WHAT THE WHAT? BRAVES MOVING TO COBB?#%

[Bahamut]

Reed: Tax breaks to Braves city was "unwilling to do" (AJC)

Apparently, it would have taken hundreds of millions in tax breaks to keep the Braves in downtown Atlanta. This feels just like when Reed let the Thrashers leave without a fight. Now everyone knows how Thrashers fans felt, and that sucks as a fan of all Atlanta pro sports teams.

[Randy]

I thought it was a ploy as well. The Hawks threatened years ago to move to Dunwoody. Never happened. But this seems different. Reed says the city couldn't afford it. The Cobb county voters may balk at it when they figure out that commuting home from work 81 nights a year will be gridlock-squared instead of just the usual gridlock.

Good news is that there is talk of turning the area into a Horse Racing track. Should make traffic getting to Hawks/Dream games better when they overlap with a Braves game.

[HawkItus]

I'm sorry, but you will have to point out where this deal is done. The article you referenced does not mention this as a done deal. They do mention:

Oh.

But if Cobb County is dumb enough to throw a ton of cash at the Braves, the Braves would be fools to turn it down in favor of staying downtown. Just ask Glendale, AZ about how they like having the Coyotes out there.

Again does this sound like a threat? No it sounds like a done deal. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/atl/atlanta-braves-leaving-turner-field-for-new-ballpark-in-nearby-cobb-county?ymd=20131111&content_id=63830416&vkey=news_atl

and this

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/political-insider/2013/nov/11/kasim-reed-braves-i-wish-them-well/

Edited November 11, 2013 by sultanofatl

[DJlaysitup]

Oh well...downtown still has the Hawks and the Falcons. One look at the demographics map of Braves season tickets holders shows that the move makes business sense. The disgruntled fans that drop the Braves will likely be easily replaced.

Personally, I think a casino would be a better idea than a horse track. The one in Cherokee would be a good working model. It is tastefully done and brings in tons of revenue.

P.S. - I can't believe they have been working on this for two years...have already acquired the land and have a schedule for ground breaking...and were able to keep it secret from the public. Probably a quid pro quo to Mayor Reed that they didn't announce until after the election.

Edited November 11, 2013 by DJlaysitup

[ATLHawks3]

I honestly think a change in scenery is a good thing. One thing I do hope about this new arena is that it has a retractable roof. I hate rain delays!

[lethalweapon3]

One other thing the Bravos hope to be closer to is East Cobb baseball, which has been (one of?) the biggest baseball recruitment funnel(s) going in this country. Huge national baseball tournaments are already a big draw. J-Hey, Francoeur, and McCann all spent time in the East Cobb Baseball program.

~lw3

[Guest]

How is this a done deal? Property has not been purchased (location identified yes). If Cobb tax dollars is going to fund it wouldn't there need to be some kinda vote on a tax?As a Cobb resident who gets stuck in traffic every day - I vote NO!

[DJlaysitup]

Local TV News just said that the 65 acre facility (field will take up about 15 acres of that) will be run by the Braves and the Bars/Restaurants onsite will be either owned or licensed from the Braves....so that sounds like a big revenue stream.

Sounds like a high risk - but high potential reward deal for the Braves and Cobb County.

Hard to believe the AJC investigative reporters were able to break the APS cheating scandal but not get wind of this...I wonder if any of them are driving new cars?

[Guest]

Cobb County Braves?

[macdaddy]

Well as was suggested they can ditch their offensive moniker now. How about the Cobb Cherokee to honor...oh wait

Cobb, along with several adjoining counties, was created on December 3, 1832, by the Georgia General Assembly from the huge Cherokee "county" territory — land northwest of the Chattahoochee River which the state confiscated from the Cherokee Nation and redistributed to settlers via lottery, following the passage of the federal Indian Removal Act.^[3]

[HawkItus]

They aren't changing from Atlanta. Their footprint will still be an Atlanta address and they say they will still operate in the city limits.

[macdaddy]

They aren't changing from Atlanta. Their footprint will still be an Atlanta address and they say they will still operate in the city limits.

Don't know what you mean by that but the stadium will not be in the city limits. We know they aren't changing the name but it's fun to poke. An Atlanta address means diddily squat.

[HawkItus]

Don't know what you mean by that but the stadium will not be in the city limits. We know they aren't changing the name but it's fun to poke. An Atlanta address means diddily squat.

What are you saying? Of course the stadium is not going to be in the city limits. I'm the one who is saying this is done deal. ???But, there is more to the Braves in Atlanta than just the game day experience and stadium. They will continue to have an impact with in the city. The Braves sponsor a lot of things in the city. This apparently will continue.

[ATLHawks3]

How far is I-75 from Atlanta? Sorry I'm 16, I haven't had the chance to master the roadways yet Lol.

[DJlaysitup]

How far is I-75 from Atlanta? Sorry I'm 16, I haven't had the chance to master the roadways yet Lol.

Goes right through it ...more importantly (from what I heard on TV) the new stadium will be approximately 12 miles mostly North of the current one.

[lethalweapon3]

Quick... Top five baseball moments -- not counting "retirements" and such -- of the Turner Field era. Go!

(Well, don't go right now, wait until the Bobcats game is over!)

~lw3

[Wurider05]

The traffic is going to be horrible. the taxpayers are not going to like this at all. if you are moving into the heart of your fanbase why is the stadium smaller?

[Admin]

Hard to believe the Braves would leave Turner field but you know. Maybe a new stadium and location will help to exorcise the posteason demons?

And the only thing I know about Cobb County, Ga is this...

[EazyRoc]

Terrible idea. No wonder Reed is calling his bluff. Have yall seen how bad traffic is on 75 AND 285 ?I guess they figure they will make up for lower attendance with higher ticket prices and the restaurants around the new field. Marta, imo, is what makes most sporting events in Atlanta convenient.

[EazyRoc]

How far is I-75 from Atlanta? Sorry I'm 16, I haven't had the chance to master the roadways yet Lol.

The location of the stadium is roughly 15 or 20 minutes north of Atlanta with no traffic. However, rush hour traffic is probably worse there than anywhere else in the metro area.