Original Atlanta Hawks Owner Tom Cousins Dies at 93

Tom Cousins, the original owner who brought the Atlanta Hawks to the city, has died at the age of 93.

In a statement, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena paid tribute to Cousins as “a visionary builder of communities, unmatched philanthropist, and a former Hawks owner who had an enduring impact on the city’s sports landscape.

Cousins, alongside former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders, purchased the Hawks and moved them from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968, helping establish the city as a key sports hub in the Southeast. He also developed the team’s original home, the Omni Coliseum, which stood for 25 years.

Beyond basketball, Cousins was celebrated for his transformative community work, especially the revitalization of Atlanta’s East Lake neighborhood.

“We are grateful for his legacy and the countless lives he impacted,” the team’s statement concluded.