Owner Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Flacons reacts before a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 10, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. . /Length 7 0 R His is another example of how well powerful systems, in this case, the almighty NFL, can throw a PR cocoon around people and project to the public only the parts of its culture that serve its business interests until they dont. 3, By 1981, Home Depots stock went public and raised over $4 million. In a statement released on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Twitter account, attributed to Blank, he said Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation leadership conveyed his sentiment directly to state officials in recent weeks. The problem for the big, powerful, macho NFL, as it is for every other giant public entity, is that racism and cancer are kind of the easy stuff. MATTIE'S CALL: A 9-month-old baby girl was reported missing from the Ellenwood area with a man police say was diagnosed with a mental illness. And at the top of that is who is being served comes first. United States, Copyright 2023, Georgia Public Broadcasting. Our democracy is made stronger when we hear from all Americans on the issues of our day whether they be national or local. All those 25,000 tickets were gone. Young you are. A documentary surrounding Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian's surrogacy journey is set to air on RT on March 13. We have to be better than burning down our own homes because if we lose Atlanta what else do we have?, I want you to go home. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. /SA true [/Pattern /DeviceRGB] NOW WATCH: We combined Trump and Biden's separate town halls so you can watch an actual debate between the presidential candidates, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. Now it's ranked like seventh. my patience level probably is not the level it would have to be to sustain myself in this political atmosphere today. Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. Arthur Blank (Atlanta Falcons owner and co-founder of Home Depot) 2020Joe Biden 2016Hillary Clinton 2012Barack Obama Maxine Clark (founder and former CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop) 2016Hillary Clinton Michael Eisner (former CEO of Disney) 2016Marco Rubio, then later Hillary Clinton 2016Kamala Harris Jack M. Greenberg (former CEO of McDonald's) And I remember he told me, he said, You know, when [I went into] the prison system, they gave me three pair of underwear, three shirts, three pair slacks, three socks and one pair of shoes, and that was it. He said, That was all I was going to have, as opposed to the lifestyle he was leading before. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. So you take your time, you get the words out and people will listen to you. So I think that from those days in college where I raised my hand and I know my buddies around the class would think, Oh, boy, here goes another 5-minute answer, you know? These are not political issues, they are human issues that need serious, earnest attention from leaders and . Paul, are you OK? I was going to call his secretary, thinking Paul got a heart attack or something. And if you go to the Museum of Equal Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, [Equal Justice Initiative Director] Bryan Stevenson says the same thing: We need to recognize [that] these 5000 lynchings took place in the United States[a 2019 Report from the EJI documents more than 4440 racial terror lynchings in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950]. We believe that voting rights are critically important, and our home state of Georgia is at the center of the struggle. The public discourse on these and other issues is too divisive, too political. Blank, who is Jewish, also addressed the administration's failure to recognize the losses suffered by the Jewish people during the Holocaust. Resistance to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Futile. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It had to do with our set of values.". And that's it. Georgia businessman Arthur Blank joins with voting groups on Democracy Class Atlanta The Jolt: Arthur Blank teams with voting groups to forge 'Democracy Class Atlanta' Caption Credit:. He received his MBA from Harvard. Team owner Arthur Blank, who has high expectations for the franchise, sat down with FOX 5 Atlanta one-on-one to talk football, philanthropy, and Kanye West. The Athletic's Felipe Crdenas joined Georgia Public Broadcasting's Orlando Montoya tohelp breakdown what fans can expect this year on and off the field. So everything is designed to accommodate the soccer fans so they feel like this is their place as a result of that. And so think about the implications of the choices you're making for yourself and for your loved ones, etc. February 4, 2021 4:12 pm ET. In 2014 it emerged that Bruce Levenson, who owned the NBAs Atlanta Hawks, had written an email that amongst other things theorized that the black crowd [at Philips Arena] scared away the whites, adding for good measure: I have even bitched that the kiss cam is too black. Levenson later that year sold his stake in the franchise, and the Hawks have worked hard to win back their black audience. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. A reckless high-profile meathead, now out the $60 million remaining on his contract. This is not the legacy of civil rights in America. Arthur Blank, owner of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, co-founder of Home Depot . Blank also owns Atlantas Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a sports and entertainment facility valued at $1.5 billion that hosted the 2019 Super Bowl. Porn Star Pay Offs, Inciting Insurrection, Sexual Assaults, Bank Fraud, Election Conspiracy and FoxNews v. Dominion. We are better than this We are better than this as a country. I have many friends who are no longer fervent Braves supporters. Now, there's no place for violent protest. On Thursday, Falcons owner Arthur Blank's foundation donated a five-year, $17 million grant to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. You can do whatever you choose to do. 2, In the late 1970s, Arthur Blank was an officer at Handy Dan, a regional hardware store chain in Southern California. And I love him. /BitsPerComponent 8 /Creator ( w k h t m l t o p d f 0 . Yet the team continues to unite Atlantans during the ups and downs. 17. Our history of voting rights is a constant struggle, a repetitive cycle of expansion followed by restriction. Soon after, Blank met his third wife Angela Macuga whom he married in 2016 and later announced their plans to divorce in 2019. Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican Party. But what, I ask, would be the effect of a dozen or so top current and former stars, coaches and league executives stepping up to a camera and telling pro footballs millions (and millions) of fans to get vaccinated for the sake of other people like the season ticket holders sitting next to them if not themselves? Please stop the violence!, Im not in Atlanta, but if I were I would have been standing with our Mayor! And that's all part of his story of redemption and his story of being a changed person. 3 0 obj Soccer fans don't want to feel like they go into a stadium and they're a second-class citizen citizen. Max died when Arthur was 15, leaving his mother to grow what became a multi-million-dollar business. We dont have the answers, but we are committed to listening and responding to the people who have made this their lifes work and to the citizens they serve. 4, Blank purchased the NFLs Atlanta Falcons for more than $540 million shortly after stepping down as CEO of Home Depot. And we've had a very successful team for the first threeand-a-half years this year. These are not political issues, they are human issues that need serious, earnest attention from leaders and citizens alike who understand that diversity is our strength and fair treatment is everyones right. So that was a low price a lower price than before Michael Vick the star quarterback was born 22 years before that. About Arthur Blank Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus cofounded Home Depot in 1978 after being fired from their jobs at a regional hardware store. Arthur Blank on NFL kneelers: 'Players have no interest in being disrespectful to flag' Political Insider By Jim Galloway, Political Insider Trump is apparently referencing a highly sourced. A number of events over the last couple of weeks have reminded us again that the long, worthy quest for equal justice, civility and unity in America is far from over. Playoffs, playoff championships, etc. In total, they anticipate hosting each year 40 to 50 big events and an additional 100 to 200 small events in the neighboring park that will be built where the Georgia Dome currently resides. But my mother would say to me, You know, what you have to say is important. He's committed to his wife now, his children. "I know Bernie's heart. And so he's used that time since he got out of prison and giving back to community, speaking to young people. He and his brother, Michael, were raised in a one-bedroom apartment. The statement reads: "We are at our very best. These are the kinds of people we need in leadership today, not thinking about red, blue, purple. Tikkun Olam [a Jewish concept of repairing the world through action]. I've had conversations with a number of senators who made it very clear that some of their best friends, both politically and otherwise, are on the other side of the aisle. A message sent to Arthur Blank from President Obama in 2018, thanking him for his commitment to affordability at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium after Blank cut concession prices by 50%. But COVID vaccination, as a consequence of being made "political" by belligerent partisans, many of whom love football more than life itself, is terrifying territory for the NFL. Brian Kemp signed the controversial bill, which includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run. The portfolio includes nearly $10 million in grants to 12 nonprofits that represent a diverse set of organizations with a strong presence in Georgia and the Southeast. The Arthur M. Blank Foundation announced on Wednesday a new series of grants focusing on mental health and well-being in response to America's growing mental health crisis. https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Arthur%2BBlank&contributor_employer=The%2BArthur&two_year_transaction_period=2016&contributor_state=GA, https://www.ajc.com/news/local/molly-blank-strong-widow-grew-successful-business-sons/JMYrzmcGsGc4nXD58rqltJ/, https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/197614, https://corporate.homedepot.com/sites/default/themes/thd/images/timeline/History-Of-The-Home-Depot.pdf, https://www.forbes.com/profile/arthur-blank/?sh=ae7b330749c3, https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/front-office-roster/arthur-blank, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/arthur-m-blank/, https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/statement-from-arthur-blank-on-georgia-voting-rights, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/11/companies-voting-bills-states/, https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/arthur-blank-wife-angela-are-getting-a-divorce/897352464/, https://saportareport.com/a-longtime-anonymous-donor-reveals-her-identity/sections/abcarticles/maria_saporta/, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/dena-kimball/, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/kenny-blank/. Opponents of the bill argue it's too restrictive and targets minority voters. So we designed our stadium to accommodate not just for the Atlanta Falcons and National Football League football American football but soccer as well. /Height 155 Who knows how successful theyll be, and many residents worry that economic growth could facilitate gentrification. that those rights were not being fully reflected in our society today. The ones in Atlanta on Friday started off peaceful but later turned into violent demonstrations and looting of local businesses. 14, He also had three children with his second wife of 16 years, Stephanie Blank. Despite being widowed at a young age, his mother managed the familys mail-order pharmaceutical business and sold it to a large retail conglomerate. Animals and Pets Anime Art Cars and Motor Vehicles Crafts and DIY Culture, Race, and Ethnicity Ethics and Philosophy Fashion Food and Drink History Hobbies Law Learning and Education Military Movies Music Place Podcasts and Streamers Politics Programming Reading, Writing, and Literature Religion and Spirituality Science Tabletop Games . Copyright 2023 InfluenceWatch. Hey, Senate DFLers, Dont Forget The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact! 6 Blank was the 2003 Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, they plan to connect with over 1 million voters/ potential voters through phone banking, text banking, in-person canvassing events, and going door to door. But, you know, I needed to change my view on what I could give back and how it could be connected to other people.. 9, Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. The Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, the co-founder of Home Depot with a net worth of $3 billion, at first glance certainly fits the bill of your standard billionaire athletic team owner. Fernandez says that they intend to use the stadium as an anchoring institution, and that the number one thing people in the community said they wanted are jobs. Lawlessness, vandalism and intentionally upending the peace with any form of violence has never been productive and is not the answer. But tell me what I can do to help? And they said, Well, you know, the reality is about 40% of our stadium is empty. I seriously doubt the leagues TV ratings or ad revenue would suffer an iota. We were living in a single-bedroom apartment in Queens. I remember I called the commissioner then, who was Paul Tagliabue, and I say, Well, Paul, I have this idea. The NFL owners club is a remarkable collection of avaricious gargoyles. So there wasn't a word on the other end of the phone. Born on September 27, 1942, Blank owns the Atlanta, Georgia sports teams - the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and Atlanta United of the MLS. But Its All Too Familiar. Marcus handed the CEO reigns to Blank in 1997; Blank held the position until a new president and CEO was hired in 2000. I am, in a certain sense. Minnesota Legislature, What Are You Chewing? 8 In 2012, Blank signed the Giving Pledge and committed to giving more than half of his wealth away to philanthropic efforts in his lifetime. I think when the president [Donald Trump] in the fall of 2017 commented during his speech in Alabama about I don't want to use the words, you know what they were but he termed the players that were kneeling, in my view, in a very derogatory way. endobj But go ahead and do it, if that's what you want. So we did it. And thats despite our recent record, which hasn't been, you know, one I'm particularly proud of, but we'll get better. He and an associate, Bernie Marcus, began experimenting with product discounts in one Handy Dan outlet and observed positive effects of decreasing costs as a percentage of sales and an increase in customer volume. So that's really what it was about. Scott Jensens Unanswered $15,000,000,000 Question. And that's an example of the happiness that we're talking about. A protest has purpose. 260 14th St. NW I think back when I lived in a neighborhood, you know, a small neighborhood, when my mother and dad were alive, we all took care of each other. So, that represents that melting-pot philosophy: Were all in this together. So, I think the great political leaders and the great spiritual leaders, in my view, have always, always opened up their arms and included everybody. His professional team Atlanta United FC brought professional soccer to Atlanta beginning in 2017. Its also part memoir of how his ethics evolved from watching his father run a neighborhood pharmacy in Queens, New York, to launching multi-billion dollar ventures. So thats Gruden. Georgia Public Radio GPTV, a 2019 Report from the EJI documents more than 4440 racial terror lynchings in the U.S. between 1877 and 1950], National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Political Rewind: Theater critic Jesse Green remembers Mary Rodgers in 'Shy', Longtime nature writer Janisse Ray delivers gripping debut novel, At new season kickoff, Atlanta United looks for fresh start on the field. So when we started, MLS was ranked like 22nd among all the leagues in the world. !, Do not fall for this foolishness!!! Blank who grew up in New York City said he believes the US is going through one of the most tumultuous times in its history. As I've said, 95% of my estate is going to be recycled back through our foundations and they will provide their insights and their leadership and their views and values that their father and their mothers would be very proud of. In Fall 2021, we launched our new Democracy program area with $10 million in grants designed to strengthen key democracy organizations to be resilient for the long haul of this work. GPB intern Eva Rothenberg contributed to this article.
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