Tennessee on the Verge of WNBA Glory: Nashville Bids for Expansion Team to Honor Pat Summitt
The state of Tennessee could soon be home to a WNBA expansion team, with Nashville’s bid to host the team gaining traction.
The proposal has received widespread support, particularly from figures with strong ties to Tennessee’s basketball legacy.
Among the most prominent advocates for this move is former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, who has voiced his backing for the initiative.
The bid, which seeks to bring a professional women’s basketball team to the Volunteer State, is seen as a fitting tribute to the late Pat Summitt, the legendary head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
Pat Summitt, a towering figure in women’s basketball, helped shape the sport in Tennessee during her three decades as head coach of the Lady Vols.
Under her leadership, the Lady Vols became one of the most dominant teams in the country, and Summitt’s influence helped propel numerous players into the professional ranks, particularly the WNBA.
Some of the most notable names in women’s basketball, such as Tamika Catchings, Kara Lawson, Candace Parker, and Rickea Jackson, are just a few of the 46 Lady Vols players who have been drafted into the WNBA, with 31 of those playing under Summitt’s coaching.
The proposed WNBA team would be the latest addition to Tennessee’s growing professional sports presence, joining other major franchises such as the Memphis Grizzlies in basketball and the Nashville Predators in hockey.
The potential new franchise would be a fitting complement to these teams, honoring the state’s rich sports culture while elevating the profile of women’s professional basketball in the region.
Among those leading the charge for the expansion team is former Lady Vols star Candace Parker, a WNBA legend herself, who is serving as one of the team’s co-owners.
Parker is joined by high-profile figures such as Peyton Manning, country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Together, this group of investors is working to bring a professional women’s basketball team to Tennessee, with a strong emphasis on honoring the legacy of Pat Summitt.
Parker, reflecting on the importance of the initiative, shared her enthusiasm: “Tennessee is the DNA of everything women’s basketball stands for.
I’m excited to be a part of the group working to bring a WNBA team to the state and honor Coach Summitt’s legacy.”
The bid for the expansion team has generated widespread support across Tennessee, particularly among fans of women’s basketball and the Lady Vols.
However, not all aspects of the bid have been universally praised. Some fans have expressed disappointment over the proposed team’s color scheme, which appears to be light blue and gold.
Many had hoped for the team to adopt the iconic blue and orange colors associated with Summitt’s Lady Vols, but it remains unclear whether these colors are temporary or final.
The fanbase’s desire for the team to honor Summitt’s legacy in this way highlights the deep connection between Tennessee’s basketball culture and the success of the Lady Vols under Summitt’s guidance.
As the bid moves forward, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the potential arrival of a WNBA team in Tennessee continue to build.
Whether or not the expansion team becomes a reality, the growing momentum reflects the lasting impact of Pat Summitt and the profound love Tennessee has for women’s basketball.
