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Dueling stadiums: Braves, Falcons pitch their new homes

Looking up from field level during the media tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 23, this was the view of roof construction in progress. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Looking up from field level during the media tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 23, this was the view of roof construction in progress. BOB ANDRES/BANDRES@AJC.COM
By
June 26, 2016

During a news conference about Mercedes-Benz Stadium food prices last month, a reporter noted the Braves will widen seats by an average of 1 1/2 inches at SunTrust Park and asked if the Falcons will do likewise at their new home.

Falcons president and CEO Rich McKay said yes, explaining most seats will grow from 19 inches at the Georgia Dome to 21 inches. Then Arthur Blank put a finer point on it.

“You say SunTrust is … 1 1/2 inches different?” the Falcons owner said to the reporter. “We’re 2 inches.”

The comment drew laughter and reflected the inevitable comparisons between metro Atlanta’s dual and dueling new stadiums.

Read the complete story on myajc.com.

About the Author

Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.

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