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Ted Turner on AOL, Rocker
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January 19, 2000: 8:25 p.m. ET
Time Warner Vice Chairman will stay on, thinks Braves pitcher should too
By Staff Writer Alex Frew McMillan
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Time Warner Inc. Vice Chairman and CNN founder Ted Turner is upbeat about the America Online-Time Warner merger and anticipates staying active with the new company, Turner told the Moneyline News Hour Wednesday.
Turner, who built a media empire around CNN, Turner Broadcasting System and the Atlanta Braves, also said he does not believe controversial Braves closing pitcher John Rocker should be fired.
Internet service provider AOL (AOL) and media conglomerate Time Warner (TWX), parent of CNNfn.com, agreed Jan. 10 to a $181 billion merger, the biggest ever.
AOL will control 55 percent of the company. But Turner, who has a reputation for being outspoken and strong-willed, said he is willing to take on whatever role the new company's management asks him to.
"I'm a team player," Turner told Moneyline. "If they want me to sell magazine subscriptions door to door I'll do that," something he did in school, he said.
Turner, 61, implied that he will not work full-time for the merged company, to be called AOL Time Warner. He said that after 33 years as CEO of TBS, he has already eased off from full-time duties with Time Warner. "I'm enjoying my senior-statesman, advisory role," he said.
While vague about his own career plans, he left little doubt as to how he thinks Rocker should be treated. Rocker's future has been the subject of heated debate ever since Rocker made remarks in Sports Illustrated magazine criticizing foreigners, gays and a number of ethnic groups.
Rocker was also particularly critical of New York, where the Braves beat the Mets in the run up to the World Series, which they then lost to the New York Yankees. Rocker appeared to antagonize the crowd during the Mets series, which in turn provoked him.
"He's just a kid," Turner told Moneyline. "I think he was off his rocker when he said those things."
What Rocker said was unforgivable, Turner continued, but the pitcher has apologized. The Bible preaches forgiveness, he continued, and Rocker deserves the same treatment.
"Let's give him another chance," Turner said. "He didn't commit a crime."
Turner said he favored requiring Rocker to attend a course of psychiatric therapy. The solution was better than other more drastic measures "like cutting off his hands," Turner said.
The decision of how to treat Rocker would be easier if Rocker were not such a talented baseball player, Turner said. "If he couldn't get people out, I don't think it would, you know, be as much of a problem," said Turner, who often takes a prominent seat in the stands during Braves games. 
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