Vision

History

Opportunity

  • VISION
  • HISTORY
  • OPPORTUNITY

Greatness holds no boundary to time and in honoring Nashville's past we swing for the Stars of tomorrow

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Vision

Music City Baseball, LLC (“MCB”) is an organization of Nashville business, sports, music and community leaders. MCB is committed to bringing a Major League Baseball franchise to the City of Nashville as a central piece of a mixed-use, multi-themed family, sports, and entertainment district.

Our focus is to secure Major League Baseball approval of an expansion franchise in Nashville, although, relocation and rebranding of an existing franchise would also be considered. Our goal is to complete construction of a new baseball stadium by early 2024 and commence competition in the Spring of 2024.

History

Baseball is the heart of many communities across our country and Nashville is no exception. From young ball players to college athletes, baseball provides a sense of community where everyone in their own way can be a “star.” The principal objectives of Music City Baseball are to establish our brand “Nashville Stars” while honoring the rich history and traditions of baseball in Nashville and Tennessee. 

The Negro Leagues have had a great impact on baseball. African Americans and other minority players fundamentally shaped the foundation of the game of baseball. Music City Baseball will connect our history from the ball fields of yesterday to the stadiums of tomorrow. 

Upon approval from Major League Baseball, together we will make history by becoming the first franchise to honor a team name from the Negro Leagues-Nashville Stars. Music City Baseball is excited to announce our collaboration through a revenue sharing partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Diversity without equity is not enough and honoring the traditions and history of the Negro Leagues is a way we can connect to our history and our future. Baseball is a bridge to a better, more equitable society. 

HISTORY TIMELINE
NOTABLE QUOTE
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Opportunity

Establish a partnership between local and state leadership to benefit Davidson County in the development of a family themed mixed-use real estate, stadium/entertainment district comparable to other recent baseball stadium projects such as The Battery in Atlanta, GA and Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX.

Music City Baseball will also establish a regional sports network with a broadcast partner to expand our reach to “stars” at home and away. This partnership will allow fans to be part of the Nashville Stars experience, even when they are unable to join us at the ballpark.

Next Upcoming Event
06 March 2020

Nashville Stars Spring Training @ The Bluebird Cafe

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Music City Baseball Leadership Team

John Loar

Managing Director
John Loar is responsible for all day-to-day business operations of MCB. He has 30 years of experience in the real estate development, sports and entertainment fields. He led the acquisition efforts on behalf of investment groups for two Major League Baseball franchises and executed both the acquisition and sale of the Seattle Seahawks. He served as Vice President of Blackhawk Corporation, one of the country’s largest residential and commercial real estate developers.

Alberto R. Gonzales

Chairman of the Board
Alberto R. Gonzales served as the 80th Attorney General of the United States and former Counsel to the President. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of MCB and brings experience dealing with the media and governmental entities and addressing complex legal and business issues.

Tony La Russa

Baseball Advisor
Tony La Russa, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, has a career’s worth of experience in baseball team management and organization. Former Major League Baseball Manager with St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox. 4× Manager of the Year. 4× World Series Champion. Advisory role in the off-season only.

Dave Stewart

Board Member | Advisor
Dave Stewart, a Major League Baseball All-Star with the Oakland A’s and the General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball Coach and Executive. Major League Baseball Pitcher with Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays. 3× World Series Champion.

Steve Hodges

Music Industry Advisor
Steve Hodges is the Executive Vice President of Sony Music Nashville. He is responsible for management of Sony Music Nashville’s three labels and its roster of artists. He has had a successful 25-year career in entertainment management and brings relationships with high profile artists who have expressed interest in being part of the group.
VIEW BOARD & ADVISOR ROSTER

CONCEPTUAL STADIUM SITE PLANS

Renderings are for illustrious purposes only which are intended to depict one possible location 
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A regulation baseball bat commemorating the legacy and future of the “Nashville Stars”. Made in Middle Tennessee, displays the STARS insignia and team name with the proclamation “Honoring Baseball History & Tradition in Music City”.
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Nashville business, sports, music, and community leaders committed to bringing Major League Baseball to the Music City.

Nashville Stars
BaseballDigestBaseball Digest@BaseballDigest·
7 Jan

Don't miss a candid and uplifting conversation with Bob [email protected] the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the January-February 2020 issue of #BaseballDigest. It's on sale now. Or subscribe at http://baseballdigest.com.

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NashvilleStarsNashville Stars@NashvilleStars·
17 Jan

Don't miss our very own @nlbmprez as he marches in the #MLKDayParade this coming Monday! It's going to be an incredible event—excited to see all of you there!

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NashvilleStarsNashville Stars@NashvilleStars·
2 Jan

Thoughts on MLB expansion and why Nashville is among the strongest candidates (hat tip to the team at @OTHeroics1) https://www.overtimeheroics.net/index.php/2020/01/02/mlb-expansion-and-realignment/

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Recent News

Letter Of Support: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick's letter of support as provided to Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. As an organization of unique and valued distinction, Bob Kendrick gracefully urges favorable consideration and support of Music City Basebll and efforts to award a franchise to Nashville.
November 27, 2019

Letter Of Support: Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association

In a letter of support from Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association, President Nick Hiter outlines the organizations long-standing and extraordinary support of our Nashville community. Additionally, the letter provides endorsements of not only Music City Baseball but also their board members Farrell Ownes and Steve Smith serving as Music City Baseball Advisors.
November 27, 2019

A Look at the David Williams Fall Classic

The Sunday, Nov. 10th baseball exhibition between Vanderbilt and Michigan named the David Williams Fall Classic, honored the late Vanderbilt vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletics director while promoting diversity and inclusion in athletics. Vanderbilt worked closely with Nike, Music City Baseball and the Negro League Baseball Museum to develop uniforms that …
November 15, 2019

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SOME ANSWERS TO WHAT YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW

Nashville and Middle Tennessee both have a long history of supporting baseball, both at the Minor League level and with the Negro Leagues. Public support for the Sounds, Titans and Predators further demonstrates that Nashville residents support their sports teams.

The growing popularity of Nashville has led to rapid development and the relocation of numerous Fortune 500 businesses. Given market projections of continued growth many believe Nashville can support a Major League Baseball franchise that will generate positive net revenue for Major League Baseball owners and provide unmatched family experiences for our fans. The economic growth of Nashville makes it possible to develop this mixed-use development without public money.

Music City Baseball has already done a great deal of work examining the market, identifying the pros and cons of a fourth professional sports franchise, and exploring the views of the local community, business and sports leaders and representatives. We will commission a feasibility study by a neutral nationally recognized firm to answer the question whether Nashville can support a Major League Baseball franchise.
If awarded a franchise, the new team will be named the “Nashville Stars” in honor of several Negro Leagues baseball teams that played games in Nashville prior to the integration of Major League Baseball. We want to honor that legacy. The name also recognizes that Nashville is home to numerous stars in music, entertainment and sports.

Music City Baseball has formed a strong partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. We believe in the mission and work of the Museum and we recognize and want to honor the contributions of the Negro Leagues to baseball and to American society. In turn, the Museum supports our mission and believes that Nashville can support a Major League Baseball franchise.

Major League Baseball has not expanded in over 20 years and owners have not given any indication they support a franchise in Nashville. However, if Nashville can prove the case that the City will support a Major League Baseball team and that our franchise will produce positive net  revenue that can be shared among Major League Baseball owners then it is our hope owners will seriously consider expansion to Nashville. Securing a franchise is a long term and difficult process that will almost certainly take several years under the best of circumstances. We are committed to the process and to  laying the foundation so we are best positioned when Major League Baseball owners agree to expand.

We understand there is a buy-in expansion fee to Major League Baseball owners in excess of $1 billion. Through a series of private offerings, Music City Baseball initially intends to raise more than $4.5 million to cover operating expenses for the next three years. During this initial phase we will continue our work to attract an investor or investors able to purchase the franchise.

There will be no public money used to finance the stadium. Investors will provide the funding to construct a state-of-the-art stadium to house 81+ home baseball games and serve as an entertainment venue for more intimate concerts, shows and special events. We have identified several outside investors interested in participating in this project, but we hope to raise a substantial amount, if not a majority ownership interest, from local Tennessee investors.

Music City Baseball has carefully studied multiple possible sites in Davidson, Williamson and Rutherford Counties. Presently, we are focusing on a tract of land owned by the City of Nashville on the East Bank of the Cumberland River near Nissan Stadium. We envision that the baseball stadium, which will serve as a sports and entertainment venue, will be part of a mixed-use family sports and entertainment district.
Music City Baseball includes outside investors; however, we are focusing on local investors to participate at all levels of the project. We are also focusing on meaningful minority ownership. Local ownership is important to Major League Baseball and we want ownership that represents Nashville.
Baseball is the Nation’s favorite pastime and Music City Baseball intends to engage families and the entire Nashville community to support the Nashville Stars. We are exploring partnerships with local community groups and non-profits.
John Loar is Managing Director of Music City Baseball. He has over 30 years of experience in real estate development, sports and entertainment. Alberto R. Gonzales, former U. S. Attorney General is Chairman of the Board of Directors. We are excited to have former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Dave Stewart on our board. Tim Corbin, the coach of the 2019 college baseball champions Vanderbilt Commodores is one of the Baseball Advisors. Our leadership team and advisory groups are made up of other local business, community, and entertainment leaders.
Major League Baseball has expressed no support for a franchise in Nashville. Major League Baseball has been clear that there will be no movement towards expansion until issues related to current franchises are addressed. Our goal is to be ready when Major League Baseball is satisfied these conditions have been met.

The Nashville Sounds are a first class organization and have been a strong community partner for Nashville. The success of the Sounds demonstrates the strong  local support for baseball.

More work is needed to determine whether Middle Tennessee can support both a Major League Baseball franchise and a Triple A minor league team. We understand there are outstanding city bonds associated with the Sounds’ stadium that may be impacted if, and when, Nashville secures a Major League Baseball franchise. We intend to work with the City, Major League Baseball and the Sounds to find a mutually acceptable and beneficial outcome for all parties.

Presently Music City Baseball has no agreement or understanding with the City (nor with any private party) about a possible stadium site. While we acknowledge interest in City owned property on the East Bank of the Cumberland River east of Nissan Stadium, our renderings are for illustrious purposes only that are intended to depict one possible location. Furthermore, MCB intends to commission a feasibility study next year to help determine the viability of Major League Baseball in Nashville. The results of that study will inform where best to locate a stadium.

Music City Baseball has had informal discussions with the Mayor and his staff. There has been no commitment of support. The Administration will require additional information and time to study the best use of City property for the people of Nashville. The Mayor has expressed support for any project that generates positive net revenue for Nashville, enhances Nashville’s reputation, provides tangible benefits to the people of Nashville and that does not require public financial support.

Music City Baseball continues to build local support for our Nashville Stars. We are committed to bringing Major League Baseball to Nashville/Middle Tennessee. Supporters and fans are encouraged to continue to follow our progress and to champion out efforts to secure a Major League Baseball franchise.

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PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVES

“This partnership with Music City Baseball literally brings the history of the Nashville Stars of the Negro Leagues back to life,” said Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. “This is one of the most important partnerships in the Museum’s history.

We have always wanted a strategic alliance with a Major League Baseball partner. This allows the history of the Negro Leagues to be seen on a much broader scale,” added Kendrick.

BOB KENDRICK
President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Music City Baseball Board
Alberto Gonzales, Chairman
Lee Barfield
Bob Kendrick
Stacey Garrett Koju
John Loar
Amish Purohit
Nancy Schultz
Steve Smith
Dave Stewart
Baseball Advisors
Tony LaRussa
Dave Stewart
Dave Dombrowski
Tim Corbin
R. A. Dickey
Farrell Owens
Walter Schultz
Barry Zito
Community Advisors
Eddie Hamilton
Rosetta Miller-Perry
Susan Vanderbilt
Ray Waters
Gail Williams
Music Industry Advisors
Kix Brooks
Kane Brown
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Mike Dungan
Larry Gatlin
Mickey Guyton
Lon Helton
Steve Hodges
Strategic Advisors
Lew Conner
Bill Freeman
Darrell Freeman
Aubrey Harwell
Joel Katz
Brad Margolis
Dianne Neal
William Thomas
Malcolm Turner

OVER 150 YEARS OF NASHVILLE BASEBALL

Nashville Baseball Timeline © 2018 by Skip Nipper. All Rights Reserved.

April 20, 1866

Organized Baseball Arrives

Cumberland Base Ball Club of Nashville is organized. John Dickins is elected president.
April 20, 1866

May 5, 1866

Big Win

Rock City Base Ball Club loses to the Cumberlands, 66-15.
May 5, 1866

October 10, 1884

Paid Players

Nashville first game using paid players, the Nashville Americans host Cincinnati’s Union League club, losing 3-1.
October 10, 1884

November 7, 1884

Land Lease

Nashville’s American Base Ball Association signs a five-year lease for use of land owned by Sulphur Spring Company.
November 7, 1884

October 20, 1900

Southern Association

Southern Association is organized with Nashville as one of eight teams.
October 20, 1900

February 19, 1907

Standard Giants

A meeting is held at the residence of J. W. White to organize the Standard Giants Base Ball club
February 19, 1907

January 14, 1908

Sulphur Dell

Sportswriter Grantland Rice calls Athletic Park “Sulphur Spring Dell”, soon shortens it to “Sulphur Dell”
January 14, 1908

July 20, 1910

Wigs & Baseball

Nashville Standard Giants, local Negro club, wins an exhibition game at Sulphur Dell over the Broncho Bloomer Girls, a negro team of St. Louis, 8-3. Bloomer Girls teams often including male players dressed with wigs; only four women took part in the game.
July 20, 1910

May 12, 1913

Manhattan Stars

Local negro club, Manhattan Stars, loses to Louisville Cubs at Sulphur Dell, 11-6.
May 12, 1913

September 1, 1916

Fourth Southern Pennant

Nashville wins fourth Southern Association pennant by beating Little Rock at Sulphur Dell, 2-1.
September 1, 1916

April 7, 1927

Babe Ruth and Yankees

65th General Assembly of Tennessee adjourns early to see Babe Ruth and New York Yankees play the St. Louis Cardinals at Sulphur Dell. Cardinals beat the Yankees, 10-8.
April 7, 1927

June 20, 1931

Nashville Volunteers

Fay L. Murray, part-owner of the American Association Minneapolis Millers, and Jimmy Hamilton purchase the Nashville Volunteers.
June 20, 1931

April 12, 1932

Attendance Record

Attendance for opening day is 14,502. Seating capacity is 8,000 in the grandstands, and the outfield is lined off with rope to accommodate the crowd. It is the largest crowd to see a game at Sulphur Dell.
April 12, 1932

April 7, 1934

Ruth and Gehrig

Charles Dressen’s Vols wins against the New York Yankees, 5-4, at Sulphur Dell. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are both 2 for 4
April 7, 1934

September 25, 1941

Dixie Playoff Champions

Nashville wins the Dixie Playoffs championship for the second consecutive season by beating the Dallas Rebels, 6-2. In winning four games to none, the Vols’ pitching staff has three complete games, with only one reliever used the entire series.
September 25, 1941

September 20, 1944

Southern Pennant

Nashville captures the Southern Association pennant with their 11-10 victory over the Chicks in Memphis.
September 20, 1944

March 8, 1945

Negro Southern League

An owners meeting of Negro Southern League teams is held in Nashville to adopt a schedule and constitution.
March 8, 1945

October 5, 1947

Nashville Cubs

Nashville Cubs take a double header win over the New York Black Yankees at Sulphur Dell, 6-4 and 3-2
October 5, 1947

September 7, 1949

Pennant #9

Pete Mallory wins a 2-1 decision at Mobile to secure Nashville’s ninth Southern Association pennant and fifth in the past ten years.
September 7, 1949

May 11, 1952

Hank Aaron

Indianapolis Clowns sensation, 18-year-old rookie shortstop Hank Aaron, plays in his first regular season game as a professional at Sulphur Dell. The Clowns win both games of the double header over the Philadelphia Stars, 5-2 and 2-1. Aaron’s Negro League experience would last only 14 games before he signs with the Boston Braves and is sent to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to begin his career in organized baseball.
May 11, 1952

April 4, 1954

Spring 1954

Before 12,006 fans at Sulphur Dell, Milwaukee Braves defeat Brooklyn Dodgers, 18-14. Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella pinch-hits and works the last inning behind the plate as Junior Gilliam anchors third and Jackie Robinson plays first base.
April 4, 1954

September 8, 1963

End Of An Era

In the last Nashville Vols game played at Sulphur Dell, Vols outfielder Charlie Teuscher belts three home runs as the Vols win over Lynchburg, 6-3 and 2-1.
September 8, 1963

September 20, 1977

Larry Schmittou

Larry Schmittou, president of the Nashville Baseball Club, and Cincinnati’s Sheldon “Chief” Bender, sign a working agreement for the local baseball team to become the AA affiliate of the Reds.
September 20, 1977

April 26, 1978

Nashville Sounds

Nashville Sounds play their first home game, a 12–4 victory, against the Savannah Braves in front of a Greer Stadium sellout crowd of 8,156 fans.
April 26, 1978

September 11, 1982

Southern League Champions

Sounds win a second Southern League championship by beating Jacksonville 5-3 in 13 innings. Brian Dayett slams a home run with Buck Showalter on base to gain the win for Nashville.
September 11, 1982

April 7, 2003

Perfect Game

Right-hander John Wasdin pitches the first perfect game in Nashville Sounds history in his first start of the season against the Albuquerque Isotopes. The 4–0 Sounds win was only the second nine-inning perfect game in Pacific Coast League history.
April 7, 2003

September 7, 2005

PCL Crown

Nashville captures the PCL crown with a 5-2 win over Tacoma, winning the series three games to none.
September 7, 2005

June 25, 2007

Perfection Repeat

Manny Parra tosses the second perfect game in Nashville Sounds history, only the third nine-inning perfect game in PCL history, against the Round Rock Express.
June 25, 2007

August 27, 2014

Farewell To Greer

Nashville plays the last game at Greer Stadium against Sacramento before a sell-out crowd of 11,067 fans, losing 13-8.
August 27, 2014

April 17, 2015

First Tennessee Park Opener

Opening night at Nashville’s new First Tennessee Park, as the Sounds win over Colorado Springs, 3-2. 10,459 fans are on hand.
April 17, 2015
SKIP NIPPER
Nashville Baseball Historian & Author

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