Nashville Wants a WNBA Team and Plans to Name It After Pat Summitt

The city is hoping the Tennessee Summitt, named in honor of the longtime NCAA coach, will be part of the league’s growth from 13 to 16 teams.

University of Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt watches her team practice for the women's NCAA college basketball tournament in Bowling Green, Ky., on March 21, 2009. Ed Reinke/AP Photo

A group of Tennessee sports and music leaders aim to bring the WNBA to Nashville and name the team in honor of the late Volunteers Hall of Fame head coach Pat Summitt.

Nashville’s bid went public Jan. 30, led by former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who is also chairman of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. Haslam and his wife, Crissy, have numerous other big names involved in the WNBA bid: NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker, and country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.