14, He also had three children with his second wife of 16 years, Stephanie Blank. But Id like to say to CNN right now: Karmas a mother. 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) Its appalling how heavily-to-tightly-managed entities, especially those controlled by a small cluster of well-heeled egos turn into shuddering eunuchs at the thought of riling just an ugly faction of its consumer base. A reckless high-profile meathead, now out the $60 million remaining on his contract. Arthur Blank on NFL kneelers: 'Players have no interest in being "And I'm not 100 years old I'm getting there, but I'm not but the things I see and deal with are just inherently not what's made this country great. So, I would say it was very successful. They said it would take an act of courage on your part to go out on the field and and to be recognized. And, you know, people stood up! Like many other enormous corporations the NFL, selling a slick, bristling mix of testosterone and patriotism, ducks away from anything with a whiff of political conflict. 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. 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. I stayed in touch with him to some degree when he was in prison. Peaceful protests of the past have led to new ways forward. Together we will rise above this on the strength of what has always made Atlanta great its people, its leaders of past and present and its unique culture that is welcoming to all. This must happen more than every four years, because theres no offseason for democracy. Brian Dowling And Arthur Gourounlian Surrogacy Documentary Announced So I think that part of that comes out of really being a good listener and responding to what you're hearing and trying to find a way to make things work for the benefit of everybody collaboratively. Also watchRISING UP: A Westside Story,a documentary film by David Lewis Productions that gives viewers a detailed look into the ideation, construction, and impact of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on the city of Atlanta. 7) We had a different leader [Robert Nardelli ] in place that was eventually replaced. The latest of Blank's many charitable endeavors is aimed at helping the museum expand its reach. Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service. It's a beautiful thing. During the 2020 elections, Blank contributed $300,000 to the Biden Victory Fund, $35,000 to the Democratic National Convention, and tens of thousands of dollars to state Democratic Party committees. 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. Currently, over 200 Westside residents are working on the stadiums construction and the foundation has funded, among other things, Westside Works to help residents find employment and learn job training skills. He also goes public about the pain of learning of Michael Vicks role in an illegal dogfighting ring, along with other ups and downs in a life of unimaginable financial success. Is Arthur Blank the Only Good Owner in the NFL? - The Daily Beast Why Should Tim Walz Even Bother Debating Scott Jensen? So the answer would be yes. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. 03/03/2023. The Home Depot co-founder, Arthur Blank, candidly shares details of an impromptu meeting in an airport hangar when he was asked to step down, the company's short-term mistake of replacing him. Think about How do I listen to the people that are actually trying to serve and how do we put results in place that would give them the very best chance for equality and for success and for fair treatment? And I think we have to strive more for that. 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. And if all goes to plan, its also going to help a depressed community thats heard big talk before. /Type /XObject He's done a lot of work in terms of animal rights, which has been great and been appreciated by all of those agencies and all those institutions. GALEO engages in advocacy, creates opportunities for engagement and networking, and develops leadership skills for Latino community members. And, you know, you see the blending of every type of person and personality you can imagine. I am, in a certain sense. We Present You Trumps Deposition, More or Less Verbatim. Liz Cheney Aint Going Nowhere in This Republican Party, Jensens Abortion Ban Promises Come Back to Haunt Him, Thanks to Oppo. How? Arthur Blanks talks football, philanthropy, and Kanye West - FOX 5 Atlanta He had three children with his first wife Diana Blank, whom he divorced in 1993. Arthur Blank, Tyler Perry speak out about protests, riots In order to put this grinding pandemic behind us once and for all? If you don't make good choices, you can end up being in really bad places. But We Aint Seen Nuthin Yet. Born on September 27, 1942, Blank owns the Atlanta, Georgia sports teams - the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and Atlanta United of the MLS. 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. I mean, those fans, they feel like that's the only sport that we're hosting in that stadium. That coming the day before the New York Times dropped the bomb(s) about Gruden calling the NFL commissioner a faggot, ripping the leagues concussion protocols, (in other words, Grudens pro-concussion) and trading nudie pictures of cheerleaders. 9, Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. The Falcons were the first pro football team in the South, founded during the civil rights era in 1965. We are better than this We are better than this as a country. 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. A Member of the Blank Family of Businesses. So I would fight for that and surround myself with people who believe the same thing, because you have to have that brain power in every institution or corporation or nonprofit. For the last two decades, sports have united this largely racially divided city, and partially due to the actions of the Hawks and the Braves, the Falcons could ill-afford to have a stadium plan that was not only racially inclusive, but also worked to incorporate the surrounding community. Arthur Blank on Trump policies: 'Troubled by anything that They all have a great set of values. It is my hope that we take this terrible moment in our history to elevate that conversation toward productive action and lasting, positive change. 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. And so from there, since the 2001- 2002 season, we've only had three games that were not sold out during the season. Despite being widowed at a young age, his mother managed the familys mail-order pharmaceutical business and sold it to a large retail conglomerate. [/Pattern /DeviceRGB] 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. 17. He received his MBA from Harvard. During the 2020 elections, Blank contributed $300,000 to Biden Victory Fund, $35,000 to the Democratic National Convention, and tens of thousands of dollars to state Democratic Party committees. The 79-year-old co-founder of Atlanta-based The Home Depot . United States, Copyright 2023, Georgia Public Broadcasting. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Not about dogfighting. Theres at least one more level to the Jon Gruden disaster that NFL fans should consider about the leagues remarkable influence. They were trying to indicate that what the military had fought for these rights, the civil rights, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. But Its All Too Familiar. Arthur Blank indicates that 2023 season is a must win for Arthur Smith So there was no disrespect to the military. 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. 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. Low Expectations and Dark Hopes for the New Year, Minnesotas Wealthiest Social Security Beneficiaries Shouldnt Be First in Line for Help, Time to Limit HOAs Solar Panel Policing Powers, Pop Quiz: How Many People Actually Know Whats Going On?. Kirk Cousins Failed His Character Test, But the NFL Gives Him Its Highest Award for Character Anyway, Bidens Junk Fee Fight Should Include Broders Deli as Well as Las Vegas. Arthur Blank - InfluenceWatch - InfluenceWatch Do it in November. It had to do with our set of values.". It starts with respect. They're a PR's dream because they rarely say the wrong thing. That Vote for Secretary of State? 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. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday he is encouraged by the progress of quarterback Desmond Ridder and the potential of building around the rookie. "It's not a red issue or a blue issue, it's about how you treat people, whether it be guests, fans, customers, associates, or shareholders in the case with HD," said Blank, whose Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted over $800 million to help underserved people across the nation. Stop making people feel so fearful. Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. 5) About Arthur Blank Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus cofounded Home Depot in 1978 after being fired from their jobs at a regional hardware store. Atlanta Falcons employees are most likely to be members of the Republican Party. Shrinking from conflict over something as valid, real and life-protecting as a vaccine is not what Id call, manly, brave, courageous or patriotic. I suspect he had help. But my mother would say to me, You know, what you have to say is important. The Falcons leadership knows how to play politics. Full statement from Arthur Blank: https://t.co/1lU870TGWa pic.twitter.com/0qejiahKKY, Please, please stop this violence!! Arthur Blank On Michael Vick, Bernie Marcus, And How He'd Run The U.S. It's an inverted pyramid that speaks to our whole orientation and all of our businesses today. It is time to hold mayoral offices accountable, chiefs and deputy chiefs. Blank donated another $35,500 to the Democratic National Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. His percentage of giving back from his estate will be equal to mine and some of his philosophies don't exactly match mine. And so think about the implications of the choices you're making for yourself and for your loved ones, etc. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. And Blanks role in this project extends beyond the stadium. To many Atlantans, myself included, leaving Turner Field was symbolic of the white flight that has defined the city since the 1960s. stream 9. And the great political leaders in the past, they were civil and they were good listeners. I'm not sure how they're going to receive you. Though the 78-year-old who's now the owner of the Atlanta Falcons NFL team was aware of their political differences, he said it never had any bearing on their shared values. Home Depot co-founders pictured in 1979, a year after the first store opened. Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Gave Nearly $40,000 to Joe Biden and The Braves leaving town also represented an end to the multicultural hub in the heart of the city that was forged by those Olympics. It is in effect protecting the teams owner, a guy regularly reviled by sportswriters, players and fans as a (very wealthy) toxic idiot. /BitsPerComponent 8 Arthur Blank talks sensible gun reform. The Atlanta media thrashed Arthur Smith, Terry Fontenot, and Arthur Blank about their interest level sometime after the news broke. 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. How could Trump possibly have lost re-election? And, you know, living in poverty, we had friends coming by all the time and what have you. Pictured is the famous napkin deal that sealed Arthur Blanks agreement with Taylor Smith to purchase the Atlanta Falcons for $545 million in 2001. That is the change we need in this country.". More must be done to bring people together through meaningful change. Stop feeding fear and anger every day. Arthur Blank greets a crowd of cheering Atlanta United fans in 2017. Arthur Blank is firmly in Joe Biden's corner. $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ? So we designed our stadium to accommodate not just for the Atlanta Falcons and National Football League football American football but soccer as well. But he was. Here, using insidegov.com's database, are the disclosed political donations* for majority NFL owners dating back to the 2008 election. And that's all part of his story of redemption and his story of being a changed person. Soccer fans don't want to feel like they go into a stadium and they're a second-class citizen citizen. (Confidentiality, you know.) Show up at the polls on June 9. My dad didn't look at who it was. Left to right: Dennis Ross, Arthur Blank, Bernie Marcus, Pat Farrah, Ron Brill. And next thing I know, he was sitting on his knees and with a gun to his head. 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. 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. Steve Bullock, and the Democratic National Committee, to name a few, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. He notes pervasive cynicism about corporate leaders and perceptions that the drive for profit comes at the expense of public good. All of which is, yknow, really classy stuff. ATLANTA - Falcons team owner Arthur Blank has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the team's final game of the regular season. I mean, everybody's standing for an hour-and-a-half and they just don't sit down. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. He released a statement five days after Gov. So, you know, soccer is on the ascent in the United States dramatically, which is a great thing. There was a six-year period in there, when things went a little south. Dueling Visions for Minnesota: Scandinavia or South Dakota? I want you to talk to 10 of your friends. 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. What Would Trump Steal That is So Ultra Top Secret and Why? 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, Forbes reported. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Yet the team continues to unite Atlantans during the ups and downs. I mean, you write a book like this, it's really getting into kind of the political arena. And I love him. 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. Did the Vikings and NFL Just Blacklist Another Left-Leaning Player? Post was not sent - check your email addresses! So there wasn't a word on the other end of the phone. They survived. It Now Actually Matters, a Lot. So, we had great confidence in our own abilities. that those rights were not being fully reflected in our society today. 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. 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. This isnt just a short-cut, this is a long-term play with significant input and investment into the community and its future, said Scott Jenkins, the general manager of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, to The Daily Beast. ,> U#kw1%dHT6qZq]9Ki o And I remember him looking at me saying, If I told your mother what you just said, she would wash your mouth out with soap. But that was the last thing I said. Now 78, he is largely beloved in Georgia as an entrepreneur, owner of two professional sports teams and a prolific philanthropist. GPB intern Eva Rothenberg contributed to this article. Blank, who is worth about $6.2 billion, per Forbes, is one of the higher donors among Biden's billionaire backers, who outnumber Trump's at 134 to 101, although more of Biden's backers have given the $2,800 personal maximum. 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 Blank foundation also emphasizes environmental sustainability and aims to support programs that foster this message in the Westside. Give them hope. The views expressed here are the authors' alone, not necessarily the views of their clients, employers or families. a guy regularly reviled by sportswriters, players and fans as a (very wealthy) toxic idiot. Open, honest dialogue is needed on a much greater scale. But he did. 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. 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. We sold out the entire stadium in two-and-a-half hours. The Georgia Dome was also built for the Olympics, and construction for Philips Arenathe Hawks home, which sits next door to the Dome and where the previous basketball arena, the Omni Colosseum, once satbegan in 1997. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. CEIR works to build voter trust and confidence, increase voter participation and improve the efficiency of election administration. So, you know, we understood that our culture had nothing to do with which party you are affiliated with. Statement from Arthur Blank on the 2020 election - Atlanta Falcons %PDF-1.4 /SA true However, many Americans are still being denied access to their vote and their ability to fully participate in our democracy. 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. Their siblings, their families, you know, may have gone to battle and wore a variety of uniforms for our country over many, many years. 1, Arthur Blank was born to Molly and Max Blank in Queens, New York. These are the kinds of people we need in leadership today, not thinking about red, blue, purple. Sadly, sometimes these young men and women get involved in that cycle and they never get out of it. In that way, I don't think my personality, probably, or my patience level probably is not the level it would have to be to sustain myself in this political atmosphere today. And it was early on a Sunday morning. One reporter asked Fontenot whether he thought the Falcons were getting Watson. 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. We've broken every season ticket record per game. The family foundation has already invested over $20 million into the surrounding community. And then as Dr. King wrote in his last book, which his wife published a year after he passed away. The system has worked well for the multi-billionaire and co-founder of The Home Depot. endobj So we spent six months maybe talking to fans, or people that were not fans, but were, you know, living in the Atlanta area at that time, and we found out that there were four or five things we had to fix. 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. Blank retired as Home Depot's co-chairman in. I know you see my partner, Bernie, on Fox News very often. All the issues that Colin [Kaepernick] raised at that time [2016-2107] about the social injustice and lack of equality and equity in the criminal system and all those issues, I think they were real then and they're certainly real now. Among Blanks diverse interests are the nationwide PGA Tour Superstore chain, three guest ranches in Montana, and a family foundation that counts millions in economic development investments on Atlantas beleaguered Westside among its $660-million outlay to date. "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.
Come In Dungannon, I Know Your Knock,
Shelley Smith Obituary,
Optometry Cardiff University Entry Requirements,
App Para Hacer Introducciones Para Trabajos,
Articles A
