Blank will repay Falcons’ staff for payroll cuts during lockout (UPDATED)
Roger Goodell and NFL owners who trimmed staff's pay should follow Arthur Blank's lead and repay employees for cuts during the lockout. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
During the NFL’s nonsensical lockout, I didn’t hesitate to bang on the owners for fabricating a dire financial situation and unfairly cutting wages or laying off employees in the front office.
So it’s only fair now to inform you that at least one of those owners is trying to make amends.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who instituted across-the-board payroll cuts to all non-player employees in the team’s office in the form of two-week furloughs, will reimburse wages, the AJC has learned. On the same day as the official end to the lockout, Blank sent an email to staff members that read in part: “Any deductions to your paychecks during the lockout related to unpaid vacation days we instituted will be repaid to you.”
Team president Rich McKay and general manager Thomas Dimitroff are scheduled to meet with employees Tuesday to make the decision official. Employees at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation office also will receive back pay for their previous salary cuts. Blank, who had frozen wages during the lockout, also plans to implement wages, retroactive to March 1.
It’s a classy makeup call by Blank, negating a bad decision that never should have happened. Hopefully, the NFL office and other teams that cut wages will follow Blank’s lead.
UPDATE: Per ProFootballTalk.com, at least three teams — the New York Jets, Miami and Kansas City — have joined the Falcons in giving post-lockout back pay.
I referenced the furloughs last week when NFL owners passed a resolution to approve the CBA. For what it’s worth, I’ve been told by more than a few Falcons employees they were glad the news of the cuts was brought to light. When I asked Blank at the NFL owners meetings if he had plans to pay back employees for lost wages, he said only: “Well, that’s a personal thing for me and our associates.”
At least this story ends on a good note.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Recent NFL blogs:
– Falcons need to attack free agency for defensive help
– Falcons Dimitroff can do without NFL’s CBA mess
– NFL lockout nears end, but this is no time to celebrate
– NFL lockout will end soon because money trumps stupidity
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82 comments Add your comment
Tron5000
July 25th, 2011
5:51 pm
Good for him. Proud to have an owner like him in Atlanta.
mountain_jim
July 25th, 2011
5:56 pm
Sure beats the Clampetts – I mean Smiths.
chem
July 25th, 2011
6:07 pm
Atlanta needs Arthur Blank
BigDawgExpress
July 25th, 2011
6:12 pm
Class act!
SOGADOG
July 25th, 2011
6:14 pm
I dont see the point in praising Blank, he should have never cut the non player employee’s wages in the first place. Blank, the coaches, the players and the league make an obscene amount of money yet they cut the blue collar worker’s wages during a strike the blue collar folks had nothing to do with. He is not being gracious or charitable, he is just correcting a correcting a mistake he was wrong to make in the first place.
PTC DAWG
July 25th, 2011
6:19 pm
Blank has class.
Sogadog obviously has never ran a business.
bk
July 25th, 2011
6:21 pm
Jeff,
Are you not watching the police blotter? Why nothing on the Tennessee player arrested? Oh wait – its not a UGA player so we will not print.
slydog
July 25th, 2011
6:22 pm
these are the kinds of acts that put Blank on par with Robert Kraft and Jerry Jones. It’s also the reason why those two dislike him or at least see him as their direct competitor as the league’s most powerful owner.
slydog
July 25th, 2011
6:22 pm
p.s. PLEASE BUY THE HAWKS AND BRAVES!!!!
slydog
July 25th, 2011
6:25 pm
@sogadog, while i do agree with your sentiments, Blank has class for this reason: He did not have to do it at all!!! And watch how many owners will do the same thing. it won’t be that many.
soasoar
July 25th, 2011
6:28 pm
Jeff taking credit because he asked a question. BTW the Jets have already announced the same thing. The real class owners didn’t cut or furlough anyone — and there were several. Slydog how to you get on par with Kraft and Jones – those two are polar opposites as far as class and integrity.
Mike Jay
July 25th, 2011
6:38 pm
That was nice of him but I do wonder if he would have done it had Jeff not called him out about it? I don’t get the point of the paycuts and furloughs anyhow. The Falcons did not lose a single dime from this lockout.
Joey
July 25th, 2011
6:46 pm
Wow!
Rich owner is nice.
Imagine that . . .
Fredi Gonzalez
July 25th, 2011
6:48 pm
I’d like to tip my cap to Mr. Blank. Helluva classy move. I’ll tip Chipper’s cap as well, if Mr. B would offer to buy the Braves.
SeenThisB4
July 25th, 2011
6:57 pm
The Saints didn’t furlough anybody, much less cut their pay during the loclout…..okay, ‘cept for Reggie, but that happens on Thursday, so technically, NO SAINTS employees got “Blank-ed”. LOL!
count_schemula
July 25th, 2011
7:06 pm
Like a boss. Like a boss with class.
ted williams head
July 25th, 2011
7:08 pm
the Giants direct deposit their employee paychecks. when they made the same announcement at the employee meeting buy the time they got back to their desks the money was in their accounts
OldTimer
July 25th, 2011
7:12 pm
Arthur invented Home Depot. What you got?
Paddy
July 25th, 2011
7:16 pm
Mr. Blank is fast becoming like Mr. Turner. A real credit to our sports teams. Nice move Mr. Blank.
TruthSeeker
July 25th, 2011
7:18 pm
Between the Atlanta Spirit Group and Liberty Media, Arthur Blank truly is a breath of fresh air in this city. If he doesn’t bring the Falcons a Super Bowl, it won’t be from a lack of effort. He’s a great owner.
Stinger2
July 25th, 2011
7:18 pm
Sogadog and TIM:Both of you are 100 percent correct. Should have never happened given Blank`s bank account. He is simply correcting a bad mistake.
Tech Fan Since 1950
July 25th, 2011
7:18 pm
It is a classy move by the owner. It is a shame this overall lock-out episode had to happen in the first place. Maybe now Mr. Blank will not bother Atlanta and state taxpayers with a new and much not needed outdoor stadium. Perhaps he can foot the bill for that one himself.
dark void surrounded by a sphincter muscle
July 25th, 2011
7:28 pm
One year New Orleans owner Tom Benson gave all the players and staff a jar of honey from his Texas ranch as a Christmas bonus.
Browncoat
July 25th, 2011
7:30 pm
Meh, I call it a wash. Blank made a jerk move in furloughing employees, and now he is just getting back to even. A real classy move would have been to never furlough the employees in the first place.
Stevie B
July 25th, 2011
7:32 pm
I guess Mr. Blank does not like bad publicity either. I just wonder what the point of the pay cut actually was? How much money was he trying to save? It is upsetting that a man worth over a billion dollars would actually do this. I would venture to say that he earned more in interest in a month than he actually pocketed by the pay cuts. I have always respected the man and think he does some good things. I am glad he made the situation right, but I am still left to wonder why he did it in the first place. I guess he is the only one who knows.
Hatmatbbat1o
July 25th, 2011
7:40 pm
I agree that Blank never should have cut wages in the first place, but I like how he’s making sure to make up for it. It’s not really a classy move, but he deserves a “Good for you”.
dawg4u
July 25th, 2011
7:48 pm
If you cheat someone out of something and then decide against it and to pay them then you are not being classy but merely doing what you should have done in the first place. Nonetheless, I feel that Arthur Blank has shown during his tenure as owner of the Falcons what a class act he is. Thanks for making this team relevant again Mr. Blank!
Peachy
July 25th, 2011
7:49 pm
So Blank made a bad move by cutting his staff’s pay while some other owners didn’t… Now he has taken a step to correct his mistake and you all are saying that’s not classy?? When did it become unclassy to try and make up for a mistake. Get outta here! Like someone said, he didn’t HAVE to do it. He’s the biggest string of hope for Atlanta sports. Give the man a break!
Red&BlackPeachy
July 25th, 2011
7:56 pm
Classy is not cutting the wages at all. Paying the back wages back is a redemptive action. I am glad he is reversing a bad decision.
Buzz ME
July 25th, 2011
7:57 pm
Mr Blank is a first class owner and first class guy. Wish he owned the Braves. If there were more people like him, the world would be a better place.
smyrnabob
July 25th, 2011
7:57 pm
Why not pay them all along? These folks bills kept coming, lockout or not.
Jeff Schultz
July 25th, 2011
7:58 pm
Sogadog — You are correct, that cuts never should’ve happened to begin with. But at least he’s making amends.
Jeff Schultz
July 25th, 2011
8:00 pm
BK — I work for a media outlet that covers Georgia, not Tennessee. It follows that I wouldn’t expect the Knoxville News to report on every transgression in Athens. Does that logic penetrate your skull or do I need to simply things a little more for you?
BadgerFan
July 25th, 2011
8:01 pm
He’s either generous or very shrewd…..or both. Regardless, I give the guy credit.
Jeff Schultz
July 25th, 2011
8:02 pm
Tim — I deleted your comment but it threw out an accusation that there currently is no base for.
Orangello
July 25th, 2011
8:02 pm
Blank has always acted as a class individual.
BirdDawg24
July 25th, 2011
8:10 pm
its not clsssy, its doing the right thing.once again during all of this ,it was all about the money. the all mighty dollar. show me the money. but its all worked out now, all is right with the world. lets just pretend like it never really happened.its all cool now
Paddy
July 25th, 2011
8:10 pm
BK……..maybe we don’t hear about UT is because nobody down here cares about UT. We are Dawgs and we will be given the news either good or bad. No different than any other city in America. UT news does not sell any newspappers in Atl.
The Wad
July 25th, 2011
8:11 pm
Atlanta would be crazy to foot any of the bill for a new stadium, PERIOD! These owners need to press their partners the players into covering the expenses of a business in which they are direct recepients of the profits. The players want all the cake and the icing. It`s time they start paying for the priviledge of the “ownership” stake they say they have in the game. Business includes investment, profit, and loss. The unionized players have only been involved in one aspect of that equation.
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Does this happen without your line of questioning?
Probably.
With other teams?
Not so sure.
Good job, Jeff.
Hindu Elvis Pimp
July 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
It’s a classy makeup call by Blank, negating a bad decision that never should have happened. Hopefully, the NFL office and other teams that cut wages will follow Blank’s lead.
How is it classy if it never should of happened to begin with? Classy would have been to keep paying the employees, especially since there is NO revenue during the off season.
Von Trapp
July 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
Now Das class,Misters Blanks……………Das Class
1eyedJack
July 25th, 2011
8:28 pm
Arthur, please buy the Braves. Please..please…please!
About that guy who gave his employees a jar of honey, Arthur could one-up that fellow and give his folks a hammer to boot.
slyyy
July 25th, 2011
8:35 pm
Cmon now. Isn’t it obvious by now that A Blank is all about the publicity. I am sure he had no ontent whatsoever to give back pay to the employees until at least 5 other teams did it. Now the media is treating him like royalty. It’s not difficult to see thzt Mr. Blank is all about Mr. Blank. He wants to be in the public eys and he takes advantage of every chance to do so..
It's not your money
July 25th, 2011
8:39 pm
It’s funny how everyone wants to tell Arthur Blank how to spend his money. Where was everyone when he was building his empire? Where was everyone when he made his bid to become the owner of the Falcons? Whatever he chooses to do with HIS money is HIS business.
I’m happy the Falcon’s employees are receiving their pay retroactively and I am happier to get this season started.
The Spirit of UGA VII
July 25th, 2011
8:43 pm
Well, I hate to see people getting back pay for doing nothing. Maybe Mr. Blank can fine them to get the money back and give them a present for Christmas. I dunno what kind of present—maybe a pair of red panties they can lay on their lap while they’re driving. Hey! It’s better than a jar of honey!
TIM
July 25th, 2011
8:52 pm
Jeff Schultz…in your infinite wisdom……..tell us how the Falcons lost any money during the lockout…..
If fact, didn’t they end up making money during the lockout, and will make even more with the lockout agreement.
Boo to you for giving Blank a pat on the back!
Foxhunter
July 25th, 2011
8:52 pm
Mr Blank, please buy the Braves…
TIM
July 25th, 2011
8:56 pm
Shultz…I didn’t make an accusation…..I asked a question. Get it right!
pmc
July 25th, 2011
8:56 pm
nothing like a little preseason revenue to pick up the old salary.
This is looking like a government shutdown. Was Newt in on this negotiation? Sounds like a contract with America.
Complete with full price, to see preseason nonsense.
pmc
July 25th, 2011
8:57 pm
but yeah it was the right thing to do obviously.
Foxhunter
July 25th, 2011
9:00 pm
And/or the Hawks.”…
T Dog
July 25th, 2011
9:19 pm
Arthur Blank is by far the best pro sports owner in Atlanta. I realize that wasn’t hard to achieve.
Dawg A
July 25th, 2011
9:24 pm
How about refunding me the full price I am paying (594.00) for the upcoming first preseason game. We all know it will be a inferior game at best!
SeenThisB4
July 25th, 2011
9:27 pm
Maybe ya’ll should suit up Blank at QB, he can’t be much worse than Fatt Ryan.
SCfalconfan
July 25th, 2011
9:39 pm
Classy would have been not cutting salary or furloughing the employees. Undoing your unclassy move doesn’t constitute classy.
King Arthur Blank
July 25th, 2011
9:54 pm
So glad the lockout is over. I was worried I would not get to troll the sidelines so I can get my mug on TV this year. Whew…….my 30 year old wife was going to be really upset too.
Hawks
July 25th, 2011
10:04 pm
Let’s see if we can get the most classy owner in sport history to buy the Atlanta Hawks.
Falcon Fan
July 25th, 2011
10:27 pm
Jeff you work in Georgia but you and Mark really wrote a book on Auburn and Cam…just saying.
Wish Blank would buy the Braves..1st class owner.
GaDave
July 25th, 2011
10:53 pm
Thank you Mr. Blank for showing the class to correct a mistake with employees. Now….could we talk about investing in a baseball team that needs home town ownership….
Paul in RDU
July 25th, 2011
11:40 pm
I understand but don’t agree with the negative comments about Blank. Yes, he should not have cut the salaries of his employees but he has done the right thing in reimbursing them for the lost wages.
Bob C
July 26th, 2011
12:18 am
Why can’t Arthur Blank do Basketball too? Please!!!
goodnessgracious
July 26th, 2011
12:48 am
Mr. Blank is certainly right there with the top owners in the game!
Winks
July 26th, 2011
12:48 am
On another note, excellent kissingsuzykolber rip on Peter. That’s high-level material throughout. Sublime at times.
M
July 26th, 2011
3:11 am
Wow Man!! Can I get some money for my pain and suffering of not knowing whether there will be any Football? Will tickets be cheaper?
legionaire
July 26th, 2011
7:11 am
Blank righted a wrong and it will be forgotten by tomorrow. Blank still wants the state and city to build him a new stadium so he needs good PR. Class would be if he announced that he is buying land and will build his stadium with his own funds, and will not hit up taxpayers for a dime.
murf4hof
July 26th, 2011
7:14 am
nice move, certainly didn’t have to. PERIOD
Mike
July 26th, 2011
7:32 am
The government needs Arthur Blank to talk some sense into both sides.
Dubble Dub
July 26th, 2011
7:43 am
Pay should have NEVER been cut. Billionaires vs. millionaires and yet the working men and women get the only real pay cuts that matter and affect daily living. Give me a break…I like Arthur Blank but this is no reason to pay and better yet is a reason to question this dirty move!
DC
July 26th, 2011
8:02 am
I think every sports writer wrote something on AU last year…agree with JS..no need to write something on TN..unless it somehow affects UGA, GT, GA ST, UWG, VA ST, or gordon college…
Not Disappointed
July 26th, 2011
8:55 am
In this economy that’s beyond normal. A true class Act.
Loves me some Arthur Blank!
Big Ten Champs Nebraska
July 26th, 2011
9:15 am
I don’t get the love for Blank. He chose to furlough employees because of HIS desire to participate in a lockout. He wasn’t blindsided by anyone or anything that would prevent him from making payroll payments.
He still may be one of the best NFL owners, and a benefit to the city of Atlanta, but I’m not buying in to this good guy crap here. If he really was a good guy, he never would of had to do this in the first place.
Paddy O
July 26th, 2011
9:27 am
this is called image resuscitation. He could have done it without any publicity.
Falcon Fan
July 26th, 2011
9:29 am
Unions…s@*k!
Braves or Falcons: Who's taking bigger risk minus big move? | Jeff Schultz
July 26th, 2011
9:29 am
[...] Previously: Blank will repay staff for payroll cuts during lockout [...]
Nashville Bill
July 26th, 2011
9:43 am
I understand the Titans did not cut any staff salaries. While I’m glad Mr. Blank is reimbursing his staff, I would think more highly of him had he not cut them in the first place.
BYC
July 26th, 2011
10:29 am
Blank is the man. I wish he owned all our franchises
Reggie
July 26th, 2011
10:44 am
Ok i wanna know how many people can afford to get their wages cut or stopped all together for 132 straight days then get back pay to help catch up on utilities and get your house out of foreclosure. How many people would call their employer classy? Nobody…u would all be saying “those idiots didn’t have to cut me in the first place”
zulucanibal
July 26th, 2011
11:12 am
Never rooted for the falcons til this guy became owner…such a class act!!!!
Ian
July 26th, 2011
12:54 pm
Green Bay will still destoy das Blanks Falcons this year and every years
Joe
July 26th, 2011
2:01 pm
Reggie – read the article…..the cuts were a two-week furlough…..that is 10 working days.
ag
July 26th, 2011
4:56 pm
Blanks a Jerk. The guy is worth 1.3 billion and he is cutting the salaries of people making 50k. Its not even like the Falcons had lost any money at that point. (no games missed) What he took from those hard working lower wage earners he probably spends in a month just on his private jet. An example of class were the Giants who cut no employees salary and did not even make season ticket holders pay for there tickets until the lockout ended. Blanks a phony and the media needs to stop kissing his ass.