Four things we learned in Atlanta sports business this week:
1. Sales of personal seat licenses for the Falcons' new stadium have slowed in recent months. The Falcons sold 2,594 seats in Mercedes-Benz Stadium from Dec. 1 through March 31, according to figures obtained this week from the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the latest figures available. That brings PSL sales to 29,211 seats — about 45 percent of the non-suite seats in the stadium — for $168.8 million since sales began in January 2015. Full story here.
2. The Braves' first-quarter financial results declined sharply. For the quarter ending March 31, team owner Liberty Media said the Braves' revenue decreased by $1 million and their operating income before depreciation and amortization decreased by $15 million, compared with the same period a year ago. Even so, Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei said the company is "pleased with what's going on — other than on the field — at the Braves." (Pretty big caveat in that assessment.) Full story here.
3. Turner Broadcasting's early-stage plans for renovations of CNN Center could be linked to the Hawks' desire for a potential mixed-use entertainment district around Philips Arena. The Hawks and the city of Atlanta remain in negotiations for a $200 million to $300 million renovation of Philips. Full story here.
4. For all the talk of off-field changes fans can expect when the Braves move next year to SunTrust Park, an on-field change will affect play and likely become a signature feature of the new stadium: the outfield wall. A 16-foot wall in right field is expected to have the most interesting impact on play, as well as on aesthetics. The lower 10 feet will be padding, and the top six feet will be brick. Home runs will have to clear the brick. Right fielders will have to play caroms off the brick. Full story here.
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