Finally, the team is out of the hands of the Smith family. Just reported on local radio that Home Depot founder Arthur Blank has purchased the team for $500 million. The problem with this franchise has always been a front office that was never committed to winning. I'm thinking all that may be about to change.

Actually the latest news has it at about 545 million bucks... Over 200 million more than the team was valued at in September when some sports magazine did a listing of NFL franchise values.

If Blank is willing to spend that much extra money on the initial purchase of the team, you can bet he's gonna be putting together a top notch team over the next few years. HELL YEAH! Maybe the Falcons won't be a total embarrassment any more:) And since they won't be a Turner team, they probably won't choke massively in the playoffs either!

I am sorry I can't stand the falcons.. and I am local..

ever since everyone jumped on the band wagon in '99, I couldn't stand them

I've never been a serious fan either, but the prospect of finally having a football team in town that isn't a total freakin embarrassment is kind of exciting:D

sorry I just have to reinterrate that atlanta falcons suck... b/c every year they have like half a dozen people that don't play for the rest of the year, b/c they get hurt.. what a bunch of pansies.. all a bunch of greedy cry babies.. sorry just had to rant..

As said, that MAY change now:D We'll just have to wait and see. I don't think they're going to turn into the 49ers with Montana all of the sudden either, but ANYTHING is a step up from where they've been. Hell, even when they get LUCKY enough to get to the Super Bowl a few years back, they go out and get too freaking wasted to play the next day and Totally embarrass themselves & the City of Atlanta