s a simple way to understand it:
| Role / Position | Person | What It Means for Fans in Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Owner | Tony Ressler | Main decision-maker and public “owner” of the Hawks |
| Co-Owner / Vice Chair | Grant Hill | Prominent partner, brings basketball experience and visibility |
| Other Investors | Various partners | Help fund operations and major projects, but less visible daily |
While you may not hear about every minority owner by name, they collectively help support:
The NBA officially recognizes the group through the principal owner (Ressler), who represents the team on league matters.
To understand the ownership in a local context, it helps to know where the Hawks operate day to day.
The ownership group also controls the operating rights to State Farm Arena. This means they’re not just responsible for the basketball team but also for:
If you’re going to a Hawks game, concert, or event, you’re interacting directly with the business side of the ownership group.
The Hawks’ training facilities are located in the metro area and are part of the team’s long-term investment in player development and performance. While these facilities aren’t tourist attractions, they reflect the ownership’s commitment to:
The ownership of the Hawks doesn’t just affect what happens on the court. It influences how the team interacts with Atlanta as a city.
Under the Ressler-led group, the Hawks have been associated with initiatives that:
If you live or work downtown, you’re likely to feel the impact of home games and arena events in the form of:
Like many NBA franchises, the Hawks’ ownership group supports or funds community-facing efforts. In Atlanta, this can include:
If you’re a parent in metro Atlanta, you may find opportunities for your child to participate in Hawks-affiliated basketball camps or programs, often influenced or backed by team ownership.
Owning an NBA team in Atlanta involves more than just basketball. The Hawks are part of the city’s broader economic and cultural landscape:
While individual Atlantans may interact more with tickets, concessions, and merchandise than with ownership itself, the ownership group drives the strategy behind those offerings.
If you’re a Hawks fan in Atlanta, ownership affects several things you notice directly:
Ownership decisions shape:
You might notice certain nights focused on local neighborhoods, cultural celebrations, or fan appreciation—these are part of the broader business and community vision guided by ownership.
Recent and ongoing investments in State Farm Arena reflect choices made by the ownership group, such as:
If you’ve been going to Hawks games for a long time, you’ve probably seen the arena evolve over the years, especially after the Ressler group took over.
Ownership does not pick the lineups or call plays, but it does:
In Atlanta, that means the style of team you see—whether it’s built around stars, youth, or a balanced roster—flows from the ownership’s willingness to invest and commit to a direction.
Even if you’re just in town for a few days and curious about the team and its owners, you can easily include the Hawks in your plans.
You’ll be experiencing the ownership group’s vision firsthand—everything from the in-game entertainment and music to concessions and arena design.
Before or after a game, many fans:
This whole ecosystem is closely tied to having a stable, active NBA franchise anchoring the area.
If you’re in Atlanta and want to keep up with any developments involving Hawks ownership:
Ownership changes are relatively rare, but when they happen, they are usually publicly announced and discussed locally, especially on Atlanta-focused outlets.
If you’re living in or visiting Atlanta and you cheer for the Hawks at State Farm Arena, you’re experiencing the direct impact of the Ressler–Hill ownership era every time you step through the doors.
