Arthur Blank is inducting himself into the Falcons Ring of Honor this weekend during the club’s Sunday Night Football contest against the Chiefs.
He’s undoubtedly been the best owner in the franchise’s history and has probably done more for Atlanta than just about anyone in the city’s history, outside of a couple of obviously notable figures.
Before the season started, the Falcons announced that Blank would be inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor, something I thought was a bit funny at the time. Matt Ryan will also be going into the Ring of Honor this season, and rightfully so, but the mediocre (by team record) owner putting himself in the Ring of Honor just doesn’t hit the same way as the greatest Falcons player in history.
To make things even more comical about the situation, out of the kindness of Blank’s heart, fans attending Sunday’s Falcons-Chiefs game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will receive free hot dogs, chips and Coca-Cola products, which comes with a “Arthur M. Blank Ring of Honor souvenir cup” that is just a giant cup with Blank plastered on the side (which is also hilarious).
The promotion is highlighting the Benz’s low food and drink prices, which is where my rant begins. Thank you so much, Mr. Blank and the Falcons executive team, for saving us a few bucks for a hot dog and coke, while driving up ticket prices because of your shiny new shopping mall of a stadium with PSLs.
I am going to the game this weekend because I’ve never seen Patrick Mahomes play in person. I am sitting around midfield in the 300s and paid around $270 for my ticket. Yes, you read that right. I am sitting in the nosebleeds for just under $300.
Now, at this point, you’re probably saying one of a couple of things:
- Alex, it’s the Chiefs. Of course, tickets are expensive. Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, etc.
- It’s primetime. Of course, they’re expensive.
- That’s just supply and demand, idiot.
Well, tickets were more expensive for the Falcons-Steelers game. Granted, Steelers fans travel as well as any football, but that still doesn’t excuse the Falcons hiding behind faux fan savings on concessions. Just like the stock market, it’s all priced in, my friend.
The Falcons aren’t going to actively try to make less money. They’re making the same, if not more money as they were prior to the concession prices coming down. I don’t mind donating a kidney to go to a Falcons game. It comes with the territory, but don’t treat me like an idiot.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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