Established
1946
City
Tri-Cities - Milwaukee - St. Louis - Atlanta
League History
1949 – Present / National Basketball Association
1946 – 1949 / National Basketball League
Team History
1968 – Present / Atlanta Hawks
1955 – 1968 / St. Louis Hawks
1951 – 1955 / Milwaukee Hawks
1946 – 1951 / Tri-Cities Blackhawks
Nickname
Hawks - For sports fans, the Atlanta Hawks are among the most beloved teams in the NBA. But did you know that their nickname has an interesting origin story?
The Atlanta Hawks began as a professional basketball team in 1946, known as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. The name was chosen to honor Black Hawk, a Sauk Indian chief who had fought against U.S forces during the War of 1812 and eventually settled near what is now Rock Island County, Illinois—close to where three cities (Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and Davenport Iowa) that made up "Tri-Cities." This was also close to where some members of the ownership group lived at this time.
Atlanta Hawks Origin
In 1951, after moving from Moline/Rock Island area to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for five years, the franchise changed its name from Tri-Cities Blackhawks to Milwaukee Hawks. However, by 1955 due to low attendance figures, it moved again -this time down south -to St Louis, Missouri. The team kept its original nickname but added “Saint” before it became Saint Louis Hawks. In 1968 they relocated again –this time further east–and became known simply as Atlanta Haws, which remains until today!
It's incredible how much history there is behind such a simple name like 'Hawks.' As we cheer on our beloved team each season, let us remember all those who have gone before us, making this great sport possible!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
1958
Arena
2019 - Present / State Farm Arena
1999 - 2018 / Philips Arena
1997 – 1999 / Georgia Dome & Alexander Memorial Coliseum
1972 – 1997 / The Omni
1968 – 1972 / Alexander Memorial Coliseum
*St. Louis*
1955 – 1968 / Kiel Auditorium
*Milwaukee*
1951 – 1955 / Milwaukee Arena
*Moline*
1946 – 1951 / Wharton Field House
Owner
2015 – Present / Tony Ressler
2004 – 2015 / Atlanta Spirit, LLC
1977 – 2004 / Ted Turner/Turner Broadcasting
1968 – 1976 / Tom Cousins/Cousins Corporation, Carl Sanders
1946 – 1968 / Ben Kerner
- 1968
- 1976
- 1996
- 1999
- 2004
Move to Atlanta – Hawks
Despite the success, Kerner became weary of the Hawks’ longtime home, Kiel Auditorium. The 33-year-old arena seated only 10,000 people and was starting to show its age. The Hawks occasionally played at the larger St. Louis Arena, mostly against popular opponents, but Kerner was not willing to move the team there full-time because it had not been well-maintained since the ...-
Ted Turner’s ownership
Cable network entrepreneur and Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner bought the team n 1976, Turner bought the Atlanta Hawks, partially to provide programming for WTCG. The Hawks were the only NBA team in the Southeastern United States, just as the Atlanta Braves were the only Major League Baseball team in the region for many years to come. Turner’s ownership was ... 
New Arena
Philips Arena Coming!Around this time, it was decided that the Omni should be replaced by a new arena. The Omni was designed with weathering steel that was intended to rust into a seal around the arena so it could last for decades. However, the designers and architects didn’t reckon on Atlanta’s humid subtropical climate. As a result, it never stopped rusting and ...-
Phillips Arena Opens
Following the 1997 playoffs, the Hawks then moved back to Alexander Memorial Coliseum at the Georgia Institute of Technology, with the Georgia Dome used for larger-capacity games, until Phillips Arena opened before the 1999 – 2000 season. Philips Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Atlanta, Georgia. It was completed and opened in 1999 to replace and occupying the ... -
Atlanta Spirit LLC’s Ownership
In March 2004, the team was sold to a group of executives by the name of Atlanta Spirit LLC by Time Warner, who inherited the Hawks and Braves upon its merger with Turner Broadcasting in 1996, along with the Atlanta Thrashers pro ice hockey team now the Winnipeg Jets, with which the Hawks shared the Philips Arena, which replaced the ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Atlanta Hawks History
The Atlanta Hawks history traces back to 1946 when the franchise began as the Buffalo Bisons before quickly moving to Moline, Illinois, as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. They joined the NBA in 1949 and later relocated to Milwaukee, then St. Louis, where they found early success. In 1968, the team moved to Atlanta, establishing the modern era of Atlanta Hawks basketball.
During their years in St. Louis, the Hawks captured their lone NBA Championship in 1958, defeating the Boston Celtics. That title remains a proud part of the Atlanta Hawks history. After the move to Atlanta, the team continued to build a strong identity, highlighted by legendary players such as Dominique Wilkins, known as the “Human Highlight Film.” His high-flying dunks became a symbol of Atlanta Hawks NBA culture.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the Hawks became a consistent powerhouse. Under head coach Mike Fratello, they won multiple division titles and reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals several times. Key players like Moses Malone, Doc Rivers, and later Dikembe Mutombo made lasting contributions to the Atlanta Hawks history, bringing energy and defensive dominance to the court.
Atlanta Hawks Achievements
The Hawks achieved a remarkable run of success between 1985 and 1995, recording 10 consecutive winning seasons with at least 50 victories. This consistency placed them among the league’s most respected franchises. Despite not reaching the NBA Finals during this era, their achievements built a loyal fan base and solidified their reputation in Atlanta Hawks basketball.
In more recent years, the Hawks have returned to playoff contention, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 led by Trae Young. This marked a new chapter in Atlanta Hawks NBA history, showing promise for future success. With one championship, multiple division titles, and legendary players, the Atlanta Hawks history continues to inspire fans as they look forward to the team’s next breakthrough.
The 4 Faces of Atlanta Hawks Greatness—Did We Get It Right?
The Atlanta Hawks' Mount Rushmore of basketball excellence represents a storied legacy of legendary talent that has shaped the franchise's identity across multiple eras. From Bob Pettit's pioneering dominance that led to the team's only NBA Championship in 1958...
Retired Number
9 / Bob Pettit
21 / Dominique Wilkins
23 / Lou Hudson
44 / Pete Maravich
55 / Dikembe Mutombo
59 / Kasim Reed
– / Ted Turner
*Blue is this team’s history
