Greg Beadles represents a unique success story in professional sports management—someone who started as a $150-per-week intern and climbed to become President and CEO of an NFL franchise. His nearly three-decade journey with the Atlanta Falcons demonstrates how institutional knowledge, financial expertise, and unwavering commitment to one organization can build a remarkable career in sports leadership.
What makes his path particularly interesting is the breadth of experience he accumulated along the way. From finance intern to Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer to team President and now CEO, he has worked in virtually every aspect of professional sports operations.
Quick Facts Table
| Full Name | Greg Beadles |
|---|---|
| Profession | Sports Executive |
| Known For | President & CEO, Atlanta Falcons |
| Industry | Professional Sports Management (NFL) |
| Education | B.S. in Accounting (Louisiana State University); M.S. in Sports Administration (Georgia State University) |
| Career Start | Atlanta Falcons Internship (1995) |
| Current Position | President and CEO, Atlanta Falcons |
| Experience | Over 30 years with the Atlanta Falcons |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Jill Beadles |
| Children | Four (Ella, Grant, Evie, Hudson) |
| Residence | Georgia, United States |
Note: Certain personal details such as age and date of birth have not been publicly disclosed in verified sources.
Early Life, Family Background and Education
He grew up in Franklin Springs, Georgia, a small town where sports were woven into daily life. His father spent over 50 years as a basketball coach and athletic director at Emmanuel College, giving him early exposure to athletics administration and the commitment required to build successful programs.
Growing up in a coach’s household shaped his understanding of sports organizations from the inside. He saw firsthand the dedication, long hours, and attention to detail required to run athletic programs effectively. These early observations would later inform his own approach to sports management.
While his parents’ names have not been publicly disclosed, his father’s long career in Georgia athletics created a family tradition of sports administration in the state. Following in those footsteps while building his own career with the Falcons has created a personal legacy intertwined with Georgia sports.
After high school, he attended Louisiana State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. This foundation in finance would become crucial to his career trajectory.
Following his undergraduate degree, he pursued a Master of Science in Sports Administration at Georgia State University. This graduate program combined his accounting expertise with specialized knowledge of sports business, preparing him for work in professional athletics organizations.
Entry into Sports Management
After completing his master’s degree, he faced a career decision that would define his future. He had an opportunity to take a full-time position at Washington State University—a secure job with better pay and a clear career path toward becoming an athletic director like his father.
However, there was another option: a 10-week internship with the Atlanta Falcons paying just $150 per week. The work would involve tasks that might seem beneath someone with a graduate degree. The pay was minimal, and there were no guarantees of future employment.
The Falcons felt like home. Growing up in Georgia as a passionate Falcons fan—he had the replica red helmet and Steve Bartkowski jersey to prove it—he couldn’t pass up the chance to work for his favorite team, even if it meant financial sacrifice and career uncertainty.
“I pulled out a big atlas and started looking at it,” he recalled in an interview. “I realized, ‘If I drive 20 hours, I’m in Denver and I’m only halfway there. It’s a long way from my family and there’s no sweet tea.'”
He chose the internship in 1995, a decision that launched one of the most successful long-term careers in NFL front office history.
Rise in Professional Football Leadership
His internship work impressed Falcons leadership enough that they kept him on in various finance roles. He wasn’t starting at the top—he worked at the Falcon Inn, the team’s hotel property, and handled basic financial tasks.
He was part of the official Falcons stat crew for years, learning a game he never played but came to know intimately. He was involved in launching AtlantaFalcons.com, even setting up an online team store where he and wife Jill would fill orders and personally mail them out to fans.
Over the next several years, his duties expanded as he demonstrated competence and reliability. During this period, there were only three financial professionals in the organization, and their responsibilities went far beyond keeping the books. They oversaw player contract negotiations and salary-cap compliance, roles now filled by dedicated full-time employees.
A pivotal moment came in 2001 when he was part of the finance team that orchestrated the transfer of ownership from the Rankin Smith family to Arthur M. Blank. This high-stakes transaction required sophisticated financial analysis and negotiation.
Under Blank’s ownership, his career accelerated. Blank recognized his talent and began giving him increasing responsibility across multiple areas of the business.
Leadership Through Major Organizational Projects
In 2013, he was elevated to Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer for AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE), the parent company overseeing the Falcons and related properties.
His most significant challenge came with the development of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Working closely with team President and CEO Rich McKay, he played a lead role in every aspect of the project: financing, design, construction oversight, and negotiations with local, state, and city officials.
The stadium project involved securing public funding, managing private investment, coordinating with multiple government entities, and overseeing construction of one of the most technologically advanced sports facilities in the world.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017 to widespread acclaim. The facility’s innovative features—including the massive retractable roof and revolutionary low-price concessions strategy—reflected the organization’s commitment to fan experience.
He also played a central role in bringing Major League Soccer to Atlanta. The acquisition of an MLS expansion team that became Atlanta United required business analysis, financial planning, and integration of a second major sports franchise into the existing organizational structure.
Advancement to President and CEO
In 2023, Arthur Blank promoted him to President of the Atlanta Falcons, recognizing three decades of contributions across every area of the organization. As documented on the official Atlanta Falcons website , this promotion placed him in direct operational control of the franchise’s business operations.
As President, he assumed day-to-day oversight of finance, operations, marketing, digital media, communications, human resources, and community relations. He also managed shared functions related to game presentation, retail, sales, and service.
Then, in January 2026, came another major transition. Following the firing of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, Blank announced a significant restructuring. Rich McKay, who had served as President and CEO for over two decades, would move to a broader role across the entire Blank Family of Businesses.
He was promoted to President and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, the highest position in the franchise’s business structure. This promotion capped a remarkable 31-year journey from intern to the top executive position.
Leadership Style and Professional Philosophy
His leadership approach emphasizes thoroughness, institutional knowledge, and relationship building. Colleagues describe him as someone who understands every aspect of how the organization operates because he’s worked in virtually every department during his career.
Financial discipline remains central to his philosophy. His accounting background and years as CFO instilled careful attention to budgets, revenue projections, and financial sustainability.
He’s known for building trust through consistency and reliability. Arthur Blank has repeatedly emphasized that his “institutional knowledge, expertise and integrity” make him invaluable to the organization. This trust wasn’t built overnight—it came from decades of delivering results.
His commitment to community involvement extends beyond professional responsibilities. He co-founded the Arete Scholars Fund, a nonprofit that has provided academic scholarships to over 20,000 low-income children since 2010. He also co-founded Oak Hill Classical School in Dacula, Georgia, where all four of his children have attended. He serves on the College Football Hall of Fame board and is an elder at Restoration Presbyterian Church.
Career Challenges and Transitions
Like any executive with a three-decade career, he has navigated organizational changes, economic challenges, and professional transitions. The 2008 financial crisis occurred early in his tenure as a senior financial officer, requiring careful management of team finances during economic uncertainty.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium project presented enormous challenges. Any billion-dollar construction project involving public funding, political negotiations, and complex design requirements carries significant risk. Successfully delivering that project on schedule and budget represented a major professional achievement.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted sports business models across the league. Managing stadium operations, fan experience, and organizational finances during the pandemic required adaptability and crisis management skills.
His most recent challenge is perhaps the most significant: stepping into the CEO role during a period of organizational restructuring. The Falcons are reorganizing their football operations structure, adding a new President of Football position above the general manager and head coach.
Business and Professional Achievements
The Atlanta Business Chronicle named him CFO of the Year twice, recognizing his financial leadership and community involvement. This award acknowledged not just his professional competence but also his commitment to education-related initiatives.
He has completed the NFL Executive Management Program at Stanford University, demonstrating commitment to continuous professional development even after establishing himself as a successful executive.
His role in developing AMBSE into one of the leading multi-property sports and entertainment companies represents a significant business achievement. Managing the Falcons, Atlanta United, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium as an integrated business operation requires sophisticated organizational and financial management.
According to sports industry analysis reported by Sports Video Group , his elevation through various executive roles reflected consistent demonstration of operational excellence and leadership capability.
Net Worth and Income Overview
Greg Beadles’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed, which is common for senior executives in professional sports organizations. As a long-serving NFL executive with more than three decades of experience, his income primarily comes from executive compensation, leadership contracts, and long-term organizational roles rather than public endorsements.
Industry analysts note that executives at the president and CEO level within NFL franchises typically earn through structured salaries, performance-based incentives, and long-term agreements tied to organizational growth. Any net worth figures mentioned online should be viewed as estimates, as no official financial disclosures have been made.
Rather than focusing on personal wealth, his career is better measured by leadership impact, institutional trust, and long-term responsibility within one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises.
Personal Life and Family
He and his wife Jill live in the Dacula, Georgia area with their four children: Ella, Grant, Evie, and Hudson. The family remains deeply connected to the Atlanta community, with all of their children having attended Oak Hill Classical School, which the Beadles co-founded in 2006.
Despite opportunities that his resume could have created elsewhere, he and his family chose to stay rooted in Georgia. He has stated that being committed to a place matters to him—the community connections, family ties to the area, and deep organizational knowledge all made staying more valuable than exploring other opportunities.
The Beadles family are members of Restoration Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, where he serves as an elder. This faith commitment and church involvement reflect the personal values that Arthur Blank has cited as part of what makes him such a trusted leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greg Beadles’s educational background?
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Georgia State University. He also completed the NFL Executive Management Program at Stanford University.
How long has he worked for the Atlanta Falcons?
He began as an intern in 1995, making 2026 his 31st year with the organization. This makes him one of the longest-tenured executives with a single NFL franchise.
What role did he play in Mercedes-Benz Stadium?
He played a lead role in every aspect of developing, financing, designing and constructing the stadium, including negotiations with local, state, and city officials. He managed the financial and operational aspects that made the project possible.
What is his current position?
As of January 2026, he serves as President and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, the highest executive position in the franchise’s business operations.
About The Author
