Ted Turner Joins 2027 Hall of Fame Ballot

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum released the nonplayer ballot on Monday. Former Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner is among the eight names selected for the Class of 2027. The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee will review the candidates and cast their votes in San Diego on Dec. 6. The committee will announce the results at 8 p.m. that evening.

Turner bought the Braves in 1976. He changed how Major League Baseball reached fans by broadcasting games on his WTBS television station. The station sent signals to cable providers nationwide. This model created a new standard for sports distribution. Under his ownership, the team won 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005. That streak stands as a record in Major League Baseball history. Turner died on May 6.

The committee is one of four groups evaluating candidates for the Class of 2027. The other three panels are the Pre-1900 Era Committee, the 1900 to 1955 Era Committee, and the 1956 to 2009 Era Committee. Each group is responsible for a different time period in the sport's history. They will meet on the same day to consider their respective ballots.

Other names on the nonplayer ballot include Bill Belichick, Barry Bonds, Lou Piniella, Joe Maddon, Sandy Alderson, and Bob Melvin. The committee is tasked with electing executives, managers, and media figures. They must choose at least one individual from this list to enter the Hall of Fame. The selection process requires a vote by committee members.

The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee covers the period from 1980 to the present. Candidates must have been active in that timeframe. The group evaluates individuals who worked with teams or owned franchises during those years. The committee looks at impact on the game, longevity, and contributions to baseball's growth. They will consider Turner's role in building the Braves into a sustained championship contender.

The vote will take place during a scheduled meeting in San Diego. Committee members will discuss the merits of each candidate. They will then vote to determine which individuals receive enough support for induction. The Hall of Fame will share the final list of electees after the meeting concludes. This marks the first time Turner appears on a voting ballot since his death in May.

The announcement of the ballot comes as part of the annual cycle for Hall of Fame elections. The organization releases these lists to inform fans and media about who is under consideration. The eight individuals named on this specific ballot represent a cross-section of modern baseball leadership and media influence. The committee's decision on Dec. 6 will add new names to the institution's roster of honored members.