Stephen A. Is Right About Nashville… Just Not the Right Sport
The city is ready for more—but if we’re expanding the Big League footprint, baseball should be first in line.
Stephen A. Smith made the case this week for Nashville as an NBA city—and honestly, he’s not wrong.
He talked about the city’s explosive growth, the national attention Nashville continues to receive, and how it has evolved from “a great place to visit” into a legitimate major market. He pointed out what anyone who has spent five minutes downtown already knows—this place is alive. It’s vibrant. It’s culturally relevant. And most importantly for sports leagues, it’s economically viable. It is incredible how much this reality has changed since the inception of both the Titans and Predators around the turn of the century.
He also highlighted something that matters just as much: Nashville shows up.
And he’s right.
This city can handle more sports teams.
We already do an incredible job supporting the Predators and Nashville SC. Bridgestone Arena has become one of the best environments in hockey, routinely packing in over 17,000 fans per game with near-capacity attendance most seasons. It’s loud, it’s electric, and it’s uniquely Nashville.
Nashville SC has followed suit in a big way. GEODIS Park—the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S.—has been a massive success, averaging 28,000–29,000 fans per match, consistently among the best in MLS. I, myself, have contributed to that attendance as a season-ticket holder for 5 years now. I am a huge Nashville SC fan.
The Titans? Different story. Between stadium construction, a transitional roster, and frankly a lousy football team, Nissan Stadium saw a noticeable drop-off in attendance this year.
But that’s not the point.
If you put an entertaining product on the field—or the ice, or the pitch—this city will rally to it.
The Predators have proven that for two decades. Even if they aren’t strong in the standings, they remain a prime entertainment option in the city.
And let’s be honest—there’s real juice right now.
The Titans’ uniform reveal last week got people talking again. New threads—or drip, as the kids say, I think—a new coaching staff, a second-year No. 1 overall pick at quarterback, and a world-class stadium on the way. The team may not be good yet, but hope? Hope is undefeated in this town. Honestly, I really dig the new uniforms. I hated the old flame logo. It felt so minor league to me. The new uniforms look clean and pay homage to the franchise’s Oilers days. I love it!
Chris Childers "Show Pony" Merch Available Now!
So yeah—I agree with Stephen A.
Nashville could absolutely handle an NBA team.
I’d welcome it.
The NBA is cool and all. It’s a worldwide game. Global stars. Massive brands. Signature shoes. As a sneaker guy, I’ll be honest—the NBA is where it’s at. I love Jordans. Always have.
But the league itself?
It’s just not for me anymore.
To me, Adam Silver has completely watered it down. If the NBA disappeared tomorrow, I’m not even sure I’d notice. And I don’t say that lightly. I grew up in Chicagoland during the Bulls’ era of dominance. Honestly, some of my fondest sports memories revolve around the NBA.
Load management has turned the regular season into a suggestion. Guys don’t play. Fans don’t know who they’re going to see on a given night. There’s no urgency, no edge, no reason to care until the playoffs.
And when you do watch?
It’s a lot of isolation basketball, very little defense, and a style of play that just doesn’t connect the way it used to. It feels more like a showcase than a competition half the time. Jordan and guys of that era were always motivated to compete. Can we say the same about the modern player?
The regular season is irrelevant.
Wake me up in April.
Yawn.
But it’s not my preference.
Before anything else, Nashville needs Major League Baseball.
And there’s already real momentum.
The Nashville Stars group has been quietly and strategically building a case for years. The group includes a heavy-hitting ownership coalition with deep local ties—and importantly, a commitment to honoring history.
Because the name “Nashville Stars” isn’t random. It is honestly really cool.
It’s a tribute to the Negro Leagues, where the original Nashville Stars were part of a rich, often overlooked baseball legacy in this city. Bringing that name back isn’t just branding—it’s storytelling. It’s a nod to the great African Americans who helped shape the city. A modern-day Nathan Nearest Green story. (If you don’t know who that is, look it up!)
That matters.
Now let’s talk reality.
Nashville is a tourist city.
People don’t just come here—they flood here.
Broadway is chaos in the best possible way. Bachelorette parties, live music, rooftop bars, pedal taverns—you name it. And in the summer? It goes to another level.
CMA Fest alone brings in 80,000+ people per day, pumping hundreds of millions into the local economy. Summer is Nashville’s prime season. People love this place. Across all walks of life, you can feel it.
And what fits that vibe better than baseball?
An 81-game home schedule. Warm nights. Downtown ballpark. Cold beer. Hot dogs and hot chicken! Easy entertainment.
A baseball game isn’t an event you plan your whole week around—it’s something you add on to your night.
That’s exactly what Nashville thrives on. It is perfect!
And zoom out for a second. I really love to say zoom out, don’t I?
The Southeast is wildly underrepresented in Major League Baseball. Honestly, it is, and honestly, that is so WRONG!
You’ve got one team—the Atlanta Braves—serving an entire region that lives and breathes the sport. Literally everyone is a Braves fan around these parts.
Meanwhile:
Youth baseball participation across the Southeast is massive
SEC baseball is elite—arguably the best conference in the country
College ballparks are packed, atmospheres are insane, and the talent pipeline is undeniable
And yet… one MLB team?
It’s ridiculous.
A Nashville MLB team wouldn’t just work—it would explode.
You’d have locals treating it like a summer tradition. Tourists adding it to their Broadway itinerary. Families, transplants, college kids—every demo you could want. I would buy season tickets in a heartbeat; if not, try really hard to get a job working with the team’s media group.
It becomes part of the rhythm of the city.!
Just like a night out at Tootsies.
Just like live music at Robert’s.
Just like Nashville.
So yeah, Stephen A.—you’re right.
This city is ready.
But if we’re planting the next major league flag in Nashville, let’s do it right.
Give me baseball under the lights on a humid July night.
Give me the Stars.
Give me something that fits this city like a glove. You can keep your load management for cities like Seattle and Las Vegas for now.
I mean, if they do the logo like the Preds I’m in. I’m not even a fan and every time I’m in that airport I’m tempted to buy a t-shirt.
Right on, not entertaining