Now that the new Falcons stadium will officially be named for Mercedes-Benz, some fans are asking: What's going to happen to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans?
The duplication could create an odd situation: the Saints, the Falcons’ division rival in the NFC South, already have the automaker’s name on their stadium.
Mercedes-Benz became the title sponsor of the Superdome in 2011 by signing a reported 10-year contract. Officials acknowledge the arrangement isn't ideal, but it isn't too concerning: The Falcons won't play in their new stadium until 2017.
"When we made that deal, we had no idea we were going to move to Atlanta, had no idea all of this was in our future," Steve Cannon, Mercedes-Benz USA president and CEO, said Monday. "We will deal with that when the time comes."
"Obviously, having two stadiums in the same division — you wouldn't plan it that way," he continued. "But sometimes opportunities come in a way that is just too good to turn down."
