New group wants to bring NWSL club to Nashville
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Lonnie Murray. Photo: Courtesy of HerGame Nashville
A group of investors led by powerhouse pro baseball agent Lonnie Murray is working to bring a National Women's Soccer League franchise to Nashville.
Why it matters: Nashville has invested billions of dollars in pro sports, but the city is not home to a major league women's team.
Between the lines: Murray shared details about HerGame Nashville, which recently went public, in interviews with the Nashville Business Journal and Nashville Banner.
- The NWSL is expected to announce its next expansion franchise in the coming months. HerGame Nashville has the backing of Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Nashville SC lead owner John Ingram.
- If Nashville wins an NWSL club, the team intends to play at Geodis Park, the Business Journal reports.
What she's saying: "It was very glaring that there were no professional women's sports here in the entire state of Tennessee, and that seemed a little bit alarming to me," Murray told the Banner.
By the numbers: The NWSL has been on the upswing.
- In September, the league surpassed 1.5 million fans in yearly attendance for the first time in its history. The average attendance for a home game is nearly 11,500.
- The most recent season marked the first of a four-year, $240 million broadcast deal.
What we're watching: Civic leaders have pushed for several years to bring a women's pro team to Nashville. In 2022, a consultant's report by CAA Icon concluded the Nashville market would support a WNBA or NWSL franchise.
- Nashville is routinely on the short list of cities that would make sense for a WNBA expansion franchise as well. The WNBA effort currently lacks a lead investor and a facility to host home games.