Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has cautiously thrown his support behind plans for a new billion-dollar stadium for Atlanta and the Falcons.

Channel 2’s Lori Geary spoke to Deal on Wednesday about the plans to replace the Georgia Dome

Deal told Geary that if the new facility is paid for by out of town visitors and the Falcons, it is a good deal for Georgians.

“I think they have to do a good selling job to the public,” Deal said.

Deal confirmed to Geary that he has met with team management on several occasions about the possibility of a retractable roof stadium that could attract major sporting events like the Super Bowl.

Estimates show the new stadium could cost around $1 billion, with 30 percent of that money coming from the city’s 8 percent hotel/motel tax, about $24 million from the state for land purchases and $30 million from a construction sales tax rebate.

The Falcons would foot the remaining $700 million.

Deal pointed out that Georgia taxpayers would not be footing the $300 million in public money, rather out of town visitors who pay the hotel/motel tax.

 “Yes, I think overall, if we get a new facility that is upgraded and meets the current demands and needs of the future, then being on the hook for less than a third that is paid from money that comes from outsiders, I think that’s probably a good deal,” Deal said.

Deal said he is also open to the idea of raising the borrowing cap from $200 million for the Georgia World Congress Center to $300 million, but that idea would require approval of state lawmakers.