Falcons owner Arthur Blank was named 2018 Sports Executive of the Year at the 11th annual Sports Business Awards hosted at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square on Wednesday night. Blank’s revolutionary approach to the food and beverage experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, often referred to as “fan-first pricing,” was also honored Wednesday, winning Sports Breakthrough of the Year.
Blank’s vision to build a one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment venue in downtown Atlanta led to Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening its doors in 2017. The venue received high acclaim for its forward-thinking design and unparalleled fan experience. A capstone of the stadium’s fan experience offerings, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium food and beverage experience won in the Sports Breakthrough of the Year category due to its disruptive and game-changing new model for the sports industry.