A deal that would bring the Atlanta Falcons a $948 million retractable-roof stadium is closer to getting done, according to the Georgia World Congress Center. There are still obstacles, though. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that location and the change to the area political climate are two issues facing the progress of this deal.

The stadium is supposed to go downtown and state funding is also in question. A GWCC spokeswoman said the organization is working diligently to reach an agreement by the end of the year, but like previous targeted dates, that's more of a guideline that a deadline.

Here is what GWCC spokeswoman Jennifer LeMaster had to say about evaluating a location for the new stadium.

"Our evaluation is requiring additional assessments including environmental studies, traffic and other considerations and is not complete."

The Falcons are committed to playing in the Georgia Dome until the bonds on the building are paid off, which the AJC reports is scheduled for 2020, but on pace to be as early as 2018.

Read more on the Falcons at The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta.