Arthur Blank

Biography

 The 2016 season will mark the 15th for Arthur Blank as Owner & Chairman for the Falcons. Blank, the co-founder of the world’s largest home improvement retailer, The Home Depot, has established his franchise as one of the tops in the NFL. His impact and leadership can be identified by the individuals he has hired to guide the organization. During 2015, Blank added new leaders both on the field and off the field by hiring Head Coach Dan Quinn, as well as Steve Cannon as CEO of the Blank Family of Businesses. The two passionate leaders have been charged with leading his organizations to the next level and ensure that Blank’s brands continue to win on and off the field. Quinn’s exuberance and passion was immediately felt within the organization and it was easy to tell why he was the top target for every team looking to fill their coaching vacancy, but it took a visionary like Blank to land Quinn here in Atlanta. “This is an exciting day for the Atlanta Falcons franchise and our fans,” Blank said at Quinn’s introductory news conference. “Dan is a talented football coach who has a deep and diverse history in the game, which will serve us well. As we got to know Dan during the interview process, it became clear that he has a definitive plan for our football team and what it will take to win on a consistent basis.” “He also has a proven ability to develop players by maximizing their individual strengths. For these and many other reasons, Dan was our top pick, and I’m confident our players, staff, fans and community will be proud to have him represent the Falcons.” Quinn was the architect of Seattle’s top-ranked defense which helped propel the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances including a 43-8 rout of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. There were four things that were clear characteristics Quinn wanted his team to embody; play fast and physical, be relentless, have regard for the ball and develop a strong brotherhood. His first season at the helm of the Falcons finished with an 8-8 record, a two-win improvement from 2014. It was a year that saw the team start 6-1 and win two of its final three games, including one against the then undefeated Carolina Panthers. The strong end to the season coupled with the vision of Quinn and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, has laid the foundation for Blank’s team to return to the playoff conversation very soon. Since Quinn’s arrival in February of 2015, Atlanta has signed, re-signed or tendered 39 players during free agency. The determination of Blank to build a consistent winner for this city and provide the fan base in Atlanta a team they can be proud of and call their own is unmatched in sports. Atlanta’s impressive six year run from 2008-2012 included two number one seeds in the NFC playoffs (2010, 2012), a team-record three consecutive playoffs berths (2010-12), four double-digit winning seasons (2008, 2010-12), two 13-wins seasons (2010, 2012),  and two NFC South Division championships (2010, 2012). Blank’s expectations are to surpass that run and bring a championship to the city and the franchise. In December of 2015, Blank hired Steve Cannon to be the CEO of AMB Group. Cannon was hired to lead all business operations of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons; Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer; Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company, the developer of Mercedes-Benz Stadium that is scheduled to open in 2017; PGA TOUR Superstore; and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. “Steve is a dynamic leader with a value system and ethic that aligns very well with mine, which is important to ensuring our culture and values continue to thrive in a fast-paced, growing environment,” said Blank. “He is a proven, results-driven executive who understands how to build and deliver a premium customer experience. That, along with his high-energy approach and experience will translate very well to all of our businesses. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have a leader of Steve’s stature take on this very important role moving forward.” The pieces are in place for Blank and his franchise to reach the pinnacle and with his guidance and a Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening up in 2017, the Falcons are poised to again reach the elite of the NFL. IT TAKES A TEAM Since Blank acquired the Falcons in 2002, the team has made the playoffs six times in 15 seasons. Under Blank’s leadership, the Falcons front office has also seen unprecedented success. Three years before Blank purchased the Falcons, the club averaged about 37,000 season ticket holders per year. Since 2002, the Falcons have never sold fewer than 50,000 season tickets in any year. Additionally, during the same period of time, the club has sold out 110 of 112 regular season games and is currently riding a streak of eight consecutive sellout seasons. “I have been blessed here with a great team of people,” Blank said. “I have always believed in bringing the best people together, creating the right environment, giving them the resources they need, being a cheerleader for them and making sure the culture is set in place before getting out of the way and allowing them to do what they need to do.” Blank is also a key contributor to many of the NFL’s major committees. He currently chairs the NFL Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, and he is a member of the league’s Finance, Legislative, and Workplace Diversity committees. The increasing relevance of the Falcons has provided numerous opportunities for the franchise and city of Atlanta to be showcased on nationally-televised games. With two prime time games on national television this season, Atlanta will have participated in 17 prime time regular season games over the past five years. “Our exposure through prime time games over the years speaks directly to the outstanding performances of our players and coaches,” Blank said. “Make no mistake, however, that our larger goal remains to perform under the worldwide spotlight of the Super Bowl. There are 31 other teams out there that want the Lombardi Trophy just as much as we do, so we have to stay diligent to remain a relevant team.”

Research Interest

 physical medicine and rehabilitation