Tennessee Makes Bid For WNBA Team
Image: sfchronicle.com
By Jonathan Reed
Bill Haslam, former Tennessee Governor and Chairman for the Nashville Predators, officially announced a bid to bring the WNBA to Tennessee.
With a team named after legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt.
First of all, great move by Bill and everyone involved to tug on the heart strings with the name. Are you really going to turn down a team named after one of the most iconic figures in women’s basketball history?
Someone get Bill on the phone to tell him to get VFL Candace Parker, another one of the most iconic figures in women’s basketball history, on the phone. Let her help spearhead this movement. Call Tamika Catchings, one of the most decorated players in league history and one of the most iconic figures in women’s basketball history and get her involved.
Ask pretty much any non-Lady Vol that’s ever played in the league their thoughts on Pat Summitt and whether or not they think she should be honored by a team in a state that has always rallied behind women’s basketball.
As one of the 3 biggest WNBA fans in Knoxville, this pumps me up. Do I wish it was in Knoxville? Sure. But I’ll settle for Nashville’s circus adding another tent.
The Caitlin Clark Effect is real. The league just delivered its most-watched regular season in 24 years and had their highest attendance of their last 22 seasons. 22 regular season games averaged at least 1 million viewers. Those are solid numbers. It makes sense to try to get in on the wave as early as possible.
Expansion has already been announced for the next two seasons. The Golden State Valkyries will begin play in 2025 as the first new team since 2008. 2026 will see Portland and Toronto add teams, bringing the league’s total to 15. Obviously, that’s an odd number. It makes sense for sports leagues to have an even number. So, it’s clear that there will be a 16th team.
Other reported cities in the mix competing with Nashville are thought to be Cleveland, who already failed in the WNBA game before with the Rockers, Kansas City with the help of Patrick Mahomes, St. Louis and Philadelphia.
Just for the record, none of those other cities have said that they plan to honor Pat Summitt, a legend of women’s basketball, with their teams.
The choice seems clear.
Editor’s Note:
After publication, it was reported that Candace Parker and Peyton Manning, along with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, were included in the Haslams ownership group.
Seriously. . . the two biggest VFLs of the last 30 years are teaming up on a franchise in the state of Tennessee that honors Pat Summitt????? You cannot turn this down.