Private equity firm Arctos has agreed to buy a 10% stake in the Atlanta Falcons at a reported enterprise valuation of $10.6 billion, with the transfer planned in two tranches and subject to an expected NFL vote in October. If approved, the deal would make the Falcons Arctos’ fourth NFL investment, following the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. Arthur Blank, who co-founded Home Depot and bought the Falcons for $545 million in 2002, controls just under 73% of the team, although it remains unclear whether the stake would come solely from his position. The transaction comes as NFL franchise values rise, with the pending Seattle Seahawks sale valued at $9.61 billion, potentially a league record. CNBC valued the Falcons at $8 billion in September 2025, ranking them 11th in the NFL. Atlanta has never won a Super Bowl and missed the playoffs again in the 2025-26 season, but CEO Greg Beadles said the team’s business performance remained strong. The deal reflects a broader expansion of private equity and venture capital into professional sports, as leagues permit institutional investment and rising media, sponsorship, merchandising and related-business revenues support higher valuations.