Eddie George Joins Group Aiming To Bring MLB Franchise To Nashville

Tennessee Titans legend Eddie George has joined a group aiming to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville.

George joined Music City Baseball as a board member and chair of its soon to be formed Real Estate Advisory Group and will advise the development of an entertainment complex to be the home of a potential MLB franchise in Nashville, according to a Music City Baseball press release on Wednesday.

“I am deeply committed to Nashville and understand how sports can energize and unite in a lasting way,” George said in the press release. “Our drive to bring MLB to our city also combines two of the things I love most: sports and landscape architecture. It’s a pleasure to be able to collaborate with Moody Nolan, an all-stars in its own right, and nationally admired for their engaging conceptual plans and designs.”

In September, pop superstar and Memphis native Justin Timberlake also confirmed his involvement with the Music City Baseball group, which is attempting to acquire a team for Nashville during an exclusive interview with the Tennessean.

Music City Baseball group already includes several members with strong baseball ties including three-time World Series champion Dave Stewart, former Boston Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski, businessman John Loar, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, Baseball Hall of Famer Tony La Russa and Negro Leagues Baseball museum president Bob Kendrick.

The group intends to present an official expansion proposal to MLB during the 2021 Winter Meetings, which will be held in Nashville. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has previously expressed interest in expanding the league from 30 to 32 teams, but is expected to delay those plans while the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays continue to seek approval for new stadiums.

In 2019, music City Baseball group proposed stadium plans that focused on the area near Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

"Presently, we are focusing on a tract of land owned by the City of Nashville on the East Bank of the Cumberland River near Nissan Stadium," the group said in October. "We envision that the baseball stadium, which will serve as a sports and entertainment venue, will be part of a mixed-use family sports and entertainment district."

Commissioner Manfred first mentioned Nashville as a possible expansion option in July 2018. Music City Baseball group said it is aiming to bring an MLB franchise to Nashville by 2024.

"During this time, we intend to secure a major investor or assemble a group of investors who can cover the buy-in fee," MCB's website said. "There will be no public money used to finance the stadium."

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