Arthur Blank

{{Short description|American businessman and sports team owner (born 1942)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Arthur Blank

| image = Arthur Blank 2016.jpg

| caption = Blank in 2016

| birth_name = Arthur Morris Blank

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|9|27}}

| birth_place = Queens, New York City, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| education = Babson College (BSBA)

| occupation = {{hlist|Home Depot co-founder|Atlanta Falcons owner|Atlanta Drive GC owner|Atlanta United FC owner|philanthropist}}

| spouse = {{plainlist|

Diana Latow (divorced 1993)
{{marriage|Stephanie Wray|1995|2014|end=divorced}}
{{marriage|Angela Macuga|2016|2019|reason=divorced}}{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/sports/2017/02/arthur-blank-falcons-owner-wife-angie-angela-macuga-who-is-age-how-old-married-ex-photos/|title=Angela Macuga, Arthur Blank's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|first=Tom|last=Cleary|date=February 5, 2017}}

}}

| children = 6

| website = {{URL|http://www.blankfamilyofbusinesses.com/}}

}}

Arthur Morris Blank (born September 27, 1942) is an American businessman. He is best known for being a co-founder of the home improvement retailer The Home Depot.{{cite web|title=Our History |url=http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDdwNHH0sfE3M3AzMPJ8MAF0sDKND388jPTdUvyHZUBAB6afqn/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnB3LzZfMEcwQUw5TDQ3RjA2SEIxUEY5MDAwMDAwMDA!/ |work=homedepot.com |publisher=The Home Depot |access-date=January 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121070705/http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/%21ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDdwNHH0sfE3M3AzMPJ8MAF0sDKND388jPTdUvyHZUBAB6afqn/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnB3LzZfMEcwQUw5TDQ3RjA2SEIxUEY5MDAwMDAwMDA%21 |archive-date=January 21, 2011 }}

Blank owns three professional sports teams based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL), Atlanta Drive GC of TGL, which won the SoFi Cup in 2025, and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), which won the 2018 MLS Cup,{{cite web|title=ARTHUR BLANK - OWNER AND CEO |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/roster-staffs/arthur-blank/ |work=atlantafalcons.com |access-date=January 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108042058/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/roster-staffs/arthur-blank/ |archive-date=January 8, 2011}} and is chairman of their parent company, AMB Group LLC.

Life

Arthur Blank was born in Flushing, Queens, New York.{{Cite web|last=Images|first=Getty|title=Super Bowl-Bound Arthur Blank on Why Jews Score as NFL Owners|url=https://forward.com/news/361861/falcons-owner-arthur-blank-interview-jewish-super-bowl/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=The Forward|date=February 2, 2017 |language=en-US}} He was born to Jewish parents, Max Blank, a pharmacist, and Molly Blank. He has an older brother named Michael. Blank graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City.{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Staff/Executive/Arthur_Blank.aspx |title=Arthur Blank - Owner and CEO - Biography |access-date=November 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217004008/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Staff/Executive/Arthur_Blank.aspx |archive-date=December 17, 2007 |url-status=dead }}File:Arthurblank.jpg

After graduating from Babson Institute in 1963,{{Cite web|url=https://venturefizz.com/stories/incredible-list-babson-college-alumni-part-1-undergraduates|title=The Incredible List of Successful Babson College Alumni (Part 1: Undergraduates)|date=2018-06-15|website=VentureFizz|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10}} Blank was hired by Arthur Young and Company, where he was a senior accountant. He later joined the Daylin corporation, where he rose to become president of Elliott's Drug Stores/Stripe Discount Stores, a division of Daylin. When Daylin decided to sell off that division, Blank moved to another division, Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers. Bernard Marcus was CEO of Handy Dan and Blank was vice president of finance when both were fired in 1978 as part of an internal power struggle.

In 1978, Blank co-founded Home Depot with Marcus. New York investment banker Ken Langone assembled the initial group of investors and merchandising expert Patrick Farrah helped founders realize their vision of one-stop shopping for the do-it-yourselfer. The first two stores opened on June 22, 1979 in Atlanta.{{Cite web |last=Cain |first=Áine |title=Here's what Home Depot looked like when it first opened in 1979 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-first-stores-photos-2019-4 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} The stores revolutionized the home improvement business with its warehouse concept and Blank and Marcus became billionaires as a result. Blank spent 19 years as the company's president before succeeding Marcus as CEO. Blank retired from the company in 2001 as co-chairman.

On May 22, 2024, Blank won the Sports Business Journal's Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the Falcons, United FC, and the surrounding community.{{cite tweet |user=SBJ |number=1793443300176793839 |title=Lifetime Achievement Recipient: Arthur M. Blank, AMB Sports and Entertainment 🏆🌟 Arthur M. Blank rebuilt the Falcons, launched Atlanta United, and created a world-class stadium, all with a relentless focus on the people who matter most — the fans. #SBJAwards |date=May 22, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/05/22/2024-sports-business-awards-winners |title=Winners of the 2024 Sports Business Awards |last1=Cahillane |first1=Mollie |last2=Karp |first2=Austin |last3=Lemire |first3=Joe |last4=Schaefer |first4=Rob |last5=Silverman |first5=Alex |last6=Friend |first6=Tom |publisher=sportsbusinessjournal.com |date=May 22, 2024}}

Sports ownership

In February 2002, Blank purchased the Atlanta Falcons franchise in the National Football League from owner Taylor Smith, the son of team founder Rankin M. Smith Sr. In September 2004, he bought the Arena Football League franchise, the Georgia Force; he moved the team to the city of Atlanta after it had spent several years in suburban Gwinnett County. In 2023, Blank purchased Atlanta Drive GC of TGL.{{cite magazine |last=Woodard |first=Adam |title=Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL takes shape with Atlanta as third team |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/08/21/tiger-woods-rory-mcilroy-tgl-atlanta-arthur-blank/ |magazine=Golfweek |access-date=August 21, 2023 |date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821133429/https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/08/21/tiger-woods-rory-mcilroy-tgl-atlanta-arthur-blank/ |url-status=live}}

Blank has expressed serious interest in purchasing other franchises. In early 2006, he temporarily withdrew from contention as a potential buyer of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. Some months later, Blank re-entered serious talks with Time Warner and a report indicated that a sale was imminent. However, in February 2007, the Braves completed the sale of the team to Liberty Media. Blank has also founded an expansion Major League Soccer franchise named Atlanta United FC that began play in 2017.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/06/24/atlanta-united-fc-mls-expansion-2017|title=In 2017, get ready to watch Atlanta United FC in MLS|first=Brian|last=Straus|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=June 24, 2015 }} The club shares Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Falcons. Blank also helped the United States Soccer Federation set up their new headquarters in Atlanta, and the new training center was named in his honor.

Philanthropy

Blank is chairman of The Arthur Blank Family Foundation,{{cite news|title=AMB Group names key executives|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2001/06/18/daily26.html|access-date=January 8, 2011|newspaper=Atlanta Business Chronicle|date=June 20, 2001}} and serves on the Board of Trustees of Emory University.

In March 2020, Blank's foundation announced it would donate nearly $5.4 million to aid the coronavirus pandemic response in Georgia and Montana.{{Cite web|title=Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announces nearly $5.4 million in funding for COVID-19 relief efforts|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/arthur-m-blank-family-foundation-announces-nearly-5-4-million-in-funding-for-cov|access-date=2020-10-14|website=www.atlantafalcons.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=WSBTV com News|title=Arthur Blank donates $5+ million in funding for coronavirus relief efforts|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/arthur-blank-donates-5-million-funding-coronavirus-relief-efforts/7DIAZLLNNVCJZISSMYY6WQKQ6M/|access-date=2020-10-14|website=WSBTV|date=March 20, 2020 |language=en-US}}

In October 2020, it was announced that the new Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital would be named after Arthur Blank after his foundation donated $200 million to the project. The Arthur M. Blank Hospital opened on September 29, 2024.{{Cite web|last=Walsh|first=Erin|date=2020-10-12|title=Falcons owner Arthur Blank donates $200 million to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/falcons_owner_arthur_blank_donates_200_million_to_childrens_healthcare_of_atlanta_hospital/s1_13132_33071519|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Yardbarker|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=WSBTV com News|title=Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital names new facility in honor of Arthur Blank|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/childrens-healthcare-atlanta-hospital-is-getting-new-name-honor-arthur-blank/PXD73UD3KNHEXJWAWKKWWSS7KY/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=WSBTV|date=October 12, 2020 |language=en-US}}

He is a signatory of The Giving Pledge committing himself to give away at least 50% of his wealth to charitable causes.

Personal life

File:DreAMBoat.jpg

Blank has been married and divorced three times. He has three children with his first wife, Diana Blank (born 1942): Kenny Blank, Dena Blank Kimball, and Danielle Blank Thomsen;[http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/businesses/G-L/Blankm-Arthur.html Reference for Business: "Arthur Blank"] retrieved October 18, 2014[http://www.npca.org/news/magazine/all-issues/2011/fall/the-visionaries.html National Parks Conservation Association: "The Visionaries - Diana J. Blank"] retrieved October 18, 2014 they divorced in 1993.{{Cite web |last=Saporta |first=Maria |date=2015-09-17 |title=A longtime anonymous donor reveals her identity |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2015/09/18/a-longtime-anonymous-donor-reveals-her-identity.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Atlanta Business Chronicle}} In 1995, he married Stephanie V. Blank (born 1968), a Blowing Rock, North Carolina native and Appalachian State University graduate.[http://digmagsonline.com/display_article.php?id=373370 Point's North magazine: "Stephanie Blank"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018173201/http://digmagsonline.com/display_article.php?id=373370 |date=October 18, 2014 }} May 2010 They met when she worked as a designer at a Home Depot store in Atlanta. They had three children - Joshua Blank, Max Blank, and Kylie Blank - before being divorced.{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/sports/2017/02/arthur-blank-ex-wives-family-children-atlanta-falcons-owner-foundation-who-is-married-biography/|title=Arthur Blank's Wives & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|first=Daniel S.|last=Levine|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=May 22, 2020}} In June 2016, Blank married Angela Macuga (born 1968),[http://saportareport.com/blog/2014/04/arthur-blank-says-his-purchase-of-a-mls-soccer-team-for-atlanta-is-close-to-his-heart/ Saporta Report: "Arthur Blank says purchasing soccer team for Atlanta is ‘close to his heart’"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112055809/http://saportareport.com/blog/2014/04/arthur-blank-says-his-purchase-of-a-mls-soccer-team-for-atlanta-is-close-to-his-heart/ |date=November 12, 2014 }} April 17, 2014 who had three children from a previous marriage.[http://kenlynews.com/july-obituaries-p8429-84.htm Kenly News: "DWIGHT PARRISH"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023112022/http://kenlynews.com/july-obituaries-p8429-84.htm |date=October 23, 2014 }} July 2014 Obituaries They announced their pending divorce on January 1, 2019.{{Cite web|first=D. Orlando |last=Ledbetter |title=Arthur Blank, wife Angela are getting a divorce |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=January 1, 2019 |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/blanks-are-getting-divorce/zlpy5gvdgazGuJnX21D4LN/ }}

Blank owns Mountain Sky Guest Ranch and West Creek Ranch outside Yellowstone National Park in Paradise Valley, Montana. He also owns a 90-meter (295 ft) $180 million superyacht named with Blank’s initials, "dreAMBoat",{{cite web |title=Unveiling the Dreamboat Yacht: A Masterpiece From Oceanco |url=https://www.superyachtfan.com/yacht/dreamboat/ |website=superyachtfan.com |publisher=SuperYachtFan |access-date=14 April 2025}} as well as several PGA TOUR Superstores.

On February 9, 2016, Blank disclosed that he had treatable prostate cancer.[http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?view=article&catid=96%3Abusiness&id=995%3Ajewish-billionaires-join-group-pledging-majority-of-their-wealth-to-charity&tmpl=component&print=1&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=279 Jewish Voice New York: "Jewish Billionaires Join Group Pledging Majority of Their Wealth to Charity" by Sholom Schreiber] April 25, 2005 On March 17, 2016, Blank announced that he is cancer-free following treatment.[http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/football/blank-announces-he-is-cancer-free/nqnHs/ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Blank announces he is ‘cancer free’" by D. Orlando Ledbetter] March 17, 2016