Post by Jonel on Jul 9, 2003 9:08:41 GMT -5
Furhman Says New Owner Has Brought Rebirth Of Atlanta Falcons
posted July 8, 2003
New Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has brought a rebirth of the NFL team, Mark Furhman, director of corporate sales for the Falcons, told the Chattanooga Kiwanis Club on Tuesday at the Read House.
Furhman said the Home Depot magnate "has really energized the community" to rally around the Falcons.
And he said Atlanta has quarterback Michael Vick, who he said has the potential to become "the Michael Jordan of the NFL if his health holds up."
Furhman said Vick will have a new weapon for going deep in the acquisition of receiver Peerless Price.
The speaker said Blank's charitable foundation spread $37 million in the Atlanta community in the last year. He said Blank is no longer active in Home Depot, but is the second largest stockholder.
He said Blank has taken the same approach with the Falcons as he did in building Home Depot to a retail power - "empowering the people at the grassroots, at the front line."
Furhman said soon after taking over that Blank walked an area within a mile's radius of the Georgia Dome scouting out parking spots. He said he was able to buy them up at an average $8 per spot, and the Falcons now charge that same rate to season ticketholders. He said season tickets are sold out, and there is a long waiting list.
The former Steelers sales executive said 3,000 parking spots were secured in a gulch area, and that has become a prime adult tailgating site.
There is also Falcons Landing, that is "a mini Disneyworld."
He said the Falcons have added much more entertainment to game day, including having the Temptations and other top acts at halftime.
Furhman told the club another change made by the new owner was to set ticket prices based on location. He said previously tickets were $37 "whether you were on the 50-yard line or in the top row."
He said the upcoming Falcons will feature 20 new faces, but have 33 players returning. He said only two starters were lost to free agency.
He predicted the Falcons "will be in the thick of it."
He said his prediction for last year was 11-5, and the Falcons finished 9-6-1.
Furhman said the Falcons' website was rated third best out of 122 professional sports teams, but it is being further improved. The new version will be available in early August.
www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_38493.asp
posted July 8, 2003
New Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has brought a rebirth of the NFL team, Mark Furhman, director of corporate sales for the Falcons, told the Chattanooga Kiwanis Club on Tuesday at the Read House.
Furhman said the Home Depot magnate "has really energized the community" to rally around the Falcons.
And he said Atlanta has quarterback Michael Vick, who he said has the potential to become "the Michael Jordan of the NFL if his health holds up."
Furhman said Vick will have a new weapon for going deep in the acquisition of receiver Peerless Price.
The speaker said Blank's charitable foundation spread $37 million in the Atlanta community in the last year. He said Blank is no longer active in Home Depot, but is the second largest stockholder.
He said Blank has taken the same approach with the Falcons as he did in building Home Depot to a retail power - "empowering the people at the grassroots, at the front line."
Furhman said soon after taking over that Blank walked an area within a mile's radius of the Georgia Dome scouting out parking spots. He said he was able to buy them up at an average $8 per spot, and the Falcons now charge that same rate to season ticketholders. He said season tickets are sold out, and there is a long waiting list.
The former Steelers sales executive said 3,000 parking spots were secured in a gulch area, and that has become a prime adult tailgating site.
There is also Falcons Landing, that is "a mini Disneyworld."
He said the Falcons have added much more entertainment to game day, including having the Temptations and other top acts at halftime.
Furhman told the club another change made by the new owner was to set ticket prices based on location. He said previously tickets were $37 "whether you were on the 50-yard line or in the top row."
He said the upcoming Falcons will feature 20 new faces, but have 33 players returning. He said only two starters were lost to free agency.
He predicted the Falcons "will be in the thick of it."
He said his prediction for last year was 11-5, and the Falcons finished 9-6-1.
Furhman said the Falcons' website was rated third best out of 122 professional sports teams, but it is being further improved. The new version will be available in early August.
www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_38493.asp
