Falcons may sweeten pot for new stadium

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ATLANTA, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons could be willing to fork over $100 million more to pump up public support for a proposed $1 billion stadium, officials say.

The deal for a new retractable roof stadium would require the team to provide $800 million, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday, citing three people familiar with the negotiations who could not speak publicly.

The original proposal called for the Falcons to provide $700 million.

In addition, the team would have to pay about $60 million to pay off the debt on the current stadium, which would be demolished, two of the sources said.

The current debt is about $98 million.

The remaining $200 million would be paid by the city of Atlanta by issuing bonds, the sources said.

Such an arrangement would not need approval by the Georgia Legislature.