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The Hawks’ history in Atlanta began in 1968 when Georgia real estate developer Thomas Cousins and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders purchased the franchise and moved it from St. Louis. In 1977, Ted Turner (then owner of the Atlanta Braves and television station WTCG) purchased the franchise, promising it would remain in Atlanta.
In 1982, with the addition of rookie Dominique Wilkins and coach Mike Fratello, a decade of team identity evolution began. The 1985-86 season saw a 50-win end, Wilkins led the league in scoring and his first All-Star appearance and Fratello was named NBA Coach of the Year.
– Alexis Prather, 360 Media, Inc.