Biography
An exclusive group of the nation's sports and business leaders gathered on Jan. 4, 2018, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta to witness the induction of Arthur Blank into the National Football Foundation (NFF) Leadership Hall of Fame.
"Only those who have reached the most remarkable levels of achievement meet the threshold for induction into the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame, and Arthur Blank's incredible track record of accomplishments clearly place him in this elite group," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Arthur has done so much for so many causes and communities across the country and also for the future of our sport and especially the College Football Hall of Fame, which has become the crown jewel of our organization right here in Atlanta. It is truly fitting that we can now claim him as the newest inductee into the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame."
"Wow, what an incredible evening," said Blank in accepting the award. "When you receive honors like this, it is not really about me personally. It's about what surrounds me, what's about me, a set of values, a set of cultural commitments, and instincts that are critical to all of us."
Blank, who grew up in New York City and played football at Stuyvesant High School in lower Manhattan, spoke about the higher purpose of football and most importantly at the high school level. He said football connects people in many positive ways, teaching the values of teamwork, overcoming adversity, decision making and that no individual player can win a game by himself.
Blank added that the values learned on the football field are also true in business, family and in life, and his ownership of the Atlanta Falcons has taught him these lessons again. He attributed his success to partnerships and working with the "Do Right People" who are always guided by what is the right thing for the organization rather than their own self-interest.
"It is all about us working together. It's all about unity. It's all about being the best of who we are. It's all about listening to each other. Respecting each other and then responding," Blank said in articulating the universal consensus from the NFL owners on how to protect the game of football for the future. "So in that context I accept this award, and I accept it with great humility. The College Football Hall of Fame is a blessing to our community and to our city."
Blank founded The Home Depot with Bernie Marcus in 1978, and he led the retail giant until 2002, helping to build it into one of the world's most successful companies. In 2002, he acquired the Atlanta Falcons, a team that had never had back-to-back winning seasons in its previous 36-year history, subsequently turning it into one of the top franchises in the NFL. Along the way, his family foundation has given away more than $300 million, and The Home Depot donated an additional $113 million during his tenure to various philanthropic endeavors.
"From adversity, to building one of the most successful companies in the world, Arthur Bank has become an icon of American industry," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "His resilience enabled him to see adversity not as a hardship, but rather an opportunity, and like a great running back, he found the open field, partnering with Bernie Marcus to launch The Home Depot. His leadership has also extended to transformation of the Atlanta Falcons and more importantly as a force in communities nationwide, giving away hundreds of millions of dollars. We are honored to have him take his rightful place in our Leadership Hall of Fame."
FOX Sports football analyst Charles Davis emceed the event, and he invited Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to the stage for their thoughts on Arthur Blank's leadership and his importance to Georgia and the city of Atlanta. They cited Blank's role with The Home Depot, and the multiple sports franchises that he has brought to the region, crediting him as the key private-sector force that has transformed the city and state. They specifically mentioned his willingness to go into challenged areas, particularly the zone around the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has resulted in a drastic reduction in crime and more than $3 billion in investments.
"He is one of those invaluable contributors to the reputation of our city and to our state as a whole," said Governor Deal. "Without his presence and without his contributions, I don't believe Atlanta would be prospering as much as it is... He has been a great part of the scene that has distinguished Georgia and the City of Atlanta from a great part of the United States... He is willing to take chances, and he is willing to put his money in ideas that turn out to be successful, and he is willing to do it not for his own personal sake or financial benefit... He is doing it for the benefit of all of us."
"You cannot be mayor of a city like Atlanta, a city that is one of the leading cities in America and the world, without a man like Arthur Blank," said Mayor Reed. "... There are moments in the life of a city, when you have to have somebody who has brought and built their dreams in this city step up. And what I can honestly say without hesitation is that there was no moment in the eight years, two thousand nine hundred and twenty days that I served as mayor of this city when I called Arthur Blank for help that he did not take my call and he did not help. You have to have that to be a successful mayor and to create a great city... Arthur Blank qualifies as what I call a great man. And great cities need great men."
The event served as the kickoff event for the 2018 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship weekend, and CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock addressed the VIPs in attendance while also paying tribute to Arthur Blank and his role in bringing the CFP title game to Atlanta.
"I am here to give you another official welcome to the greatest weekend in college football, and we are delighted to be in Atlanta," said Hancock. "You have great people here. You have a great Atlanta host committee led by Dan Corso and Carl Atkins. This game, however, would not be here but for Arthur Blank who made this beautiful stadium happen. But more so, he put his whole heart into making the bid for Atlanta and making our game possible. This is a beautiful facility. It's world class. It's off the charts... We are proud to be here."
Blank recognized several people in attendance during his remarks for their roles in Atlanta and with the Falcons, including AMB Group CEO Steve Cannon, who led the leadership team that built the $1.6 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy, whose company and family played a leadership role in bringing the College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta.
Hatchell provided a special thanks to several individuals who lent special support for the event, including Atlanta Falcons President & CEO Rich McKay, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation President Penny McPhee, United Distributors Chairman & CEO Doug Hertz, who chaired the host committee, and College Football Hall of Fame CEO Dennis Adamovich. NFF Board Members, who were recognized for their attendance at the event, included former Chick-fil-A senior executive Steve Robinson and Arizona State University Vice President and Athletics Director Ray Anderson.
The Host Committee included the Atlanta Falcons Limited Partners, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Chick-fil-A Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, and East Lake Foundation. Platinum Sponsors included the Atlanta Falcons Football Club, Cox Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, Fanatics, Holder Construction Company, The Home Depot, Major League Soccer, Bernie and Billi Marcus, and Ticketmaster. The Gold Sponsors included the Atlanta Sports Council, Bennett Thrasher, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Ron & Vicki Canakaris Family Foundation, Darden & Company, Fairly Group, FOX Sports, King & Spalding LLP, Knights of the Round Table, Robert K. Kraft, Levy, Barbara & Edwin Mendel, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Mercedes-Benz USA, The NFL Foundation, The QUIKRETE Companies, Derek V. Smith, SunTrust Banks Inc., Wells Fargo, and John Williams. Silver Sponsors included Callaway Golf Company, NBC Sports Group, Taylor Made Golf Company, Titleist & FootJoy.
Established in 2013, the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame provides the NFF with a powerful platform for recognizing the country's most influential individuals who have ascended to the highest levels of success and exhibited the critical leadership qualities that transcend ordinary enterprises. Members of the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame must embody the same qualities in amateur football that define excellence in American life: hard work, discipline, determination, teamwork, integrity and the relentless pursuit to improve.
Arthur Blank's induction marked the fourth year of a tradition, which began with the inaugural CFP National Championship after the 2014 season, where the NFF has staged a Leadership Hall of Fame induction as part of the kickoff celebration in the title game's host city. The next championship game will be played in Santa Clara, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2019, and the NFF will stage a Leadership Hall of Fame induction on Jan. 3, 2019.
"Led by its executive director Bill Hancock, the College Football Playoff has done a marvelous job of using the title game's national stage to shine a light on everything right with our great game," said Hatchell. "The NFF Leadership Hall of Fame plays an important role in highlighting the value of football off the field, and I want to thank Bill and his incredible staff for all their support that allowed us to recognize Arthur Blank this year with a kickoff event for the CFP National Championship. We truly appreciate their efforts."
The NFF Leadership Hall of Fame events serve as a centerpiece of the NFF's annual fundraising efforts, providing critical support for the organization's outreach efforts that emphasize the value of football to society. By creating a powerful fundraising opportunity, the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame allows those who have reached the pinnacle of success to help the NFF strengthen its programs and fulfill its mission of Building Leaders Through Football.
Blank becomes the 10th inductee into the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame, joining Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the father of aerobics Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, legendary attorney Joe Jamail, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, NFL COO Tod Leiweke, Bruin Sports Capital CEO George Pyne and Wasserman Chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman. Each inductee's accomplishments are enshrined in an exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta as role models for future generations to emulate.
Arthur Blank's Bio
Perhaps best known as co-founder of The Home Depot, Arthur Blank's Family of Businesses portfolio currently includes the Atlanta Falcons; Atlanta United FC; PGA TOUR Superstore; The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Mountain Sky Guest Ranch; AMB West, LLC; and AMB Group, the parent company of his for-profit businesses. Blank and the Falcons, in partnership with the city of Atlanta and state of Georgia, are the private funders of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened in 2017. The stadium is operated by Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company, a newly created company also owned by AMB Group, and is the new home to the Falcons and Atlanta United.
While diverse in nature, all of Blank's businesses are run based on a common set of core values, which focus on developing customer relationships, treating associates with respect, and supporting communities.
Blank believes in the importance of making a difference - professionally and personally. In addition to the company's financial success, during his 23 years with The Home Depot the company donated more than $113 million to communities, and Home Depot associates provided hundreds of thousands of hours of personal volunteer time. Blank is applying the same business acumen and values in building his competitive, successful and community-oriented businesses today.
Blank is also dedicated to giving back. Through his generosity, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted more than $300 million to support early childhood development, education, the arts, and parks and greenspace. The foundation also leads giving programs for each of the for-profit businesses in Blank's portfolio.
Blank is recognized throughout the country for his personal and professional achievements. Most recently, the Georgia National Guard recognized the long-time support Blank and his businesses have given to the U.S. Military, naming Blank the Honorary Regiment Commander of the Georgia Army National Guard Infantry Regiment. Blank will serve in this position for two years and is the first civilian to hold this honorary title.
In 2016, SportsBusiness Journal named Blank one of the 50 Most Influential People in Sports in recognition of his influence and work across the sports and business industries.
Blank serves on the Board of Trustees of The Carter Center, Inc.; the Board of Trustees of The Cooper Institute; and the Board of Trustees of The First Tee.
In September 2001, Blank joined the faculty of Emory University's Goizueta Business School as its first Distinguished Executive in Residence. He now serves as a Goizueta Executive Fellow. Blank also served as the 2003 Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
A native of Flushing, N.Y., Blank received a B.S. Degree in Business Administration with Distinction from Babson College, where he was active in a wide variety of extracurricular activities.
Arthur and Angie Blank's marriage in June 2016 brought together their respective families, including nine children and five grandchildren.
Consistent with the way he approaches work and life, his favorite T-shirt appropriately reads, "There is no finish line."
