Atlanta Awarded Major League Soccer Franchise; Games To Begin In 2017
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced today that he will be the owner of a Major League Soccer expansion franchise team being awarded to Atlanta. The new team, yet to be given a name and a logo, will play in the new Atlanta Falcons stadium beginning in 2017.
Blank made the announcement Wednesday afternoon flanked by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, and Georgia World Congress Center Authority executive director Frank Poe. MLS streamed the announcement live (video below):
WABE’s Rose Scott was at the announcement ceremony and sent the following tweets:
Awaiting the worst kept secret, Atlanta awarded a @MLS expansion team. Arthur Blank’s team will begin play in 2017. pic.twitter.com/veqLWcLbFQ— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
GOALLLLL Atlanta nets a @MLS expansion team. Alexi Lalas addressing crown & apparently VIPS are arriving by helicopter. #fancyentrance— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Mayor @KasimReed @MLS commissioner Don Garber, new owner Arthur Blank & Frank Poe (GWCC) have all arrived. #MLScomestotheA— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
“Best in class” was just used by MLS commissioner Don Garber talking about expansion team coming to Atlanta. @wabenews— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Arthur Blank receives the “ceremonial scarf” as Atlanta is officially awarded a @MLS expansion team.— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Blank:”we’ve been working on soccer for 10 yrs now.” “it’s been a dream.” #MLSAtlanta— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Blank says new stadium is designed to accommodate football and international football. #MLSAtlanta— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Blank: real grass will be brought in for soccer matches. Fans will choose name & logo. #MLSAtlanta— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Atlanta’s @MLS team will begin play in 2017. Deposit for season tickets now available. #MLSAtlanta— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Atlanta @KasimReed says he’s happy about @MLS soccer coming to Atlanta. #MLSAtlanta— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Atlanta mayor @KasimReed calls Falcons new stadium, “best stadium in the world.” #MLSAtlanta— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
Blank: new stadium was crucial to getting @MLS team.— Rose Scott (@waberosescott) April 16, 2014
At the same time, tweets were flying from Major League Soccer and the City of Atlanta:
Major announcement comin’ at ya in 15 minutes (5pm ET). #MLSAtlanta WATCH live here: http://t.co/GmTA4EpaAH pic.twitter.com/cwvEr5hWTL— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 16, 2014
Atlanta has been awarded the 22nd @MLS franchise! #MLSAtlanta pic.twitter.com/Ri1QSdLgxS— MLS Atlanta (@MLSAtlanta2017) April 16, 2014
.@thesoccerdon officially welcomes Arthur Blank and Atlanta to @MLS! Looking forward to 2017! #MLSAtlanta pic.twitter.com/F20R6LqrwZ— MLS Atlanta (@MLSAtlanta2017) April 16, 2014
Mayor @KasimReed, MLS Commissioner @thesoccerdon and owner Arthur Blank. #MLSAtlanta pic.twitter.com/D0ZE6SEC2N— MLS Atlanta (@MLSAtlanta2017) April 16, 2014
What a pleasure to share this moment with @TerminusLegion! #MLSAtlanta pic.twitter.com/jGWwyQ4Ih8— MLS Atlanta (@MLSAtlanta2017) April 16, 2014
Say hello to the #MLSAtlanta dream team. View from the top! @KasimReed pic.twitter.com/uWYe566hcM— Carlos Campos (@carlos3001) April 16, 2014
Note: Rose Scott will be filing a complete news story about the announcement soon.
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