Latest news with #TennesseeSummitt
Axios
19-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
Athletes Unlimited turns in record attendance in Nashville
The Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball tournament at Municipal Auditorium has turned in strong attendance so far, organizers say. Why it matters: Nashville is in the running for a WNBA expansion franchise and the community support for women's hoops is an encouraging sign. Athletes Unlimited gives WNBA players and other pros the chance to compete in a unique style of hoops that tracks individual performances as well as team play. By the numbers: A spokesperson for Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball says attendance and the reception from the city has been "by far the best in the four-year history of the tournament." Attendance for the first two weeks is up 137% compared to last year in Dallas. Figures for the second week were particularly strong. Organizers are encouraged that attendance for the second week of play in Nashville grew by 23% compared to the first week. State of play: Robust Community support is part of the Haslam family's sales pitch for a WNBA franchise in Nashville. Former Gov. Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy Haslam, want to name the team the Tennessee Summitt in honor of legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt. Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee women's hoops also have proud traditions. What we're watching: The WNBA is expected to announce its next expansion team later this year. What's next: The tournament is in week 3 of 4. The next two games take place Wednesday night at 5pm and 7:30pm. Details and tickets here.
Boston Globe
31-01-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Owners of Pistons and Lions part of bid to bring WNBA team back to Detroit
Advertisement Investor group led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores submits bid to bring the WNBA back to Detroit: — Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) The Detroit Shock were one of the WNBA's first expansion teams, winning three titles between 1998 and 2009. The Shock ranked in the top five for attendance for five straight seasons and led the league in that category for three consecutive seasons. Detroit set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The new team would play at Little Caesars Arena. 'Detroit is a sports town that loves its teams deeply and consistently shows up with unwavering passion,' Gores said. 'At a critical moment in the growth and development of the WNBA, it supported the hometown team more than any other franchise in the league. We're here to rekindle that legacy.' The bid also is supported by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. The bid includes a plan to build a dedicated practice facility and headquarters open 24 hours a day for the WNBA team. That facility would include courts, locker room, workout facilities, and office and lounge space. A sports center open to the public also would be developed. 'Michiganders are fired up,' Whitmer said. 'Our passion for our teams and players is unmatched, our commitment to our communities remains unwavering, and our vision for women's sports is crystal clear. My administration stands ready to support this franchise's success.' The WNBA is adding three expansion teams in the next two seasons with Advertisement Nashville announced a bid Thursday. The team would be called the Tennessee Summitt to honor the legacy of the late Pat Summitt and three-time WNBA champ Candace Parker is in the investor group along with Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and the chairman of the NHL's Predators. That bid also includes a dedicated practice facility. A group in Nashville, Tenn., submitted a bid for a WNBA expansion team that would be called the Tennessee Summitt, honoring former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt. WADE PAYNE/Associated Press
USA Today
30-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Candace Parker 'excited' to be part of group bringing WNBA to Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee announced a bid for a WNBA expansion team on Thursday. The team would be called the Tennessee Summitt, honoring former Lady Vols' head coach Pat Summitt, and would begin play in 2028 at Bridgestone Arena. Named partners in Nashville's WNBA expansion bid are Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and former Lady Vol Candace Parker. 'Tennessee is the DNA of everything women's basketball stands for,' Parker announced. 'I'm excited to be a part of the group working to bring a WNBA team to the state and honor coach Summitt's legacy.' PHOTOS: Candace Parker through the years Parker played at Tennessee from 2004-08 under Summitt, winning national championships in 2007 and 2008. Parker played in the WNBA from 2008-23 and was selected No. 1 overall in the 2008 WNBA draft by Los Angeles. The former Lady Vol also played for Chicago and Las Vegas. She was the 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year and a seven-time WNBA All-Star. Parker was also named league MVP during her rookie season and WNBA MVP in 2013. Summitt served as the Lady Vols' head coach from 1974-2012, compiling a 1,098–208 record, and won eight national championships, 16 Southeastern Conference regular-season titles and 16 SEC Tournament championships.
