The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football franchise in the National Football League (NFL), based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons were founded in 1965 and played their first season in 1966. As of now, their senior leadership includes Rich McKay as CEO and Greg Beadles as President.
- They compete in the NFC South division.
- Home games are played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with headquarters and training facilities located in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Ownership Status of the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are not owned by a public shareholder group in the sense of being a publicly traded company. Instead, the team is privately owned. The majority owner is Arthur M. Blank, who acquired ownership in 2002.
Ownership also includes a number of limited partners who hold minority stakes, but the controlling interest remains with Blank. These limited partners do not have the controlling power but do have a share in ownership and possibly some level of influence or involvement.
Major Owner
| Owner | Type of Ownership | Acquisition Year | Control / Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur M. Blank | Majority / Controlling Owner | 2002 | Has full decision-making control over team operations, business affairs, etc. |
Limited Partners
As per the SI Reports, In May 2024, the NFL approved the addition of four new limited partners to the Falcons ownership group: Rosalind Brewer, Dominique Dawes, Will Packer, and Rashaun Williams. These are minority owners, contributing capital and prestige, but not shifting control away from Blank.
There are also other limited partners already part of the group: Brian Barker, Ron Canakaris, Warrick Dunn, Doug Hertz, Alan Kestenbaum, Edward Mendel, Derek Smith, etc.
Atlanta Falcons Key Shareholder Highlights
- Arthur M. Blank: The central figure. Co-founder of The Home Depot, businessman and philanthropist. He purchased the Falcons from Taylor Smith (son of the team’s founder, Rankin M. Smith Sr.).
- Limited Partners: The recent additions in 2024 (Brewer, Dawes, Packer, Williams) bring visibility and diversity; they represent prominent individuals from various fields (business, sports, entertainment).
These partners are significant in terms of branding, community connection, and possibly raising capital, but they do not dilute Blank’s controlling interest.
Recent Developments in Atlanta Falcons Ownership
- The latest change was the addition of the four new limited partners in May 2024, approved by all NFL owners.
- No public reports suggest that Arthur Blank has reduced his majority share or relinquished control. All signs point to him still being the primary owner with full decision-making power.
- The Falcons continue to operate under the umbrella of Blank’s broader holdings, including the AMB Group, which owns/operates the Falcons and other Atlanta sports properties.
FAQs
Q. Who is the current owner of the Atlanta Falcons?
The team is owned by Arthur M. Blank, who is the majority owner and controls operations.
Q. Are there other owners besides Blank?
Yes, there are several limited partners who own minority stakes but do not have controlling power. As of May 2024, four new limited partners (Rosalind Brewer; Dominique Dawes; Will Packer; Rashaun Williams) were added to the ownership group.
Q. When did Arthur Blank acquire ownership?
He acquired the Falcons in 2002, purchasing the team from the Smith family.
Q. Has ownership changed recently?
The only recent change has been the addition of more limited partners in 2024. No change to the controlling ownership status of Blank has been reported.