The New Kid On The Block
July 10, 2017
If you were dropped into Bobby Dodd Stadium on Tuesday, July 4th, you would have thought you were at a European soccer match until the fireworks shot off in celebration of Independence Day. The black and red clad fans filled the stadium to its brim, chanting and standing the entire game. Big time soccer is truly happening in America, and now in the ATL. Since Atlanta United embarked on their inaugural season this spring, they have sold out all eight home games with an average attendance of 46,698. Not only are they leading the league in attendance, but they are more than doubling the league average sitting at fourth place in the Eastern conference. Despite all its excitement, it’s no surprise when you look at the man behind the scenes.
Arthur Blank, Co-Founder of The Home Depot as well as the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, has proven his ability to run both a business as well as a sports franchise. He manages the two teams under the perception that a successful business supports both its employees and its customers, creating a strong community throughout the organization. The fans’ appreciation of Blank is no secret, at the game a homemade 50 by 100 foot tarp was painted with Blank’s face stamped over the famous Uncle Sam “We Want You” caricature. Additionally, Blank has closely followed the rule that in order to get money out of your investment, you must put money in.
Luckily for United, Blank has no shortage. The 60 million dollars that went towards constructing a world class training facility in Marietta, Georgia put Atlanta United on the map; a presence which will only increase as they move to Mercedes Benz Stadium in September. Despite funding United’s shiny new toys, Blank’s most impressive feat came in the front office where he signed people such as Darren Eales, the former executive director of the Tottenham Hotspurs of the English Premier League, and Gerardo Martinez, former head coach at Barcelona and Argentina. These acquisitions gave the team an international face that aided them in their worldwide search for young talent years before the team played its first game.
Blank has shown us that being the new kid on the block can work in your favor with the right amount of planning, ambition, and money. Nevertheless, great things rarely occur without a few bumps along the road. One of which will be felt when they change from the intimate Bobby Dodd to the immaculate and expensive Mercedes Benz Stadium. Blank and Co. plan to quell this hiccup by lowering concession prices generously so that you’re no longer buying an $8 water with your $9 hot dog. If United plays their cards right, they might be up to something. No longer are the days of the $400 family outing to the game but maybe we can all hope for a $200 outing. Wouldn’t that be nice? Surely the 3 million kids in US Youth Soccer, over 80,000 calling Georgia home, hope their parents think so too.
Zach Scott
