Who Owns the Atlanta Falcons? A Local’s Guide to the Team’s Leadership and Legacy

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or just love the city’s sports culture, you’ve probably wondered: “Who owns the Atlanta Falcons?” Understanding who’s behind the team helps explain everything from the game-day experience at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium to the Falcons’ role in the community.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, what that ownership means for the city, and how it shapes your experience as a fan.

The Owner of the Atlanta Falcons: Arthur M. Blank

The Atlanta Falcons are owned by Arthur M. Blank, a well-known Atlanta businessman and philanthropist.

Blank is best known as:

• Co‑founder of The Home Depot
• Owner of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
• Owner of Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer)
• Founder of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

He purchased the Falcons in the early 2000s and has since become one of the most visible sports owners in the city. If you’re at a game in Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, there’s a good chance the overall fan experience, from concessions to stadium design, has been influenced by his philosophy of customer and community focus.

How Falcons Ownership Fits Into Atlanta’s Sports Landscape

In Atlanta, the Falcons are more than just a football team. They are one part of a broader sports and civic ecosystem that Blank has invested in.

Blank’s Atlanta Sports Portfolio

Arthur Blank’s Atlanta-related sports holdings include:

Because the Falcons and Atlanta United share Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, decisions about upgrades, fan amenities, and events often impact both fan bases and the broader downtown area.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium: The Falcons’ Home in Downtown Atlanta

Even though the question is about the owner of the team, for most Atlantans, ownership feels most real in the form of Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, the Falcons’ home field.

Where the Stadium Is Located

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
1 AMB Dr NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

It’s located in Downtown Atlanta, near:

• State Farm Arena
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Vine City and Castleberry Hill neighborhoods
• CNN Center area

The stadium itself is operated under the broader AMB Sports + Entertainment organization, which was created by Arthur Blank to manage his sports and entertainment properties.

How Ownership Shapes the Stadium Experience

Arthur Blank’s ownership approach has influenced:

• Fan-friendly concessions: The stadium is widely known for offering relatively low-cost food and beverage options compared to typical NFL venues.
• Community access: The venue frequently hosts high school football, local events, and college championships, giving Atlantans more ways to experience the space beyond Falcons games.
• Design and technology: The unique retractable roof and large 360-degree video halo board reflect an emphasis on creating a high-tech, visually impressive environment.

When you attend a Falcons game as an Atlanta resident or visitor, you’re experiencing the result of private sports ownership combined with city partnerships and local planning efforts.

Who Runs the Falcons Day to Day?

While Arthur Blank is the principal owner, a professional front office manages the team’s daily operations. Roles typically include:

• CEO / President – Oversees business strategy, marketing, sponsorships, and operations.
• General Manager (GM) – Manages player personnel, contracts, and roster decisions.
• Head Coach – Handles on-field strategy, player development, and coaching staff.

Ownership sets the overall vision and culture, while the front office and coaching staff make football decisions within that framework. For an Atlanta fan, this explains why you might hear a lot about the GM and head coach during draft season, but you’ll see Arthur Blank involved in long-term projects, stadium planning, and community initiatives.

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Community Impact in Atlanta

Arthur Blank’s ownership of the Falcons is closely tied to his philanthropic work in the city.

Community-Focused Work Connected to the Falcons

Through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and related initiatives, the Falcons’ ownership has helped support:

• Neighborhood development around Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, especially in nearby Westside communities like Vine City and English Avenue
• Youth sports programs and flag football initiatives throughout Metro Atlanta
• Education and opportunity programs aimed at local students and families
• Environmental and sustainability efforts, including stadium design features intended to reduce environmental impact

For Atlantans who never attend a game, this side of Falcons ownership may be where they feel the impact most directly—through improved parks, programs for young people, and neighborhood investments.

You can typically find the foundation’s main office information through public Atlanta business listings or by contacting the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation at its publicly listed address in the city.

How Falcons Ownership Affects Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Whether you’re a lifelong Atlantan, a transplant, or just in town for a weekend, ownership of the Falcons touches the city in several practical ways.

1. Game Day in Downtown Atlanta

On Falcons home game days, ownership decisions influence:

• Transportation planning around downtown
• Coordination with MARTA rail and bus services
  • Nearby MARTA rail stops: GWCC/CNN Center, Vine City, Dome/Philips Arena/CNN Center (historically)
• Partnerships with nearby parking decks and ride-share zones

If you’re planning to attend a game, the stadium and team websites typically provide transportation maps, parking lot information, and entry policies, all developed under the oversight of the stadium’s management and Falcons leadership.

2. Economic and Event Impact

Falcons ownership factors into:

• Jobs related to stadium operations, concessions, security, and event management
• Major events that come to Atlanta, like:
  • Super Bowl appearances
  • College Football Championship games
  • Large concerts and special events at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

These events often rely on the stadium’s reputation and capabilities, which are directly tied to ownership decisions about facility investment, maintenance, and partnerships.

3. Local Identity and Pride

Falcons ownership plays a role in:

• Supporting the team’s branding as an Atlanta emblem, including colors, slogans, and city-centered campaigns
• Organizing community outreach events, such as:
  • Player visits to schools or youth centers
  • Charity drives and fundraisers
  • Volunteer opportunities connected to Falcons community programs

For many Atlantans, the Falcons—and by extension, their ownership—are part of how the city presents itself nationally as a major sports hub.

How to Engage with the Falcons as an Atlanta Local

If you’re in Atlanta and want to connect more deeply with the team and its ownership-driven initiatives, here are some common paths:

Attend a Falcons Game

You can:

• Purchase tickets through official channels
• Use MARTA to reach GWCC/CNN Center or Vine City stations
• Arrive early to explore The Home Depot Backyard (the large green space next to the stadium used for tailgating, fitness classes, and community events)

Explore Community Events

Look for:

• Falcons community days or open practices (often held at local facilities, especially during training camp periods)
• Youth clinics or football camps advertised through local schools, recreation centers, or team channels

Follow Ownership-Linked Initiatives

Many Atlantans stay informed about:

• Neighborhood revitalization projects around the stadium
• Youth sports partnerships with local schools and parks departments
• Volunteer events tied to Falcons and Atlanta United community programs

These efforts reflect how the Falcons’ owner has chosen to embed the team in the broader Atlanta community.

Key Takeaways for Anyone Asking “Who Owns the Atlanta Falcons?” in Atlanta

If you’re trying to understand the ownership of the Atlanta Falcons from an Atlanta-focused perspective, keep these core points in mind:

• The Atlanta Falcons are owned by Arthur M. Blank, an Atlanta-based businessman and philanthropist.
• Blank’s organization, often referred to as AMB Sports + Entertainment, oversees:
  • The Falcons
  • Atlanta United FC
  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Ownership decisions shape:
  • The fan experience at games
  • The development of Downtown Atlanta around the stadium
  • Community investments, especially in nearby Westside neighborhoods
• For Atlanta residents and visitors, this means:
  • A modern, high-profile stadium in the heart of downtown
  • Regular major events that bring national attention to the city
  • Ongoing community programs and projects tied to the team’s presence

So when you think about the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, you’re not just thinking about who signs the checks for the team—you’re looking at a key figure in how Atlanta’s sports, community development, and city identity continue to evolve.