Falcons Owner ARTHUR BLANK has been "spending his time as an ambassador" for Atlanta and the state of Georgia during Super Bowl week. Blank last weekend "spent time resting up for what promised to be a jam-packed week of events and media interviews." Blank on Monday was "part of the kick-off press conference" at the Georgia World Congress Center, and later "attended the 'opening night' event" at State Farm Arena. On Tuesday, Blank "spent much of the day prepping for the rest of the week," and yesterday he attended NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL's press conference as well as a "site-check for the NFL owners dinner." The "invitation-only dinner" will be held tonight at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Today will be one of Blank's "busiest days," as he will start the day at the John F. Kennedy Park dedication before helping "lead a civil rights tour with NFL players" and Goodell (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/31).
Kraft said a rule of thumb is that he never makes a change unless he knows it's an improvementGETTY IMAGES
KRAFTING A CULTURE: Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT said of the team's sustained success during his 25 years at the helm, "If you want to develop something that has sustainability, the first thing is you try to attract good people that fit your culture. The trick of that is to make sure there's never division from within. There can be a lot of different opinions from within, but that you keep it together and get everyone to check their ego at the front door. One of my rules is, I never make a change unless I know I’m making an improvement" (“CBS This Morning,” 1/30). Kraft said of TOM BRADY and BILL BELICHICK, “We've been privileged to keep continuity with two people who are unbelievable at what they do. Even when you're running a business, keeping continuity and having people keep their egos under control. ... It's almost two decades we've been able to keep this running together.” Kraft also said people rooting against the Pats is "good for the networks, because there’s a great passion with those fans who don't like it" (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 1/31). CBS Sports Chair SEAN MCMANUS at a lunch yesterday talked about the storyline of the Patriots dynasty against the upstart Rams. “The teams have totally different personalities,” he said. “That old versus young is a really exciting story that will probably continue to gain traction” (THE DAILY).
SB NAMES: Making the rounds at Radio Row to promote their new football startups were DON YEE (Pacific Pro League), OLIVER LUCK (XFL) and JEFF LEWIS (American Flag Football League). Luck sounded energized when conversation turned to pending TV deals, saying, “All the talks we’re having show how popular this sport really is” (THE DAILY)....PATRICK SULLIVAN, the son of late Patriots Founder BILLY SULLIVAN, is Founder & President of Game Creek Video, which owns 57 trucks that are "rented by networks" for NFL and college football games. Game Creek this year is "handling Super Bowl pregame and postgame coverage." Next year, when Fox televises Super Bowl LIV, Game Creek "will be handling the whole shebang" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/31)....Massachusetts Gov. CHARLIE BAKER said that he is "thinking about taking in the big game in person." He added he has been "talking to some of my friends about whether we can get down there or not" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 1/30)....Premier Lacrosse League founder PAUL RABIL did a Q&A yesterday as part of the NFLPA’s One Team Collective pitch day at the Switchyards Downtown Club (THE DAILY).
