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...???

DEVELOPING: Georgia State Wants Turner Field

The talk had gone down about a month ago that Georgia State University was really interested in the Turner Field property that will be vacated by the Atlanta Braves when they move to the suburbs for the 2017 season.

It's now official...in proposal form, anyway...

Janel Davis and J. Scott Trubey over at the AJC got the look at what the university wants to do for their future. They want to turn Turner Field into a 30,000-seat facility for sports and build a mixed-use development around it.

The Braves lease allows them until Jan. 1, 2016, to officially give notice to the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority of whether it will exercise a five-year option on using the property. The lease expires Dec. 31, 2016. Beyond that, the lease gives the Braves options to extend for four successive five-year periods.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is looking for answers from the Braves at the earliest possible time so he can move on the ideas that are coming across his desk- and it looks like GSU's stadium/park/dorms is the leader in the clubhouse.

The one quote from GSU President Mark Becker:

“We are focused on the future for the best possible use for Atlanta and honoring the history and tradition of (the Braves and Olympics),” he told Davis and Trubey.

The team has gone through tough sledding in Division I in, now, the Sun Belt Conference and need a boost of energy to be a relevant part of the athletics landscape. This could do it for the future of the university proper...

Here's the look after their spring game last month...
((HT: Georgia State Athletics their own selves))

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...

Chip Towers Takes A Charge

((HT: Baron Miller))

We show this because no sportswriters were harmed in the making of this highlight...

Last night... SEC Championship quarters... Ole Miss and Georgia...
3.9 left in regulation and Ole Miss guard Martavious Newby chases a loose ball...


Sadly, though, Towers drew no free throws off that...

Oh, Georgia won 75-73

Falcons Bend To Jimmy Graham's Will...

And the goalpost at the Georgia Dome bent to Graham's will on his 44-yard TD catch and celebration


It took a while, but the Saints won their 43rd of the 89 games in the Saints-Falcons rivalry, 17-13...

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?

Georgia State Promotion Has More Money Than Fans

((HT: Rick Limpert))

The Georgia State football program has decided to move from the Colonial Athletic Association to the Sun Belt Conference. And in their transitional year of moving from I-AA to Division I-Big Boy football, the Panthers are taking their lumps.

The average attendance has dropped under 10,000 and the NCAA mandates that you need a three-year average of 17,000 or you can go on probation (or other really evil penalizing things) for up to ten years on the Division I level.

Not something they want to have to look forward to...

So, they came up with this promotion in the wake of their game against New Hampshire- a game in which GSU lost again...

Wonder what the meeting was like to drop $10,000 in vouchers from the ceiling inside the Georgia Dome was like...???

Here's the evidence...


300 GSU students were chosen to run around and try and grab as many of the vouchers as possible in a set time frame at half time. Presumably, to get people to wander by and see some really bad football.

Oh, 10-grand in vouchers were dropped...
The announced attendance was just over 9,000...

The HQ feels for Bill Curry and what he has helped build in downtown Atlanta. We also hope the ascent to the Sun Belt wasn't too far-too fast...

Your NFL Team wants to price you out of their stadium

This is apparently an outdated Ga.Dome

((ht: ajc.com))

You've heard us rant multiple times about pro sports stadium issues. You've heard us decry the blatant blackmail efforts of the NFL in Minnesota. We've railed on about AEG trying to steal a team in Los Angeles. And we've spoken about the fraud the Atlanta Falcons are about to perpetrate on their fans too.

And you know what? We're right. And now we've found a story and some numbers that prove it.

We've heard from NFL fans who say "They have to build a new stadium to keep the team. It brings tourists to the area and business to the community".

Uh...no it doesn't.

Especially the way the trend in prices is going.

According to an excellent story in Sunday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution written by Tim Tucker, the last 3-teams to build stadiums have increased their ticket prices by an average of nearly 26-percent. And in a couple of cases, have added PSL's where there were none before.

Read the very detailed article from AJC.com RIGHT HERE

Now, we'll just say we aren't "Anti-Stadium" period. But we are "anti-stadium" in places that already have one. And in the case of the Falcons, a rather nice one that just doesn't have enough "Club Seats".

The reason: Simple. The owner doesn't pay for it. Or if he "does", he just passes the cost down to you. The city doesn't pay for it. They just take it from "Tourist Taxes". Even though on "paper" their may be no cost to the taxpayers of a city or state, its the longtime season ticket holders or family that wants to catch a game that pays for it.

We were stunned to see in the story that the average cost for a family of 4 to attend an NFL game is over $421.

Yeah...$421.

Able to fork that over a couple times a season?

Sure, we know this sounds like we are railing on the NFL, the most popular sports league of all-time. And maybe in a sense, we are. But that's because the NFL and its teams don't really care what you think. Or what we think.

All they care about are luxury/club seat holders. If they could get away with charging you a PSL and Club Seat price for every seat in their "Luxury Stadium", they would. They won't tell you that publicly, but it sure is the impression they give.

Think about it.

If you have 2 kids, a wife and make $30,000 a year, you are just trying to keep your heads above water. Now imagine one of your kids is an Atlanta Falcons fan. Today, you aren't paying the league avg., you are only paying roughly $390 to take your family to the game.

That's roughly 3 weeks of groceries. That's more than a car payment.

And that price is likely to go up.

The Falcons are going to get their new stadium. Believe us, its already been signed off on. And guess who is going to pay for it.

Yeah, team owner Arthur Blank will "Front" a good chunk of the nearly $1 billion. But you do realize that savvy businessmen make investments, don't you? They don't spend their money unless they know they are going to make it back.

And Arthur, much like Zygi Wilf, Jerry Jones and others will make it back. In spades.

And the cost will be passed down to you.

Your $80 dollar mid-level, end zone seat, $100. And that is if you want to pay oh $750 to $1000 for the right to buy it.

Really, we are kind of gloating here a bit because we found something to validate our opinion. And to be totally honest, most people these days can watch a game in the comfort of their own home. They don't get subjected to the massive crowds, the non-stop stream of TV Timeouts and the ability to do what they want when they want to.

We will get off our soapbox now. Mostly because we know it isn't going to change your behavior, your spending habits or really your thoughts about the NFL. We just want to make you think about it a little more. And realize that as much as you'd like it to be representative of you and your city, it's really all about the owner and the league and how much money they can make off of people who actually have it...and occasionally those who don't.

A perennial favorite. And what this is all about:

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