Atlanta Braves May Be for Sale

Atlanta Braves May Be for Sale


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves may be on the market. A statement released by the team Tuesday said Time Warner is exploring the possibility of selling the Braves and the Turner South cable network, which carries many of the Braves' games.



"We have engaged an investment banking firm to help us assess strategic options for Turner South and a significant programming contributor to that network, the Atlanta Braves franchise, which may lead to the sale of one or both," Greg Hughes, the team's vice president of public relations and communications, said in the statement.

It is the first recent indication that Time Warner, formerly known as AOL Time Warner, is considering selling the Braves.

All of the company's sports properties were on the market until the sale of the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena was announced on Sept. 16, 2003.

At that time, TBS vice chairman Terry McGuirk said there no longer was "an ongoing marketing plan to sell" the Braves. McGuirk now is chairman and president of the Braves.

Forbes magazine estimated the Braves' value at $374 million in 2004.

I'm from ATL and I can tell you EXACTLY when they lost fan support. The year they went on strike. No shit! I remember it clear as day. You couldn't get a playoff ticket to save your life before the strike. Every single year after the strike they have not had a sell out game during the playoffs. As a matter of fact, attendence dropped significanlty. Then add to that, Turner is a Liberal wack job who went out publically against Bush in a city and state that is highly supportive of Republicans. Talk about putting your foot in your mouth. You don't go to Georgia and insult conservatives and expect them to reward you by coming to your over priced field to watch your choke master team. Well, you do if you're a dumb ass like Turner, but not if you're an intelligent business man.