Courtesy Atlanta Falcons
In two years, the Atlanta Falcons are scheduled to kick off inside their shiny new $1.5 billion stadium. As the stadium slowly rises from the dirt, with cranes lifting beams and workers pouring concrete, it was only a matter of time before the naming rights were sold. Now according to media reports, Mercedes-Benz could soon buy those rights.
We’re not sure what the new home of both the Falcons and Atlanta United FC stadium might be named yet—Mercedes-Benz Field? Mercedes-Benz Presents The Atlanta Falcons Experience? Arthur Blank’s Ultimate Sportsball Extravaganza Brought To You By Mercedes-Benz?—since there’s already the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The Sports Business Daily reported the German car manufacturer, which is in the process of moving its American headquarters to Sandy Springs, will pay for the ability to hoist its name atop the Downtown’s newest sports facility. A spokeswoman for Arthur Blank, the owner of both teams, declined comment on the potential deal. But the latest report comes on the heels of Falcons President Rich McKay recently telling the Atlanta Business Chronicle that the team would “make that announcement…any time now.”
Today’s report says Mercedes-Benz is expected sign off on the deal today and make an official announcement with Falcons officials on Monday. Premier Partnerships, the company that helped ink the naming rights deal, has elsewhere pursued longterm naming contracts, upwards of 30 years in some cases. If completed, expect the name to stick for decades, or in the case of Atlanta, until the next owner decides he’s ready for the public to help fund a new stadium.
