Black Monday: Falcons Fire Coach Mike Smith

The Atlanta Falcons have announced they've parted ways with now former head coach Mike Smith.

On Black Monday, the day after the NFL regular season came to an end, Smith became the 3rd casualty.

He coached the Falcons for 7 years beginning in 2008. And during that time, the team had quite a bit of success, recording back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in their history. Smith got them into the playoffs 5 times and helped guide them within a touchdown of a Super Bowl berth.

But the past two seasons haven't been as kind as the Falcons fell victim to bad luck, injuries and problems finding quality linemen. Smith also made some questionable coaching decisions which this past season cost his team two games.

We should add that GM Thomas Dimitroff is not without blame here as the Falcons have severely lacked top flight talent on the line and have not drafted well the past several seasons.

But Dmitroff is likely to stay--though his status is a bit iffy too.

We feel bad about this, having covered the Falcons for 10-years. We were there when Smitty was hired and he was a total class act.

But the team has not produced and ultimately, owner Arthur Blank, with a billion dollar stadium on the way had to make a change. And he made it with the hope a new regime can bring in a winning team to launch the new building.

Only time will tell.

Hey, Look!!! A Bunch Of NFL People With Shovels And Hard Hats

((HT: 11Alive.com))

Who knew that you could coordinate the arrival of the NFL owners, the commissioner, and a bunch of politicos to wear shiny helmets and dig into a make-shift dirt box to have a ceremonial dirt-moving...???

Who knew, right...???

That stuff NEVER happens...

An amazing batch of coordination came together for an official ground-breaking for ground that had already been broken.

Here's Kevin Rowson at the soon-to-be old home of the Falcons where the owner and the important people had their moment...

The HQ admits it will be interesting to see if the new Falcons barn gets any consideration for the Roman Numeral Classic- considering the stigma the city and stadium still have from the last visit.

Why does this feel like an IOC pitch meeting from this moment forward...???

And Atlanta MLS Makes 22 By 2017

((HT: 11Alive.com))

It's an interesting thought...

Can a mega-owner, whose town is (in pockets) quite soccer-rabid, and is a soccer dad himself make soccer a success at the largest professional level in the United States...??? Or is it just another loss leader for a vertically-integrated corporation...???

That's only for Arthur Blank to answer over time as he is now the proud owner of the 22nd Major League Soccer franchise...

After the attendance numbers that the Georgia Dome puts out for international friendlies (the last time was with MLS Commissioner Don Garber in attendance), it was a no-brainer for the largest media market in the country that DOESN'T have a team was going to get a team...

Orlando, New York City, and Miami are also on the clock as MLS Atlanta comes on board for 2017...

Here's FOSG Jeff Hullinger at the party...

Looking at the attendance numbers that Julie Wolfe put in the piece above, it will be interesting to see if MLS Atlanta turns into more like Seattle (which the town traditionally has not shown) or Chivas (and you'd have to be gawd awful for that to happen...)

The HQ is looking at somewhere close to the middle...

BREAKING: MLS To Atlanta

((HT: AJC/Roberson))

According to the Roberson piece, the announcement (although not official) would be in the neighborhood of April 16th.

The league and prospective owner Arthur Blank have been dancing around the topic for a few years now. All the attendance figures that have been accumulated over the friendlies and exhibitions have been a good carrot to dangle under the nose of the "Soccer Don"- MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

Miami, along with David Beckham's cache and ownership, are in the queue and the league would like to get to an even 24 franchises in the next five years or so. The team will be looking to play in the new and improved Georgia Dome by 2017.

Adding Atlanta would give the league another top-nine media TV market and another team in the under-served southeast.

As an example as to how the market responds to international football (the Mexico-Nigeria friendly), here's what happens when 68,000 show up...
((HT: MyFoxAtlanta))
Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

More when we know more...

Church Takes 8 Figures To Move For New Falcons Stadium

((HT: 11Alive.com))

It took $14.5-million and a 116-16 vote by the congregation, but it appears that the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church is taking the money and allowing the Falcons to move onto their space...

Here's the explanation:
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed let this statement out and was positive towards Mt. Vernon Reverend Rodney Turner "I am pleased that the congregation of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church was able to vote on this important matter. The decision tonight ensures that the Atlanta Falcons can continue pursuing their goal of building a best-in-class sports facility that will also expand economic development not only in the city, but also in the surrounding neighborhoods. This step forward also will allow this historic church to relocate and continue to serve its congregation and our community."
Mt. Vernon and Friendship Baptist are the two churches in the southern end of the territory that is requested to build the new Falcons facility. The city of Atlanta and the Falcons have been the two groups putting money in the kitty. Mayor Reed has said that no taxpayer dollars are going to help pay for the new facility.

So, then, where does the city money come from if not from taxpayers in one way or another...???

Falcons New Stadium Site Down To One Idea

((HT: WSB-TV/AJC, Tucker))

Tim Tucker has been on top of this whole "the Atlanta Falcons need a new stadium thing..." and it has reached another stage...

The idea of the Atlanta Falcons new stadium (known here at HQ as the "Blank Tank" until further notice) is down to one site- until further notice...

The team had two sights under the looking glass- one south of the current Georgia Dome site that is developments and churches currently and one north of the Georgia Dome site that is RV parking lots and razed low-income apartments that now look like overgrown grass and concrete.

Now it appears that the southern site is out of play because not enough due diligence has been done and the property needed to start clearing land for construction that hasn't been acquired.

Oops...

Now, the northern site is in the cross hairs and it's time to see whether or not the city and the Falcons will make a point to get everything picked up and sorted out- or if they'll kick the tires on this site as well...

Until the political climate changes or political pressure mixes with pressure from the Falcons to do your damage or get off the toilet...

Here's the latest...
Two historical Atlanta churches were also supposedly raising an A-plus stink over what their perceived values was for reimbursement for their move at the center of the south site. The August 1st deadline is too close for anything to happen.

Now, the parking lots and razed housing projects will be getting their soil samples and similar tire kicking until further notice...

DEVELOPING: Atlanta City Council Approves Stadium Vote

((HT: My Fox Atlanta))

Not that this is a surprise or anything...

The Atlanta City Council voted 11-4 to approve the amended resolution authorizing the "extension and use of the hotel-motel tax to partially fund the new stadium."

Council members Kwanza Hall, Alex Wan, Howard Shook and Felicia Moore voted against. The new facility, complete with a retractable roof, is expected to cost $1 billion. Of that total price tag, $200 million will be funded by hotel-motel tax revenue.

Two churches will need to be moved to make way for the Blank Tank- and negotiations will start sometime in the near future. The HQ hears that the two "are open to listening to the Falcons."

Translation: "Pay the man..."

Here's the latest...
Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

The Tank is scheduled to be open for the 2017 Falcons season...

Report: Atlanta Falcons to LA? The Fine Art of Stadium Negotiations

((ht: myfoxatlanta.com))

Local Atlanta breaking news: The Falcons may move to Los Angeles.

Really, you believe that?



Yes, that's right, Atlanta FOX-TV station, fronted by friend of the OSG Gil Tyree, reports that Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed is telling city council members that they need to be more aggressive in funding a "New" Falcons stadium or the team "Might" leave for Los Angeles.

This comes on the heels of a report, the team has settled on finalists to design the new palace:

Read the story from WXIA-TV RIGHT HERE

Seriously. Does anyone REALLY believe the Falcons "Might" leave Atlanta?

Check out the report from Thursday night:

Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

No, sorry, a lot of things may happen before the Falcons get a new stadium, but the Los Angeles Falcons, well, that is just throwing stuff out there. Or what is commonly referred to as being asked to "Stir the Pot".

Do we believe that Mayor Reed is floating this? Yes.

But this is called a "Scare Tactic".... designed to make the public think they might lose their team.

Nobody, is moving the team.

Here's why this is even being discussed:

The Falcons are trying to get a new stadium in Atlanta. The team is lagging behind other NFL Teams in generating revenue. And they feel strongly that the 20-year old Georgia Dome they currently play in is not going to be enough to help change that.

So they are in the process of trying to negotiate for a new stadium. And they've made what they believe to be a fair offer.

A $1 Billion stadium, funded primarily by owner Arthur Blank's $700 million. The team is asking the state to contribute the rest from an Atlanta area "Hotel/Motel" tax.

Here's the problem. The ultra-conservative people in Georgia are panicked over this. They believe, thanks in large part to the local media, that they will be on the hook for the $300 million. The common refrain is, "They have the Dome, why do we need to buy them a new place?" "Use the money for something better".

They aren't as "On the Hook" for this as they are being led to believe.

The $300 million would come from the Georgia World Congress Center, who manages the property they want to build on. That "Hotel/Motel" tax money, is money designated strictly for use by the GWCC. The money comes from visitors who come stay in Metro Atlanta, not the people who live there. And Blank is apparently willing to cover the inevitable cost overruns.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle briefly mentions it RIGHT HERE

But that isn't for the most part how it has been presented in Atlanta.

Read a story by WSB-TV RIGHT HERE

Mind you, we are not big fans of the public having to buy any gazillionaire a new place. You can look up our track record on the subject. But out of the deals we've read up on so far, this one has the least impact on the public we've ever seen short of the team paying the full ticket. We believe Blank has made a pretty strong offer.

What we don't like is the premise of potential "Seat Licenses" and higher prices. There's a reason the NFL, despite being the most popular televised event in all the land, is suffering a bit at the gate.

They've priced themselves out of reach for a lot of fans, for reasons like new stadiums to increase revenues.

But, what bothers us is the local Atlanta media has, for the most part, portrayed it as "You the taxpayer are paying to buy the Falcons a new stadium", leaving out the part about visitors from out of town who pay the "Hotel/Motel" tax will actually be footing the bill. And the Falcons have been thus far, losing the PR war. Surveys say that public is almost 70-30 against any tax money being involved. Not surprising

So....we're at a bit of a standoff.

The MyFoxAtlanta story goes on to mention that the state is leery of doing the deal, though Blank is pondering contributing more money. That's why Reed, and the city of Atlanta are looking to get in the game.

The whole thing quite honestly is a bit funny. With OSG World HQ based in Atlanta, we get to see the fine art of "Stadium Negotiation" take place in person. And like we said, we believe Reed said the "Falcons Might Move". But we don't believe it.

For a second.

The Falcons will get a new stadium in a couple of years, they'll win, the NFL always does. And the stadium will be financed primarily by Blank, though some government entity is going to end up ponying up money for a portion of it. Would the people of Atlanta rather tourists pay that part, or would they rather pay for it themselves?

Falcons want new stadium too: Could cost nearly $1 billion

((bizjournals.com))

Well, they are certainly aiming high.

Sports fans in the Atlanta area have been following, albeit probably informally, the Atlanta Falcons quest for a new stadium (more money).

A report today spells out what the cost will likely be.

The Atlanta Business Journal says the team and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (run stadium), have agreed the team needs new digs. And those digs, according to a Sports/Entertainement/Buidling design company, will run in the neighborhood of $948 million.

A mere pittance you say?

Hardly.

The new-open air proposal would replace the 20-year old Georgia Dome which while a perfectly acceptable venue to most, is limited on "Luxury Seat Revenue" and to tell you all the truth (look it up), that is the ONLY thing the Falcons or the NFL cares about.

And yes, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has already stated his willingness to open up the cash-starved city's pocketbook.

**Note**--Apparently the city will pay for it through the Hotel-motel tax. So if you come visit, then you are paying for it. And paying for it. And paying for it. And no, it doesn't change the tone of this story.

Read the entire Business Journal story RIGHT HERE

Also read the proposal from the design company Populous RIGHT HERE

We've made our thoughts on moves such of these very apparent in the past...and our position hasn't changed. We certainly respect the Falcons right to build a new stadium, its just the cost and timing we question. If Mr. Blank wants to cough up a check for the new digs. Awesome, we're all for it.

And he might pay for half...which is better than not at all.

We guess in some circles (not the ones we live in), the city of Atlanta must be rolling in the dough. Either that or they've been saving their money for this project.

That's the only thing we can think of that could justify the expenditure. It's not like Atlanta Public Schools are a model of education. Or for that matter the citizens are only paying a small, rather than large fortune to fund the $1 billion water line repairs.

Or maybe its the model mass-transit system that makes this easier to afford.

Our point (again) is that while we aren't against new stadiums, the premise of a cash-starved city forking over at least a half-billion dollars for this kind of project is just plain stupid. We fully realize that it will bring "Some" tax money downtown that wouldn't already be there, but not much more than what the debt service will be. People already come to the games in the Dome. That won't change with a new building.

It isn't that the Falcons are going broke. Or the Georgia Dome is rundown and decrepit.

It isn't.

No, they, like every other team is looking to INCREASE their revenue. And these days the only way to do it is to build a new stadium. Sure, we realize they add a certain amount to the local economy, but how many years debt and how many decades of underfunding infrastructure problems do you sacrifice to help a mega-millionaire businessman (Arthur Blank) make more profit...at your expense?

And oh...by the way; they really don't care if you can afford a ticket to a new stadium or not. They are building it for Luxury Suite and Club Seat Holders. Not the Single Game Ticket buyer.

In the meantime enjoy this "Video Essay" done on the Ga.Dome by the GWCC. Relax to the hotel elevator music while you watch it.



Here's the early returns from our friends at WXIA-TV