Arthur Blank’s Professional Women’s Soccer Club to Base Operations in Marietta Marietta City Council members approved a deal Thursday to bring Arthur Blank’s professional women’s soccer club to the city, securing 33 acres of vacant land off Franklin Gateway for the team’s headquarters and training facilities. The land, previously slated for an IKEA store, will be developed into a 38,000-square-foot headquarters, four full soccer fields, and two half-sized fields. The agreement includes a $10 million payment from Blank to the city for the land, along with a donation of 10 acres of wooded land he owns across the street from Atlanta United’s facility. The city plans to redevelop the donated land into a park and potentially other community spaces, with an additional $1 million allocated for park construction. Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin, who has actively pursued the project, emphasized the economic and community benefits of the deal. “This project delivers significant benefits to our city through economic growth and new park space for our residents and families,” Tumlin stated in a press release. He noted that Marietta will become the “soccer capital of Georgia” with the addition of both men’s and women’s professional teams. Blank, the billionaire cofounder of The Home Depot and owner of Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons, pledged to build a “world class training ground” for the women’s club. The women’s facility will complement Atlanta United’s existing training ground, which is located on city-owned land leased by the MLS club. Blank’s company has already invested over $90 million into Atlanta United’s facility, which opened in 2017. The new women’s club will receive at least $60 million in investment, though city officials anticipate the total will exceed that amount.#arthur_blank #franklin_gateway #marietta_city_council #steve_thunder_tumlin #atlanta_united
Marietta Approves $21M Deal for NWSL Training Facility Marietta city leaders have approved a $21 million agreement to construct a state-of-the-art training facility and headquarters for Atlanta’s new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team. The deal, finalized during a city council meeting, involves purchasing 33 acres of land on Franklin Gateway to build the facility, which will include a 38,000-square-foot headquarters and four full-sized training fields. The city will also acquire 10 acres from AMB Sports and Entertainment for public park space. The NWSL headquarters will be located near Atlanta United’s existing training facility on Franklin Gateway, positioning the new team as a key part of Marietta’s sports infrastructure. The agreement was reached with AMB Sports and Entertainment, the organization led by Arthur Blank, which plans to break ground on the project as soon as possible. The facility is expected to open ahead of the club’s debut in 2028. Mayor Steve Tumlin emphasized the economic and community benefits of the project, calling it a “game changer” for Marietta. He highlighted the potential for increased local businesses, such as grocery stores and restaurants, and noted that the team’s presence has already sparked interest from residents. Tumlin also praised the initiative for inspiring young athletes, stating it would “bring our city together” and be a “true blessing.” AMB Sports and Entertainment released a statement expressing excitement about the investment, noting that the project reinforces metro Atlanta’s role as a soccer hub in the U.S. The organization plans to prioritize construction timelines to ensure the facility is ready for the team’s inaugural season.#marietta_city #nws_l #amb_sports_entertainment #arthur_blank #franklin_gateway
