The Atlanta Falcons have expanded the ranks of their ownership group with four new members, the team announced today.
The four new members of the group include an Olympic Gold Medalist, a Hollywood filmmaker, and successful investment and business management professionals. They received approval from the NFL’s full ownership at league meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.
The newest additions to the Falcons’ ownership team are:
- Rosalind Brewer – A former President and CEO of Sam’s Club, who served as an associate director on the board of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, a role she has been in since 2016. Brewer will continue in that position as she serves on the Falcons’ board. “With this incredible opportunity, I look forward to championing the Falcons’ successes and Atlanta’s spirit as we strive to make a genuine difference in the lives we touch, both on and off the field,” she said in a statement. Brewer also was President and CEO of Walgreen Boots Alliance, Inc. and an executive at Starbucks.
- Dominique Dawes – A three-time Olympic gymnast who went for gold in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). The Gold Medalist is the Owner and CEO of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Accademies. “The unique opportunity Mr. Blank has provided enables me to further my positive impact on those in the Atlanta community, a place I hold near and dear to my heart,” said Dawes. “Having been a global ambassador for the United States, I hope that my platform and influence as one of the few African American women to be a limited partner in the National Football League has broad impact throughout the NFL community and beyond.”
- Will Packer – A world-renowned filmmaker who has produced or executive produced several hit films (Girls Trip, Stomp The Yard, and Ride Along among them) that have collectively grossed more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office. “This investment represents not only the personal opportunity of a lifetime, but also the chance to demonstrate for generations to come that someone who looks like me can excel not only on the field, but at the highest level of the exclusive ranks of NFL ownership,” said Packer. He owns his own content production company, Will Packer Media.
- Rashaun Williams -This investor, venture capitalist, and financial literacy activist has more than 170 investments and 50 exits to his credit. He is the founder of Value Investment Group and a general partner in MVP All-Star Fund. With his co-founded venture capital fund Queensbridge Venture Partners, he was an early investor in such successful startups as Dropbox, Lyft, Robinhood, and Coinbase. “NFL football is the great unifier, bringing people together across socioeconomic, racial, and political divides,” said Williams. “As an alumnus of Morehouse College now raising a family in Atlanta, I could not be more excited to invest in the Falcons. I believe in the immense potential of this team and this city to Rise Up to the greatest heights, and I look forward to supporting the Falcons and the city of Atlanta for many successful seasons to come.”
The new partners will join the group of limited partners that includes former Falcon Warrick Dunn, retired financial advisor Ron Canakaris, United Distributors Chairman and CEO Douglas J. Hertz, and former ChoicePoint CEO Derek Smith.
“Roz, Dominique, Will and Rashaun are impressive leaders who have made an impact in a variety of enterprises, while also building histories of success making a difference in the world around them and positively impacting people in ways that align very well with our Core Values,” said Blank in a statement. “Each brings unique talent, experience and perspective to our ownership group so I’m excited to have them on board as limited partners and to tapping their vast expertise in finding ways to continue building the Atlanta Falcons and making an even bigger difference in our community.”
The new members were carefully vetted by the Falcons, the NFL, and the league’s finance committee before all 32 owners could vote for them. Brewer, Dawes, Packer, and Williams were all approved to join the Falcons’ ownership group today.