The chairman of the NHL's Nashville Predators and his wife have submitted a bid to bring a WNBA team to Music City, Nashville. The investor group, which includes notable figures such as Candace Parker, Peyton Manning, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill, aims to establish a franchise that would commence play in 2028. The team is proposed to be named the Tennessee Summitt in honor of the late legendary basketball coach, Pat Summitt.
The bid, spearheaded by former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, emphasizes the growing prominence of women's professional sports globally and the potential for a WNBA team in Nashville to inspire girls and women of all ages across Tennessee. The group envisions the team as a symbol of empowerment and an avenue for expanding sports opportunities within the community.
In addition to the team, the Nashville bid includes plans for constructing a practice facility for the WNBA team, which would also be utilized for youth basketball programs. Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion and a key figure in the investor group, expressed her excitement about the prospect of bringing a WNBA team to Tennessee and paying tribute to Coach Summitt's legacy.
Pat Summitt, a Tennessee native and iconic women's basketball coach, led the University of Tennessee Lady Vols to numerous successes during her illustrious career. Her son, Tyler, highlighted her advocacy for women's sports and leadership, underscoring her potential pride in the expansion of women's professional basketball into Tennessee.
The proposed team is slated to play at Bridgestone Arena, the current home of the NHL's Nashville Predators. Bill Haslam, who initiated the acquisition of a majority share in the Predators in 2022, is at the forefront of the efforts to bring a WNBA team to Nashville.
The WNBA is in the process of expanding its franchises, with three new teams set to join the league in the upcoming seasons. The addition of Golden State, Portland, and Toronto will bring the total number of franchises to 15, with plans to introduce a 16th team by the 2028 season. Cleveland has also expressed interest in reintroducing a WNBA franchise to Ohio.
These developments signal a significant growth trajectory for women's professional basketball, with Nashville potentially becoming a new hub for the sport in the near future.
