Bill Haslam’s Bold Leap: Tennessee’s New WNBA Team “Tennessee Summitt” Poised to Shake Up Women’s Basketball
In an era where women’s sports are finally beginning to receive the recognition, investment, and visibility they deserve, former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam has made a bold and history-making move. Haslam, widely respected for his leadership both in politics and in the business world, has emerged as the visionary owner behind a new WNBA expansion team—the “Tennessee Summitt.” Named in honor of the legendary Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history, the team is set to make its debut in the 2026 WNBA season. With this franchise, Haslam isn’t just founding a new team—he’s reviving a basketball legacy and planting the seeds of a new sports dynasty in the heart of Tennessee.
The announcement of the Tennessee Summitt has already sent ripples across the basketball landscape. Women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented momentum. The 2023-24 NCAA season shattered viewership records, attendance grew at both the collegiate and professional levels, and the WNBA’s popularity surged, buoyed by a new generation of stars. Within that context, the launch of a new team feels timely, urgent, and deeply consequential. But what sets the Tennessee Summitt apart is not just its potential to be another expansion team, but its promise to become a cultural and competitive force—with roots planted deep in a state that helped define women’s basketball in America.
Pat Summitt’s legacy looms large in Tennessee. Her unparalleled coaching record, commitment to developing young women on and off the court, and fearless advocacy for gender equity changed not just the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, but the entire fabric of women’s sports. For decades, Knoxville was the epicenter of elite women’s basketball. Under her leadership, the Lady Vols won eight national championships, and Pat Summitt became a national icon. Naming the new WNBA franchise after her isn’t just a nod to history—it’s a statement of intent. This team aspires to carry forward her legacy, re-establish Tennessee as a powerhouse in women’s basketball, and lead with the same grit, excellence, and innovation that defined her career.
Bill Haslam’s role in this development is significant and, in many ways, unexpected. A Republican politician known for his pragmatic governance, Haslam served as Tennessee’s governor from 2011 to 2019. Since leaving office, he’s maintained a relatively low profile, occasionally stepping into business and philanthropic ventures. His involvement in women’s professional basketball might have seemed unlikely a few years ago, but those who know him say his decision was fueled by a deep belief in the transformative power of sports—and a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to his state’s cultural and economic future.
In press interviews and public statements, Haslam has emphasized that this team is about more than basketball. It’s about civic pride, economic development, gender equality, and legacy. He views the Tennessee Summitt as a project that reflects Tennessee’s past and its future—a franchise that will inspire young girls across the region, generate jobs, boost tourism, and create a shared identity for fans throughout the state. Already, city and state leaders are celebrating the announcement as a landmark moment. Knoxville, where the team will be based, is preparing to welcome professional basketball with open arms, and renovations are reportedly underway to transform Thompson-Boling Arena into a premier WNBA venue.
What makes this initiative especially compelling is how it weaves together past, present, and future. The team’s name and location ground it firmly in tradition. The roster and management, however, will represent the cutting edge of the sport. Haslam and his leadership team are reportedly committed to building a first-rate front office and coaching staff—one that not only understands the culture of women’s basketball, but is capable of competing at the highest level from day one. They are expected to prioritize diversity, player development, and community engagement. Sources close to the organization say that the hiring process has already begun and that some high-profile names in college and professional basketball are being considered.
From a talent perspective, the timing couldn’t be better. With college stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers energizing audiences and bringing massive attention to the women’s game, the talent pipeline has never been stronger. The NCAA’s recent surge in visibility has helped elevate players’ brands and draw millions of new fans to women’s basketball. Many of these fans are looking to follow their favorite players into the WNBA, and expansion is a natural next step. By the time the Tennessee Summitt hits the court in 2026, the league is expected to be even more competitive, with expanded media deals, higher salaries, and a growing international footprint.
Haslam’s bet on the WNBA also reflects a broader recognition of women’s sports as a smart investment. For decades, women’s leagues were overlooked or underfunded despite strong indicators of untapped potential. That’s no longer the case. In recent years, sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and TV ratings have all surged for women’s sports, particularly basketball. Corporations are lining up to associate themselves with athletes who not only excel on the court but also resonate culturally and socially. The Tennessee Summitt is poised to benefit from that momentum. Early reports suggest that major national brands are already in talks to become founding sponsors, and season ticket deposits have poured in from across the region.
While much of the attention is on the future, the emotional resonance of this team’s creation cannot be overstated. For longtime Lady Vols fans, this is more than a WNBA franchise—it’s the next chapter in a beloved basketball saga. Pat Summitt built something transcendent in Tennessee. She didn’t just win games—she built a culture of excellence, resilience, and sisterhood. Her players went on to become coaches, executives, leaders. Her impact reverberates across generations. The Tennessee Summitt is a way to keep that legacy alive, to translate college greatness into professional glory, and to give the region a team to rally around once again.
Critically, the WNBA’s expansion comes at a time when the league is actively working to deepen its reach across the U.S. and connect with underserved markets. Until now, the Southeastern U.S. has been underrepresented in the league, despite its deep basketball roots. With the introduction of a team in Tennessee, the league can tap into a rabid sports culture, an existing fan base with deep emotional ties to women’s hoops, and a region with immense growth potential. It’s a move that strengthens the league’s national footprint while honoring its grassroots origins.
There will, of course, be challenges. Building a new franchise from scratch is no small feat, especially in a league that’s rapidly becoming more competitive. The front office will need to master the expansion draft, build a compelling brand, create immediate community engagement, and establish a winning culture. But if any place is ready to embrace that challenge, it’s Tennessee. And if any ownership group has the resources, commitment, and strategic insight to pull it off, it may well be the one led by Bill Haslam.
The excitement around the Tennessee Summitt is palpable—and growing. Fans are already speculating about the inaugural jersey design, which is rumored to include visual nods to Lady Vols colors and iconography. Social media is abuzz with renderings, wishlists for coaches, and dreams of what an Opening Night in Knoxville might look like. Former players, WNBA legends, and college coaches have voiced their support for the move, many of them noting how appropriate it is that a state that has given so much to the game is now getting a professional team that reflects that legacy.
As 2026 draws closer, all eyes will be on Knoxville. The Tennessee Summitt represents more than just an expansion team—it symbolizes a movement, a revival, a continuation of something sacred. It is, in many ways, a full-circle moment for women’s basketball in America. From the hardwood of Thompson-Boling Arena to the national stage of the WNBA, the echoes of Pat Summitt’s voice—her call to courage, discipline, and determination—will now resonate through a new generation of players. Thanks to Bill Haslam’s bold leap, that voice will not only be remembered—it will roar once more.
In a time when sports can often feel transactional or driven purely by profit, the story of the Tennessee Summitt is a reminder of what teams can mean. They are vessels of history, community, and hope. They can inspire change, create unity, and carry forward a legacy that transcends wins and losses. If the Summitt lives up to its name—and there’s every reason to believe it will—Tennessee could once again find itself at the very center of the women’s basketball universe. And Pat Summitt, watching from the mountaintop she helped build, would surely be proud.
