Falcons owner Arthur Blank has experienced resistance for new stadium funding from some Georgia politicians. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Falcons are the latest NFL team linked to a possible move to the Los Angeles market, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank reportedly told Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed and other officials that Los Angeles leaders have approached him about moving the franchise to Southern California.

Gov. Nathan Deal expressed concern Tuesday.

“It’s incumbent on us to make sure we don’t lose the franchise,” Deal said.

“What it does is emphasize the fact that having a major football team like the Atlanta Falcons is a sought-after commodity,” Deal said. “I recognize that fact.”

Deal did not tie Blank’s report to his team’s negotiations with the state on financial incentives toward construction of a new $1 billion stadium. The city of Atlanta may also be drawn into financial talks if the state’s package does not suit the team. Deal credited Blank with not yet threatening to move the Falcons.

“Arthur Blank has never played that card, and I give him credit for that,” said Deal, who added that “I have not had any direct conversations about this.”

While Deal has supported dedicating $300 million in hotel tax revenue in a partnership with the team, he is still calling on the team to carry a substantial load. Blank is on the record desiring a new downtown stadium, but some Georgia legislators have publicly protested the concept of any public financing for the new stadium.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank feels has faith in Coach Mike Smith. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank feels “blessed” to have Mike Smith coaching the Falcons and said his head coach of 4 seasons is not on the hot seat.

In a Q&A interview with D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Blank expressed confidence in the “partnership” he shares with Smith and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Q: What about the notion that Coach Mike Smith is on the hot seat?

A: He’s not on any hot seat. Coach Smith, he and Thomas, I particularly feel really blessed – and I don’t use that word every day, all day long – I feel blessed having them both in place … Obviously, we are trying to get to the next level. I have confidence that we’ll be able to do that. I have faith in Smitty … and faith in all of our coaches. I really do.

Smith has earned multiple coach of the year awards while leading the Falcons to a 43-21 record, four consecutive winning seasons and three playoff appearances, but his lack of success in the postseason — 0-3 — has generated speculation that his talented team may need a change if that streak continues this season.

According to The Marietta Daily Journal, Blank, Smith and the Falcons are feeling the pressure — but not panicking — to win a playoff game this postseason.

“The message to the guys is to be a better team this year than we were last year — across the board,” Smith said Tuesday. “If we reach that goal, we’re going to like where we’re at.”

Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank became one of the first NFC South owners to comment on the punishment for the Saints three-year bounty program, according to ESPN.  

“I think the league has handled it well and appropriately,” Blank said. “One of the other owners made this point, but I told the commissioner I totally agree with him, the NFL, outside of our stadiums, the only things we really own are our reputation, our integrity, our shield and the relationship and trust we have with our fans and our sponsors. Anything that’s done that violates that or hurts that, is something that has to be dealt with. My view is that everything the commissioner has stood for since 2006, which has to do with the shield, the trust, the fans and player safety, etc. really that goes completely in the opposite direction based on the New Orleans experience.”

Blank believes that the bounty program was wrong on every level, and took away from the foundation of the game.

“There’s just not a place for that in the game,” Blank said. “It’s a tough game and you’re supposed to be physical, etc. but there’s a line there. It’s not even a fine line. It’s a bright line that you just can’t cross.”

The Saints and the Falcons have competed with each other for the NFC South crown each year since 2008.