Why now?
Nashville and Middle Tennessee have a long history of supporting baseball, both at the Minor League level and with the Negro Leagues. Public support for the Titans, Predators, Nashville Soccer Club and the Sounds further demonstrates that Nashville residents support their sports teams.
The growing popularity of Nashville has led to rapid development and the relocation of numerous Fortune 500 businesses. Given market projections of continued growth, many believe in the very near future that Nashville can support a Major League Baseball franchise that will generate positive net revenue for Major League Baseball owners and provide unmatched family experiences for our fans. The economic growth of Nashville makes it possible to develop this mixed-use development with limited public money for development related to entitlements.
Do you plan to do any research to see if this will work?
Music City Baseball has already done a great deal of work examining the market, identifying the pros and cons of a fourth professional sports franchise, and exploring the views of the local community, business and sports leaders and representatives. We will commission a feasibility study by a neutral nationally recognized firm to answer the question whether Nashville can support a Major League Baseball franchise.
Does the team have a name?
If awarded a franchise, the current plans are to name the new team the “Nashville Stars” in honor of several Negro Leagues baseball teams that played games in Nashville prior to the integration of Major League Baseball. We intend to honor that legacy. The name also recognizes that Nashville is home to numerous stars in music, entertainment and sports.
What’s the Connection with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum?
Music City Baseball has formed a strong, long-term partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. We believe in the mission and work of the Museum, and want to honor the contributions of the Negro Leagues to baseball and to American society. In turn, the Museum leadership supports our mission and believes that Nashville can support a Major League Baseball franchise.
How long will it take to get a team in Nashville?
The league has said publicly that it’d like to expand from 30 to 32 teams once the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays get their stadium situations resolved. Once that gets fully resolved, expansion discussions could begin soon after.
In the meantime, we continue paving the way so that Nashville is ready whenever that time comes.
Where is the stadium going?
Music City Baseball entered into an agreement with Mortenson in January 2024 to conduct a site & market analysis of at least five potential ballpark sites in the Nashville market. These sites include three in Davidson County, one in Williamson County, and one in Rutherford County. The analysis will include concept designs, renderings, infrastructure assessments, market studies, and other key metrics for each site option.
Who is going to own the team?
That is a decision that will ultimately be up to Major League Baseball. But, the eventual Principal Owner/General Partner will use the work we’ve completed these past 5 years. This includes using the work we’ve done with Mortenson on the site & market analysis and the successful development of the Nashville Stars brand.
Our goal is that MCB and its shareholders will ultimately retain a limited partnership once the General Partner is identified.
Do you have any community partnerships?
Baseball is the nation’s favorite pastime and Music City Baseball continues to engage families and the entire Nashville community to support the Nashville Stars.
We are proud members of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Nashville Sports Council. We also continue to engage with numerous community organizations throughout the Nashville area.
Who’s leading this initiative?
The Music City Baseball leadership team and advisors are diverse and bring a wide range of experience from business, sports, entertainment and various other industries. The leadership team and group of advisors are experienced and effective. The MCB board includes Alberto Gonzales, Board Chair, former Attorney General of the United States; John Loar, Board Member and Managing Director, real estate developer, with experience in the sports and entertainment fields; Bob Kendrick, Board Member, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City, MO; and Eddie George, Board Member & Real Estate Development Advisor, Heisman trophy winner, NFL Rookie of the Year and former running back for the Tennessee Titans.
Our baseball advisors include Tony La Russa, member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame with expansive experience in baseball team management and organization (presently La Russa, who is Manager of the Chicago White Sox, will advise only during the off season); and Tim Corbin, Head Baseball Coach at Vanderbilt University and coach of the 2014 College World Series Champions.
Justin Timberlake, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, Kix Brooks, Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Larry Gatlin, Mickey Guyton, and others are all part of our Music Industry Advisors and support the efforts of Music City Baseball.
Our entire Leadership Roster can be found HERE.
HOW WILL A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FRANCHISE AFFECT THE NASHVILLE SOUNDS?
The Nashville Sounds are a first-class organization and have been a strong community partner for Nashville. The success of the Sounds demonstrates the strong local support for baseball.
Music City Baseball continues the work to determine whether Middle Tennessee can support both a Major League Baseball franchise and a Triple A minor league team. We intend to work with the City of Nashville, Major League Baseball and the Sounds to find a mutually acceptable and beneficial outcome for all parties and for the taxpayers of Nashville.