Sports
Sports

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.

Follow Tim Tucker on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, who is averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season, was named a reserve Sunday for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 19 in Indianapolis. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

WNBA

Make it two: Dream’s Rhyne Howard joins Allisha Gray as WNBA All-Star

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard's scoring is down a bit from the past two years, but her improved all-around game earned her a reserve spot in the WNBA All-Star Game

Dream let one slip away: 3 takeaways from loss Thursday to Seattle Storm

Despite committing 17 turnovers, shooting just 4-of-21 from beyond the arc and missing Rhyne Howard, the Dream still nearly beat Seattle.

Hellen Obiri wins AJC Peachtree Road Race’s women’s elite division

Hellen Obiri won The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race’s women’s elite division Friday with a time of 31:29.

The Latest

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, who is averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season, was named a reserve Sunday for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 19 in Indianapolis. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

WNBA

Make it two: Dream’s Rhyne Howard joins Allisha Gray as WNBA All-Star

Atlanta TV sports listings

Dream let one slip away: 3 takeaways from loss Thursday to Seattle Storm

Featured

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said joining neighboring states to form a new accreditation agency will “keep Georgia’s universities among the best in the nation." (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

AJC ON CAMPUS

Georgia joins five Southern states to form new accreditation agency

In this edition of the AJC On Campus, Georgia is joining a movement to shake up the accreditation system that has long been the model for American higher education.

14 injured in separate boat explosions on Lake Lanier, Lake Nottely on July 4th

Flames erupted from two boats, one on Lake Lanier and another on Lake Nottely, during the Fourth of July holiday, officials said.

Atlanta leaders eye trails as part of solution to city’s traffic woes

The 535-mile expansion plan, known as Trails ATL, aims to make the city more walkable, bringing 10-minute access to trails for 95% of city residents by 2052.