May 2, 1968. A pivotal day in Atlanta’s history. That’s when real estate tycoon, Tom Cousins, and former Georgia Governor, Carl Sanders purchased the St. Louis Hawks and relocated the team to the Deep South. Now known as the Atlanta Hawks, that moment sparked the beginning of a new era in the city. Unfortunately, the man who started it all, Tom Cousins, is no longer with us.
According to a person close to his family, Tom passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93. He reportedly took his final breath at a hospital in Florida. That’s a tragic loss for the community, and AJ Robinson, chief executive of Central Atlanta Progress highlighted Cousins’ massive impact, “He was one of the few important pillars the entire community has been built upon in the last 40 years.”
Even the Hawks organization mourned the loss of their former owner and released an official statement, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Tom Cousins, a visionary builder of communities, unmatched philanthropist, and a former Hawks owner who had an enduring impact on the city’s sports landscape and the geographic footprint that now makes up our thriving Downtown Atlanta region. Developed by Cousins, the original home of the Hawks – the Omni Coliseum – shaped fans, memories and downtown for a quarter of a century.”
Well, Cousins truly brought a sports revolution in Atlanta. Just four years after bringing the Hawks to the city, he purchased an expansion franchise from the NFL, the Flames. Although he eventually sold the Hawks in 1977 followed by the Flames in 1980 due to financial constraints, him bringing the NBA and NFL to Atlanta paved way for the city to become a sports town. Further highlighting Tom’s impact, the Hawks’ statement continued, “Mr. Cousins… moved the Hawks from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968, affirming Atlanta as a major metropolitan sports city and hub for the southeast. He was also a transformative leader in the community, whose many projects included the revitalization of Atlanta’s East Lake neighborhood.”
Sure, bringing the major sports leagues to Atlanta was a big deal. But Cousins’ biggest achievement was the role he played in city’s overall development. As a real estate tycoon and philanthropist, he transformed the East Lake Meadows public housing complex into a thriving community. He believed in the city when no one else did. “We were going to basically fund the unfundable. And we were going to try to get some solutions to these problems.” Tom said in 2013. That’s why the Hawks along with the entire city of Atlanta will be forever grateful, “We are grateful for his legacy and the countless lives he impacted.”
Hawks fanbase commend Tom Cousins’ vision amid condolences upon his passing
Similar to the Hawks, the entire Atlanta community mourned the legend’s passing. Comments like “Rest In Peace to Atlanta legend Tom Cousins. His imprint on the city will last forever” began flooding in.
Rest In Peace to Atlanta legend Tom Cousins. His imprint on the city will last forever. https://t.co/cwzxf8Kt0e
— Antwane Willis Jr. (@AntwaneWillisJr) July 30, 2025
(Developing Story)
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