The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ressler sees merit in others’ approaches
Hawks owner finds money well-spent by Braves, Falcons.
Perhaps nowhere more than Atlanta does the debate rage about the ownership of the professional sports franchises — individual versus corporate.
The Hawks’ Tony Ressler and the Falcons’ Arthur Blank versus the Braves’ Liberty Media. Insert your own retort here about the nameless, faceless, bottom-line oriented owners of the Braves that are headquartered in Denver and not Atlanta.
Count Ressler, the principal owner of the Hawks, as one who does not discredit what the Braves have done under Liberty Media.
“If the question is corporate ownership versus individual ownership ... I must tell you if you look at what the Atlanta Braves did both for their team, which seems to be playing awfully well, as well as their developing The Battery, which I would stay is performing very well, accusing the Braves ownership, corporate or otherwise, of not making good decisions in the recent past, I would argue is not fair,” Ressler told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a recent interview. “So I think they’ve made good decisions by evidence of the team’s performance and The Battery. I’m impressed with what they’ve done and I think the entire Atlanta community should be as well.”
Some Braves fans might argue that the team has succeeded despite a faceless ownership. They begged for the Braves to make a big splash in free agency when players such as Bryce Harper and Manny Machado were available, hoping such additions would make the team a World Series contender after it lost in the playoffs last season. When the Braves pitching struggled to start this season, fans hoped for Craig Kimbrel and/or Dallas Keuchel. The Braves missed out on Kimbrel but eventually reached a one-year, $13 million deal with Keuchel for the remainder of the season.
The Braves find themselves — again — atop the National League East standings.
The Falcons also have not launched into free agency, bypassing available big names to build through the draft and retain players they already have in the organization. Ressler said, even while admitting his own impatience, the key is to spend wisely.
“Arthur, similarly, when you see the financial investment he made, not just in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but in trying to build what is in fact a world class building along with two world class franchises in the United and the Falcons, he is clearly not only spending money but spending money intelligently,” Ressler said. “If anything, as I’ve said, those franchises have set a high bar. We don’t plan on shying away. We will spend as much money as we can possibly spend intelligently. I don’t know if it’s business, if it’s individually owned versus corporate, because I would argue that the Braves are pretty well run. They seem to be spending money pretty intelligently so I give them credit. I’ve seen it up close the last couple years. I’ve been really impressed with that they’ve been doing.”
The Braves lost to the Dodgers in a divisional series, 3-1, last year after a four-year playoff absence. The postseason return came after the organization set upon rebuilding its major league roster and minor league system. They are playing in the new SunTrust Park surrounded by the Battery complex of restaurants, apartments, hotels and other amenities, having left the city of Atlanta for Cobb County.
The Falcons missed the playoffs last season, two years after nearly winning the Super Bowl and one year after a divisional round loss. They have recently moved into Mercedes-Benz Stadium with its $1.5 billion price tag. The United also play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they captured the MLS Cup last season.
The Hawks are about to enter their third year after a full-blown organizational rebuild that included a new general manager and head coach. They have acquired a young nucleus of players that has generated excitement and added a new class in the recently completed draft. The Hawks have salary cap space to add players this year but will have enough for two max contract players, should they choose, the following season. State Farm Arena has gone through a name change and extensive renovations to make it a highlight on the NBA.
Ressler has pledged the organization will spend when and how it is appropriate. He realizes that the bottom line is to win.
“We are trying to be competitive in this market,” Ressler said. “Let’s face it, the good news for the fan base of metro Atlanta, it seems most of the professional teams are spending money as evidence by both their performance and improving performance and really first-class buildings and first-class fan experiences. So, I would say SunTrust Park, I would say Mercedes-Benz Stadium and I would certainly say State Farm Arena are competitive to any three sports locations in any market in the country. Hopefully the Atlanta fan base responds.
“But let’s not kid ourselves, it’s not about buildings necessarily. That’s part of it. It’s not about front office. That’s part of it. It’s certainly about performance on the field and that’s what we are trying to make better.”