Bill Haslam’s bold leap into women’s professional basketball begins with a simple yet powerful commitment: bring a WNBA franchise to Tennessee and name it the Tennessee Summitt, in honor of the late Pat Summitt—a national icon, eight‑time NCAA champion, and the architect of the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball dynasty. On January 30, 2025, former Tennessee governor and current chairman of the Nashville Predators Bill Haslam, alongside his wife Crissy and a star‑studded investor group, submitted an expansion bid to the WNBA that could reshape the sport’s landscape in the South axios.com+11bridgestonearena.com+11espn.com+11.
At the core of this initiative is a clear vision: honor Summitt’s legacy not just with a team name, but with a cultural touchstone that positions Tennessee—particularly Nashville—as a new epicenter for women’s sports. Summitt’s name carries deep resonance. Coaching the Lady Volunteers for 38 seasons, she led the program to an astounding 1,098–208 record, 18 Final Four appearances, and eight national championships si.com+2espn.com+2apnews.com+2. Her record-setting career transcended wins and loss; she transformed perceptions, raised standards, and inspired generations of players and coaches nationwide. Naming the team the Tennessee Summitt isn’t just symbolic—it’s a profound institutional anchor for women’s empowerment and athletic excellence.
What makes this bid especially compelling is its high‑caliber ownership group. Alongside the Haslams, the roster includes WNBA legend Candace Parker, two‑time NCAA champion at Tennessee under Summitt and a three‑time WNBA champion reddit.com+2apnews.com+2bridgestonearena.com+2; NFL icon Peyton Manning, whose legacy in Tennessee extends beyond the field theallstate.org+8apnews.com+8ctinsider.com+8; and country music royalty Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, whose community ties and star power elevate the franchise’s reach swishappeal.com+9bridgestonearena.com+9sbnation.com+9. This is a coalition built on athletic, cultural, and regional pride—bringing unmatched visibility, competitiveness, and leadership to the vision.
Another strategic strength of the bid lies in its commitment to infrastructure. The proposal includes building a world‑class practice facility that doubles as a youth basketball hub, serving both the Tennessee Summitt and eager young athletes across the region theallstate.org+10bridgestonearena.com+10apnews.com+10. By investing beyond game day, the ownership group demonstrates dedication to growing basketball at all levels, connecting the pro team to grassroots initiatives—just as Pat Summitt did with her Lady Vols, drawing players from communities across Tennessee.
Bridgestone Arena—home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and one of the country’s busiest mid‑sized venues—has been proposed as the franchise’s home court. With seating capacity nearing 19,400 for basketball, it offers both scale and energy for a city whose appetite for sports is only growing facebook.com+14bridgestonearena.com+14swishappeal.com+14. Haslam, as the Predators’ majority owner, brings substantial venue experience, and his team’s community‑first ethos sets an ideal template for the Summitt’s branding and fan engagement threads.com+3bridgestonearena.com+3si.com+3.
The timing feels impeccable. The WNBA is in the midst of dynamic growth: expansion franchises are in the pipeline—in 2025, the Golden State Valkyries will become the 13th team; in 2026, Toronto Tempo and another Portland team will push the league to 15; and by the 2028 season, the league aims to add a 16th franchise reuters.com+4sbnation.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4. With Nashville’s bid submitted ahead of the January 30 deadline, the Tennessee Summitt is a strong contender amid a flurry of proposals from Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Austin, Houston, Denver, Charlotte, and others theallstate.org+13sbnation.com+13sportsbusinessjournal.com+13.
The bid aligns with a larger societal momentum. The visibility and value of women’s sports have surged in recent years. Attendance, viewership, and sponsorship for the WNBA have reached all‑time highs, with the 2024 finals drawing over 200 million unique viewers worldwide. Teams led by women’s sports have leveraged greater media deals and activist branding tied to social justice, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. The Tennessee Summitt’s elevation of Summitt’s legacy could powerfully enhance that narrative, merging Southern sports culture with national importance.
Recognizing both risks and opportunities, Haslam has stated publicly that if Nashville’s bid falls short, the ownership group remains committed to pursuing the franchise—either through another expansion round or potentially purchasing an existing team reddit.com+1axios.com+1. “That first shot on goal, the rebound might not come to you. But eventually, you hang around the net enough, you’re going to get a rebound,” he said reddit.com. His message: this isn’t a one‑time attempt, but a sustained push to plant roots for women’s professional basketball in Tennessee.
Wider basketball voices have echoed support. UConn’s Geno Auriemma, whose rivalry with Summitt is etched into NCAA history, offered his endorsement: Nashville is “an excellent location” and the bid stands a strong chance theallstate.org+15ctinsider.com+15apnews.com+15. With voices from both NCAA and pro spheres recognizing the strength of the proposal, it gains both legitimacy and momentum in league evaluations.
If approved by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the expansion committee, the Tennessee Summitt would begin play in summer 2028 si.com+13espn.com+13bridgestonearena.com+13. That timeline allows enough runway for designing the team’s branding, recruiting players, and finding a suitable venue for practices and operations. Meanwhile, it accommodates Nashville’s ambitions for constructing the associated facility and building partnerships at local, state, and corporate levels.
The ripple effects could be profound. Beyond bolstering women’s representation in sports management and coaching, the franchise will create economic opportunities. Ticket sales, game‑day revenue, youth camps, merchandise, and sponsorship will activate a growing and diverse fanbase across Tennessee. It also stands to inspire girls statewide—mirroring how Summitt inspired countless young athletes to pick up basketball and reach for the highest levels.
At the same time, critics note potential challenges: Will fans be drawn in a city without an NBA team? Can the Summitt match the entertainment portfolios of NFL, NHL, and major music festivals? Will Southern conservative currents clash with the WNBA’s activist stances? These are legitimate questions, but Haslam’s multi‑sector backing and Nashville’s reputation for cultural fusion suggest these risks may be mitigated by savvy marketing and community outreach.
The name itself sparks debate. Some worry that naming a franchise after an individual—even one as legendary as Pat Summitt—might feel odd to future fans unfamiliar with her achievements swishappeal.com+6reddit.com+6ctinsider.com+6. Yet the power of the Summitt name in Tennessee is still strong, tied to the iconic statues, academic scholarships, arena tributes, and public memory. As spokesman Tyler Summitt emphasized, “I know she would be proud and honored to be included in the expansion of women’s professional basketball into Tennessee” apnews.com+2bridgestonearena.com+2espn.com+2.
It’s important to note the financial environment. Expansion fees for WNBA teams are rising steeply: $50 million for Golden State in 2025; $115 million for Toronto; and $125 million for Portland reuters.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3sbnation.com+3. Analysts predict the next expansion fee could exceed $200 million. Nashville’s bid, powered by significant investors and projected revenue streams—including Bridgestone Arena rent, youth development, and sponsorship—positions it competitively in the financial race.
This bid also dovetails with broader regional strategies. Tennessee has invested heavily in sports tourism—from college football tailgates to Predators playoff runs. With Nashville hosting a G League team, a major college tournament, and continuing growth in recreational leagues, adding a WNBA outfit enhances the ecosystem and brings women’s media coverage into sharper focus. It’s a culturally resonant move for a state that takes pride in its musical heritage, athletic tradition, and community resilience.
Ultimately, the story of the Tennessee Summitt isn’t just about a bid—it’s about legacy, vision, and possibilities. It’s a statement that women’s sports belong center stage in Nashville. It’s a reminder that Pat Summitt’s strength, determination, and ambition can continue to guide new generations. And it’s a strategic gamble that, in a region growing in ambition and cultural influence, might just pay remarkable dividends.
Over the next three years, as the WNBA sorts through bids and finalizes franchise plans, all eyes will be on Nashville. Will it become home to the 16th team? Will the Summitt legacy inspire new stars? Will the Bridgestone Arena echo with new cheers?
Bill Haslam and his team believe so. They’ve assembled vision, experience, influence, and passion. Their bid is not a faint whisper—it’s a bold leap, grounded in the past and aiming for a game‑changing future. If successful, the Tennessee Summitt will open a new chapter—not just for Tennessee, but for women’s basketball, affirming that the sport’s greatest summit is still ahead.
