When the story of Nashville’s first Major League Baseball franchise is finally written, one theme will stand above the rest: innovation. Music City Baseball (MCB), the local ownership foundation behind the Nashville Stars, has approached the challenge of bringing MLB to Tennessee with a strategy that goes beyond the traditional playbook. With no players on the field and no stadium yet built, MCB has nevertheless built a nationally recognized brand and laid the foundation for a world-class sports and entertainment venue. Together, these efforts show the viability of Nashville as a Major League city and the vision to redefine how professional sports can connect with culture, community and commerce.
Honoring the Negro Leagues Through Partnership
MCB’s vision is strengthened by a powerful history. Long before the organization began its pursuit, the Nashville Stars took the field at Sulphur Dell during the Negro Leagues era. The Stars name was not unique to Nashville. Teams in Detroit, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Harlem and Havana also carried the name, connecting Nashville’s story to a broader tradition across the Negro Leagues.
The team in Nashville emerged from the union of two prominent local clubs during the 1940s and 1950s. The Del Morocco Stars were founded by Ted Acklen, and the New Era Giants were sponsored by businessman William “Sou” Bridgeforth. Their merger created the Nashville Stars, a team that reflected both the athletic excellence and entrepreneurial spirit of Nashville’s Black community.
Acklen was a well-known entrepreneur and entertainment promoter who founded the Del Morocco Club on Jefferson Street in the 1930s. With his wife, Ehrai “Muffy” Walker, he turned the venue into one of Nashville’s most vibrant cultural destinations, hosting jazz and R&B performances by artists such as Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, and Nat King Cole.
performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Bridgeforth was equally influential in shaping Nashville’s cultural and civic identity. In addition to sponsoring the New Era Giants, he owned the famed New Era Club on Jefferson Street, one of the most important venues in Nashville’s nightlife. Legendary performers such as Etta James, B.B. King, and James Brown played its stage. More than just a stage for world-class music, the New Era Club served as a gathering place for Nashville’s Black community during segregation, where culture, business and civic pride came together.
Carrying that spirit forward, MCB sought out the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) to ensure the story of the teams in that important era was honored with authenticity and respect. Today, that partnership not only anchors the Nashville Stars brand in history but also drives its mission to celebrate culture, amplify community pride, and extend the story of the Negro Leagues into the future of Major League Baseball.
As MCB board advisor and NLBM President Bob Kendrick has said, “The Nashville Stars do not just celebrate the Negro Leagues. They extend their legacy. It is a story bigger than baseball, and one the game needs to hear.”
Innovating a Brand Without a Team
With that foundation in place, MCB launched the Nashville Stars brand years ahead of gaining league approval. This strategy was innovative because it established an identity rooted in legacy and culture that fans could connect with immediately. Inspired by the Negro Leagues and amplified by its partnership with the NLBM, the brand celebrates history while creating something new for the future of Major League Baseball.
The Stars name does more than honor the Negro Leagues. It also reflects the stardom and creativity that define Nashville’s entertainment industry. To bring that connection to life, MCB has assembled a powerful roster of Music Industry Advisors that includes Luke Combs, Justin Timberlake, Darius Rucker, Mitchell Tenpenny, and emerging voices like Julia Cole and Mickey Guyton, among others. This blend of cultural history and modern entertainment has allowed the Nashville Stars brand to resonate with both baseball fans and music audiences, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a global hub for talent and creativity.
In 2025, Stars merchandise sales surpassed $100,000 in gross revenue, with hats and apparel shipped to all 50 states and seven international countries. The success of the Nashville Stars x New Era caps in particular, frequently seen on entertainers, athletes and fans nationwide, has proven the resonance of the brand. By investing in intellectual property rights and building partnerships with organizations such as the NLBM, Music City Baseball ensured that the Stars identity is not only protected but also positioned as the first MLB team to formally connect to the Negro Leagues.
Charity Softball Game with the Stars.
Solving the Real Estate Puzzle
While the Stars brand may capture headlines and social media engagement, MCB leaders are clear: The most important step in securing a franchise is solving the real estate puzzle. Once the optimal site has been identified and secured, ownership and expansion discussions will accelerate rapidly.
MCB has prioritized the development of a world-class venue that will serve not only as the home of the Nashville Stars but also as the centerpiece of a mixed-use district that can be activated 365 days a year. To accomplish this, the organization has partnered with Lincoln Property Co., one of the nation’s leading developers, to bring the vision to life. The planned venue is not just a ballpark. It is an entertainment destination. Anchored by baseball but designed for concerts, festivals, conventions and community events, the facility will blend Nashville’s global reputation as Music City with the energy of live sports. The concept is to create a district where entertainment, hospitality and sports intersect seamlessly, providing year-round activity and economic impact.
“People think of ownership as the most important piece, but in reality, it all starts with the venue,” said John Loar, MCB’s managing director. “With our background in real estate, sports and entertainment venues, and team ownership, we know what has to come first. Once the real estate is secured, everything else including ownership, league approval and operations, falls into place.”
Why Nashville is a No-Brainer for MLB
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, consistently ranked among the top markets for economic development, tourism and cultural influence. Home to a thriving music industry, a booming hospitality sector and a diverse population, Nashville offers the kind of energy that aligns perfectly with MLB’s expansion vision.
The city already has a proven track record of supporting professional sports. The Titans, Predators and Nashville SC have each cultivated passionate fan bases and established downtown venues as hubs of community pride and economic activity. Major League Baseball adds a missing piece to this landscape, complementing the city’s year-round sports calendar while tying into its cultural identity as Music City.
What makes Nashville truly distinctive, however, is the fusion of sports and entertainment. MCB has shown how baseball can connect with the city’s music culture, creating a brand that resonates far beyond the ballpark. With the backing of high-profile artists and rising voices from across the music industry, the Nashville Stars embody both athletic tradition and creative stardom. This crossover reinforces Nashville’s global reputation as a place where culture, music and sports converge, offering MLB not just a new market but a platform to engage new fans worldwide.
This mix of cultural influence and broad appeal works hand in hand with MCB’s emphasis on local ownership, ensuring the effort to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville is both rooted in community and positioned for national impact.
Local Roots, National Reach
From the start, MCB has emphasized local ownership as its foundation. A majority of the group’s initial funding has come from Tennessee investors, a testament to the community’s commitment to making MLB in Nashville a reality. The team behind MCB includes professionals from across the Nashville region, working alongside nationally recognized partners in construction, architecture and design.
At the same time, that local-first approach has been amplified by national influence. Advisors from the music industry, professional sports and business development circles have rallied around the Nashville Stars, giving the effort credibility and visibility far beyond Tennessee. By merging Nashville’s entertainment culture with professional baseball, MCB has created a model that not only resonates locally but also strengthens MLB’s national expansion conversation.
Preserving History by Creating History
The combination of an established brand and a forward-looking venue strategy positions MCB as one of the most innovative expansion efforts in MLB history. The Nashville Stars brand has proven that fans are ready for a team, while the real estate development strategy ensures that the infrastructure to support one will be world-class. Together, they represent a model for how professional sports franchises can be conceived, launched and sustained in the 21st century.
For Nashville, the impact extends far beyond baseball. The stadium district will create jobs, attract tourism and reinforce the city’s standing as a global hub for music and entertainment. At the same time, the Stars brand will continue to grow as a symbol of pride and community, linking Nashville’s local identity with national and international recognition.
“We are not just building a baseball team,” said Loar. “We are building something that will represent Nashville for generations to come.”
The Path Forward
Innovation is not always about technology. Sometimes it is about vision, seeing a path forward that others overlook. MCB’s commitment to building a brand rooted in history and creating a venue designed to connect music, entertainment and sports exemplifies this kind of innovation. The goal is not only to build a stadium but to create a place where artists want to perform, fans want to gather and communities want to celebrate. This vision makes Nashville not only ready but right for Major League Baseball.
To follow the latest news on this effort or to purchase merchandise, please check out StarsBaseball.com or click on the QR code below.
