View Full Version : Atlanta Falcons looking into soccer franchise
Brooklyn Dodgers FC
17 Jun 2007, 10:56 AM
Just reading an article about Toronto FC and Maple Leaf S&E and all of a sudden this quote comes up:
"The other day, we had a six-man group in from the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL who asked for our approach in acquiring a pro soccer franchise which they are planning to pursue. "
I didn't see an Atlanta-thread, so here it is...
BuffloSoldier
17 Jun 2007, 10:58 AM
Mmm...Home Depot money...[/Homer Simpson]
ATL_Iron
18 Jun 2007, 05:03 PM
Interesting
jd6885
18 Jun 2007, 05:07 PM
:salivates:
don't get your hopes up though. Where would we put up a stadium? and it must be near a MARTA rail station if you want a good Hispanic crowd
Eleven Bravo
19 Jun 2007, 03:14 PM
that would be awesome if it was true...do you have a link to the website?
Schwalker
19 Jun 2007, 07:05 PM
that would be awesome if it was true...do you have a link to the website?
I think it must have been this one...Google is wonderful thing you know :D
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Gross/2007/06/17/4267892-sun.html
Eleven Bravo
19 Jun 2007, 09:40 PM
I think it must have been this one...Google is wonderful thing you know :D
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Gross/2007/06/17/4267892-sun.html
haha...thanks i owe you one.
footfetish
19 Jun 2007, 09:43 PM
wow. arthur blank is a good owner and has DEEP pockets. this would be amazing.
Eleven Bravo
19 Jun 2007, 10:13 PM
wow. arthur blank is a good owner and has DEEP pockets. this would be amazing.
hell yeah it would!!! hopefully, it would mean cheap tickets too ;) !!! either way, an arthur blank product tells us that our team should be quality.
footfetish
20 Jun 2007, 12:57 AM
hell yeah it would!!! hopefully, it would mean cheap tickets too ;) !!! either way, an arthur blank product tells us that our team should be quality.
he sure doesn't half-ass anything, and he is extremely fan-friendly. i forgot about the ticket prices too. that would go a long way in helping build a stable fanbase.
Keystone FC
20 Jun 2007, 01:53 PM
Well...I remember Garber being interviewed at the RSL game and he MENTIONED Atlanta for expansion. This may be what he was talking about. Since it's the Falcons as possible owners then the only name logical for Atlanta's team would be....wait for it....Pit Bulls.
I couldn't help it.
footfetish
20 Jun 2007, 10:34 PM
Well...I remember Garber being interviewed at the RSL game and he MENTIONED Atlanta for expansion. This may be what he was talking about. Since it's the Falcons as possible owners then the only name logical for Atlanta's team would be....wait for it....Pit Bulls.
I couldn't help it.
haha. our mascot could be a dog wearing a ron mexico jersey.
jross
21 Jun 2007, 02:47 PM
Firstly (not to get off subject), but inhumane treatment of animals isn't really that funny. It's kind of unfortunate people can't see how serious of a crime and social problem it is.
If we learned anything from Arthur Blank's attempts to buy the Brave's, it's that he's sensible. I know it's two different situations all together, but Blank will exercise caution when investing into such an if-y league.
MPoole
21 Jun 2007, 04:39 PM
It's kind of unfortunate people can't see how serious of a crime and social problem it is.
I agree completely. I listen to a sports talk radio show all day, and it is absurd the responses that some of the people give about the subject. They compare it to boxing?!!? Yeah, if in boxing you strapped the fighters in tiny cages 24 hours a day and then beat and electocuted them until they were mindless killing machines, and then made them fight to the death for your own morbid entertainment... yeah, then it would be like boxing.
But what I'm hoping is that the MLS is just what Blank plans to do with the money after he sacks Vick. If he gets $50 mil back out of the contract, then he can start a team and have change left over.
jross
21 Jun 2007, 06:10 PM
But what I'm hoping is that the MLS is just what Blank plans to do with the money after he sacks Vick. If he gets $50 mil back out of the contract, then he can start a team and have change left over.
That would make a lot of people happy (and mad). I'm sure Vick's next team would loooove the idea.
I guess my problem is that I don't quite understand how the sports business works. I hear everyone talk about sponsorships; which, go a long way I'm sure. But, even though fan support is on the rise, it still may be too risky for Blank.
Having said that, I would love to see Blank give Atlanta the chance to show what types of soccer fans we have here.
nsamsarmy
21 Jun 2007, 06:26 PM
That would make a lot of people happy (and mad). I'm sure Vick's next team would loooove the idea.
I guess my problem is that I don't quite understand how the sports business works. I hear everyone talk about sponsorships; which, go a long way I'm sure. But, even though fan support is on the rise, it still may be too risky for Blank.
Having said that, I would love to see Blank give Atlanta the chance to show what types of soccer fans we have here.
Yeah, they will looooove the idea of Vick coming to their team. That is, until they realize that he's around 30th in pass efficiency in the NFL year in and year out. Seriously, great athlete but the most overrated QB... well... EVER.
MPoole
21 Jun 2007, 06:42 PM
But, even though fan support is on the rise, it still may be too risky for Blank.
I think one thing that we need to remember is that this man, Blank, was the head of Home Depot during it's prime. I would bet that he doesn't even bat an eye at $50-100 Million. On top of that though, he seems to like high risk investments. The Force started back when the AFL was a fledgling league.
footfetish
21 Jun 2007, 09:36 PM
Firstly (not to get off subject), but inhumane treatment of animals isn't really that funny. It's kind of unfortunate people can't see how serious of a crime and social problem it is.
we're laughing at trashy nfl players and their absurd behavior, not abused dogs. so kindly get off your soapbox and put away your completely unnecessary condescension.
If we learned anything from Arthur Blank's attempts to buy the Brave's, it's that he's sensible. I know it's two different situations all together, but Blank will exercise caution when investing into such an if-y league.
agreed. but then again, mls ain't exactly the braves. the risk is significantly smaller than a $600 million investment. that being said, caution isn't a bad thing. look at an organization like dc united. their actions are always measured. by avoiding gimmicks and focusing on their play and the fan experience, they have created a wonderful club. i sincerely think that blank would go that route. at least, that's been his mo in the nfl.
jross
22 Jun 2007, 12:00 AM
we're laughing at trashy nfl players and their absurd behavior, not abused dogs. so kindly get off your soapbox and put away your completely unnecessary condescension.
Laughing at the trashy players and their crimes are one in the same. I fail to see how you separated the two. Pacman Jones ... shots fired ... chuckle chuckle
But, this isn't the forum for that ... I'll take it back over to the PETA boards. :) I should have kept that opinion to myself. I misread. I apologize.
I also guess I should have considered the numbers on the investments. I know little or nothing about pricetags for clubs. Blank, from what I know, seems to be an owner that cares about his clubs. In my books, this makes him a top choice for an MLS team. It may take some TLC to get it up and running.
SoccerPrime
27 Jun 2007, 07:52 AM
I didn't realize it until now, but Jim Smith, who is currently the Vice President of Marketing for the Falcons, used to be the GM/president of MLS's Columbus Crew team.
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/frontOfficeBio.jsp?id=1990
Maybe there is a connection between him and the Falcons interest in MLS.