The group led by Bill Haslam, a former Tennessee governor, submitted its bid to the WNBA on Thursday for a franchise that would start playing in 2028. The team also would be named the Tennessee Summitt in honor of the late Pat Summitt. Haslam said they see how women’s professional sports is emerging worldwide with a “void.”

Nashville Predators co-owner and former Gov. Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy Haslam, are leading a bid for the city to land a WNBA expansion franchise. Driving the news: The Haslams are joined by country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as well as former University of Tennessee athletics legends Candace Parker and Peyton Manning.

The team would be called the Tennessee Summitt and would not start until the 2028 season. Here is what you need to know about the Haslams' WNBA bid and potential future team.Start the day smarter.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and his wife Crissy Haslam submitted an expansion bid to bring a WNBA team named after legendary Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt to Nashville.

A group including Candace Parker, Peyton Manning, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill submitted a bid on Thursday to bring a WNBA expansion franchise to Nashville.

Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and his wife Crissy Haslam submitted an expansion bid to bring the "Tennessee Summitt" to the WNBA.

Bill and Crissy Haslam have submitted a bid for a Nashville WNBA franchise, which would be called the Nashville Summitts.

Bill Haslam, former governor of Tennessee and current chairman of the Predators, is submitting an expansion bid to bring a Women’s National Basketball Association team to Nashville in 2028.

Throughout the league’s history, there have been many changes to the teams, including expansion and relocations. In 2025, the league will welcome its 13 th team, the Golden State Valkyries, as part of a process to go up to 15 teams in 2026.

Tennessee has entered the WNBA expansion race, with Candace Parker leading a star-studded ownership group in pursuit of the WNBA's 16th team.

A blue, gold and white logo has been revealed for the Tennessee Summitt in Nashville's WNBA expansion team bid.