Who Owns the Atlanta Hawks? A Local’s Guide to the Team Behind the Team

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or just love the city’s sports culture, it’s natural to wonder: who owns the Atlanta Hawks, and how does that ownership shape basketball in Atlanta?

Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown of who owns the Hawks, what that means for the city, and how it connects to your experience as a fan.

The Current Owner of the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are owned by an investment group led by Tony Ressler. The group is commonly referred to as the Tony Ressler-led ownership group.

• Principal owner / majority leader: Tony Ressler
• Ownership type: Group ownership (not a single individual)
• Team: Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
• Home arena: State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

Ressler’s group purchased the team in the mid‑2010s and has overseen a period focused on:

• Modernizing State Farm Arena
• Rebuilding the roster around young talent
• Deepening ties between the team and the City of Atlanta and the broader metro area

While many people casually say “Tony Ressler owns the Hawks,” in practice it’s a partnership group that collectively owns and manages the franchise.

Key Figures in the Hawks’ Ownership Group

Even though this is a group ownership, a few names matter most to Atlanta fans.

Tony Ressler (Principal Owner)

Tony Ressler is the face of Hawks ownership. He is:

• The governor (principal decision-making owner) for NBA purposes
• The public point of reference when people talk about “Hawks ownership”
• Involved in major decisions like front office leadership, arena investments, and long-term direction

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, Ressler’s era has been associated with:

• A major renovation of State Farm Arena
• More emphasis on the fan experience in downtown Atlanta
• A commitment to keeping the Hawks positioned as a core part of the city’s identity

Other Notable Minority Owners

The Hawks also have a number of minority (partial) owners, which have at various times included well-known business and entertainment figures. While individual stakes can change, the structure generally looks like this:

• Principal owner: Tony Ressler – leads decisions, represents the Hawks at league level
• Minority partners: Various investors – support capital, networking, and strategic ideas
• Team executives: Hired leadership (e.g., team president, general manager) – run day‑to‑day basketball and business operations

Most Atlanta fans will never see the full ownership list; what matters most is how this group steers the franchise and engages with the city.

How Hawks Ownership Connects to Atlanta Life

For people in Atlanta, the owner of the Hawks isn’t just a name on paper. Ownership choices directly affect:

1. The Arena Experience in Downtown Atlanta

Ownership is responsible for:

• Investing in State Farm Arena upgrades (seating, concessions, technology, fan spaces)
• Creating a safe, enjoyable game-day environment around the arena
• Working with the City of Atlanta and local agencies on traffic, transportation, and public safety planning for events

If you go to a Hawks game, the quality of:

• Concessions and local food options
• In‑arena entertainment
• Sound, lighting, and video boards

…all tie back to ownership decisions about fan experience spending.

2. The Team’s Commitment to Atlanta

Ownership shapes the Hawks’ identity as Atlanta’s team, including:

• Community and youth programs run through Atlanta Hawks community initiatives
• Partnerships with Atlanta Public Schools, local nonprofits, and recreation centers
• Investments in area basketball courts and community events

If you see the Hawks logo around downtown, College Park, Decatur, or the Westside, much of that presence is connected to decisions made at the ownership level.

Where the Hawks Play: State Farm Arena Details

While the question is about ownership, most Atlantans also want to know where that ownership is based in the city—and how it relates to the arena.

State Farm Arena

• Address: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Location: In the heart of downtown, next to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and the CNN Center area
• Primary use: Home of the Atlanta Hawks and major concerts/events

Ownership holds the rights to the Hawks franchise, while the arena itself is operated in partnership with local authorities and arena management. For a fan, this connection shows up in:

• Ticketing policies
• Premium seating and suites
• In-game entertainment and branding

📝 Tip for locals and visitors:
When planning a visit to see the “owner’s team” in action, MARTA’s Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center station on the Blue and Green lines is the closest rail stop.

How the Ownership Affects Fans in Atlanta

From the outside, it might seem like “owner” is just a legal term. In practice, Hawks ownership has real implications for your experience in Atlanta:

Ticket Prices and Accessibility

Ownership sets the strategy around:

• Overall pricing philosophy – how affordable certain sections are
• Availability of family packages, theme nights, and promotions
• Balancing premium seating with more budget-friendly options

Atlanta residents looking for affordable nights out at State Farm Arena are indirectly affected by these ownership-level decisions.

Basketball Strategy and Competitiveness

While the general manager and basketball operations staff handle roster moves, ownership:

• Approves long-term salary commitments
• Supports (or limits) big trades and signings
• Chooses whether the team leans into a rebuild, a youth movement, or a veteran push

If you’re in Atlanta wondering whether the Hawks will stay competitive, a lot of that comes down to how willing ownership is to invest at a high level.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Hawks Ownership at a Glance

How to Engage with the Hawks as an Atlanta Resident or Visitor

Even if you never meet anyone from the ownership group, you interact with their decisions whenever you choose to experience the team.

Here are common ways Atlantans connect with the Hawks:

1. Attending Games at State Farm Arena

• Basketball fans in Atlanta often see game attendance as a core part of city life, especially during playoff runs.
• Ownership influences the energy and resources put into in‑arena entertainment, halftime shows, and fan interaction.

2. Following Community Events

The Hawks frequently participate in or support:

• Free or low-cost basketball clinics for kids around metro Atlanta
• Court refurbishments in local neighborhoods
• School partnerships and reading or education-centered initiatives

These programs typically reflect the ownership group’s emphasis on being visible and active in Atlanta communities, not just downtown.

3. City Identity and Pride

The Hawks are one of the flagship franchises for Atlanta, alongside other major teams. Ownership decisions around:

• Branding
• Team culture
• Investment in competitiveness

…all contribute to whether people in Atlanta feel proud to wear Hawks gear, represent the team on social media, or bring visitors to games as a “must-do” city experience.

If You’re Just Visiting Atlanta and Curious About the Owner

Visitors who follow the NBA sometimes want a quick summary:

• The owner of the Atlanta Hawks is Tony Ressler’s investment group, with Ressler serving as the principal owner.
• The team plays at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta.
• The group’s leadership has emphasized modernizing the arena, investing in young talent, and deepening the organization’s ties to the City of Atlanta.

If you’re in town, catching a Hawks game is a direct way to see how this ownership group has shaped the fan experience and atmosphere.

In short, when you hear people in Atlanta talk about “the owner of the Hawks,” they’re talking about a Tony Ressler–led group that controls the franchise, invests in the arena, and plays a major role in how professional basketball feels and functions in Atlanta, Georgia.