Arthur Blank is an American businessman and philanthropist who is best known for co-founding The Home Depot, one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world. However, Blank also has a notable career in football, having been the owner of the Atlanta Falcons since 2002.
Blank's involvement in football began in the late 1990s when he was part of a group that was trying to bring an expansion team to the city of Atlanta. Although that effort was unsuccessful, Blank continued to pursue his interest in football and eventually purchased the Falcons in 2002 for a reported $545 million.
Under Blank's ownership, the Falcons have had their share of ups and downs. In 2004, the team made it to the NFC Championship game but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Falcons rebounded in 2010, winning the NFC South division and making it to the playoffs for the first time in four years. The team also had a successful season in 2012, finishing with a 13-3 record and earning the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
Off the field, Blank has been a strong advocate for social justice and community involvement. In 2016, he pledged to donate $17 million to help combat poverty in Atlanta, and he has also been involved in efforts to improve education and healthcare in the city.
In addition to his ownership of the Falcons, Blank has also been involved in other football-related ventures. He was a co-founder of the Major League Soccer team Atlanta United FC, which began play in 2017 and won the MLS Cup in 2018. Blank has also been a member of the NFL's Finance Committee and has been involved in negotiations for several collective bargaining agreements.
Overall, Arthur Blank's football career has been marked by both success on the field and a commitment to making a positive impact off the field. As the owner of the Falcons and co-founder of Atlanta United FC, he has helped bring professional football to the city of Atlanta and has been a strong advocate for social justice and community involvement.
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