Legendary Tennessee Stars Unite for Groundbreaking WNBA Bid
A group of Tennessee-based investors is working to bring a WNBA team to the state, aiming to make history with a franchise that honors one of the most iconic figures in women’s basketball.
This ambitious expansion bid, led by former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, brings together a diverse ownership group, including celebrated athletes Candace Parker and Peyton Manning, as well as famous entertainers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
The proposed team, based in Nashville, would be named the Tennessee Summitt, a tribute to legendary University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt.
Summitt, who passed away in 2016, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, with a record-setting career that includes eight NCAA championships and over 1,000 wins.
Haslam, who submitted the bid for Tennessee to join the WNBA in 2028, emphasized that the team would not only bring top-tier basketball to Nashville but would also serve as a source of inspiration for women and girls across the state.
“A WNBA team based in Nashville could be a beacon of empowerment for girls and women of all ages throughout Tennessee,” Haslam said. “It also offers an exciting opportunity to create a deeper connection between sports fans and their growing community.”
As part of the bid, the ownership group has proposed the construction of a state-of-the-art practice facility, which would serve both the WNBA team and as a venue for youth basketball programs.
This plan reflects the group’s commitment to fostering both professional and grassroots basketball development within the state.
Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion, expressed her strong support for the initiative.
In a statement, she highlighted Tennessee’s deep connection to the sport of women’s basketball. “Tennessee is the DNA of everything women’s basketball stands for,” Parker said.
She later took to social media to reflect on how meaningful it would be to bring a WNBA team to her home state and to honor Coach Summitt’s legacy in a place so central to her own journey.
Parker’s comments underscore the significance of the franchise to the local basketball community.
The proposed team would not only represent the state’s rich basketball tradition but also provide a platform for inspiring future generations of athletes.
The move to bring a WNBA team to Tennessee could have a lasting impact on the sport, particularly for young girls who aspire to play at the highest levels.
The Tennessee Summitt, should the bid succeed, would not only be a tribute to Summitt’s legacy but would also play a pivotal role in the ongoing growth of women’s professional basketball, offering new opportunities and a spotlight for talented athletes both on and off the court.
