Arthur Blank also "scaring" Atlanta into giving him money for stadium

[jtnc]

It was Charlotte recently, now it’s moved down Interstate 85 to Atlanta, where the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Falcons owner Arthur Blank has told area officials he had been approached by L.A. interests who want to move his team there.

The Falcons just so happen to be in the middle of wrangling for public money to build a new stadium to replace the Georgia Dome, an acceptable if soulless barn which hosts many other events in addition to Falcons games.

“It’s incumbent on us to make sure we don’t lose the franchise,” Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday. “What it does is emphasize the fact that having a major football team like the Atlanta Falcons is a sought-after commodity. I recognize that fact.”

According to the report, Blank “reportedly” told Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed of the interest from L.A.

But Deal seemed to say Blank hadn’t done that directly, suggesting the implied threat that is so common from people who don’t want to dirty their hands by wringing your wallets dry of cash themselves.

“Arthur Blank has never played that card, and I give him credit for that,” Deal said, adding: “I have not had any direct conversations about this.”

No one has to have direct conversations, so long as word gets out, “reportedly” or otherwise, about the threat of dropping the big one on an NFL market.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/29/atlanta-the-latest-to-hear-threats-of-l-a-eyeballing-team/

[CLEARHOT]

The NFL needs to (someday) have a No Relocation Policy, all these threats do is dilute the fan base.

[Awesomeness!!]

He wont move the team, and I hope they give him squat. Tax payer dollars for NFL teams in this economy is bullshit.

[rayzor]

i think i something about that today.

[rayzor]

oh yeah....here

[jtnc]

i think i something about that today.

Sorry.

[rayzor]

:)

[csx]

He wont move the team, and I hope they give him squat. Tax payer dollars for NFL teams in this economy is bullshit.

Would you honestly expect things like hotel and rental car taxes to be redistributed in tax returns or something like that? In this economy, when people will still spend their hard earned money on game, you sure as hell better not lose that or your local economy is really going to go into the gutter.

[frash.exe]

did he reveal his true identity? which is Vincent Price's animated corpse?

[toldozer]

Would you honestly expect things like hotel and rental car taxes to be redistributed in tax returns or something like that? In this economy, when people will still spend their hard earned money on game, you sure as hell better not lose that or your local economy is really going to go into the gutter.

People don't understand the positive effect nfl teams have on a cities economy far outweigh the negatives of ponying up tax money.

[Fiz]

Would you honestly expect things like hotel and rental car taxes to be redistributed in tax returns or something like that? In this economy, when people will still spend their hard earned money on game, you sure as hell better not lose that or your local economy is really going to go into the gutter.

the idea that football teams have a positive impact on the local economy is complete bullshit peddled to low info voters.

10 times a year a couple hundred people make minimum wage to clean, stand around, and hand you hot dogs, most of which is done by volunteers anyway.

i guess football players spend money but if that's the case it'd make more sense for them to take the money they'd give Blank to build a new stadium and throw it out of a helicopter.

[Awesomeness!!]

But min wage is gud..thats what..Obama said

[Awesomeness!!]

Atlanta doesnt need the Falcons anyway. Plus Arthur Blank knows damn well he isnt moving the team.

[Davidson Deac II]

And a lot of businesses these days ask for state dollars to relocate or expand in an area. While this is not a move, and is an improvement instead of expansion, I can see where the state might think its a good long term investment.

If the state gives them the money, then they should get a written contract that the team will not leave for a certain period of time. If they do, then the team has to refund all the money to the state, plus a penalty, similar to the Dell deal with North Carolina/Forsyth County. They also should have to ensure that all jobs created due to the expansion are filled with employees from NC.