FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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.

Read more about the Nashville Stars history HERE

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 BALLPARK. Investors will provide the funding to construct a state-of-the-art ballpark 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.

The leadership team and group of advisors are experienced and effective. The MCB board includes Alberto Gonzales, Board Chair, former Attorney General of the United States; John Loar, Board Member and Managing Director, real estate developer, with experience in the sports and entertainment fields; David Dombrowski, Board Member and future President of the Nashville Stars Baseball Club, 40+ years of service in Major League Baseball, over 2,000 wins, four pennants and two World Series titles; Dave Stewart, Board Member, former All-Star pitcher with the Oakland A’s and General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Bob Kendrick, Board Member, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City, MO; and Eddie George, Board Member & Real Estate Development Advisor, Heisman trophy winner, NFL Rookie of the Year and former running back for the Tennessee Titans.

Our baseball advisors include Tony La Russa member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame with expansive experience in baseball team management and organization (presently La Russa, who was recently named as Manager of the Chicago White Sox, will advise only during the off season); and Tim Corbin, Head Baseball Coach at Vanderbilt University and coach of the 2014 College World Series Champions.

Justin Timberlake, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, Kix Brooks, Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Larry Gatlin, Mickey Guyton, and others are all part of our Music Industry Advisors and support the efforts of Music City Baseball.

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.