There's been recent movement (Request for Proposals stage) on the Falcons new open-air stadium, which would be built on the corner of Northside Drive and Ivan Allen Boulevard, the site of the current Yellow Parking lot and GWCCA Marshaling Yard. This video mentions explicitly that Blank intends for the new venue to be built with both football and soccer in mind. The second video explicitly links MLS to the "new sports franchise" that Major Reed "promised" after he let the Thrashers leave town (thanks again, morons). THE DEBATE: A new stadium for the Falcons? More: DOWNTOWN: Falcons to kick off new stadium design Falcons Master Plan (February 2011 analysis of new outdoor stadium and current Georgia Dome, including a detailed breakdown of parking, pedestrian traffic, and overall cost) Of course, the idiot Atlanta news anchors don't understand that: 1) Bringing MLS here IS a persuasive argument for a new open-air stadium, especially considering the Hispanic population in Greater Atlanta, both now and by the time the stadium would be completed. (Not to mention all the non-Hispanic soccer fans here). 2) Hosting another Superbowl is a BIG deal. Seriously, how did he say it wasn't with a straight face? 3) The Georgia Dome will stay in operation, and all the events the reporter cited that wouldn't work outdoors were never intended to move outdoors (SEC Championship Game, Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Wrestlemania). And, no, these events don't hold a candle to the f-ing Superbowl! I'm relieved that they want to keep top-tier pro sports Downtown, where they belong.
That's a gigantic parcel of unused space. Would make a nice space for an outdoor stadium. I also like the idea of keeping the Georgia Done up for other functions. I hate the idea of tearing down "old" stadiums.
this whole "the stadium will be for soccer too" thing is just hogwash to get more support to waste tax payer's dollars on welfare for the rich. the only thing Blank cares about is getting a new stadium at the taxpayer's expense for his NFL franchise so he can make more obscene loot. and of course he wants to be able to be a World Cup venue should it ever come back here ... because that is big loot too. but without a core ownership that is already vested and experienced in soccer (like the Sounders had) to partner with a preexisting stadium/NFL silent partner (like in Seattle) this whole Falcons/MLS thing is going to end up like the other team in the league owned by a non-soccer NFL guy who cares first, second and third about his NFL team and stadium and for whom the MLS team is a red-headed and forgotten stepchild ... Arthur Blank-Falcons/MLS = New England Revolution 2.0
One factor to think about though is with this Hawks ownership scenario. Now that the Atlanta Spirit are back in control, who knows what will happen to them. If something happens to the Hawks and/or another franchise in Atlanta (Beat, Dream, etc), I can see a possible sudden move to take advantage and bring a new sport to the city.
oh. i am definitely a fan of Atlanta getting an MLS team. of all of the cities in the "south" including florida it seems to have the best demographics and while not spectacular in terms of the attendance of its pro teams it isn't "wretched" like tampa and miami are in that regard. and the more pro sports teams it loses from the market the better for any potential MLS team. i am just not a fan of arthur blank being the sole owner of the club. it is a recipe for disaster. the seattle group works because at the core of it is the ownership that was there during the D2 days, an ownership that loves and knows soccer. then they added other money investors who jumped on board for whatever reason .. and then they added a SILENT partner in the NFL/Stadium owner ... a guy happy to stay in the background, offer the Stadium setup as his contribution. but an NFL guy owning the team alone ... well that has Kraft written all over it. because let's face it. an NFL owner cares about only one thing ... his NFL team ... and rightfully so because his NFL team is a cash cow. without an equal and countervailing part to the ownership to fight for the equality of the MLS team there is going to be an understandable and inevitable 800lb gorilla and gnat dynamic going on between the NFL and MLS team. i know Atlanta soccer fans are desparate and willing to put there trust wherever they have to in order to get an MLS team ... but putting their trust in Blank is a mistake. especially if he will/would be the sole ownership for the team. it works in Seattle because the NFL portion of their ownership group is only partial and the other parts of the ownership group balance out the group so that the Sounders don't end up getting treated like the Revs. but having somebody solely own an NFL and MLS team is a recipe for disaster due to the simple economic inequity between the two teams. there is a reason beyond just general contempt for soccer that Kraft doesn't give a shite about the Revs compared to the Patriots ... and that is the Patriots makes him multi millions of dollars a year and the Revs don't. the same would be true wth Blank and any Falcons/MLSATL setup. heed the warning of the example that is already out there. fight to get a soccer-centric component to the ownership or you will end up regretting it sooner rather than later.
Maybe if Beckham leaves this year he will partner with blank on the creation of a team. Might be a long shot but it would be nice. He did name his daughter Atlanta after all.
This. The same thing ("Hey, soccer-fan taxpayers! Pay for my NFL stadium, and you will have a team too!") happened in Seattle, and I think is also in play in Minnesota. Seattle got the soccer-fan vote for its new football stadium (which may very well have failed without them) by promising them an MLS team, and then promptly forgot all about it. The fact that the Sounders play there now is little more than coincidental to the promises made (by Doug Logan, Garber's predecessor as MLS commissioner; that tells how long ago it was) when the place was built. Paul Allen's involvement with the Sounders came long after he got his stadium built for his Seahawks, and none of the initiative for it was his. In order for Atlanta to have an analogous situation, some other owners would have to come along who are actually interested in soccer, and make Blank a partner in THEIR enterprise. So yeah, take any MLS rumblings from the NFL guy with a grain of salt. It's most likely complete crap, and if it isn't, hello half-assed MLS ownership.
Man, where was Blank when the Thrashers left? [/stillmad] Blank as a singular owner woudn't work though.
Actually the Falcons VP of Marketing is the former President and General Manager of the Columbus Crew. I think there's a chance they could pull it off.
Even bigger news: LeanderSchaerlaecken A plane flew over the Home Depot Center a while ago tugging a banner saying something like: "Hey, Don. ATL wants MLS."
This. Got into a looong conversation about this with a fellow Thrashers game at today's Falcons game. Would love to know who was behind this! QFMFT.
Glad to see this level of organization. Any pictures of the airplane banner? The pics of the girls at the Champs League Final viewing party are much appreciated!
God if ATL it must be then so be it! MLS, dont be afraid of rednecks! We're here Were made of Beer and we'll slash your tires if you don't bring a team to the south
Has anyone else been on the Connector recently and had the thought flash through their head when passing the temporary "Odyesseo" or whatever horse-show tents at the dead TrumpTower lots of a SSS? It would be a tight fit and would need to incorporate existing parking decks (empty on weekends and nights anyway), but what a perfect setting.
I think it is a bit small, but perfect location. I think GT is about to have another office building built there, though. On another note, what about a perfect location in Buckhead, to revitalize the failed Streets of Buckhead developments. This is where a lot of great buildings (bars) were torn down to redevelop Buckhead, but it has completely stalled out. A few things are needed for a successful stadium: 1. Mass transit links 2. Easy to get to 3. Bars/restaurants nearby for pre/post-gaming I think Buckhead is perfect because it is easy to get to for people in Gwinnett, Cobb, and downtown. It is basically in the middle of all 3. It also has a great bar scene.
Buckhead would be a nice location, but lord, everyone would need to take MARTA to the game. The traffic in that area is always awful when I go through and could not imagine throwing another 8-10K.
Yeah, the 400 interchange with Lenox Rd would need to be improved as well as West Paces Ferry (which goes by the Governor's mansion). But I don't think it's much worse than anywhere else in Atlanta. Traffic sucks no matter where the stadium would be. Another location is the area of Atlantic Station that host events (circus, beach volleyball, etc.)...that would be a great, high profile location. Another plus is that it is near the railroad How cool would it be during games if trains go right by the stadium?! ESPECIALLY if the team plays to our railroad heritage (which, I am sorry, but we have to).
According this article in Creative Loafing, the location is pretty much settled on. My question is: once the deal is formalized and made public, does Blank's team get to play in the Georgia Dome until the new stadium is finished? Or do we have to wait?