Memo to Mr. Blank: Atlanta is a COLLEGE football town
Let me begin by saying that I have all of the admiration in the world for Mr. Blank, Rich McKay and the Falcons franchise. I’m not a pro football guy but I recognize a good organization when I see one.
So understand that what I’m about to say is with all due respect:
Have you people totally lost your minds?
McKay, the Falcons’ President, told the AJC yesterday that the Falcons’ first preference for a new stadium would be an open air facility that is still on the campus of the Georgia World Congress Center. The Georgia Dome, despite its renovations, just doesn’t quite do it for the NFL franchise any more. When I see facilities like Jerry Jones’ new playpen in Dallas ($1 billion) and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy (site of this year’s Final Four) I understand. It’s about generating revenue outside of ticket sales. I’ve got no problem with that.
But Mr. McKay told the AJC that building a stadium with a retractable roof is too costly (presumably the cost of a new building would be shared). So the Falcons basically throw this problem back in the lap of the folks at the Georgia World Congress Center who, if the Falcons get what they want, would have to continue to maintain the Georgia Dome in order to hold on to a bunch of signature events.
Several points here:
1. To Mr. Blank and Mr. McKay: This ain’t Dallas. It ain’t Philly or New York or St. Louis or Minnesota. This is Atlanta, Ga., and no matter how many football games your franchise wins—and I hope you win them all—Atlanta is and will always be a college football town. And a lot of these college football fans are your customers. You don’t want to hurt college football in this town and this has the potential to hurt college football. It would be a bad PR move.
2. If Atlanta is dumb enough to be a part of building an open air stadium without a retractable roof, then the champagne corks will start popping in Birmingham. Because you can bet that they’ll figure out a way to build a ball park to get the SEC championship football game to come back (the first two games were played in Birmingham in 1992 and 1993). And you can bet that New Orleans would be putting together a bid and sprucing up the Superdome. A big part of what has made the SEC championship game one of the great success stories in sport is that weather is not a factor. Weather has been a factor for the Big 12 and the ACC and the results on those championship games has been mixed at best. The SEC, in my opinion, will not play this game in an open air stadium.
3. Then there is a little basketball event called the NCAA Final Four, which is coming back in 2013. It’s clear that in the future the rotation for that event will be limited to a few cities with the building and infrastructure to support it. With a domed facility like Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy, Atlanta would still be in that mix. Without it you can write off post-season college basketball in this town. The NCAA has too many good options. The ACC and SEC Tournaments may or may not want to come to Philips Arena. They have other good options as well.
4. The Chick-fil-A Bowl people have grown that event into one of the best after the BCS level. They are positioning that bowl to get into the BCS picture if things change after the next four-year cycle. Right now Dallas has an edge with Jones’s magnificent stadium. Take the Georgia Dome away, or build a downtown stadium without a retractable roof, and Atlanta has no shot at being a part of those discussions.
5. Here is my bottom line. I know the NFL is powerful. I know that people sell their souls to keep the NFL franchise happy. But it is not the only game in this town. There is a reason why Indy, Dallas, Houston and Glendale, Ariz.—all NFL towns—built stadiums with retractable roofs. The people involved saw the bigger picture. I’m just assuming that Rich McKay said a retractable roof would be too costly because he and the Falcons want the city to pick up a larger portion of the tab on the stadium. Hey, that’s business. But Atlanta can’t go for that bait or the city has to realize that the cost is worth it. It can’t be short-sighted.
My recommendation: Do exactly what Indy did. It kept the RCA Dome in place and built Lucas Oil Stadium right next to it. The transition was pretty seamless and now Indy has one of the best setups in the country. If there is a Big Ten championship game in the future, it’s a pretty good bet that it will be in Indy.
Let’s get it done. This decision is too important.
By the way: I am right or am I wrong about Atlanta being, first and foremost, a college football town?
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287 comments Add your comment
10 Years / 5 Seats
May 20th, 2010
4:11 pm
I am a ten year/five seat paying season ticket holder with physical disabilities. One of the advantages to the Dome for me is that weather is not a problem once I get to my seats. From my limited perspective, any new stadium must include at the very least a retractable doom. Hey, we’re in a recession – how expensive can it be right now?
Bravesfan79
May 20th, 2010
4:13 pm
The Falcons should be focusing on putting alot of $ into this season in top free agents, while we still have a HOF tight end, and one of the top running backs in the league! Also, id love a outdoor stadium, but with all the budget shortfalls in teachers.. etc.. dont feel the taxpayers should have to pay for it. Seems to me the extra $ from Blank should be used to improve the team, forget a new stadium. Note to Tony: Atlanta is a BRAVES/ Falcons town! Then GT/ UGA football follow second.
SaintsLSU
May 20th, 2010
4:14 pm
Bravesfan79, how could you say the BCS makes the regular season boring? Im not an advocate of the BCS, but it’s all we have in college football. If anything it makes the regular season more important.
Zim
May 20th, 2010
4:15 pm
Memo to Mr. Barnhardt: Football is meant to be played outdoors. That is all.
Tide Rising
May 20th, 2010
4:16 pm
The other thing about an open air stadium replacing the Georgia dome is that we would lose a certain number of events and especially the super bowl. Kiss that goodbye. Super Bowl people still remember the ice storm that hit atlanta last time we had a super bowl. Remember that guys? The roads were frozen over with freezing rice, it was a wet, nasty weekend with people and cars slipping on sidewalks and the road. Imagine if the game had been played in an outdoor stadium that year. If so the super bowl would surely never come back. Other events are hosted in the georgia dome that wouldn’t otherwise be hosted in an outdoor grass stadium like motorcross, monster truck, etc. Nope. Not a fan of any of that crap but I do know someone who went to the supercross a couple of months ago when it was cold outside and he told me it was either a sellout or very close to it. We would lose several events like that.
marble rye
May 20th, 2010
4:24 pm
Football was meant to be played outside…in the elements. This isn’t basketball. People who demand enclosed comfort for football are a bunch of pansies.
Will
May 20th, 2010
4:31 pm
I can’t wait until UGA plays in the GA Dome this coming December.
Toshie
May 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
You know what I would do is go to the open (CHEAP A**) air stadium if Rich McKay and Blank would let me come up and sit in their heated and cooled and dry box seats. They are not going to be the ones that suffers. How many times have you seen Jerry Jones out in the elements?
Shane
May 20th, 2010
4:38 pm
Who cares about college, Go Falcons!!!
OTP
May 20th, 2010
4:41 pm
Build an open-air stadium in Doraville and leave the dome where it is for the SEC, Chic-fil-A, and Final 4. The majority of the people who can afford the PSLs live north of town and are not inclined to come in the city on the weekends (everyone knows why). That will keep the cost to taxpayers down, allow for better tailgating, and make for a better NFL experience. Oh, and change the uniforms back to red helmets.
HugoStiglitz
May 20th, 2010
4:42 pm
I cant believe how many people here are afraid of being cold or rained on. Bring a jacket, its what they are made for.
Used to be a Falcons fan
May 20th, 2010
4:47 pm
The Falcons don’t really want an open air stadium, they can’t be that dumb.
This is just a maneuver to minimize their contribution toward the cost of a new dome or retractable roof.
papadawg
May 20th, 2010
4:58 pm
I don’t go to Falcons or Braves games cause of where they are located.
Tide Rising
May 20th, 2010
5:04 pm
“Football is meant to be played outdoors. Period”
Nice how some people think a slogan substitutes for economic reality. And that economic reality is that if the Georgia Dome was replaced with an open air facility then you can kiss a whole slew of events held indoors at the Dome goodbye. Especially the super bowl because no one is going to play the super bowl outside in 30 degree weather. The seccg would likely move to New Orleans also after one unlucky year of frigid weather in an open air facility in Atlanta. Think the Chick Fil A bowl in late December will as popular a night game if its also played in 30 degree weather. Think again and while you’re at it kiss all that tax revenue from decreased attendance goodbye.
Calling people pansies is not going to change this economic reality.
robertussen
May 20th, 2010
5:07 pm
if the falcons want a new home then let them have it. and quit whining about low level college games. so what if the season opener gets moved or it effects the “minors” so to speak. pro ball is much better anyway. i like college ball just fine but the nfl is where its at and i support the falcons all the way. so frankly i could care less and im sure your whining wont help out at all anyway.
Tony is bulldawg WRONG
May 20th, 2010
5:08 pm
Tony–PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF INDOOR FOOTBALL ON SYNTHETIC SURFACES. COLLEGE AND PRO FANS WANT OUTDOOR STADIUMS ON REAL TURF. I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE CHICK-FIL-A BOWL. I’D RATHER EAT A STEAK THAN A BLAND CHX SANDWICH. FOOTBALL IS MEAN’T TO BE PLAYED OUTDOORS. GEEZ.
DISABILITY
May 20th, 2010
5:11 pm
If you can’t attend games outdoors maybe you need to keep your butt home and watch from your sofa.
Atlanta Fan not a Falcon Fan
May 20th, 2010
5:11 pm
I’m tired of the freaking Falcons, and all the NFL “power”. Heck they play 8, yes 8 games a year, ok 10 if you include those meaningless preseason games and maybe 2 postseason games I am from the top to the bottom I’m sick and tired of them. If they want and open air stadium…BUILD IT YOURSELF in Alpharetta which is where you wanna play anyway!
athdog
May 20th, 2010
5:13 pm
TB, yes and no. Other than Georgia State, and of course the Atlanta University complex, there is no college football in Atlanta. I think what you must mean is that the football fans in Atlanta favor college over the pros. I would agree with that. Transplants from all over the country live in the ATL, and they carry their loyalty with them collegiately. I would like to see the ‘Birds play outdoors. Football is meant to be played outdoors, although I do realize that the ‘big game’ officials don’t want weather to be a factor in the outcome. I’m okay with the Super Bowl, and Bowl games played indoors. Rather them outdoors, but it’s understandable. Maybe if Georgia State does well, Atlanta will truly have a college program to call their own…and of course, I’d be remiss without saying 30-24, 8 of 9.
PTC DAWG
May 20th, 2010
5:19 pm
I’ve really never liked the Dome…I agree with the Falcon’s management….build a nice open air stadium.
GO BRAVES!!
May 20th, 2010
5:25 pm
Turner Field is getting some age on it… Maybe they need a new stadium as well.
Delbert D.
May 20th, 2010
5:28 pm
Move out of the dome. Move to an area that is accessible. Leave the Dome for its remaining years for the “Peach Bowl,” high school playoffs, motocross and the SEC Championship.
Pro Football is still the greatest show on Earth
May 20th, 2010
5:28 pm
About Atlanta being mostly a college town: when all the transplants from the backwater college towns are here, then yes. The city people, as opposed to the small-towners that moved here with their small-town allegiances, prefer professional sports in world class venues. Does anyone still cheer for their high school football team? Didn’t think so.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
May 20th, 2010
5:32 pm
Keep everything like it is until this Obama economy is back to near recovery – teachers are being layed off and these guys want to spend a half billion dollars in tax money for a new NFL stadium. Mr. Blank if you want it right now – build it yourself.
savannadawg
May 20th, 2010
5:34 pm
Shut up Tony! Football was never meant to played indoors. What a goof you are. All that other stuff can continue. Atlanta has pleanty of venues, just not enough people with imagination. Were not talking about taking the dome away. Were talking about playing football outside under the lights. Have you guys ever heared of retractable roofs. Du hu.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
May 20th, 2010
5:35 pm
Mark my words the political mafia in atlanta will push through a big tax hike to build this stadium, sign the Falcons to a 10 or 15 year contract and then the Falcons will pull out and move to a better market when Mr. Blank is gone. Once again tax payers will be paying for a building long after it is vacant.
ryan
May 20th, 2010
5:41 pm
The Falcons need a new stadium the Dome is out dated and plus it bring in free agents. Tuner Field just need minor changes like bricks behind home plat lights in the dugout.
PD
May 20th, 2010
5:43 pm
I grew up in Atlanta and was a Falcons fan long before I chose a college to attend. Today, if I had to choose between the Falcons and my college team, it would definitely be my alma mater. So yes, Atlanta is by far a college football town to me.
Delbert D.
May 20th, 2010
5:43 pm
That is the nuttiest argument I’ve heard in awhile. Quick, name all of the domed stadiums in the SEC and ACC, Tony.
gcs
May 20th, 2010
6:13 pm
Blank and McKay must have really short memories. Atlanta built the Georgia Dome because outdoor games at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium were a miserable mess.
As a kid, I remember freezing my rear off watching the Peach Bowl. I think the city almost lost the game because of poor attendance. The same goes for Falcons games – especially when it rained – ugh.
Some math for Blank & McKay:
Average attendance of the Peach Bowl at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium: 46,537
Average attendance of the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome: 70,423
(source: http://www.chick-fil-abowl.com/PressBox/BowlHistory/tabid/107/Default.aspx)
.
ryan
May 20th, 2010
6:27 pm
Falcons new stadium will not be Atlanta Fulton county the new one will be state of the art Atlanta is trying to get the world cup here your not going to it in a dome.
Used to be Falcons fan
May 20th, 2010
6:53 pm
Let Arthur Blank build his new open air stadium where the old stadium was – it is just a parking lot now. He can also build some parking decks to make up the difference.
And make sure Arthur sits out in the rain.
I’ll go to GSU football at the Georgia Dome
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
May 20th, 2010
7:03 pm
……….Who wants to copy JerryJonesTown ?
ryan
May 20th, 2010
7:04 pm
Every body is to use to the dome the Falcons need a new stadium i mean look at the Jets and Giants to say that bowl games can’t be in cold weather New York is going to get the Super Bowl. Besides Atlanta does not get snow and ice every winter.
GridIron
May 20th, 2010
7:05 pm
World Cup Soccer is for sissies.
hop
May 20th, 2010
7:45 pm
mr.blank can take the falcons where ever he wants ,unless he wants to build it himself.
we are facing high unemployment and the falcons demand a new park!
what a joke that has become and yes, tony this is a college town and it will always be a college town!
leroy
May 20th, 2010
7:48 pm
awesome, let Blank build a new stadium for the FALCONS and then the Ga Dome can continue to be used for the Bowl games, conference championships and best of all, GEORGIA TECH FOOTBALL! Let’s see you dogtards biatch about that…hahahahahahaha (if Canes play at Landshark then why not)
ryan
May 20th, 2010
7:54 pm
Hey leroy whtat are talking about GT football win the Kick Off game is going to be the Georgia Bulldogs in the dome so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Delbert D.
May 20th, 2010
8:01 pm
“outdoor games at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium were a miserable mess.”
They were. The seats closest to the sidelines were on the 30 yard line.
I like the sound of “The Flowery Branch Falcons.” That will make the Bears and Packers tremble in fear.
The real “Mister Blank” is the guy whose photo is at the top of this blog.
lkjlkj
May 20th, 2010
8:03 pm
They want an open-air stadium because it allows them to charge a mega-$$$ premium for those climate-controlled suites. I propose Atlanta agrees to the sucker bet of subsidizing a billionaire by building them a stadium, but with the condition taxpayers get 100% of the proceeds of those suites. Watch how quickly they back off.
Delbert D.
May 20th, 2010
8:04 pm
“Hey leroy whtat are talking about GT football win the Kick Off game is going to be the Georgia Bulldogs in the dome so put that in your pipe and smoke it.”
What’s in *your* pipe?
David
May 20th, 2010
8:10 pm
I think they should move the falcons out of the city of Atlanta because Atlanta sucks.
Blank Rules
May 20th, 2010
8:10 pm
Blank’s a billionaire, makes millions from all high priced Falcons seats, concessions, merchandise—now he wants the atlanta chumps to build him a brand new stadium, so he can make even more millions selling fancy corporate suites to business fatcats—all at taxpayer expense!!!!!! Lay it on baby—Arthur needs some more millions—pay up atlanta!!!
Bo
May 20th, 2010
8:37 pm
Atlanta is a college football town. However if the Falcons start to have consistent success, it’ll be a pro football town.
As for the dome, I’m a bit torn. I have always believed that football should be played outside. However, I’ve been in that dome when the place was rockin’ and the noise factor was huge. Other than those 2-3 loud games, it just didn’t feel like a game day experience to me.
Screg
May 20th, 2010
8:46 pm
cant they just rip the top of the dome? i do hate indoor football…cowards play indoors.
ctfalconsfan
May 20th, 2010
8:46 pm
Let’s get one thing straight, true football fans like sitting outside in the elements; cold, rain or heat that’s part of the game.
The SEC Championship and the Peach Bowl CAN CERTAINLY BE PLAYED OUTSIDE AND SHOULD BE!!!!!!
Regarding the Falcons, they should agree to split the cost of an open air stadium at the GWCC. Let’s say it’s $600 million. So each side pays $300 million.
- Now how much more would a retractible roof cost? another $300 million. The Falcons still pay $300 million and if the GWCC thinks having the SEC Championship, Peach Bowl and a couple of Super Bowls and Final Fours are worth it then they will pay $600 million for the retractible and if these events aren’t worth the investment then they’ll pay $300 million for an open air stadium.
PRETTY SIMPLE STUFF!!!!!!!
falconsfansince94
May 20th, 2010
8:47 pm
Another point to consider is this: The right stadium with a retractable roof would be an attractive site for more Super Bowls and possibly the College Football National Championship.
falconsfansince94
May 20th, 2010
8:49 pm
falconsfansince74 not 94
ctfalconsfan
May 20th, 2010
8:55 pm
Maybe contact Tech and partner with them to tear down Grant Field, talk about a dump, then build a new stadium on Tech’s campus for Tech, Falcons and Pathers..
AJC employs idiots
May 20th, 2010
9:00 pm
“Memo to Mr. Blank: Atlanta is a COLLEGE football town”
Memo to the AJC: Atlanta hates the AJC.