Music City Baseball, a consortium formed in 2018, is once again at the forefront of efforts to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has set a target to welcome two new clubs by January 2029, and Nashville sits on a shortlist that also includes Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland, Raleigh, Salt Lake City and Sacramento.
Stadium Strategy and Site Selection
The group has identified two downtown parcels that could host a modern ballpark, but the final location will depend on financing, ownership commitment and city approval.
Among the potential backers are former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam and tech entrepreneur Randy Boyd, who say they will move forward only after the league finalizes its collective bargaining agreement and confirms the expansion fee structure.
With expansion fees projected between $2 billion and $2.2 billion and additional capital required for a state‑of‑the‑art venue, the financial stakes are steep, but the economic impact on the city could be transformative.
The proposed team would carry the historic name Nashville Stars, a tribute to the city’s Negro League heritage, linking the franchise to a legacy that predates the modern game.
If the plan proceeds, the earliest possible debut would be the 2029 season, a timeline echoed by John Loar, a principal architect of the effort.
Dave Stewart, a World Series‑winning player turned executive, has also voiced interest in the venture, underscoring the broad appeal of a Nashville franchise across baseball’s ecosystem.