National Football League

Falcons owner Blank, wife separating

Published Sep. 2, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and his wife, Stephanie, are separating.

A statement released Friday through The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation says Blank, a co-founder of The Home Depot, and his wife have decided to separate from their 16-year marriage. The statement says the two ''remain great friends and are committed to working together'' to raise their three children.

The 68-year-old Blank has owned the Falcons since 2002. He and his 43-year-old wife have been married since 1995.

The statement says the separation will have no effect on Blank's business enterprises.