1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: Hello, I'm Michael Barr and I'm Scott Sashnik. Every week 2 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:08,879 Speaker 1: at this time plus Monday's, Wednesdays and Thursdays, we explore 3 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: the big money issues in the world of sports. Another 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:15,080 Speaker 1: good show. This week, we are fortunate I have the 5 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 1: co founder of home Depot and more importantly for us, 6 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:22,279 Speaker 1: the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank. First, let's 7 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: take a look at the top stories of the week. 8 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: Joining us is Bloomberg Business of Sports reporter Evan Novie Williams. 9 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 1: And let's start with Let's start with for the first 10 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:32,279 Speaker 1: time ever, I'm not the worst dress person in the room. 11 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:36,520 Speaker 1: I mean I am always. It's sort of my brand. 12 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: I am always people look at me in this office 13 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: and say you're one step above homeless. And I like 14 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: to say I dress lower middle management. Today it's khaki's 15 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: with the kind of what is it when the thread 16 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: is coming out and it's kind of you know whatever 17 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:52,160 Speaker 1: on the shirt. But that's my look. But Evan today 18 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: has his T shirt shorts. I'm heading to the US Open. 19 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 1: Keep your eye out for sports. Plus you're sitting there 20 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: even see you in your shirt. You're sitting down. Yeah, 21 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:04,480 Speaker 1: but unlike got there not cargo cameo shorts is the 22 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:06,559 Speaker 1: remember the Wall Street Journal story on the cargo short 23 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: that had a life of its own. That's one of 24 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:12,479 Speaker 1: my favorite stories. I like that. It's very, very convenient 25 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: when you can put your phone in one pocket, your 26 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 1: wallet and the other city. Evans not a father. He's 27 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: never had to go to the park for nine hours 28 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: and have a jug of water in your back pocket, wallet, phone, keys, 29 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 1: ball of some sort. You need carry space right, Well, yes, 30 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: and as long as they aren't the NBA seventy two 31 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 1: short shorts, that's good. That the stocktons of the Marach whatever. Yeah, 32 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 1: the magic's magic had magic when you pass the ball, 33 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:42,759 Speaker 1: magic didn't matter. Speaking of the NBA, you can wear 34 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: whatever shoes you want well within reason. Yeah, the NBA 35 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: is loosening its rules on sort of the colors that 36 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: they're allowing on their shoes. And Evan, where do you 37 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 1: see this is like appealing? I mean, the players like 38 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: to be fashionistas these days, but you'd have to think 39 00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: it would help with marketing that the partners would be 40 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 1: happy all around. I never really understood the need for 41 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: the strict conformity. Yeah, the NBA, as part of its 42 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: No Billion dollar deal with Nike is making a lot 43 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:12,520 Speaker 1: of changes. It's not just the shoes right there. There 44 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: was a lot more lesser restrictions on you know, jerseys. 45 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 1: You know, we saw a lot sponsors. Don't you don't 46 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,560 Speaker 1: need to wear white at home anymore. There's a lot 47 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 1: of things that are happening here that are kind of 48 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: loosening it up. Make the game more fun, give give 49 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: players and an ability to express themselves personally, and yeah, 50 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: there's gonna be a lot of marketing opportunity. I would 51 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:33,640 Speaker 1: have liked to see the Lakers where this the Serena 52 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 1: catsuit like black mamba suit. That would have been awesome, 53 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: and bar is gonna wear it for Halloween. Treat body 54 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: yourself up. Oh my, NFL loosening the rules for sponsorships, 55 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,679 Speaker 1: does this fall under the like no kidding, Yeah, does 56 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 1: this fall sponsorships? Yeah, the gambling sponsors, some gambling house sponsorships. 57 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: Now not exactly. You can't advertise the direct betting, but 58 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 1: in your shoulder programming teams will be able to sign 59 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:07,640 Speaker 1: deals with a casino. I mean it makes total sense 60 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: in a world of sports betting where Jerry Jones and 61 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 1: Bob Kraft have a piece of what is now a 62 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 1: sports book. Yeah, I mean the big question here is 63 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: how much these deals will be pretty expensive? I mean 64 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: you imagine that, as we saw with Daily Fantasy, the 65 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 1: the amount of money that these gambling companies are willing 66 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,799 Speaker 1: to spend at the outset to game market share is 67 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 1: pretty hefty. And because of that, uh, that was the 68 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: amount of money these teams are willing to spend a 69 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: game market share and just trying to make But he's 70 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: got up early this morning to read an earning story 71 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: on Dick Sporting because he's got it in him. All 72 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: that to say that this is going to be an 73 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: advantage first teams, depending on where they play. You know, 74 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 1: the Jets and Giants can sign a deal right now 75 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: because there's legalized sports betting in their in their home market. 76 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: That's not true for almost every other team. And there 77 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 1: are some teams that you know, five or ten years 78 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: down the line still won't be playing in a market 79 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 1: that has legalized sparks. Question, we all know the Raiders 80 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: are headed to Vegas. If I'm a gambling house, if 81 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: I like, do I want the name on the stadium? 82 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 1: What I'm going to have to pay to get my 83 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 1: name on that stadium. What's the return on investment? What's 84 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: the r O. I I'm putting the name on that 85 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 1: Raiders stadium. People aren't going to care. But does the 86 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,359 Speaker 1: company get I mean most of these you think you 87 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: know the name already. They're big names. Like who's gonna 88 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: Who's gonna pony up the dollars? It's gonna take Caesar's stadiums. 89 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: I'll imagine if you could go all Roman Caesar from 90 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: the big chair? Are you? He goes back to ben 91 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,119 Speaker 1: her So. I love it. This show is so great. 92 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: Tom Brady the man can sleep on a pile of money, 93 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:53,039 Speaker 1: but he is changing mattresses. Wow, well done. Went to 94 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 1: a cheaper one too. Yeah, Like I was suppressed by that. 95 00:04:56,400 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 1: Brady's whole m O is this healthy lifestyle whatever? But 96 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 1: now he's got a new mattress in his wellness portfolio. 97 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:07,159 Speaker 1: What is it? He used to have the Simmons used 98 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 1: to have and that was that was that was almost 99 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: He's got a molecule which is and it's eight D. 100 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: Pajama is still the same though, Pajama is still abb 101 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:28,359 Speaker 1: and Nobi Williams your gold because he is going to 102 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 1: stick around with Scott and I because we have the 103 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 1: pleasure of speaking with co founder of Home Depot and 104 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,599 Speaker 1: owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank. He also founded 105 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: and expansion MLS franchise named Atlanta United FC, which began 106 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 1: to play in seventeen. He is the chairman of a 107 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: MB Group, the parent company of the Falcons and Atlanta United. 108 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 1: He is also the chairman of the Arthur Blank Family Foundation. 109 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:56,280 Speaker 1: Michael he is the American businessman with so much on 110 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: his resume. Arthur Blank, thank you very much for joining us. 111 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:03,279 Speaker 1: My pleasure are It's always good to share share good news, 112 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 1: so we are the news, whatever kind. We're to Two 113 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: weeks away from this part of the NFL season, the 114 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 1: Falcons open it up against the defending Super Bowl champions. 115 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 1: As as the league has been in recent years, really 116 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: seems like a lightning rod for for debate. Give us, 117 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: in your words, the state of the NFL heading into 118 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:23,719 Speaker 1: two thousand eighteen. I think the league continues to progress 119 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 1: um in a whole variety of fronts. UM. I think 120 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 1: um starting I would say with a start with the 121 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 1: probably the most important one of the most importance in 122 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: terms of player safety, and I think the league continues 123 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 1: to invest in new rules, new equipment, higher level of 124 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 1: training for our officials and our players UM as to 125 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: how to make sure the game, while it's a very 126 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:54,040 Speaker 1: physical game, remains as safe as possible for our players, 127 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,320 Speaker 1: both for the short term and the long term. UM. 128 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: And you know that includes a new new quote hell 129 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:04,040 Speaker 1: rule and which has been a bit of a story 130 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: during this preseason. And it's a very difficult rule to 131 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 1: be able to officiate, and it's being refined every week 132 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 1: and getting good input from the players and getting good 133 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: input from the coaches and and uh afrom the referees 134 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 1: as well. Uh So you know, I think that continues 135 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: to be a focus of our commissioner, of the League, 136 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 1: of the owners and the NFL p A p A 137 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 1: being the players Association. I think from a fan perspective, 138 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 1: the owners across the board are focused on how to 139 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: make sure the in stadium experience is UM is as 140 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 1: rich as it could possibly be. Uh There's no question 141 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: that we've had some hit on the TV ratings. There's 142 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: a lot of distractions and also a lot of our 143 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 1: games which are not being counting the ratings are being 144 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 1: shown on a variety of other other devices today. But 145 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 1: you know, our example One of the ways that we've 146 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 1: dealt with that is this food and beverage pricing philosophy 147 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 1: we put in place a year ago which we do 148 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: start pricing on food and beverage across the board by well, 149 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: we have a lot of people, and that was really 150 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: one of, you know, one of the goals. One of 151 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: the goals was not only to do the right thing 152 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 1: for Atlanta, for our fans here, both for people that 153 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: attend football games, soccer games or concerts. With Taylor Swift 154 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 1: here over the weekend she had over a hundred thousand 155 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 1: people coming to watch her. Uh. Just let the weekend 156 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: before I should say that this last weekend was Beyonce 157 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 1: and jay Z. They come one one one weekend after another. Now, 158 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:39,080 Speaker 1: but in any event, uh, you know, that's you know, 159 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 1: that creates uh the kind of collecting place, kind of 160 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:46,600 Speaker 1: place that you know, honors are fans and their families 161 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: and tells them you can come here and eat and 162 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 1: drink and have an enjoyable day and it's not gonna 163 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:54,600 Speaker 1: course you an on the leg. It's uh will will 164 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: be priced competitively. We called street pricing, a fan friendly pricing. Uh, 165 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,959 Speaker 1: the same pricing you get in um in any place 166 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 1: that you you know that you may uh, you know 167 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: that you may be going ordinarily too. So that's made 168 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: a huge difference. And you know, there are other things 169 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:11,560 Speaker 1: out there that that you see, you know, norms across 170 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,359 Speaker 1: all of sports business that you look at and you say, hey, 171 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: maybe there's a totally different way to do that. Maybe 172 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 1: if we if we change this up, everyone will follow 173 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 1: the school when we do. Yeah. And this is and 174 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:25,680 Speaker 1: this is the example of the food and beverages is 175 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: fits that mold exactly. We wanted the changes, as I said, 176 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 1: for the people in our building, but we're trying to 177 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 1: set you know, hopefully with the success and now we 178 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:37,920 Speaker 1: can demonstrate the success and have shared that across a 179 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,559 Speaker 1: number of teams in the NFL and other people from 180 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,320 Speaker 1: college ball as well. And you've got you know, two 181 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 1: or three teams now the NFL that are falling in 182 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 1: line a following suit. You've got a number of teams 183 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 1: at college level that are following suit, including the Rose 184 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 1: Bowl announced uh that and we'll probably see that in 185 00:09:56,160 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 1: terms of the NBA as well. So you know, it's 186 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 1: not we didn't do it because of the economics. We 187 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 1: did it because we thought it was the right thing 188 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 1: for our fans, but it's turned out to be the 189 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 1: right thing in terms of the economics as well. So 190 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 1: um many fans thought it was gonna be a one 191 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:16,079 Speaker 1: year wonder, that we're want to be limited to certain 192 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 1: events just to be one year, etcetera, etcetera. But we 193 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: made it clear when we announced it that we're doing 194 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:24,959 Speaker 1: this forever, and forever is a long time, and it's 195 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 1: regardless of what the event is or what the game 196 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: may be, whether it's a super Bowl or whether it's 197 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: an NHA Final Four. It makes no difference of food 198 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 1: and beverage pricing will maintain the same. It's the most 199 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: respectful way we can be with our fans. We are 200 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: chatting with Home Depot Code founder and Atlanta Falcons owner 201 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 1: and Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank. Arthur, you mentioned health 202 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: and safety. You say that's the most important thing, but 203 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: this is the business of sports and it all comes 204 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: back to the dollar. We hear about the ratings you 205 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 1: touched on that we hear about health and safety. Uh, 206 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 1: participation in football going down is a reason for concern 207 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: if I'm an investor in football or are these headwinds 208 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: as you mentioned on on TV across the board, and 209 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,559 Speaker 1: it's still a great time to own an NFL franchise. Well, 210 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 1: I think it's a great time to own an NFL 211 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: franchise or a soccer franchise, so including the one. But 212 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: I would also say that despite the size of the investment, 213 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: particularly in the NFL, although it's growing dramatically in soccer 214 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:33,440 Speaker 1: as well. UM, I would never encourage UM an owner 215 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:37,319 Speaker 1: to invest in one of these businesses as a as 216 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 1: an investment per se. UM, I think you have to 217 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 1: have a passion for the sport. You have to have 218 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,080 Speaker 1: a passion for your community. You have to have a 219 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 1: passion probably most importantly for the fans that are has 220 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: to attend, so that you're driven by doing the right 221 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:55,199 Speaker 1: things for your coaching staff, of the players, for the fans, 222 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:57,400 Speaker 1: for the people in the building, whatever building it may be. 223 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: And you know, if you do all those things things, UM, 224 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 1: it's going to be a good investment. But I wouldn't. 225 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,960 Speaker 1: I would not encourage somebody who's gonna be the first 226 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 1: every day is going to open up the book, and 227 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 1: the book is going to read, well, how many you 228 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 1: know one of the dollars attached to this, the dollars 229 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:15,319 Speaker 1: attached to this. I mean it ends up being dollars. 230 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: I get that, but you shouldn't be in professional sports. 231 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 1: I think primarily be driven by dollars. I think you're 232 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 1: driven by the connection you make and tell the human 233 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 1: beings to their lives, how you make their their lives 234 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 1: better in the sense of community, a sense of being 235 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: a distraction from whatever was on their mind and creating 236 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:36,680 Speaker 1: an opportunity to not only share with their family, but 237 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:39,040 Speaker 1: to share with the family of all the people that 238 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: are sitting in the building. And uh uh they have 239 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: an opportunity uh inside of you know, a great venue 240 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: like Mersaid has been stadium I think is really special. 241 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: I think the end of the day, I give it 242 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: an answer to I said, if you if your motivation 243 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 1: first and foremost is not to make people happy, uh 244 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: in in the broad sense of the word, and it's 245 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 1: probably not a good investment for you in this business. 246 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: You sound like Peter Goobert. We loved having him on 247 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 1: the show not long ago. It was about emotional connection. 248 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 1: But and you've connected with the audience. Uh in. In 249 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 1: the soccer world, like I said, you're drawing plus seventy thousand. 250 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 1: Question for you, though, can you justify the valuations we're 251 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 1: seeing on MLS franchises. These valuations are skyrocketing and they're 252 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: outpacing revenue growth. Is it just the promise of the 253 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 1: future or is it the thirst for content? Why? What 254 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 1: is driving the valuation of these teams? I think that 255 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,080 Speaker 1: in terms of the MLS, I think when we first 256 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: thought of a look at soccer, it was probably fifteen 257 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 1: years ago, maybe twelve years ago, something like that, and 258 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 1: the league was rank number twenty two in the world. 259 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: Currently it's rank you know, either number seven or number 260 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 1: eight in the world, after the Big Five in Europe 261 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: and a couple of teams in South America Mexico. So, uh, 262 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:55,560 Speaker 1: the league itself, for the quality of the play that 263 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 1: is we're talking about, has moved up really dramatically. Um 264 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: and I and I say think that the owners in 265 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,560 Speaker 1: Major League Soccer and the leadership with the commissioner and 266 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 1: new owners and older owners, UH see soccer as being 267 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 1: the sport that it is, which is a global sport 268 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 1: played in two U or nine countries around the world, 269 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 1: and that the growth of the game. I didn't understand 270 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: why it was termed, you know, the beautiful game before 271 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: I got into it and now having been in it 272 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 1: and seeing the fans and they respond, I would say, 273 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 1: that's beautiful. The quality of play, the quality of the 274 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 1: athletes on the pitch and what they can do, and 275 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,800 Speaker 1: it's never ceases to amaze me. And uh so I 276 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: think you're looking at a sport that really doesn't have 277 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: any limits to it, and it's a sport that frankly 278 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: you can be played you know, in countries throughout the 279 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: world without a huge financial investment. Um. I've been to 280 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: Africa and watched you know, the young you know, young 281 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 1: boys and young girls play with a rolled up ball 282 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 1: of twine and a couple of couple of bowls on 283 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 1: either side, as as a goalie, you know, as a 284 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,240 Speaker 1: net and enjoy it and way and play hard. So 285 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 1: so it's you know, it's it's that kind of engaging sport. 286 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: And I think it's a community building sport and I 287 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: think for young people particularly, I would say, and that's 288 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: true that our we have seven academy teams and all 289 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 1: playing at at a very high level. That um, it's 290 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: important for our young people to be outside, to be playing, 291 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 1: to be connected in the team sport and all the 292 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: values of that. I think are important in terms of 293 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 1: their own growth, whether or not they eventually play and 294 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: you know, Major League soccer or European soccer, etcetera, is 295 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: really secondary. But uh, you know, getting them away from 296 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: some of the technology stuff that has become a bit 297 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: of an addiction for a lot of our young people. Oh, 298 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 1: he's going to take on Fortnite, bar Arthur Blank taking 299 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: on Fortnite And I'm not you know, I'm not there 300 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 1: a Fortnite, but I just, you know, I just feel like, um, 301 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: you know, kids and adults too. But talking about the 302 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:58,960 Speaker 1: youth of America now, I need to spend more time outdoors, 303 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: being active, uh, working with other people, working other young people, learning, 304 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: the leadership learning. A lot of their their own boundaries 305 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 1: are self imposed and they can do more personally and 306 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: do more as a team when they operate that way, 307 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 1: and that would speak well for our country and speak 308 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 1: well for the world. We're talking with Arthur Blank, the 309 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:19,880 Speaker 1: co founder of home Depot, and I'm gonna shift gears 310 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: to another sport. And your company was very familiar with 311 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 1: You're talking to an old NASCAR fan. You sponsored the 312 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 1: Tony Stewart car from many years in NASCAR, and unfortunately 313 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: the decision was made, it was time to move on. 314 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: But one will home DEEPO ever get back into NASCAR 315 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: into what do you see as the state of the 316 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: sponsorship status in NASCAR today? Um, I wish I could 317 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: answer any of those questions with some degree of intelligence. 318 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 1: So I'm smart enough to know when I when I 319 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: you know what I know what I know, and I 320 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 1: don't know, I don't I experienced that we had with NASCAR, 321 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 1: that we had with Coach Gibbs as the owner of 322 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:05,439 Speaker 1: the team and Tony Stewart as the driver was you know, 323 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 1: it was terrific. Um. I was not at all knowledgeable 324 00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:12,920 Speaker 1: about the sport when we first got involvement. We listened 325 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: to a lot of our associates who are connected to 326 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 1: it and didn't for amount of studying. I think for 327 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:19,959 Speaker 1: a number of years it worked that well Home Depot 328 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 1: And I'm don't serve on the board now and I 329 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:25,160 Speaker 1: have a close connection with the then CEO, Frank Lake 330 00:17:25,280 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 1: and now craigman. Hear, but um, you know they've made 331 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 1: that decision, and you know, when the stock is sitting 332 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: at two dollars a share, it's alrys to argue with 333 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:38,240 Speaker 1: the decisions. They're making, and so I I believe in them. 334 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:42,440 Speaker 1: I believe obviously in the product they're producing in our 335 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: stores of course of course North America and UM, you know, 336 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 1: I'm sure it's a good decision for them. I can't 337 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:52,560 Speaker 1: speak about where NASCAR is generally all the sponsorships, but 338 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:58,440 Speaker 1: I know that, you know, UM, sponsors love I think 339 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 1: sports entertainment, they love have it fans, um, So I 340 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:05,359 Speaker 1: think NASCAR will hopefully continue to find ways to tap 341 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:08,840 Speaker 1: into that. Aren't there one last question for you? You 342 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: guys hosted the MLS All Star Game a couple of 343 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 1: months ago. Halftime telecast, you mentioned that you thought that 344 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:19,119 Speaker 1: the MLS games in your stadium were more exciting as 345 00:18:19,160 --> 00:18:22,240 Speaker 1: a live product in the NFL games. Uh, it seems 346 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:24,919 Speaker 1: like kind of a sobering enticement of the NFL. What 347 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,239 Speaker 1: can the NFL learn from from what your experience has 348 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:29,199 Speaker 1: been in the MLS. How how can you flip that 349 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:32,679 Speaker 1: back around? Sure? Well, I think I mean this make 350 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:34,720 Speaker 1: it clear. I think that you know, we have great 351 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,119 Speaker 1: and great fans throughout the National Football League. You go 352 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:40,120 Speaker 1: to stadiums throughout the league, and obviously you play all 353 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:41,879 Speaker 1: over the league. You know, in the A F l 354 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 1: and the NFC, so we see them all and I 355 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:48,679 Speaker 1: would say fans generally are very very excited and and 356 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:53,200 Speaker 1: floods to be there and supportive of their home teams, etcetera. Uh, 357 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,159 Speaker 1: it's different than soccer because as you all know that, 358 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:59,600 Speaker 1: the rules of the game, UH make it extremely difficult. 359 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 1: Soccer basically there's very few commercials, if any other than 360 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,159 Speaker 1: the fifteen minute break at halftime, so you have the 361 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: you don't have the constant breaking which the NFL has. 362 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: It's done more about that by trying to bunch the 363 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 1: commercials together so they run the longest span. But there 364 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: are fewer breaks in the game. But also the way 365 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:19,400 Speaker 1: the game is played. You know, on offense, you've got 366 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,439 Speaker 1: a quarterback like Matt Ryan asking seventy two people to 367 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 1: be quiet so the signals can be heard. You don't 368 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: have that in soccer, so you have them all the 369 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: normal you know, breaks of the game, the way it's structured. 370 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: Having said that, I think that whether it be Atlanta 371 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 1: Falcons or other teams, I think there's a lot to 372 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 1: be learned from the from the soccer fans and the 373 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: soccer franchise is particularly ones that, like I always had 374 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 1: the kind of support. Um, these fans, the Atlanta United 375 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:50,199 Speaker 1: soccer fans, they will tell you that the owner of 376 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 1: a you is them and not me, is them and 377 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 1: not us, and they feel that way. I mean, we 378 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 1: do everything we can to support them, support the support group, uh, 379 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:03,679 Speaker 1: create the environment they're looking for. We asked them everything 380 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:06,639 Speaker 1: about food and beverage and you know, they say, I 381 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:10,520 Speaker 1: mean anything to do with their experience, their fan experience. 382 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 1: We've listened to them and responded to them. So I 383 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,840 Speaker 1: think that, you know, on the Falcon side, I think 384 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:19,199 Speaker 1: we've always done a you know a good job at that, 385 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 1: but I think it could be better. Uh So we've 386 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 1: actually done some corse follinations this year between the marketing 387 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 1: and insteadium experience between the Falcons and Atlanta United to 388 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 1: pick up some of the best practices that we can. 389 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 1: On the football side. Uh. Subject again, as I said earlier, 390 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 1: to the way the game is played, the rules the game, 391 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: and you know how timeouts and time is built into 392 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:45,119 Speaker 1: the game. I didn't want to hit you with this 393 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 1: because you said you would not find players are likely 394 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:50,199 Speaker 1: would not find players for this whole anthem mess. But 395 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:52,160 Speaker 1: how did this get away from the NFL? How are 396 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:54,679 Speaker 1: we still talking about this, Well, there's probably a lot 397 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 1: of reasons we are, but you know, I think the 398 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:59,679 Speaker 1: players number one. I think, you know, what's happening today 399 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 1: most importantly is that the NFL PA, the Union, and 400 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: the NFL UM, NFL league and owners are talking together about, 401 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: you know, a solution that will work for everybody. Um, 402 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: that's the most important thing. I think. The second thing, 403 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 1: I don't know that it it really got away from the NFL, 404 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:20,920 Speaker 1: but the issues that the players, in my opinion, are raising, 405 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: our issues that are important to America, regardless of of economics, 406 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: regardless of urban and rural, regardless of the background color diversity. 407 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 1: I think there are just some very legitimate issues. So, 408 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 1: you know, they would like to make sure that you know, 409 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:41,440 Speaker 1: we as a society are focused on a lot of things, 410 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:46,159 Speaker 1: including those issues. And I think that the NFL understands 411 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:49,240 Speaker 1: that message and is coupled I think with players now 412 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:52,679 Speaker 1: and working collaboratively both at the league level with the 413 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,400 Speaker 1: Players Coalition and I serve on that committee, and at 414 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:59,200 Speaker 1: the club level. We've got a fifteen of our roster 415 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 1: fifty three a fifth fifteen players that serve on a 416 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:05,280 Speaker 1: club level version of the player's coalition, and they've told 417 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 1: us what's important to them, and we've connected to our 418 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:13,000 Speaker 1: foundation to work alongside them to understand the issues, to 419 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 1: be supportive and so you know, I think this progress 420 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 1: being made, and the whole notion is to move from 421 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 1: protest to progress, and I think the league and clubs 422 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: across the league are effectively doing that, and I think 423 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 1: the players see that, and that's why I don't think 424 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:29,960 Speaker 1: you see the number of protests that we're seeing in 425 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:31,919 Speaker 1: the past. I think I think Jerry Jones might have 426 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,280 Speaker 1: missed that meeting. But Arthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United owner, 427 00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:37,919 Speaker 1: thank you very much. Okay, thank you for being with me. 428 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:42,560 Speaker 1: Thank you, sir. Takeaways from speaking with Arthur Blank. You know, 429 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,240 Speaker 1: by the way, we have one of the best jobs 430 00:22:45,359 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 1: in the world. We get a chance to speak to 431 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:51,360 Speaker 1: all these very cool people in the sports industry. And 432 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:55,000 Speaker 1: what I take away from talking with Arthur Blank is that, 433 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:58,320 Speaker 1: as the usual, he's a down to earth guy. Like 434 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 1: many other owners that we've met. He owns an NFL team, 435 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:06,560 Speaker 1: co founder of Home Depot, and I just remember talking 436 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 1: to him about the sponsorship that they had in NASCAR 437 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 1: for many years with Tony Stewart and uh, I'm hoping 438 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:17,159 Speaker 1: one day that they will get back into it. I 439 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:19,280 Speaker 1: love that you go to the NASCAR guy owns the 440 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 1: football team, got the MLS team drawing seventy plus thousand bars, 441 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:26,160 Speaker 1: Like wait, wait, whoa, whoa, whoa, Mr Blank, I gotta 442 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:29,440 Speaker 1: ask about that NASCAR sponsorship with your trade and paint. Yeah, 443 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 1: but I know I like that. I liked I take 444 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 1: away from from Arthur the stadium pricing. I'm absolutely fascinated 445 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 1: that the stadium pricing is catching on in other places 446 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,760 Speaker 1: and folks are lowering the concession prices, figuring it's probably 447 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:50,040 Speaker 1: better to have people come in a little bit early, 448 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 1: even if it costs you a few bucks. I mean, 449 00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:56,040 Speaker 1: and this is one of those where the concessionaire leavy, 450 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 1: they don't care because the Falcons have guaranteed a certain payment, 451 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 1: so they're making their money. Now. It's up to anything 452 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 1: above and beyond. Does it go back into the conference 453 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 1: of the Falcons. But there's an understanding that one of 454 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:10,240 Speaker 1: the major reasons people do not go. And we have 455 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:12,560 Speaker 1: this big debate all the time about in person live 456 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:16,320 Speaker 1: versus sitting on your couch. It may not solely be 457 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 1: about time outs. And replays. It may just be about 458 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:22,199 Speaker 1: I don't want to pay seven to ten bucks for 459 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:25,240 Speaker 1: a soda. It can be yeah, it can be that simple. 460 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:27,159 Speaker 1: If I'm gonna bring my two or three kids, I 461 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 1: don't have a hundred and twenty bucks to spend on 462 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,639 Speaker 1: a couple of burgers and some ice cream. And if 463 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 1: we can't do it, I don't want to sit there, 464 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 1: take my kids and say no, no, no, no no. 465 00:24:35,280 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: I want it to be a good time. There's a 466 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:40,600 Speaker 1: recognition that maybe that's playing a role in people staying 467 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 1: at home. For ten dollars, I can buy pretty much 468 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: a case of soda. Yeah, absolutely, and people are doing that. 469 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,200 Speaker 1: I think it's one of the reasons people are staying 470 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:51,159 Speaker 1: at home is simply the cost. And it's I know 471 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:54,199 Speaker 1: it's market driven. You're never gonna see those those prices, 472 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:56,720 Speaker 1: community pricing in New York. It's just not gonna happen. 473 00:24:56,720 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 1: It's not gonn happen. Nick's not gonna happen next um. 474 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:05,919 Speaker 1: But in Atlanta, he's making it work. Feels better to 475 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:07,560 Speaker 1: be a number one than number five. I'll wear a 476 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:09,359 Speaker 1: number because of Mike. We have a chance to go 477 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:11,240 Speaker 1: for three in a row. Kid numbers in a good time. 478 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,399 Speaker 1: When I first started wearing their number, I would just 479 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:17,440 Speaker 1: happy and floomberg. Business of sports. The number of the week. 480 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,720 Speaker 1: Time Now for the number of the week, the easiest, 481 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:24,639 Speaker 1: and I know I say this, but this one, I'm 482 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:29,680 Speaker 1: gonna give you easy fifty. I don't know fifty easy. 483 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:32,280 Speaker 1: I'm trying to think. What's going on? You always say 484 00:25:32,280 --> 00:25:33,880 Speaker 1: they're easy and I never get them. Makes me feel 485 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:37,240 Speaker 1: like a moral just one of the one of the 486 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:40,160 Speaker 1: things that that makes me feel like besides the feedback, 487 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 1: the emails, the direct tweets. All right, what did I 488 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:46,800 Speaker 1: What are we doing? What's the fiftieth I know it's 489 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:50,679 Speaker 1: the fiftieth something, yes, yeah, yeah, but what are we 490 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 1: talking about? We are us open? Yes? Yes, because we 491 00:25:56,840 --> 00:26:00,720 Speaker 1: had right? Right? Okay, say I got there. That's what 492 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 1: matters is did SA get there not? Did you get 493 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:06,760 Speaker 1: there quickly? I got there? All right? You got a 494 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,840 Speaker 1: chance to By the way, and what I wanted to 495 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 1: say about the U s ho, I I'm just I'm 496 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 1: tickled by the way Flushing all the new uh revamped 497 00:26:15,960 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 1: parts of the Flushing meadows in that area that they've done, 498 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 1: all the expansion, the second retractable roof and have you 499 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:24,480 Speaker 1: seen that? Have you seen the online camera when you're 500 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:26,080 Speaker 1: trying to watch on the computer. Have you watched it 501 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:29,360 Speaker 1: all digital? I haven't seal. It's like it's like you're 502 00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:33,680 Speaker 1: watching the watching the Core from the space shuttle. I'm serious, 503 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:36,280 Speaker 1: it's terrible. This this has to be I'm gonna I'm 504 00:26:36,280 --> 00:26:39,199 Speaker 1: gonna message Lucier like this has to be changed. But anyway, 505 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:41,240 Speaker 1: got that off my chest. That was the number of 506 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,159 Speaker 1: the week and the number of the week right here 507 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 1: in the studio three. Because Bloomberg Business of Sports reported, 508 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,800 Speaker 1: Evan W. Williams joined us for our conversation this week. 509 00:26:49,840 --> 00:26:53,440 Speaker 1: You can follow him on Twitter at no the Underscore Williams. 510 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,240 Speaker 1: And it's a good one. Say whatever you want, Scott, 511 00:26:56,480 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: Nobody likes the Underscore. You are listening to Bloomberg Business 512 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:03,679 Speaker 1: of Sports. We are here each and every week, and 513 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 1: you listen to Scott Rant at the same time plus 514 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:11,080 Speaker 1: online as an Apple podcast. Hey and catch Mondays, Wednesdays 515 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:15,359 Speaker 1: and Thursdays. That's the podcast times and days. I'm Michael 516 00:27:15,359 --> 00:27:18,520 Speaker 1: bar on Twitter at Big Bar Sports Big BARSI No Underscore. 517 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: I'm Scott Sashnik. You can follow me on Twitter at 518 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 1: Sashnik makes sense. Thank you very much for joining us 519 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:25,639 Speaker 1: in Pleuston and next week when we speak with the 520 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:28,480 Speaker 1: biggest and brightest in the sports business industry. You're listening 521 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:31,800 Speaker 1: to Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the 522 00:27:31,880 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: world and online as an Apple podcast on high Tunes.