As the Atlanta Braves stand out as a beacon of hope amid a struggling landscape for the city’s major professional sports franchises, their recent success could be the only silver lining for fans this season.
Entering the weekend with five wins in their past six games, the Braves have managed to push through setbacks, including the injury of star pitcher Spencer Strider, who has been placed on the injured list due to a hamstring issue.
Fortunately, it’s not his arm that’s injured, allowing for cautious optimism. Additionally, the team is welcoming back its key players, including Ronald Acuña, as their batting lineup begins to show signs of life.
In stark contrast, the outlook appears bleaker for Atlanta’s other professional teams. Atlanta United, known for its high-scoring strategy, has begun a rough path this season struggling to find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, the Falcons are counting on the untested quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as they venture toward the 2025 season, where expectations will be through the roof. The Hawks are gearing up for potential roster changes, but uncertainty looms regarding how much autonomy the yet-to-be-named president of basketball operations will have under principal owner Tony Ressler.
On the other hand, the Dream’s transition to a new style under first-year coach Karl Smesko adds another layer of unpredictability as the team looks to find its footing.
The responsibility for the lack of success across Atlanta’s franchises falls squarely on the shoulders of their respective owners. Cost-cutting measures haven’t been the primary concern; rather, the way funds have been allocated seems to be the underlying issue causing disillusionment among fans.
Ressler has focused on avoiding the luxury tax and even reduced this year’s payroll despite promises from general manager Alex Anthopoulos to increase it.
Fan frustration is compounded when they feel financial strategies overshadow the critical goal of building a winning team.
The Falcons made notable missteps, such as when they offered Kirk Cousins a staggering $100 million guaranteed contract only to have him benched after just 14 games.
While it’s possible that Cousins will not be with the team when the season kicks off, he could leave behind a significant salary-cap hit. The Falcons have already faced similar cap concerns after parting ways with Matt Ryan a few years back.
The Hawks also grapple with their decisions, notably signing Trae Young to a massive five-year, $215 million extension following his All-NBA recognition in 2022, but his declining performance saw him receive just one vote in 2023 and none in 2024.
To add insult to injury, Young’s salary surpasses that of established stars like Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, raising eyebrows among the fan base.
Atlanta United’s recent spending spree, reportedly exceeding $30 million in transfer fees for new attacking talent such as Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almiron, has yielded disappointing results so far.
With both strikers struggling to convert chances into goals, the club recorded a paltry total of 10 open-play goals in their first nine matches.
For the Braves, the $42 million investment in Jurickson Profar, once deemed one of the best hitters in free agency, now stands uncertain with his 80-game suspension for doping.
However, there exists a silver lining for the Braves; they possess the talent and resilience needed to rebound from early-season struggles.
Anthopoulos has a proven track record of building competitive teams, suggesting a potential upswing is on the horizon.
The other Atlanta franchises don’t enjoy such leeway. The stakes are higher, and every move they make surrounding their high-profile contracts must yield favorable outcomes.
Decisions from ownership have left fans feeling uneasy amid this turmoil. Ressler’s decisive actions earlier this season raised eyebrows after he parted ways with general manager Landry Fields following exit interviews, the rationale behind which has remained elusive.
Despite the instability, the Hawks have reached the playoffs five times since Ressler acquired the team in 2015, a slight glimmer compared to the Falcons, who haven’t made the postseason since 2017 and have a dismal 47-69 record since then.
To make matters worse, only five other franchises in the NFL can claim a worse record during that span, and only the Jets possess a longer playoff drought.
While Arthur Blank can still boast about the fan experience at the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium, even that pride is muted amidst the faltering performance of the Falcons.
Atlanta United’s recent direction has faced scrutiny as well, with team president Garth Lagerwey firing sporting director Carlos Bocanegra and bringing Chris Henderson on board.
Under the stewardship of manager Ronny Deila, who previously led NYCFC to an MLS Cup title in 2021, expectations were set high for an attacking style of play. Instead, they’ve faltered and are struggling with their goal-scoring abilities.
On a brighter note, the Dream may see improvement with Smesko at the helm, as his past success at the college level instills some hope.
The team has also made headlines by signing nine-time All-Star center Brittney Griner and three-time All-Star forward Brionna Jones, who will complement Smesko’s offense focused on shooting from beyond the arc.
The current state of Atlanta’s major leagues reflects a distinctly challenging time for the city’s sports culture.
Contrary to recent memories when all five teams enjoyed extraordinary success simultaneously, including the Braves’ 2018 NL East title and Atlanta United’s triumphant MLS Cup run, the perspective has shifted.
Now, as it stands, each of these franchises grapples with adversity as they aim for redemption.
The Braves might carry the weight for Atlanta’s sports community this season, and if they falter, it could lead to a prolonged period of hardship for Atlanta’s passionate fans.
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