We Present You Trumps Deposition, More or Less Verbatim. 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. Yeah, It Could Have Been Worse. Team owner Arthur Blank, who has high expectations for the franchise, sat down with FOX 5 Atlanta one-on-one to talk football, philanthropy, and Kanye West. Blank told Business Insider that despite their political differences, their different leanings never got in the way of their ability to work together as partners or as friends. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 6 0 obj 4 0 obj He had three children with his first wife Diana Blank, whom he divorced in 1993. Bernardo Little . Arthur Blank Politics, Foundation, Businesses, Net Worth But he was there and he finally said, Listen, you own the franchise, you have the option. Please, please stop this violence!! 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. 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, Another Home Depot cofounder, Bernie Marcus, is an. 2, In the late 1970s, Arthur Blank was an officer at Handy Dan, a regional hardware store chain in Southern California. Walz Cooperation With Law Enforcement Deserves Praise, Not Punishment, If You Think Republicans Cant Ban Abortion in Minnesota, Look No Further than Iowa, Russia, Ukraine and My Seven Months with YouTube. 9, Blank is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. Proceeds from sales of Good Companygo to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. By all accounts, those associated with the new stadium and the Westside view their presence as at least a 10-20 year commitment toward revitalizing a downtrodden community and bringing the city together. I mean, everybody's standing for an hour-and-a-half and they just don't sit down. Falcons owner Arthur Blank made a $15 million donation on Tuesday to The Cooper Institute, run by its founder Dr. Kenneth Cooper, a friend of Blank's and a strong proponent of preventive medicine. Why Should Tim Walz Even Bother Debating Scott Jensen? And then as Dr. King wrote in his last book, which his wife published a year after he passed away. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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. But We Aint Seen Nuthin Yet. I mean, I was stuttering when I was senior class president, [and in] student government. So that was a low price a lower price than before Michael Vick the star quarterback was born 22 years before that. /ColorSpace /DeviceRGB OMG, Democrats Are Criminally Bad At Marketing What They Accomplish. Friday on Political Rewind: Mary Rodgers grew up among some of Broadway's biggest names, from Sondheim to Bernstein. w !1AQaq"2B #3Rbr Blank and Marcus put their discounting experiment to the test in their own brand of warehouse stores called Home Depot and opened the first two Atlanta-area stores in 1979. And there are two [robbers] and they want to know, "Where's the money, where's the cash?" Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located adjacent to the Falcons current home, the Georgia Dome, in Atlantas Westside. There was a six-year period in there, when things went a little south. Copyright 2023 InfluenceWatch. And we need to figure out, you know, how do we move past that and how do we learn from that and how do we get connected with our current reality? 16 Blanks son, Kenny Blank, also sits on the foundations board and is the executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. 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. I listen to what he says and sometimes I'll cringe. And so from there, since the 2001- 2002 season, we've only had three games that were not sold out during the season. I still remember this as if it was yesterday. Their siblings, their families, you know, may have gone to battle and wore a variety of uniforms for our country over many, many years. He would say, I don't need to be cut any slack, you know. my patience level probably is not the level it would have to be to sustain myself in this political atmosphere today. Kemp and the law's backers said it provides some common-sense reformsto ensure elections are secure. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with businessman Arthur Blank about gun regulation and philanthropy. 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. So it really never defined me. Arthur M. Blank Foundation donates over $5 million for mental health And then he worked in the laundry. Resistance to Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Futile. Blank writes about being teased for having a stutter. And I know he considers the blessings that we had coming from Home Depot [and what its done] for all of our philanthropy today and all of our businesses today to be something that we're very thankful for. I said, Paul? Inside The Political Donation History Of Wealthy Sports Owners Now, the last game we had in the Georgia Dome before we moved to Mercedes Benz Stadium in August of 2017, wewere honoring all of our ring of honor members and he was one of them. More must be done to bring people together through meaningful change. Pictured is the famous napkin deal that sealed Arthur Blanks agreement with Taylor Smith to purchase the Atlanta Falcons for $545 million in 2001. 14, He also had three children with his second wife of 16 years, Stephanie Blank. "Obviously, it's a tragic time in the history of the. The guest. His professional team Atlanta United FC brought professional soccer to Atlanta beginning in 2017. The 79-year-old philanthropist has supported educational projects to promote civil rights and racial justice. Paul, are you OK? I was going to call his secretary, thinking Paul got a heart attack or something. After cofounding Home Depot in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1978, Blank and Marcus helped put the do-it-yourself phenomenon on the map by offering the tools for personal home renovations. We sit down with New York Times theater critic Jesse Green to discuss Rodgers' autobiography, Shy. And they've worked collectively for the United States, for everybody in this country, 330 million people. Arthur Blank is an American entrepreneur and a co-owner of the home improvement retail giant The Home Depot. Home Depot Cofounder Arthur Blank on Politics, Supporting Biden 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. Looting is NOT THE ANSWER!!!! Hey, Senate DFLers, Dont Forget The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact! (Confidentiality, you know.) Blank also contributed $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008. He notes pervasive cynicism about corporate leaders and perceptions that the drive for profit comes at the expense of public good. << !, And listen to me, be careful where you are getting your information to JOIN protests!! 4, Blank purchased the NFLs Atlanta Falcons for more than $540 million shortly after stepping down as CEO of Home Depot. Max died when Arthur was 15, leaving his mother to grow what became a multi-million-dollar business. Arthur M. Blank is responsible for the sorry state of the Falcons. The 79-year-old co-founder of Atlanta-based The Home Depot . Arthur Blank on Trump policies: 'Troubled by anything that Virginia Prescott is theGracie Award-winning host of On Second Thought for Georgia Public Broadcasting. So that's really what it was about. 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. The Falcons leadership knows how to play politics. Brian and Arthur welcomed their daughter Blake into the world via Arthur's sister Aoife, who acted as a surrogate for the couple, back in September -- with Brian previously teasing the documentary before Blake's arrival. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Arthur%2BBlank&contributor_employer=The%2BArthur&two_year_transaction_period=2016&contributor_state=GA, https://www.ajc.com/news/local/molly-blank-strong-widow-grew-successful-business-sons/JMYrzmcGsGc4nXD58rqltJ/, https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/197614, https://corporate.homedepot.com/sites/default/themes/thd/images/timeline/History-Of-The-Home-Depot.pdf, https://www.forbes.com/profile/arthur-blank/?sh=ae7b330749c3, https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/front-office-roster/arthur-blank, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/arthur-m-blank/, https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/statement-from-arthur-blank-on-georgia-voting-rights, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/11/companies-voting-bills-states/, https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/arthur-blank-wife-angela-are-getting-a-divorce/897352464/, https://saportareport.com/a-longtime-anonymous-donor-reveals-her-identity/sections/abcarticles/maria_saporta/, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/dena-kimball/, https://blankfoundation.org/trustee/kenny-blank/. Both John Lewis John, just a month before he passed away and Andy Young have said to me that we do have to recognize that things are better than they used to be. "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. You know, better than in the 40s and 50s, but not where we should be. 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. /CA 1.0 Seventy percent of the players in the NFL are African American a disproportionate number. It's good to be different, said Blank, but he said it's the intolerance of some that worries him about the future. And so he speaks to people throughout the United States, young people primarily, about that. A company where we already know from law suits the teams executives treated its cheerleaders like Vegas escorts and, yup, traded nudie pictures of them changing outfits. Bernie has great values and Bernie cares deeply not only about our faith, but about giving back. 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. One where guys like the Vikings' Mark and Zygi Wilf and Arthur (Home Depot) Blank of the Atlanta Falcons come off as comparatively rational. More must be done to address systemic racism. Prior to the construction of the Georgia Dome they played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium with the Atlanta Braves, and you could see the spot where Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth in home runs. How do I do my part in it? He and an associate, Bernie Marcus, began experimenting with product discounts in one Handy Dan outlet and observed positive effects of decreasing costs as a percentage of sales and an increase in customer volume. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is married to Angela Macuga, his third wife. It's the fans. He released a statement five days after Gov. The book lays out a set of values that guided him to turn around the struggling Atlanta Falcons NFL team, launch the Atlanta United FC soccer club and build the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. endobj It is my hope that we take this terrible moment in our history to elevate that conversation toward productive action and lasting, positive change. In 1978, they were both fired from Handy Dans by a corporate raider who took over the chains parent company. 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. Then I would not be bashful about asking questions. ~B?/"J()NF =|Z|&t?jCJw)C 0H>~9 ( 81c2fO=a>}@#y}~9]jqCZ'}*x:qj@PTj+2>dm?aU2 8'z?mWm)yt7,?:99=, +oG6 <4!I lg, ]6vDT2zu9~1bA'px#?)X&,:irv.q'/U:~]{tf&[eR|ozKD-sCEAMnO e=#MguofhNFT1vMfH# Q,e_oZdb_47OatAYs2=LJr~R1# gwg],Xs7q72 f) _n:R-r9-:Q`Mg?_t*"v8? My suspicion is that while Dungy and Tirico and dozens if not hundreds of other NFL leaders may have been surprised by Grudens racist imagery, they arent as unfamiliar with his other boys club stupidity. that those rights were not being fully reflected in our society today. 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 Arthur M. Blank Foundation announced on Wednesday a new series of grants focusing on mental health and well-being in response to America's growing mental health crisis. So, I would say it was very successful. Georgia businessman Arthur Blank joins with voting groups on Democracy Class Atlanta The Jolt: Arthur Blank teams with voting groups to forge 'Democracy Class Atlanta' Caption Credit:. The system has worked well for the multi-billionaire and co-founder of The Home Depot. At the end of the day, you can have differences of opinion, which is a great thing to have, and different approaches, which is a great thing to have. And thats despite our recent record, which hasn't been, you know, one I'm particularly proud of, but we'll get better. 12, Blank has been married three times. I do know it is hard. Do it in November. "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. "I know Bernie's heart. We believe that voting rights are critically important, and our home state of Georgia is at the center of the struggle. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. Expand. There's no place for looting and stealing and whatever else. So the answer would be yes. And they love the camaraderie. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! And today that's 2,200 stores in Canada, United States and Mexico probably have a market capitalization today of about $300 billion. Blank credits his mother with giving him his first lesson in entrepreneurship. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images), WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), >> Go home. I felt and others felt that we could be successful here. That Vote for Secretary of State? If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. We had the option of going to a variety of companies, doing a variety of things in a traditional sense of management leadership. Arthur Blank - Wikipedia Its also part memoir of how his ethics evolved from watching his father run a neighborhood pharmacy in Queens, New York, to launching multi-billion dollar ventures. It's not trying influence, but trying to share philosophies of life and stories and thoughts about a certain set of values, which really transcend business, nonprofit, as well as the political arena. A protest has purpose. I mean, it wasn't like, You're Republican or Democrat. 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. I understand that, but I respect it," said Blank. Two Gruden compadres, ex-Gophers star and former NFL coach Tony Dungy and his ESPN partner Mike Tirico, both black, are in a bad spot for defending Gruden about his michellin [sic] tires description of another black guys lips. The Westside also suffers from severe flooding problems, and the stadium has a 1.1 million gallon storm vault underground to trap and reuse their rain water, and help prevent flooding. Is the Jensen-Birk Campaign Minnesotas WOAT? Stay up to date with what you want to know. Marcus handed the CEO reigns to Blank in 1997; Blank held the position until a new president and CEO was hired in 2000. What I Learned Over One Cup of Coffee Yesterday Morning, You Want to Laugh at Liz Truss and The Brits. Arthur Blank is worried that capitalism is getting a bad rap. /Filter /DCTDecode Now, there's no place for violent protest. And that's one of our core values as well: Include everybody. Michael Vicks published letter, Atlanta, nearly made a whole city cry on the eve of the Super Bowl. We sold out the entire stadium in two-and-a-half hours. follow. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images). /Type /XObject 7, Blank founded the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation in 1995 and has awarded over $560 million to causes such as education and early childhood development. 10, Following proposed changes to Georgia voting laws in early 2021, Blank released a statement saying, We should be working to make voting easier, not harder for every eligible citizen, and that his businesses and family foundation will support efforts that advance voting access for the citizens of Georgia and across the nation. 11 Blank also participated in an online call with over 100 corporate executives to discuss taking action following changes to state voting laws including the possibility of delaying investments in states that pass allegedly restrictive voting laws. It is making no promises that it will reveal everything it has found out about the Redskins and others who had contact with the team. The wealthy propose tax increases on the poor and middle class to pay for their new stadiums, and they claim that new businesses flocking to the area will magically cover the costs. } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br The NFL owners club is a remarkable collection of avaricious gargoyles. But thus far Blank and those connected to the stadium appear committed to using this opportunity as one to enhance and not exploit this community. Continued: https://t.co/yePGJUaGVV, Ive got a lot of love and respect for police officers., We dont want to see Targets burning. In a time when more than half of Americans are dissatisfied with the state of our democracy, the most powerful way to demonstrate and have our voices heard is through the vote. America has long struggled to deliver a fair and equitable democracy to all of its citizens. Here, using insidegov.com's database, are the disclosed political donations* for majority NFL owners dating back to the 2008 election. Ticket pricing was higher than it could have been or should have been at that time, and so I brought Dick Sullivan over from Home Depot, the gentleman who now runs our PGA Superstores and we came up with a strategy that we've got to sell season's tickets for $100. The largest donor was Falcons owner Arthur Blank. I had another NFL player, while [Vick] was in prison, come visit me and say I came from exactly the same neighborhood, but it was in a part of Pittsburgh. So sadly, Michael was raised in an environment where that was kind of normal behavior, if you will. That is the change we need in this country.". American professional sports owners have contributed nearly $47 million in federal elections since 2015, according to research by ESPN in partnership with FiveThirtyEight, including $10 million. A Handful of Things I Could Not Care Less About, Matt Birk: Rape Victims Are Playing the Rape Card?, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Arthur Blank indicates that 2023 season is a must win for Arthur Smith When you burn down this city, youre burning down our community., If you want change in America, go and register to vote. All of which is, yknow, really classy stuff. They were trying to indicate that what the military had fought for these rights, the civil rights, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. And he recently gave $250,000 to committees supporting Joe Biden, Forbes reported. If you don't make good choices, you can end up being in really bad places. He fielded multiple quarterback-related questions and spoke glowingly of Ridder, who. Because It Delivers Comfort, Status and Cash. They all have a great set of eyes and they're all different. The 74-year-old Blank, who Forbes estimates has an estimated net worth of $3.1 billion, is the director of Cox. After stepping down as CEO of Home Depot in the early 2000s, Blanks interests centered on a variety of Atlanta-based sports franchises and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, a private foundation that has awarded over $560 million. /AIS false One where guys like the Vikings Mark and Zygi Wilf and Arthur (Home Depot) Blank of the Atlanta Falcons come off as comparatively rational. And then he came up to my suite afterward and it was like 10, 15 minutes later, his face was just full of tears and he said that he was so moved by it. In 1978, both he and future Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank were fired during a corporate power struggle at Handy Dan. And Blanks role in this project extends beyond the stadium. By Bob Bahr October 12, 2021, 5:48 pm. 1, I think at that time I didn't probably fully appreciate the environment, the communities and neighborhood that Michael was raised in, an area called New Newport News. But what, I ask, would be the effect of a dozen or so top current and former stars, coaches and league executives stepping up to a camera and telling pro footballs millions (and millions) of fans to get vaccinated for the sake of other people like the season ticket holders sitting next to them if not themselves? Hopefully we'll get back in the playoffs, but not as well as the first three years. In order to put this grinding pandemic behind us once and for all? They all have a great set of values. NFL Owner Political Donations: Who Gave to Obama AND Rubio? - The Big Lead But it's really not a story about dogfighting. He's committed to his wife now, his children. GALEO engages in advocacy, creates opportunities for engagement and networking, and develops leadership skills for Latino community members. Brian Kemp signed the controversial bill, which includes new restrictions on voting by mail and greater legislative control over how elections are run. When you find common solutions that work for everybody and [are] respectful of everybody to represent the best of you. 2023 Cox Media Group. Brian Dowling And Arthur Gourounlian Surrogacy Documentary Announced However, the Atlanta Falcons new home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, may foster a new era of stadium construction and community engagement. Political Donations: Blank has largely donated to Democratic causes, most notably: $32,400 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2013; $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund in '08; and. Over the next two years (2021-2023), we will create an inclusive relationship with and among these grantees to share ideas, best practices, lessons and challenges. (Airlines resisting vaccination mandates for passengers are another prime example of failure of true leadership.) stream 8 In 2012, Blank signed the Giving Pledge and committed to giving more than half of his wealth away to philanthropic efforts in his lifetime. This can create a steady stream of jobs and revenue for the community. We had a different leader [Robert Nardelli ] in place that was eventually replaced. MATTIE'S CALL: A 9-month-old baby girl was reported missing from the Ellenwood area with a man police say was diagnosed with a mental illness. Hes a combination of father and brother to me. 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. But there was nothing I could say better than what Mayor @KeishaBottoms said last night! Student Loan Forgiveness and The Ghost of John Kline, (Who?). This must happen more than every four years, because theres no offseason for democracy. 3 0 obj Shrinking from conflict over something as valid, real and life-protecting as a vaccine is not what Id call, manly, brave, courageous or patriotic. The foundation is . You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. And if all goes to plan, its also going to help a depressed community thats heard big talk before. He had a gun on his lap, sitting on his right thigh. Minnesota Legislature, What Are You Chewing? His daughter Dena is the executive director of the Kendeda Fund, a left-of-center private foundation founded by her mother, Diana Blank. The pair always strove to create a work environment that put people before politics, said Blank. A co-founder of Home Depot increased his giving for children in the pandemic because, he said, "they don't always have the tools to deal with what's happened to them.". 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. Yet the team continues to unite Atlantans during the ups and downs. Download the FOX 5 Atlanta appfor breaking news and weather alerts. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. They want to have a home-field advantage. So, you know, we understood that our culture had nothing to do with which party you are affiliated with. But go ahead and do it, if that's what you want. So we did it. meathead) culture inside the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins. And it was early on a Sunday morning. A reckless high-profile meathead, now out the $60 million remaining on his contract. I concede, as others who know him personally have, that Im stunned that a guy like Gruden who has been a high-profile media/cultural presence for over 20 years, regularly giving live interviews, chewing up air time as a TV analyst and obliging all the other requests for personal contact that go with being a football celebritry could conceal his essential meat-headedness so long and so well. Arthur Blanks talks football, philanthropy, and Kanye West - FOX 5 Atlanta Support more understanding and be better listeners trying to see how the other people, you know, try to stand in the footsteps of others. Arthur Blank releases statement after Trump's comments on NFL We don't have any fans in our building, and this is what we plan on doing: We're going to, you know, promote season tickets for 100 bucks or $10 a ticket. And I remember waiting for, you know, probably two minutes. For years, Americans have fallen prey to the con of wealthy businessmen who want to build shiny new sports arenas yet dont want to pay for them.
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