Falcons to freeze, reduce seat prices

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/04/08

The Falcons sent a letter to season ticket holders on Wednesday stating their intention not to raise ticket prices next season. The letter also states that in some cases prices will decline from last year and that more seats will be added at the lowest prices.

The letter was not specific about what seats will have a decrease and how much it will be.

"We are doing this in deference to you," the letter, which is signed by owner Arthur Blank, states.

According to the letter, season ticket renewal packages will be sent out in the next few weeks.

Blank has stopped short of officially announcing that there would be no ticket price increase twice in the past, most recently at a press conference after coach Bobby Petrino abruptly left the organization for the University of Arkansas with three games remaining.

The letter opens with several paragraphs on the difficult season the Falcons just concluded.

"Last season was nothing close to what we committed to when we set about building this franchise nearly six years ago," Blanks stated in the letter. "The off-field challenges of the year, combined with a multitude of injuries, created our own version of the perfect storm. That's not an excuse — it's a fact. However, we told you we would field a consistently winning team, and while we understand we may not be in the playoff hunt every year, we — and you — expect a better showing than this."

The Falcons season, which ended with a 4-12 record, began with the Michael Vick dogfighting case that resulted in the franchise quarterback's 23-month prison sentence. There was locker room unrest much of the season, with several players being opening critical of Petrino. The coach, who was hired a year ago after Jim Mora was fired after three seasons, left the team last month to return to the college coaching ranks.

The Falcons are currently searching for a head coach and a general manager after it was announced that president Rich McKay would no longer continue with those duties.

The letter concludes: "I've said before that the disappointment of the 2007 season and all its surrounding events makes me even more resolved — more committed — to make the Falcons a success going forward. We will prevail. That's my pledge to you."