Final answer:
The new owners of the Atlanta Falcons conducted surveys at arena exits as the first step to develop customer-defined standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step taken by the new owners of the Atlanta Falcons to develop customer-defined standards was to conduct surveys at arena exits. By soliciting feedback directly from the customer base through these surveys, the owners could understand the fans' experiences and preferences, which would inform the creation of service standards that meet their expectations.
This approach is part of a broader economic development strategy that includes attracting professional sports teams and building sports stadiums, as discussed by James Joyner in 'Public Financing of Private Sports Stadiums' and confirmed by the research of John Siegfried and Andrew Zimbalist. It is noteworthy that such customer engagement strategies are essential for service improvement and can ultimately affect ticket sales, merchandise sales, and overall fan loyalty.