Atlanta Hawks is a professional basketball franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The team competes in the Eastern Conference’s Southeast Division. The Hawks play their home games at the State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta and are known for their red-and-white team colours and enthusiastic fan base. The franchise has roots going back to the Buffalo Bisons (1946), later relocating and rebranding multiple times.
Founded long ago and having undergone several relocations and ownership changes, the Atlanta Hawks today represent one of the 30 NBA franchises.
Ownership Status of Atlanta Hawks
There is no single private owner in the conventional sense of full ownership. The Hawks are owned by a group led by Antony P. “Tony” Ressler, who serves as the Principal Owner & Governor of the team.
Major Shareholders
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Status / Approximate Stake | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tony Ressler | Majority / Controlling Interest | Led the group that acquired the Hawks in 2015. |
| Grant Hill (and others) | Minority Shares | Former NBA star Grant Hill is a notable minority owner and serves as Vice-Chair. |
Note: Exact percentage holdings of each investor are not publicly disclosed.
About the Owner — Tony Ressler
Antony P. “Tony” Ressler is an American businessman and private equity investor. He co-founded Apollo Global Management in 1990 and later Ares Management in 1997, two of the most successful investment firms in the United States.
In June 2015, Ressler led the purchase of the Atlanta Hawks, serving as the Principal Owner and Governor. His leadership has focused on team stability, long-term development, and community investment around State Farm Arena.
Tony Ressler’s Net Worth
As of 2024–2025, Tony Ressler’s estimated net worth is around $11.3 billion, according to Forbes and Bloomberg. His fortune primarily comes from his success in private equity and asset management through Ares Management and Apollo Global Management.
Under his ownership, the Atlanta Hawks’ franchise value has nearly tripled, contributing to his overall portfolio and financial influence in both sports and business sectors.
Key Shareholder Highlights
- Tony Ressler headed the purchase of the Hawks franchise in 2015 for approximately $850 million.
- The team ownership group includes Grant Hill, Rick Schnall (until 2023), and other investors.
- Ressler holds controlling interest, making him the final decision-maker for the franchise.
- The Hawks’ ownership model features a broad investment group rather than a single owner.
Recent Developments in Ownership
Since the 2015 acquisition, there have been no major ownership changes.
However:
- The franchise value has grown significantly, now estimated at over $3 billion according to Forbes 2024 NBA valuations.
- Tony Ressler’s ownership group has continued investing in Atlanta’s sports and real estate development, including projects surrounding State Farm Arena.
- No new SEC filings (13D/13G) have indicated a transfer of controlling ownership since the 2015 sale.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the Atlanta Hawks?
The current principal owner and governor is Antony P. “Tony” Ressler, who led the group that purchased the team in 2015.
2. Is the Atlanta Hawks publicly traded or privately owned?
The Atlanta Hawks are a privately-held sports franchise — they are not publicly traded.
3. Who founded the Atlanta Hawks?
The team originated as the Buffalo Bisons (1946) and later became the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Milwaukee Hawks, and finally the Atlanta Hawks.
The current ownership structure was formed when Tony Ressler’s group purchased the franchise in 2015.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
Yes, the most recent change occurred in 2015, when Tony Ressler’s group bought the team from Atlanta Spirit LLC for around $850 million.
There have been no major changes since that acquisition.