With the ever-increasing rate at which professional sports franchises change locations, surrounding communities must cope with the social and economic burden. The Atlanta Braves announced in November that the 2017 season would open at a new $672 million stadium in Cobb County. Turner's field will only be 21 years old when his team leaves it and has it torn down. The announcement stunned many fans due to the lack of warning received and the seemingly young age of the current stadium. City officials say a professional team will increase tax revenue, create economic growth and even bring the city closer together. Empirical studies have shown that stadiums and arenas contribute nothing to revenue or employment in metropolitan areas and that public investments are not justified (Santo, 2007, p. 456; Baade, 1996, 2000; Baade and Dye, 1990; ; Coates and Humphries, 1999; Noll and Zimbalist, 1997; With professional sports franchises changing locations so often, are there economic and societal implications of a professional sports franchise on the surrounding community? Sports stadiums are spread across the country, but over the past decade, sports have become a national pastime and not just regional entertainment. With the four major professional sports leagues occupying 38 metropolitan areas, more than half the population has almost immediate access to a local team (Rappaport and Wilkerson, 2001, p. 56). With such a large fan base, one would think that the historic landmarks of this national pastime would remain, however, the average age of all Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums is only 24 years old. Twenty-four years includes two stadiums that are more than a century old, Wrigley Field...... middle of paper ....... Beyond the economic catalyst debate: Benefits to public consumption can do they justify an investment in a municipal stadium? Journal of Urban Affairs, p. 455-479. Swindell, D. and Rosentraub, M. (1998). Who benefits from the presence of professional sports teams! Public Administration Review, 11-20. Tucker, T. (November 12, 2013). Cox Media Group. Retrieved from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-plan-to-build-new-stadium-in-cobb/nbpNQ/Zimbalist, A. (1998). The economics of stadiums, teams and cities. Review of Political Studies, 17-29. Zimmerman, D. (1997). Subsidizing stadiums: who benefits, who pays? In R. Noll and A. Zimbalist, Sports Jobs and Taxes: The Economic Impact of Sports Teams and Stadiums. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press. Zirin, D. (2010). Bad Owners: How Owners Are Ruining the Game We Love. New York, New York: Scribner.