"There are multiple business groups, ownership groups, in Los Angeles that are actively to place a team in Los Angeles and they're willing to pay a heck of lot more than $200 million for that opportunity," Reed told FOX 5's Morse Diggs in a phone interview on Tuesday.
Reed stressed that the Falcons never presented any ultimatums to the city.
"We have an owner who is committed to the city of Atlanta and when I met with Council, I never said anything but that he was committed to Atlanta," Reed said.
The mayor said he simply told local lawmakers it is time for a "reality check," and that supporting a reasonable public commitment is in the best interest of the city in the long term.
A preliminary plan that has been discussed calls for a new stadium to be built in Atlanta at a cost of around $1 billion, of which the Falcons would pay about $800 million. The team would also pay about $50 million to pay off debt on the Georgia Dome. The remaining $200 million would come from public funds, paid primarily from visitors through a hotel-motel tax extension.
Reed said that he wants an agreement for the public-private funding of a new home for the Falcons in 60 days.
"This is going to be well-debated but I'm not going to spend 60 or 90 or 120 days in this space, this is not complex," Reed said.
Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.
Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.
The Atlanta Braves have placed left-hander Eric O'Flaherty on the 15-day disabled list with a left elbow strain and called up right-hander Cory Rasmus from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Braves general manager Frank Wren says left-hander Eric O'Flaherty has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer The son of the U.S. national swim team director is reporting that Michael Phelps is planning a comeback for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer Is Michael Phelps planning a comeback?
Friday, May 17 2013 11:45 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:45:14 GMT
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Ken Venturi, who overcame dehydration to win the 1964 U.S. Open and spent 35 years in the booth for CBS Sports, died Friday afternoon. He was 82.
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Ken Venturi, who overcame dehydration to win the 1964 U.S. Open and spent 35 years in the booth for CBS Sports, died Friday afternoon. He was 82.
