You’ve probably seen the guy in the sharp suit on the sidelines, looking more like a proud grandfather than a corporate titan. If you’ve spent any time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Arthur Blank is the man who owns Atlanta United, but honestly, "owns" feels like a bit of an understatement for what he’s actually doing with the club.
It’s rare to see a billionaire so genuinely obsessed with a sport that wasn't even on the city's radar two decades ago. Blank didn't just buy a team; he basically willed a soccer culture into existence in the Deep South.
The Man in the Red Vest: Arthur Blank’s Empire
Arthur Blank is the primary owner and the face of the franchise. Most people know him as the co-founder of The Home Depot, which is where the real money came from. He took that hardware fortune and turned it into AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE). This parent company is the umbrella for everything: the Atlanta Falcons, the stadium, and our beloved Five Stripes.
Blank is about 83 now, and his net worth is sitting somewhere around $11 billion according to 2026 estimates. He’s a Queens, New York native who moved to Georgia and decided to make it his mission to transform the local sports landscape.
It’s a Family Affair (Sorta)
While Arthur is the Chairman, the day-to-day operations live within the Blank Family of Businesses. This isn't just a solo hobby. He’s surrounded himself with a massive infrastructure. For instance, Garth Lagerwey is the President and CEO of Atlanta United. If you follow the league at all, you know Lagerwey is basically the "Godfather" of MLS front offices. He was brought in to steady the ship after some rocky post-2018 years.
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The ownership structure is pretty straightforward compared to some European clubs owned by vague Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds or massive American private equity groups.
- Primary Owner: Arthur M. Blank
- Parent Company: AMB Sports & Entertainment
- Key Executives: Garth Lagerwey (President/CEO)
- Facility: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Shared with the Falcons)
Who Else Has a Stake?
Technically, Blank holds the keys. However, in 2024, there was some movement regarding the Falcons' side of the business that made people wonder about United. Blank added four limited partners to his group: Rosalind Brewer, Dominique Dawes, Will Packer, and Rashaun Williams. While these folks are specifically mentioned in the context of the Falcons' NFL ownership group, they are part of the broader Blank sports ecosystem. It’s a move toward diversity and bringing in local Atlanta "royalty" to have a seat at the table. For Atlanta United specifically, Arthur remains the "Uncle Arthur" figure with the final say on the big checks.
Why It’s Not a "Normal" Ownership
Most MLS owners were skeptical about Atlanta. They thought the city was too "fair-weather" or that soccer wouldn't translate in the land of college football. Blank ignored them. He spent $50 million of his own money recently just to help build the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayette County. That’s not a guy looking for a quick flip; that’s a guy trying to build a 50-year legacy.
He also owns the Atlanta Drive GC, a team in the new TGL golf league, and just recently secured an NWSL expansion team for Atlanta set to start in 2028. The guy is collecting sports teams like they’re Pokémon cards, but he’s actually putting the infrastructure in place to make them win.
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The Cost of the Dream
When Atlanta United entered the league in 2017, the expansion fee was around $70 million. Today, if you want an MLS team, you’re looking at $500 million or more. Blank’s investment has appreciated like crazy.
But honestly? He spends. Atlanta United consistently has one of the highest wage bills in the league. Whether it was the record-breaking transfer of Thiago Almada or the hiring of high-profile scouts, the ownership has never really been the "cheap" kind. Fans might get frustrated with the results on the pitch sometimes, but nobody can realistically accuse Arthur of keeping his wallet closed.
What This Means for the Future
Ownership stability is the biggest flex in Major League Soccer. While other teams are moving cities or fighting over stadium land, Atlanta United sits in one of the best venues in the world, backed by a billionaire who has deep roots in the community.
As we head toward the 2026 World Cup, where Atlanta is a major host city, the value of this club is going to skyrocket even further. Blank’s "Good Company" philosophy—which is actually the name of his book—basically dictates that if the fans are happy, the business will follow.
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How to Keep Up With Ownership Changes
If you're looking to track how the club evolves, keep an eye on these three things:
- The NWSL Launch: As the 2028 women's team gets closer, see how Blank integrates the two clubs.
- Lagerwey’s Contract: The President is the "owner’s proxy" on the field. His presence is the best indicator of stability.
- The U.S. Soccer Center: Watch for how the club uses the new National Training Center to recruit global talent.
Arthur Blank isn't just a name on a legal document. He's the reason there's a 70,000-seat stadium screaming for a soccer team on a Saturday night in Georgia.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to understand the business side better, look into the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation reports. They often detail how the club's profits are funneled back into Atlanta's Westside community projects. You can also visit the Mercedes-Benz Stadium website to see the full list of "Blank Family of Businesses" partners, which gives you a clearer picture of who is really influencing the club's direction behind the scenes.