Nashville Group Aims β€to Bring WNBA Team to Tennessee
Nashville couldβ soon be home to βaβ WNBA franchise. A βgroupβ led by former Tennessee Governor bill Haslamβ€ has submitted βa bid toβ the league for a team that would begin play in 2028.
the proposed team, named theβ Tennessee Summitt βin honorβ€ of β£legendary coach Patβ’ Summitt,β boasts a β’star-studded investorβ group.The group includes βCandace Parker, three-time WNBA champion and former Lady βVols star; Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback peyton Manning; andβ country βmusic power couple Tim McGrawβ€ and Faith Hill.
βWe believeβ a WNBA team, based in Nashville, could serve as a beacon for girls and women, young βand old, across Tennessee, β’whileβ also creating more opportunities for sports fans as our community continues to grow,β Haslam said.
The βbid also outlines plans for a practice facility that would be shared β£with youth basketball programs.
Parker, who wonβ£ two national championshipsβ€ under Summitt at the Universityβ of Tennessee,β emphasized the importance of bringing a WNBA team to the state. “Tennessee is the β’DNA of everythingβ£ women’s basketball stands for,β Parker said.β βI’m β’excited to be a β€part of the group working to bring a WNBA team to the βstateβ and honor Coach Summitt’s legacy.”
Summittβs son, Tyler, echoed Parker’sβ’ sentiments, stating that his mother, who passed away in 2016, would be β”proudβ€ and honored” to be part of the expansion of women’s professional basketball into Tennessee.
The Nashville team would play at Bridgestone Arena, current home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, which Haslam began purchasing in 2022.
The WNBA is β€currently expanding, β€with Golden State, Portland, and Torontoβ£ joining the league in theβ’ next two seasons, bringing the total number of franchises to 15. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has indicated βthe league’s desire to add a 16th team by 2028, with Clevelandβ’ also submitting a bid βin November.
**A:** The bid includes plans for a practice facility β€that wouldβ’ also be shared with youth basketball programs, aiming to foster communityβ’ engagement and support the progress of young athletes. β
Nashville Group aims to βBring WNBA Team to Tennessee
Nashville could soon be home to βa WNBAβ franchise. A group led by former Tennessee Governor bill haslam has submitted a bid to the league for a team that would begin play in 2028.
The proposed team, named βthe Tennesseeβ Summitt in honor ofβ’ legendary coach Pat Summitt, boasts aβ star-studded investor group. The group includes Candace Parker, three-time WNBAβ’ champion and former Lady βVols star; β£Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning; and country music power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
βWe believe a WNBA team, based in Nashville, could serve as a beacon for girls and women, young and old, across Tennessee, while also creating more opportunities for sports fans as our community continues to grow,β Haslam said.
The bid also outlines plans for a practice facility that would be shared with youth basketball programs.
Parker, who won twoβ£ national championships under Summitt at the β£University of Tennessee, emphasized the importance βof bringingβ a WNBA team to the state. “Tennessee is the DNA of everything women’s βbasketball stands for,β Parker said.βI’m excited to be a part of the group working to bring a WNBAβ’ team to theβ’ state and honor Coach Summitt’s legacy.”
Summittβs son, Tyler, echoed Parker’s sentiments, stating that βhis mother, who passed away in 2016, β£would be “proudβ and honored” to be part of the expansion of women’s professional basketball into Tennessee.
The Nashville team would play at Bridgestone Arena, current home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, which Haslam began purchasing in 2022.
The WNBA is currently expanding, withβ€ Golden State, Portland, and Toronto joining the league in the next two βseasons, bringing the total number of franchises to 15. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert βhas indicated the league’s desire βto add a 16th team by 2028,with Cleveland also submitting a bid in November.
Frequently Askedβ£ Questions
Q: When could the Nashvilleβ team begin play?
A: The bid proposes a start date of 2028.
Q: Who are some of the key figures behind the bid?
A: The group is led by former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and includes WNBA champion Candace Parker, NFL legend Peyton Manning, and β£country music stars Tim McGrawβ and Faith Hill.
Q: Why is the team named the Tennessee Summitt?
A: The team is named β€to honor the legacy of legendary University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt.
Q: Where would βthe teamβ£ play its home games?
A: The nashville team would play at Bridgestone Arena, currently home to the NHL’s Nashville Predators.
The excitement around bringingβ a β’WNBA team to Nashville is palpable. To learn more about this β€potential expansion and how you can get involved, visit the official website of the Nashville WNBA bid.
