A drive along the Downtown Connector used to be all you needed as proof Ted Turner built his empire in Atlanta.
TNT, TBS and Turner Field were reminders in big letters on buildings and a stadium.
But Turner’s name —in some prime locations —will potentially disappear from Atlanta.
AT&T announced Monday it will divide up Turner brand, which will be phased out and absorbed into WarnerMedia.
» EXCLUSIVE: AT&T top execs personally reassured Ted Turner his legacy will be maintained
» Atlanta's Turner operations face uncertainty as name disappears
TNT, TBS and truTV will become part of WarnerMedia Entertainment. Turner Sports will be a part of WarnerMedia News & Sports.
So the signs will likely come down from the Turner Broadcasting building on Techwood Drive.
Just a couple of years ago, a trip farther down the Connector revealed Turner Field, affectionately called "The Ted." After the Braves moved to Cobb County in 2017, Georgia State University and a private development firm bought Turner Field, and the sign on the stadium came down. It is now Georgia State Stadium.
» Turner Field officially belongs to Georgia State and development team
But Turner's name won't vanish from Atlanta. There is still Ted's Montana Grill, with locations throughout Atlanta. The downtown restaurant is in the Turner Building, which houses Turner Enterprises.
The Turner Building sits at the corner of Spring Street and Ted Turner Drive. In July 2015, a portion of Spring Street between Whitehall and West Peachtree streets was named for Turner.
» Ted Turner Drive unveiled in downtown Atlanta
» Photos: It's officially Ted Turner Drive
Credit: Jason Getz
Credit: Jason Getz
Still, it’s the end of an era in Atlanta.
“Given I have been out of the cable and television industry for many years now, I trust Randall Stephenson, John Stankey and the executive team will do what is best for the company, its businesses, and most importantly, its employees,” Turner said in a statement.
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