A Visionary’s Soccer Vision
Arthur Blank arrived in Atlanta with a plan that went far beyond a simple franchise acquisition. The co‑founder of Home Depot saw in the city a burgeoning market for soccer, a sport he had loved since childhood in Queens. He persuaded MLS commissioner Don Garber that Atlanta could sustain a top‑flight team, a pitch that helped secure the city’s entry into the league.
Blank’s next move was to build a venue that could serve both the Falcons and a future MLS franchise. The result was Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, a multi‑purpose arena downtown that opened in 2017. By designing the stadium for soccer as well as football, he ensured that the sport would have a premier home in the Southeast.
A hallmark of Blank’s approach has been affordability. Concession prices at the stadium are kept low — soft drinks and hot dogs cost just $2 — an effort to keep the game accessible to families and to differentiate Atlanta from many other NFL venues where prices have soared.
In 2022 the Blank family pledged $50 million to the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, a facility intended to nurture elite talent and support the sport’s growth across the country. The investment underscores a long‑term commitment that stretches beyond mere team ownership.
Family Legacy and Community Impact
Josh Blank, Arthur’s son, has taken an active role in shaping the family’s sports portfolio, which includes the Falcons, Atlanta United, and an upcoming National Women’s Soccer League franchise. He leads the expansion effort for the NWSL team, insisting that Georgia be represented in the league’s next wave of clubs.
Beyond business, Arthur Blank has become known for his philanthropy. In 2023 he donated $1 million to The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ non‑profit, and his net worth exceeds $10 billion, placing him among the world’s richest individuals. His father, a pharmacist and entrepreneur, died when Arthur was 15, a loss that drove him to take over his mother’s business with a set of principles that still guide him.
Global Ambitions and the World Cup
Atlanta will host eight matches during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, including games featuring Spain. The city’s selection reflects the momentum Blank helped generate, a momentum that was first sparked when Don Garber floated the idea of an MLS expansion team in the early 2010s. Blank recalls watching the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where the U.S. team fell in the round of 16, an experience that deepened his appreciation for the tournament’s drama.
He also remembers the limited soccer fields of his Queens childhood, a reminder of how far the sport has come in the United States. Today, Blank sees the World Cup as a catalyst for further investment, believing that the current generation of MLS owners are more open, progressive, and aggressive in pursuing growth.
A New Era of Soccer Ownership
Blank acknowledges the rise of dynamic pricing and secondary markets across U.S. sports, noting that they are now commonplace. He believes the sport’s future will be shaped by owners who embrace technology, diversify revenue streams, and prioritize fan experience over pure profit.
His vision extends to the broader soccer ecosystem, from youth academies to international partnerships. By leveraging his connections, his family’s wealth, and a deep‑seated love for the game, Blank aims to cement Atlanta’s place on the global soccer map while encouraging a new wave of progressive ownership across the league.