Ex-Tennessee Governor, Bill Haslam, foresees a Major League Baseball team gracing Nashville in the future, but does candidly recognize the financial obstacles in such a project. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has singled out Nashville as a potential candidate for expansion, while the city’s mayor, Freddie O’Connell, centers his attention on the necessity of a robust ownership profile.
In Haslam’s eyes, Nashville acquiring its own MLB franchise is a certainty, albeit the road to achieving it ‘will be real’ with significant challenges. An intriguing query that arises is whether Haslam, who is set to become the predominant proprietor of the Nashville Predators, would consider aiding this venture through an ownership role.
The answer to that is yet to be determined. Notably though, Haslam, who has submitted a proposal for a Women’s National Basketball Association franchise in Nashville, didn’t deny this possibility.
“I trust in Nashville,” Haslam expressed during an interview with The Tennessean in early June. He did, however, assert that several conditions need to be met – firstly, the successful attainment of a franchise. Secondly, the financial framework, inclusive of the stadium, must be proven viable.
According to Haslam, owning an MLB team poses a unique set of challenges that stand above those in other sports, primarily due to the absence of a firm salary cap. He posed this as an issue by contrasting the financial disparity between teams such as the New York Mets and the Brewers.
He openly questioned the feasibility of limiting the enormous payroll of a team like the Mets, which could potentially reach $500 million, while the Brewers struggle with a significantly lesser $70 to 90 million. He noted, as the slated majority owner of the Predators come July 1st, that strides are being taken towards resolving this issue.
The prospect of an MLB team establishing roots in Nashville isn’t a fresh concept. Music City Baseball, a group formed in 2019, has been endeavoring to make this ideation a reality. Rob Manfred, the MLB commissioner, who expressed his aspiration of having a two-team expansion blueprint ready before his tenure ends in early 2029, dubbed Nashville as a ‘good candidate’ for a new team.
In parallel, Nashville’s mayor Freddie O’Connell didn’t negate the city’s potential as a potential MLB landing spot. His focus, however, accentuates the requirement of a sturdy and resolute ownership group.
Recent events stoked this possibility further. Last week, news broke that Justin Ishbia, the minority owner of Nashville SC, has entered into a ‘long-term ownership agreement’ to procure Jerry Reinsdorf’s majority stake in the Chicago White Sox, to be effective between 2029 and 2033. This development triggered some conjecture about the team eventually making a move to Nashville.
Rumors hinting at this possibility initially surfaced in December 2023, when Reinsdorf engaged in talks with Mayor O’Connell during MLB’s winter conference held at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Regardless of whether an expansion team comes into fruition or an existing team decides to relocate to Nashville, Haslam holds the belief that the city has the potential to facilitate it. But the question still lingers – whether he would play a part in this venture remains ambiguous.
In Haslam’s words, “I believe baseball is achievable in Nashville.” He does, however, sound a cautionary note concerning the abundant challenges that coincide. Key aspects being the necessity of a dedicated stadium and the crucial coordination of its completion with the team’s arrival.