Falcons Prez Brushes Aside Report Of Team Being For Sale

Falcons President Taylor Smith denied an FSN report stating that The Home Depot Founder Arthur Blank "had offered, or was willing to offer" $500M to purchase the Falcons, according to Winkeljohn & Saporta of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. Smith "did not deny that an offer had been made," but said that his family "isn't interested" in selling the team. Smith said, "If this team was for sale, if anyone was motivated to sell this team, I would know it. There's nothing new." Smith and his four siblings own 88% of the franchise. Winkeljohn & Saporta note that the Falcons "can't be sold until the estate of Rankin Smith Sr. is probated." However, Smith said that he is "not interested in giving up his controlling interest." Minority Owners John Imlay and Tom Watson Brown each own 6% of the Falcons, and "hold right of first refusal on any offer the Smiths consider" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 12/3).

NOT QUITE: Yesterday's Rams-Falcons game drew 59,318 fans to the 71,228-seat GA Dome (ATL. CONSTITUTION, 12/3).