Falcons Owner Arthur Blank has indicated that the team "no longer will accept payment from military branches for advertising or any other deals," according to Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Blank is taking that position after his team and "many pro sports franchises drew sharp criticism from Congress and others last year for their marketing contracts with the military, some of which included paid tributes to troops at games." Blank said, "We’ll do whatever we can to help in recruiting for all branches of the Armed Services. But we’re not going to bill anybody for anything.” Tucker noted the NFL last year directed its teams that they "shouldn’t receive payment from the military for 'any on-field recognition, community events or other activities that are not specifically in the form of recruitment or advertising.'” The crackdowns "don’t ban advertising, such as on video boards and in game programs, or other marketing activation at stadiums for recruitment purposes." But Blank said that the Falcons will "steer clear of compensation for even permitted deals in the future." Blank: “We don’t even want to be in that discussion. We don’t want any confusion about it. ... We’re not going to accept any more monies under any contracts.” In lieu of paid advertising, the Falcons said that they have "started work on a program to continue to assist military service branches with recruitment through unpaid advertising and community relations and outreach activities" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 1/23).
UNITED FRONT: In Atlanta, Doug Roberson noted despite the three-month delay in the finishing of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, expansion MLS club Atlanta United FC "plans to unveil its season-ticket prices next month and ... they won’t be affected by what may be a compressed home schedule." The new opening "has been pushed from March to June 1." As a result, Atlanta United "may be forced to open its first MLS season in 2017 with three months of games on the road." Blank said that he "expects the team will still be able to host 17 home games." He also "mentioned the possibility of playing home games in another stadium until the new one is finished" (AJC.com, 1/22).
