Atlanta Sports Council Plans To Promote Pro Teams Better

Stokan Agrees ASC Should Better Promote Pro Teams

The Atlanta Sports Council (ASC) is "forming a new strategic plan to do a better job promoting the city's pro sports teams," according to Douglas Sams of the ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE. A September 15 meeting between the ASC and reps from the Braves, Falcons and other organizations "seems to have mended fences" over a reported "rift between the teams and Atlanta Sports Council President Gary Stokan." The controversy "illuminated an ongoing debate over which is bigger in Atlanta, college or pro sports." The pro teams "felt that at times the Sports Council seemed to do more to promote college sports," and they "want Stokan to repeat the same success he's had promoting the college teams." Stokan: "The pro teams told us, 'We'd like you to be a better voice for the pro side.' That's fair. We should be." Sams reports the meeting "led to the creation of a pro team task force that will put together the Council's strategic plan" from '10-20. Braves Exec VP/Sales & Marketing Derek Schiller: "I believe all the teams think things are about to change for the better." Sams notes the agreement between the ASC and pro teams "could bring more sports dollars to Atlanta," and the ASC also could "help boost national exposure for the Falcons, who are trying to strike a deal for a new stadium within the next three years" (ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 9/18 issue).