Truth & Rumors > NFL
Why the Falcons aren't headed to Los Angeles
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08:01 AM ET 01.30 | There is, of course, at least some chance the Falcons would leave Atlanta if they don't land a new stadium. Only a fool would say otherwise. But the same fool who believed the Falcons would beat the 49ers by 10 points feels compelled to levy odds on the likelihood of the Falcons' departure. The line on leaving: 1,000-to-1. The belief here is that the Falcons will have their stadium, even if there seems -- in my mind and apparently in the minds of others -- no pressing need. They want it, and eventually they'll get it. They might not get exactly what they want when/where they want it, but in the end they'll be placated. ... If the Falcons don't get a new stadium downtown, Arthur Blank isn't apt to go looking in Los Angeles County.
Matt Ryan, Getty Images
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Nobody Walks In LA, Bros.
I Love LA
Total Comments (5564)
Why the Falcons aren't headed to Los Angeles
Cause the Jags and Chargers will beat them there?
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30445)
Falcons to LA ?
They're trying to start a riot.
Robataille
Total Comments (54118)
No more public money for stadiums anywhere. Period.
Buffalo gives the Bills $100 mil and they still sell a game per season to a city that really doesn't care for the Bills? Give me a break.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
What's their issue with the Georgia Dome?
THE BISHOP!
Total Comments (13361)
The Falcons sell 95% of the seats in a 68,000 seat stadium. (No data for 2012 yet.) Not bad, but they're not selling out the place, which indicates that they're in a place that's about right for their fan base.
But, does the place have luxury boxes? That's the thing a team's owners want, because they don't have to share that revenue with the league.
Debbie Does
Total Comments (19895)
Right. Like 'em or not, Bob Kraft and Jerry Jones both opened their wallets and bought their stadiums with their own money, not mine or Otis's.
Debbie Does
Total Comments (19895)
It's just the absolute worst investment a gov't can make. Particularly football stadiums - how often are these things being used to generate revenue for the area? After witnessing what happened in Miami, and how much that stadium is really going to cost, public funds should never again be used for pro sports stadiums.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
Sooner or later a city will call a team's bluff and they'll be forced to move to LA. But until then every team that wants a new stadium will just threaten to move there.
Formerly from Ewa…
Sand Patch, PA
Total Comments (5982)
Atlanta will do ANYTHING to keep the Falcons. Jaxville is likeliest to move, although with a owner like that, it might be to Blighty rather than the Big Ashtray.
George W. Watson
Green Acres, IL
Total Comments (2089)
The Ginger God has made it clear that the Georgia Dome is no longer suitable for Super Bowls.
Some may dance around the issue - but that is the issue at its core.
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30445)
Time for some of that Home Depot Loot to find it's way back into the City of Atlanta!! Can't expect Varsity Hot Dogs & Coca Cola to foot the Tab!
Not4Nutten
Total Comments (9815)
Didn't know the Falcons do not sell out on a regular basis. Money is tight these days and probably good money is going to the Braves.
Can't see building a new stadium just because another rich man wants more money.
You build a new stadium with say 80,000 seats and you sell on 60.000 seats means there is a bad investment here. Rich people take the luxury boxes that bring in money to Mr. Blank only.
No matter what can't see the Falcons going to Los Angeles and all those wine drinking fans that are all laid back.
KjunMan2012
Mandeville , LA
Total Comments (410)
Super Bowl in New Jersey. Now that will be an experience. Can you see what fun that will be for the fans if it is 36 degrees and snowing. Plus you get that good Yankee hospitality.
KjunMan2012
Mandeville , LA
Total Comments (410)
Let me see if I can put some perspective in here:
1) The Georgia Dome has plenty of luxury boxes. There are two levels of them all around the stadium.
2) It opened in 1982, so it's 22 years old. It's not falling apart, but it's getting up towards the 25-30 years in age where the team owners want a new toy to show off.
3) Atlanta will absolutely NOT "do anything" to keep the Falcons. Put up a couple of 4-12 seasons and then try to count all of the empty seats. Atlanta is very passive about it's pro sports. College football, on the other hand...
4) The city of Atlanta is flat out broke. The state of Georgia isn't in a whole lot better shape. There is no chance that the government is going to pay for a new$1B stadium. Not going to happen.
4) To me, the Dome is fine. The area around it leaves a lot to be desired. And it's a nightmare getting out of there.
5) Blank wants an open air stadium in the northern suburbs. The state wants to keep a dome in downtown. The compromise seems to be a retractable roof in downtown.
6) Whatever is going to be built is going to have to have a roof of some kind. Outside of the Falcons games, the dome is also sold out yearly for the Kickoff Classic, SEC Championship, Chic-Fila Bowl, Supercross, and Monster Jam. Throw in a concert or two, the SEC or ACC basketball tournament, the NCAA Final Four every few years, and a Super Bowl or two (if they get a new stadium) and there is no way that any new stadium won't have a roof.
Trainwreck
Suwanee , GA
Total Comments (262)
The good people of Atlanta just aren't into NFL football all that much. They've always had attendance issues - in the 90s when they actually made a SB, during the Vick years, and this season when they were the top seed.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
Well, since snow requires temperatures to be below freezing, "36 degrees and snowing" probably isn't going to happen.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
Atlanta may be the WORST pro sports city in the U.S.
I'm sure I will take plenty of flak for that statement...
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30445)
I just didn't wanna rub anybody the wrong way, but, yeah. Pretty much.
Miami's a close second.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
Exactly...
50yearfan
Total Comments (11131)
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