ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons Owner and Chairman, Arthur M. Blank, announced in a letter to the fans and Atlanta community the promotion of President Greg Beadles to President and Chief Executive Officer.
As President and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, Beadles will oversee all aspects of the business operations of the organization and collaborate closely with the president of football to ensure alignment of the entire business and football areas of the organization. Beadles succeeds Rich McKay, who had held the CEO role since 2011. McKay will continue as Chief Executive Officer of AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE).
"Over the past three decades, Greg has diligently served in a variety of roles throughout our organization and has made an indelible impact on those around him each step of the way," said Blank. "His expertise, institutional knowledge and leadership have been invaluable to our entire organization, and he has my full confidence and trust as he steps into this new role. I would also like to thank Rich McKay for his dedicated service to the organization over the past two decades as he shifts his focus solely to leading the AMB Sports and Entertainment portfolio."
As president of the Falcons for the past three years, Beadles maintained day-to-day oversight of finance, operations, marketing, digital, communications, human resources and community relations, as well as shared functions related to game presentation, retail, sales and service. During his tenure as president, Beadles oversaw significant expansion and renovations of the team's headquarters in Flowery Branch, Ga., while the Falcons annually ranked among the highest in overall gameday satisfaction in the NFL's Voice of the Fan survey.
"Growing up a die-hard Falcons fan in Georgia, it's been a dream to spend my career working for my hometown team," said Beadles. "I'm honored and humbled to continue to serve our organization in this new role. I want to thank Arthur for his leadership, support and trust as we work to deliver a team our community is proud of both on and off the field. I also want to thank Rich for his mentorship and guidance both personally and professionally over the past several years. I look forward to meeting this new challenge head on as we continue building a sustainable business that has the necessary resources to compete at the highest level, while making a significant impact on the community around us."
Originally beginning his career with the Atlanta Falcons as an intern after earning a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and master's degree from Georgia State University, Beadles starts his 32nd year with the club being named President and Chief Executive Officer. In his more than three decades with the organization, Beadles has been instrumental in concepting and developing AMBSE into one of the most respected multi-property sports and entertainment companies globally.
Beadles was a central figure in the organization's acquisition of an MLS expansion club that would become Atlanta United, and played a lead role in every aspect of developing, financing, designing and constructing Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS).
As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AMBSE and MBS at the time of the stadium's opening, Beadles was a key thought leader and implementor of new groundbreaking initiatives that are now widely replicated in venues across the country including digital ticketing, fan friendly pricing and cashless stadiums. In 2018, Sports Business Journal named Mercedes-Benz Stadium its Sports Facility of the Year.
In addition to leading several functions that have allowed MBS to meet Blank's vision as a best-in-class fan experience venue for sports, entertainment and private events, Beadles served as the lead executive coordinating with the NFL on all planning for Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.
Beadles currently serves on the NFL's Flag Football Committee helping grow the game from the grassroots through its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics and the establishment of new professional men's and women's leagues. The Falcons have been at the forefront of growing girls flag football in Georgia, Alabama and Montana over the past several years and have established a blueprint for other NFL clubs to follow in their own markets.
Additionally, Beadles serves on Arthur Blank's Board of Trustees providing guidance and long-term strategy on all of Blank's investments and operating businesses.
Outside of his professional roles, Beadles is a board member and finance chair of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; is co-founding board chair of both the Oak Hill Classical School in Dacula, Ga., and the Arete Scholars Fund, a non-profit that has awarded academic scholarships to over 25,000 low-income children since 2010. He also serves as advisor to Eagle Ranch, a non-profit with a mission to restore and renew relationships for children and families.
Beadles' father spent more than 50 years as a basketball coach and athletic director, mostly in Georgia, so his career, passion for the state, and ties to the Falcons are deeply rooted. Beadles and his wife Jill have four children (Ella, Grant, Evie and Hudson).
