The Falcons are moving forward on a largely public funded new $1.2B stadium to open in 2017. It replaces the GA Dome, owned by the Georgia World Congress Center and built in 1992.

http://www.atlantadailyworld.com/201...to-1-2-billion

In a shocker yesterday, the Braves announced that they are leaving Turner Field in downtown Atlanta and relocating to Cobb County for another largely publicly funded stadium in 2017. (Think leaving M&T for Harford County). The reasons they cited were transportation issues, not having the control they wished over the development of the neighborhood, and moving closer to their fanbase in the northern suburbs. Turner Field was built in 1996 for the Olympics and the Braves began play there in 1997.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybro...rk-in-cobb-co/

Granted, Atlanta has a long history of just knocking things down in the name of progress (as well as a southern legacy of race and class coloring most public policy), but how do you think this affects the sports landscape - especially in Baltimore? Both facitlities are close contemporaries age wise to M&T and OPACY. One of the Braves major reasons for leaving was a heat map that showed ticket sales for their fanbase being largely concentrated in the suburbs and them wanting to move closer to them to "improve the fan experience". (I'd be interested in a similar heat map for the Ravens & Os and where the majority of ticket buyers/season ticket holders come from.) Down the block, Arthur Blank lobbied that a new facility is necessary to keep pace with his competitors and also lure big name events (read: Super Bowl, SEC Championship, CFA Bowl, MLS etc.) to the area. Do you think the Atlanta situation could be a tipping point for decreasing the life of stadiums to 20 years (of which both of Baltimores are in that range). How would you feel if Biscotti or Angelos asked for new buildings by 2020 or stayed in MD but moved out of Baltimore City? Something tells me Atlanta is the canary in the mineshaft of a new wave of pro stadiums...