Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. It's hard to believe. So when we started, MLS was ranked like 22nd among all the leagues in the world. 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]. 7, Blank founded the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation in 1995 and has awarded over $560 million to causes such as education and early childhood development. The next thing is making sure you exercise your political bully power and going to local elections and beating up the politicians you dont like., It is time to beat up prosecutors you dont like at the voting booth. We hold all the records. endobj Two Gruden compadres, ex-Gophers star and former NFL coach Tony Dungy and his ESPN partner Mike Tirico, both black, are in a bad spot for defending Gruden about his michellin [sic] tires description of another black guys lips. Arthur Blank's Wives & Family: 5 Fast Facts | Heavy.com However, many Americans are still being denied access to their vote and their ability to fully participate in our democracy. Falcons owner Arthur Blank to miss Sunday's game due to positive COVID We sold out the entire stadium in two-and-a-half hours. I've always believed that the circumstances around me might change, but these core values, which we discuss in the book, they're not mine, they really belong to all of us. In order to put this grinding pandemic behind us once and for all? They all understand it's, you know, you have an opportunity to be here on Earth and how do you want to leave it? But, you know, I think the word civility is terribly important today in the political world in which we just don't see it the way we need to see it. Scott Jensens Dramatic Fall Shows Ads Still Matter. NFL Owner Political Donations: Who Gave to Obama AND Rubio? - The Big Lead Expand. The statement reads: "We are at our very best. Weve never won a Super Bowl, and this years loss in Super Bowl LI was especially hard to take. Left to right: Dennis Ross, Arthur Blank, Bernie Marcus, Pat Farrah, Ron Brill. 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. Brian and Arthur welcomed their daughter Blake into the world via Arthur's sister Aoife, who acted as a surrogate for the couple, back in September -- with Brian previously teasing the documentary before Blake's arrival. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. Organizations also called to move The Masters, which begins April 8. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. But Blank regularly speaks on business school campuses, where future leaders and executives tell him they are anxious about the environment, the wealth gap, racial and gender inequities, and a litany of examples of corporate malfeasance. 6 0 obj The 74-year-old Blank, who Forbes estimates has an estimated net worth of $3.1 billion, is the director of Cox. Walz Cooperation With Law Enforcement Deserves Praise, Not Punishment, If You Think Republicans Cant Ban Abortion in Minnesota, Look No Further than Iowa, Russia, Ukraine and My Seven Months with YouTube. One reporter asked Fontenot whether he thought the Falcons were getting Watson. Sign up for notifications from Insider! !, Do not fall for this foolishness!!! 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. Were trying to do the exact opposite of that.. Georgia Politics FOX 5 Atlanta ATLANTA - Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United Owner Arthur Blank said Tuesday afternoon he believes voting should be made "easier, not harder for every eligible. That was in 1979. Max died when Arthur was 15, leaving his mother to grow what became a multi-million-dollar business. I mean, it wasn't like, You're Republican or Democrat. This is not a good way to make a living. In his new book, Good Company, Blank follows his own success to show that purpose and profit can and should coexist. The organization works directly with election officials to maintain accurate and complete voter lists and to secure their election technology infrastructure. The stadium boasts roughly 4,000 solar panels and will use 70 percent less energy. 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. Blank retired as Home Depot's co-chairman in. So in this case, we were coming back from a game after the team had played in St. Louis against the old St. Louis Rams theyre now in L.A. and instead of riding in the front of the plane with the coaches and managers, I sat in the back with the players. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. And, you know, you see the blending of every type of person and personality you can imagine. Blank told Business Insider that despite their differences, running a company is "not a red issue or a blue issue" and is instead about sharing the same values. /CA 1.0 The Westside also suffers from severe flooding problems, and the stadium has a 1.1 million gallon storm vault underground to trap and reuse their rain water, and help prevent flooding. But really, in my view, it's mostly that talking to young people about, you know, here's somebody who's been there, done it, gotten on T-shirts, lived it, and somebody whose name they respect or the least they know of, I should say, in most cases. Arthur Blank - InfluenceWatch - InfluenceWatch To anyone interested in a deeper dive into NFL culture I strongly recommend, Big Game by New York Times Magazine writer Mark Leibovich for an inside-the-suites sense of who says what to who when its more or less just them peer billionaires talking. The 79-year-old co-founder of Atlanta-based The Home Depot . Georgia businessman Arthur Blank joins with voting groups on - ajc Home Depot cofounder, Arthur Blank, is a longtime Democratic supporter and donated $250,000 to committees supporting Joe Biden between July and September in 2020, Another Home Depot cofounder, Bernie Marcus, is an. Blank writes about being teased for having a stutter. But I know that his essence, at his heart and his soul, is a really good person that cares deeply about humanity. 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. Arthur Blank indicates that 2023 season is a must win for Arthur Smith Which country do you come from? I have many friends who are no longer fervent Braves supporters. The Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR) mission is to ensure elections are secure, voters have confidence in election outcomes and democracy thrives as civic engagement grows. But the two subsequent CEOs the gentleman there today, Craig Minear, the CEO and president Ted Decker both live the culture. In our case, the fans, customers, guests or grantees, whatever the case may be, you're going to find out the ultimate truth of what you need to do to build a business response to issues, spot opportunities, deal with problems, whatever it may be. The system has worked well for the multi-billionaire and co-founder of The Home Depot. Both John Lewis John, just a month before he passed away and Andy Young have said to me that we do have to recognize that things are better than they used to be. I went to a small business school outside of Boston called Babson College I would always sit in the front because I always wanted to pay attention and learn. Were usually very happy to talk, very happy to share our opinions and what have you I have enough humility to understand that the people were serving know better. Since then, they have re-organized their focus areas more specifically into four groups: policy advocacy, organizing and civic engagement, impact litigation, and legal services. /BitsPerComponent 8 And so think about the implications of the choices you're making for yourself and for your loved ones, etc. His faith is very strong. Scott Jensens Unanswered $15,000,000,000 Question. I am, in a certain sense. Please, please stop this violence!! Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. "So, you know, I love him. I was gagged. He shares how he and Bernie Marcus were brusquely fired from executive positions at Handy Dan Home Improvement Stores the humiliating inflection point that led the pair to create The Home Depot. The NFL could and should be a leader among other giant corporations in taking stark stands against belligerent stupidity like racism (which it is sort of good at in a lipservice/signage kind of way, considering 70% of its players are black) and sexism (where it has a long ways to go, despite promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with pink shoes), but also right now for wait for it COVID vaccinations. And the Falcons new stadiumscheduled to open this summerwith an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, $200 million coming from Atlanta hotel-motel taxesis definitely big and shinny with tons of gadgets to enhance the fan experience. But this is where the similarities with most other stadiums end. Falcons owner Arthur Blank is weighing in on Georgia's sweeping overhaul of election laws. But the level where this Gruden idiocy touches the countrys perilous moment is where the NFL arguably one of the most popular and therefore influential organizations/corporations in the country could and should use Grudens buffoonish racism and sexism to make unambiguous statements to its fans, which is to say just about everyone in the country. >> They all have a great set of eyes and they're all different. February 4, 2021 4:12 pm ET. No. Arthur Blank gives $17M to National Center for Civil and Human Rights 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. 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. So we had 35, 40 players kneeling before that, after that speech, we had close to 300 players kneeling because they took it personally and their families took it personally and their parents and their siblings and their grandparents and their heritage was being challenged. Martin Luther King Jr. once lived in this part of town, but decades of disinvestment and neglect have resulted in over 40 percent of the community living in poverty with an unemployment rate twice that of the rest of Atlanta. The perceived linebetween politics and sports further blurred when Major League Baseball's union chief said players are ready to discuss moving the 2021 MLB All-Star Game out of Truist Park. "I know what he cares about and he cares about a lot of the same things that I care about.". Ticket pricing was higher than it could have been or should have been at that time, and so I brought Dick Sullivan over from Home Depot, the gentleman who now runs our PGA Superstores and we came up with a strategy that we've got to sell season's tickets for $100. follow. I would suggest, for anybody in business, that you listen to who you're serving. The Number of White Teachers About to Get Fired is Exactly Zero. What Does Hamline Not Understand About Academic Freedom? And that's it. Founded in 2010 as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC), the organization became part of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation in 2014. 1 0 obj Mercedes-Benz Stadium aims to be the first stadium to receive LEED Platinum certification. And that's an example of the happiness that we're talking about. Enter your email address to be notified about new posts. [/Pattern /DeviceRGB] endobj You're going to get a lot of your fellow owners really pissed. But it's really not a story about dogfighting. Owner, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. A study by ESPN and FiveThirtyEight in October 2020 showed Blank is a bipartisan contributor to political campaignsbut contributed more to Democratic candidates from 2012 to 2020. And they found ways to get things done with people who had a little bit a different view but found that commonality that was really important. And if all goes to plan, its also going to help a depressed community thats heard big talk before. American professional sports owners have contributed nearly $47 million in federal elections since 2015, according to research by ESPN in partnership with FiveThirtyEight, including $10 million. We don't have any fans in our building, and this is what we plan on doing: We're going to, you know, promote season tickets for 100 bucks or $10 a ticket. And I remember waiting for, you know, probably two minutes. So it was a great story and is a great story. my patience level probably is not the level it would have to be to sustain myself in this political atmosphere today. In 1989, the company opened its 100th store. Support more understanding and be better listeners trying to see how the other people, you know, try to stand in the footsteps of others. What I Learned Over One Cup of Coffee Yesterday Morning, You Want to Laugh at Liz Truss and The Brits. With Enemies Like Scott Jensen, Who Needs Friends? I'm not sure how they're going to receive you. But my mother would say to me, You know, what you have to say is important. 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) I seriously doubt the leagues TV ratings or ad revenue would suffer an iota. And they love that. Additionally in 2014, the Atlanta Braves announced that they were building a new stadium outside the city in the northern suburbs, and leaving Turner Field, which was originally the site of Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 summer games. Falcons owner Arthur Blank spoke with reporters during a 10-minute teleconference from the Super Bowl. /SMask /None>> You can do whatever you choose to do. It is in effect protecting the teams owner, a guy regularly reviled by sportswriters, players and fans as a (very wealthy) toxic idiot. After cofounding Home Depot in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1978, Blank and Marcus helped put the do-it-yourself phenomenon on the map by offering the tools for personal home renovations. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican Party. /Filter /DCTDecode I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. Arthur Blank is an American entrepreneur and a co-owner of the home improvement retail giant The Home Depot. And he had to mop the floors for weeks and months on end. /Type /XObject The guest. 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. More must be done to address the underlying issues that have led to these incidents across the country. It's not trying influence, but trying to share philosophies of life and stories and thoughts about a certain set of values, which really transcend business, nonprofit, as well as the political arena. Hey, Senate DFLers, Dont Forget The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact! "This grant will help The Center add to its existing . How aerobics changed the life of Arthur Blank long before he bought the And then he worked in the laundry. Young you are. Given its footprint, we have good rights to expect a lot more from this monolith. %PDF-1.4 But there was nothing I could say better than what Mayor @KeishaBottoms said last night! Arthur Blank On Michael Vick, Bernie Marcus, And How He'd Run The U.S. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The Blank foundation also emphasizes environmental sustainability and aims to support programs that foster this message in the Westside. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. Blank told Business Insider that despite their political differences, their different leanings never got in the way of their ability to work together as partners or as friends. 10, Following proposed changes to Georgia voting laws in early 2021, Blank released a statement saying, We should be working to make voting easier, not harder for every eligible citizen, and that his businesses and family foundation will support efforts that advance voting access for the citizens of Georgia and across the nation. 11 Blank also participated in an online call with over 100 corporate executives to discuss taking action following changes to state voting laws including the possibility of delaying investments in states that pass allegedly restrictive voting laws. Copyright 2023 InfluenceWatch. The Braves leaving town also represented an end to the multicultural hub in the heart of the city that was forged by those Olympics. For years, Americans have fallen prey to the con of wealthy businessmen who want to build shiny new sports arenas yet dont want to pay for them. Resistance to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Futile. /SM 0.02 But, you know, I needed to change my view on what I could give back and how it could be connected to other people.. GALEO engages in advocacy, creates opportunities for engagement and networking, and develops leadership skills for Latino community members. GPB intern Eva Rothenberg contributed to this article. He owns the team, after all. So it really never defined me. 14, He also had three children with his second wife of 16 years, Stephanie Blank. The pair always strove to create a work environment that put people before politics, said Blank. Pictured is the famous napkin deal that sealed Arthur Blanks agreement with Taylor Smith to purchase the Atlanta Falcons for $545 million in 2001. Liz Cheney Aint Going Nowhere in This Republican Party, Jensens Abortion Ban Promises Come Back to Haunt Him, Thanks to Oppo. Democracy - The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation We had the option of going to a variety of companies, doing a variety of things in a traditional sense of management leadership. If you don't make good choices, you can end up being in really bad places. Our frontline associates and all those businesses come next. Paul, are you OK? I was going to call his secretary, thinking Paul got a heart attack or something. Arthur M. Blank Foundation donates over $5 million for mental health But he was there and he finally said, Listen, you own the franchise, you have the option. Because It Delivers Comfort, Status and Cash. And how do I put my shoulder to the wheel and lead by example and take the blessings of all the resources that our family. Student Loan Forgiveness and The Ghost of John Kline, (Who?). One of the beauties is that when you come to the stadium, it feels like it's the United Nations. Now, there's no place for violent protest. And, you know, living in poverty, we had friends coming by all the time and what have you. Home Depot cofounders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus have long been on separate sides of the fence when it comes to politics. 4 0 obj Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. GALEO strives for a better Georgia where the Latino community is engagedcivically, and its contributions and concerns are recognized. 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 . JFIF K K C a guy regularly reviled by sportswriters, players and fans as a (very wealthy) toxic idiot. Full statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/1lU870TGWa pic.twitter.com/0qejiahKKY, Please, please stop this violence!! If you go to a Home Depot shareholders meeting, they start out every single meeting for 42 years now with this value wheel that we developed. So, long story short, I think, is that we should recognize the past, understand the progress we have made. "His approach obviously is different. Its a story about making bad choices and the impact of young people. 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. The Athletic reported that Blank gave $2,800 to Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, on July 1. Nationality: United States Executive summary: Co-Founder of Home Depot. Blank spent 19 years as the company's president before succeeding Marcus as CEO. He would say, I don't need to be cut any slack, you know. However, the Atlanta Falcons new home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, may foster a new era of stadium construction and community engagement. << /Type /ExtGState /Creator ( w k h t m l t o p d f 0 . 2023 Cox Media Group. When you find common solutions that work for everybody and [are] respectful of everybody to represent the best of you. 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. 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. Arthur Blank is firmly in Joe Biden's corner. All of which is, yknow, really classy stuff. I suspect he had help. The views expressed here are the authors' alone, not necessarily the views of their clients, employers or families. A company where we already know from law suits the teams executives treated its cheerleaders like Vegas escorts and, yup, traded nudie pictures of them changing outfits. Atlanta, GA 30318 But its the NFL itself that should be held to greater account and responsibility than it ever is. "This notion of divisiveness has become, in my humble opinion, maybe, post-Civil War, probably one of the most stressful times I've ever seen in our country," he said.
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