Nashville Stampede Wins Two Out Of Three During Homestand At Bridgestone Arena

Silvano Alves. Photo: Courtesy of PBR

The Nashville Stampede, Music City’s very own Professional Bull Riders (PBR) team, took over Broadway and Bridgestone Arena this past weekend and won two of their three matches in front of sold-out crowds.

The Stampede picked up two huge wins in Nashville as their first wins of the season, allowing them to break their recent eight-game losing streak.

On Friday night (Aug. 19), Stampede’s closer Silvano Alves delivered a walk-off win against the Missouri Thunder. The 88-0 win marked the first of the season for the team as they competed in Nashville for the first time since winning the 2022 PBR Teams Championship in Cinderella fashion.

The Nashville Stampede posing in front of Bridgestone Arena ahead of its ‘Stampede Days’. Photo: Courtesy of PBR

The next day, Nashville Stampede stumbled during the action for their PBR Camping World Team Series event, falling by one ride score to the Kansas City Outlaws.

Kansas City jumped to an early 90-point lead in the opening frame, as Cassio Dias delivered a mammoth ride, the Stampede was never able to finish a ride in the requisite eight seconds. The host team’s game once again came down to closer Alves, but he was unable to convert for his team, and the Outlaws beat them 90-0.

The Nashville Stampede fell to 1-1 inside Bridgestone Arena, and hoped to bounce back for their Sunday closer.

On the final day of ‘Stampede Days,’ Nashville picked up a thrilling win off of an 90-point ride from 18-year-old Kaiden Loud. Loud failed in his first attempt, but was able to have a re-ride where he reached the requisite eight seconds for a mammoth 90 points, causing the crowd to erupt. While the judges reviewed the out, the initial call was upheld as Nashville surged to a commanding 90-point lead.

Next, the Nashville Stampede will head to Austin, Texas for the ‘Gambler Days’ this weekend (Aug. 25-27 ), where they will look to carry their momentum into more matches.

Photo: Courtesy of PBR

Silvano Alves. Photo: Courtesy of PBR

Nashville Stampede To Host Free, Family-Friendly Street Party During PBR Stampede Days

Pictured (L-R): Kaique Pacheco, Silvano Alves, Manoelito de Souza Junior, Joao Henrique Lucas and Thiago Salgado. Photo: Courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media

Nashville Stampede, the city’s first-ever professional bull riding team will host a free, family-friendly street festival in tandem with PBR Stampede Days, the three-day homestand, this weekend (Aug. 18-20).

The Stampede Street Party will take over Rep. John Lewis Way S, between Broadway and Demonbreun, opening at 12 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 18) and at 10 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 19) and Sunday (Aug. 20). Following Stampede Days bull riding games Aug. 18-19, the party will move to Broadway where Ole Red will host the Official Stampede After Party beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 p.m. on Saturday.

The Stampede Days Street Party will feature a daily theme, rallying those in attendance ahead of the day’s bull riding games inside Bridgestone Arena during the fourth event of the 10-event PBR Camping World Team Series regular season. Each day, fans will be able to get up close with founding members of the PBR Teams League, including the reigning Champion Nashville Stampede and some of the sport’s top animal athletes, all the while testing their skills atop a mechanical bull.

On Friday, the event will celebrate Champions Day, commemorating the team’s return to Bridgestone Arena since making their Cinderella run to be crowned the inaugural PBR Team Series Champions. The second day of festivities on Saturday has been named Ryan Dirteater Day. In 2022, Dirteater came out of retirement to compete in PBR Teams and was drafted by the Nashville Stampede. He went on to become a key member of the team and retired on the dirt after he assisted in the team’s come-from-behind push to win the 2022 PBR Team Series Championship. When the Stampede Street Party will conclude on Sunday with Back The Blue, a celebration Nashville’s champion bull riding team and first responders who work to keep us safe at home and abroad.

The hallmark of the event will be non-stop music all weekend long. Friday’s lineup includes Grammy, ACM and CMA-nominated CJ Field, Platinum-selling songwriter Chancie Neal, American Idol season 16 runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson and female progressive country duo and America’s Got Talent season 18 contestant Trailer Flowers.

During the day, attendees will also have the chance to partake in line dancing lessons from Darcy Lyn, who has dazzled for years across Nashville, holding a residency at The Wildhorse Saloon.

Special team-centric programming will accompany the musical acts on Friday. Before the officially opening, the Tractor Supply Co. Stage will host Stampede Days Podcast Row as three of the region’s top podcasters tape live episodes of their shows.

Following Podcast Row, at 12 p.m. on, the party will officially open with the Nashville Stampede Champions Welcome Pep Rally. The whole team will be present, along with the Championship buckle, participating in a meet-and-greet following.

Stampede Days Street Party Schedule:

Friday (Aug. 18): Champions Day

12 p.m.: Stampede Street Party Opens
12 p.m.: Nashville Stampede Champions Welcome Pep Rally
12:30 p.m: Nashville Stampede Team Meet-and-Greet
2:30 p.m.: CJ Field & Chancie Neal
3 p.m.: Caleb Lee Hutchinson
4 p.m.: Trailer Flowers
4:40 p.m.: Line Dancing with Darcy Lyn
5 p.m.: CJ Field
5:45 p.m.: Line Dancing with Darcy Lyn
6 p.m.: Chancie Neal

Saturday (Aug. 19): Ryan Dirteater Day

10 a.m.: Stampede Street Party Opens
11 a.m.: Cody Hibbard
12:30 p.m.: Nashville Stampede Team Meet-and-Greet
2:15 p.m.: Ariat presents The 615 House, featuring Diamond Dixie
3:15 p.m.: George Birge
4:15 p.m.: Chase McDaniel
5:15 p.m.: Logan Crosby
5:45 p.m.: Austin McNeill

Sunday (Aug. 20): Back the Blue Day

10 a.m.: Stampede Street Party Opens
10 a.m.: Cowboy Church, presented by K-Love

PBR Teams Champion Nashville Stampede Announces 2023 Game Schedule

PBR Teams event in Nashville. Photo by Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

The reigning PBR Team Series Champion Nashville Stampede, Music City’s first-ever professional bull riding team, has announced their 2023 game schedule ahead of the league’s second season.

The 2023 PBR Teams season will include a three-day homestand hosted by each of the eight founding teams, accompanied by two, two-day neutral site events. During event days, each of the teams will compete in one five-on-five bull riding game against another team, with each team competing in 28 games throughout the regular season. The Teams Championship returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Oct. 20-22.

The Nashville Stampede will hold their second annual homestand, and fourth event of the regular season, Stampede Days Aug. 18-20 at Bridgestone Arena. During their event, they will play the Missouri Thunder (Aug. 18), Kansas City Outlaws (Aug. 19) and Arizona Ridge Riders (Aug. 20).

During the regular season, the Stampede will compete in a rivalry series with the Arizona Ridge Riders, who the team defeated in the 2023 PBR Teams Championship.

In addition to their face-off on Aug. 20 during the final day of their homestand at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville will take on Arizona on Aug. 27 in Austin, Texas as well as Sept. 16 in Ridgedale, Missouri and Sept. 29 in Glendale, Arizona.

Every game during the season will be carried by CBS, including seven Game of the Week broadcasts, CBS Sports Network, or Pluto TV.  The Nashville Stampede will be featured in one Game of the Week broadcast when their showdown with the Kansas City Outlaws in Nashville airs on CBS on Aug. 20.

In 2022, coached by two-time PBR World Champion Justin McBride, the Stampede proved how patience, timing and staying true to the game plan are key to winning a championship. While the Stampede finished the regular season 7-20-1 to enter the 2022 Teams Championship seeded last of the eight teams, they went 4-and-0 in Las Vegas, beating the top-three seeded teams to win the inaugural Teams Championship.

Nashville Stampede’s 2023 PBR Teams Game Schedule:

Tickets for the event are on sale now, and start at $20 (taxes and fees not included). They can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com as well as at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office or by calling PBR Customer Service at 1-800-732-1727.

Nashville Stampede Selects Kaiden Loud In 2023 PBR Team Series Draft

Photo: Courtesy of the PBR

During the 2023 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Team Series Draft, the league’s reigning Champions, the Nashville Stampede, selected Texas High School State Champion Kaiden Loud with the eighth overall and first selection in the second round.

“We are very pleased with the results of the draft,” says Nashville Stampede General Manager Tina Battock. “We had a plan going in and [we] were able to get the riders we had at the top of our pick list.”

Loud is guaranteed a place on the Stampede’s protected roster for the first two events in the 2023 PBR Team Series season in Cheyenne, Wyoming, July 24-25 and Kansas City, Missouri, Aug. 3-5.

In all, 147 new riders declared for the PBR Draft this year. The 115 who did not get selected automatically become unrestricted free agents.

The team also welcomed Brazilian standout Bruno Souza de Carvalho with the first overall pick in the accompanying Practice Squad Draft, during which the Stampede passed on their picks in Rounds Two through Five.

“Our focus is on the future and building depth in our roster,” Battock adds. “We believe both Kaiden and Bruno will help us achieve that.”

Four spots remain open on the Stampede’s practice squad.

The Nashville Stampede’s complete roster now includes:

  • Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil) – Protected Roster
  • Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) – Protected Roster
  • Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria, Brazil) – Protected Roster
  • Mason Taylor (Maypearl, Texas) – Protected Roster
  • Ednelio Rodrigues de Almeida (Cacoal, Brazil) – Protected Roster
  • Thiago Salgado (Naviraí, Brazil) – Protected Roster
  • Kaiden Loud – Protected Roster
  • Bruno Souza de Carvalho – Practice Squad

The Nashville Stampede will host their second annual homestand, Stampede Days, on Aug. 18-20 in Nashville, Tennessee at Bridgestone Arena. The action starts at 7:45 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 18, 6:45 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 19, and 1:45 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Nashville Stampede To Participate In PBR Team Series Combines

Nashville Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride talking with riders Ryan Dirteater and Kaique Pacheco during Day One of the Cheyenne PBR Teams event. Photo: by Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media.

Ahead of the second season of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Team Series, the league has announced it will host three sanctioned rider Combines leading into a Combine Championship.

The PBR Team Series Combine: The Future of Bull Riding for the 2023 season will work toward the long-term objective of rider development, while allowing new riders and unrestricted free agents an opportunity to showcase their skills to team coaches and general managers during the current free agency period and prior to the 2023 Draft to be held on May 17 during PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.

“Combines are important to help develop riders and give teams a chance to scout upcoming talent,” says Sean Gleason, Commissioner & CEO, PBR. “In the inaugural Team Series Combine in 2022, 17 of the 54 riders who attended were drafted by teams, and an additional five riders were signed as free agents during the 2022 Inaugural Season. We welcome serious riders looking for a great future with a team to register for the upcoming combines.”

The three-day Combines will be held in Archdale, North Carolina on March 14 – 16; Pueblo, Colorado on March 28 – 30; Bowie, Texas on April 25 – 27, culminating with the PBR Team Series Combine Championship at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas on the evening of April 27. Tickets for the championship event are now on sale through AXS only and can be purchased at cowtowncoliseum.com or the on-site box office.

PBR anticipates a minimum of 25 riders participating in both Carolina and Colorado and more than 50 riders in Texas. Up to a dozen of the top riders from each Combine will be invited to Fort Worth to compete for $15,000 and the title of becoming the first PBR Teams Combine Champion.

Nashville Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride will be participating in the Combine.

Held during PBR’s 30th anniversary season, the 2023 PBR Team Series 11-event season begins at Cheyenne Frontier Days, on July 25-26 and culminates with the Team Series championship in Las Vegas, Nevada on Oct. 20-22 at T-Mobile Arena.

Nashville Stampede To Return To Bridgestone Arena For 2023 PBR Team Series Homestand

The Nashville Stampede. Photo: Courtesy of PBR

The reigning PBR Team Series Champion Nashville Stampede announced that their annual homestand, PBR Stampede Days, will return to Bridgestone Arena Aug. 18-20.

The Stampede is Music City’s first-ever professional bull riding team, competing in the PBR Team Series, which transforms bull riding from an individual to team-formatted competition. They capped a dramatic Cinderella run through the playoffs to be crowned the 2022 PBR Team Series Champions under the fiery leadership of Head Coach and two-time PBR World Champion Justin McBride with a talent-packed roster including 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco 

During the 2023 regular season, each of the eight founding teams will compete in 28 head-to-head, five-on-five bull riding games, held across 10 events. The team with the highest aggregate score will be the game winner.

Each team will host a three-day homestand, welcoming the seven other teams, while also competing in two neutral site events, beginning with the season-launch event on July 24-25 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The season will conclude in Las Vegas, Nevada Oct. 20-22 when the teams will go head-to-head in the PBR Team Series Championship, vying to be crowned the 2023 Team Series Champions.

PBR Stampede Days will mark the fourth event of the 2023 PBR Team Series season, and second team-hosted homestand. The Nashville Stampede will return to the arena this summer to defend their title of PBR Team Series Champions.

After a poor regular-season performance that led the Stampede to finish with a 7-20-1 record, they travelled to Las Vegas for the PBR Team Series Championship ranked last in the standings. However, once in Sin City, they delivered a Cinderella run through the championship tournament to be crowned the 2023 PBR Team Series Champions.

In Round One, the Stampede first went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom, who they stunned 264.75-176 to advance to Round Two.

They then faced a David vs. Goliath showdown with the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, riding three more bulls to knock off the Gamblers 265-175.25 to earn the first berth to the Semifinals.

On Championship Sunday, the Stampede squared off against the No. 2 Texas Rattlers. Compliments of an early score from Joao Henrique Lucas, and a 90-point, fifth-frame ride from Pacheco, the Stampede punched their ticket to the title game with a 178.5-90.25 win.

The Stampede’s fate then came down to the Championship Game against the No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders.

Delivering three qualified rides from Ryan DirteaterSilvano Alves and Pacheco, the Stampede defeated Arizona 264-182.75, completing their shocking run of upsets to be crowned the inaugural PBR Team Series Champions.

During the PBR Teams’ offseason, the Stampede riders have proved to be a force on the premier individual tour, the PBR Unleash The Beast. Seeking his second PBR World Championship, Pacheco is currently No. 3 in the gold buckle race.  His season has included both an elite tour and 15/15 Bucking Battle victory, along with two 90-point rides.

Pacheco notably won the late January 15/15 Bucking Battle in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he conquered the then-unridden Ricky Vaughn for a monstrous 93 points.

The Stampede will be one of the featured bull riding teams in the highly anticipated upcoming docuseries The Ride, debuting later this year on Prime Video.

The bull riding action for the 2023 PBR Team Series’ Stampede Days at Bridgestone Arena begins at 7:45 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 18, 6:45 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 19 and 1:45 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 20.

Tickets for the event are on sale now, and start at $20 (taxes and fees not included). They can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office.

Nashville Stampede Staff Earns General Manager & Coach Of The Year Honors

Top: Tina Battock. Bottom: Justin McBride. Photo: Courtesy of the PBR

Nashville Stampede’s Justin McBride and Tina Battock were voted Coach and General Manager of the Year, respectively, after the inaugural PBR Team Series season.

The Stampede swept the year-end awards after making a Cinderella run through the championship tournament. The team was crowned the 2023 PBR Team Series Champions, despite finishing the regular season last in the standings after going 7-20-1.

Critical to their title, McBride and Battock architected one of the league’s most impactful free agent signings, grabbing undrafted three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves in mid-August. He became a difference maker for the team, including delivering a walk-off win against the Texas Rattlers in his debut during the Stampede’s inaugural homestand.

Once inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the season-ending event, the No. 8-seeded Stampede displayed an extraordinary desire to win, stoked by the nightly speeches delivered by McBride in the venue halls, where he passionately empowered his riders to “climb the mountain” and take what was deservedly theirs.

“The General Manager group of the PBR Teams is a mighty squad of talented, intelligent and accomplished individuals,” adds Battock. “I’m beyond humbled and honored to be acknowledged by my colleagues as having contributed to the first-year success of the PBR Team Series.”

“While individual awards are appreciated, I think they are really a reflection of the entire program,” McBride, a two-time PBR World Champion, explains.

The Coach and General Manager of the Year were determined by a vote of their peers from the PBR Team Series’ eight founding teams.

“The inaugural PBR Team Series season was one of incredible drama and parity–seven of the eight teams reached the No. 1 ranking at one point during the 11-game season, and the Nashville Stampede reached that pinnacle when it counted most.” says Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner, PBR. “Despite early struggles, led by Coach Justin McBride and GM Tina Battock, the Stampede stuck to their strategy, believed in themselves, and stayed hungry. They got hot at the perfect time to storm through the Championship weekend in Las Vegas. It may be the greatest story ever rode. We thank them, and all league’s great coaches and GMs for making our inaugural season one that exceeded our expectations.”

The Stampede’s march through the higher-seeded competition in Las Vegas continues to be the talk of PBR Team Series during the league’s first off-season.

The PBR Team Series will resume in summer 2023. The Nashville Stampede will begin their title defense on July 24 when the 2023 season launches in tandem with the 126th annual Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Nashville Sports Year In Review: The Top 10 Moments Of 2022

With 2022 in the rearview mirror, let’s take a look back at some of the best moments in the Nashville sports world from this past year.

From Nashville SC opening GEODIS Park to Hany Mukhtar‘s historic season, the second Music City Grand Prix, as well as Roman Josi‘s record breaking season with the Nashville Predators, 2022 saw quite a bit of activity this year in the city’s growing sports industry.

Here are The Sports Credential‘s Top 10 Nashville Sports Moments of 2022.

10 – The Nashville Stampede Win Inaugural PBR Team Series

The Nashville Stampede celebrating their championship win. Photo: Courtesy of the PBR

Professional Bull Riding introduced its team series in 2022, offering fans a new way to cheer for their favorite bull riders.

The Stampede was led by former PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco and head coach Justin McBride. The team finished the regular season with a record of 7-20-1, but ran the table at the Team Series Playoffs in Las Vegas where they ultimately won the inaugural season.

To read up on the team and the PBR Team Series, click here.

 

9 – Belmont Women’s NCAA Tournament Run

Photo: Courtesy of Belmont Athletics

It’s no secret that the Belmont women’s basketball team has been one of the best college athletic teams in the city for years now, but for the past two years, the team has been able to do what no Belmont WBB team has done before: win NCAA Tournament games.

In 2022, the Bruins took on No. 5 seed Oregon in the first round of the March Madness tournament and went on to win 73-70. Sophomores Tutti Jones and Destinee Wells put on a show where they scored 22 points and 16 points, respectively. This was the Bruins second NCAA Tournament win in program history.

Belmont later took on the Lady Vols of Tennessee on their home court in what was one of the best games of the tournament. Wells and Jones showed up big time again, scoring 22 points and 17 points, respectively, but ultimately fell just short, losing 70-67.

Despite their loss, the Belmont WBB managed to show how dominant of a team they are and will be for the coming seasons.

 

8 – Walker Zimmerman, Shaq Moore Named To USMNT World Cup Roster

Walker Zimmerman and Shaq Moore. Photos: Courtesy of Nashville SC

One of the biggest events of the year was undoubtedly the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The tournament, held in the winter instead of the summer, saw Nashville SC players Walker Zimmerman and Shaq Moore added to the USMNT roster. The Boys in Gold were one of only three clubs to have more than more of their players selected to the USA squad, and the pair were the first NSC players to play in a FIFA World Cup.

Zimmerman started and played all 90 minutes in three games for the USA, including the high-ratings match against England, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Moore played a combined 20 minutes in the tournament.

The U.S. fell to the Netherlands in the first round of the knockout stage 3-1, but Nashville SC successfully made its mark on the international stage.

 

7 – Scott Dixon Wins Dramatic Big Machine Music City Grand Prix

Scott Dixon celebrating his 2022 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix win in victory circle. Photo: Courtesy of the Music City Grand Prix.

The second annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix this past August was one to remember as the NTT IndyCar Series Championship began heating up just as the series hit Nashville.

The already IndyCar legend Scott Dixon walked away victorious by beating Scott McLaughlin by just 0.106 seconds. This was also a record-breaking win for Dixon as he it was his 53rd career-win, making him the second most winningest driver in the sports history.

The New Zealand native started the race in 14th and found some trouble during his first pit stop. After a handful of cautions and some golden opportunities, the Chip Ganassi driver was able to find himself in the front and hold off the rest of the field.

He drove brilliantly and set himself up well to win the IndyCar season after the win in Nashville.

 

6 – Predators Host Stadium Series Game At Nissan Stadium

Nissan Stadium during the NHL Stadium Series. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators continued to shine in the national spotlight as they continue to host major events, most recently being a NHL Stadium Series game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in February. It was the first time an outdoor professional hockey game has ever been played in Nashville or at Nissan Stadium.

There was a lot of hype leading up to the game, which included a week long Winter Park around Bridgestone Arena and downtown Nashville. The game also included a star-studded halftime show with performances by Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert.

Sadly, the Preds fell 3-2  in what became a close and exciting game. If nothing else, Nashville once again proved they are a legit hockey town and that they can host a major sporting event as good as anyone.

 

5 – Mike Vrabel Named Coach of the Year

Mike Vrabel. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Tennessee Titans

The 2021-22 season was a crazy one for the Titans as they fought their way to the AFC’s No. 1 seed after suffering countless injuries, including losing Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry for half the season.

Leadership and roster decisions by head coach Mike Vrabel helped the Titans overcome and win the AFC South for a second-straight season. He was named the 2022-21 NFL Coach of the Year after leading the team to a great season despite having to play nearly 100 different players and without the league’s top rusher.

His success was recognized not only by the league, but also with a contract extension from the Titans

 

4 – Roman Josi Breaks Predators Single-Season Points Record

Roman Josi. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators’ 2021-2022 season ended in the first round of the NHL Playoffs, but not before Roman Josi broke the franchise record for points in a single season, finishing with an astounding 96 points.

Josi broke the record by picking up three points on three assists against the Ottawa Senators on April 8. With an outstanding performance last season, he broke the previous record set by Paul Kariya back in 2006. He was also named a Norris Trophy finalist.

Josi also made history when he became the NHL’s highest-scoring defenseman in 29 years, posting 23 goals, 73 assists and 96 points in 80 games. Only six defensemen in the past 50 years have scored more points in a single season.

 

3 – GEODIS Park Opens

GEODIS Park. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

The opening of GEODIS Park was not only a big deal for Nashville SC and soccer in Tennessee, but also for Nashville as a whole. When GEODIS park opened in May 2022, it solidified NSC as the city’s soccer team and third professional sports team.

The stadium became the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and Canada with a capacity of 30,000. It saw multiple sellouts throughout the season and hosted countless moments of Hany Mukhtar brilliance and memorable moments.

The stadium also offers a new music venue that is a middle ground for attendance between Bridgestone Arena and Nissan Stadium. It is already set to host a string of concerts in 2023.

GEODIS Park will also host the USWNT in 2023 as part of the SheBelieves Cup.

 

2 – Hany Mukhtar Wins MLS Golden Boot & MVP

Hany Mukhtar with the Golden Boot and MVP Awards. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

Only a few years ago, not many people would’ve imagined that a German-born soccer player would etch his name into Nashville sports history, but after winning the 2022 MLS Golden Boot and MVP, Hany Mukhtar has become a household name in Music City.

Mukhtar was nothing short of brilliant last season as he carried Nashville SC back to the MLS Cup Playoffs for a third consecutive year. He had a remarkable 34 goal contributions (23 goals, 11 assists) in 2022, which was tied for the fifth most in a single season in MLS history.

It was a tight race between him and Austin FC’s Sebastian Driussi, but Mukhtar nearly ended that debate when he scored two goals against Austin late in the season.

The Boys in Gold struggled at times and found themselves in deep water, but Mukhtar’s performances carried them through. He scored or assisted on an incredible 65.4 percent of all Nashville SC’s goals in the 2022 season.

 

 

1 – Titans & Mayor Agree To Contract For New Football Stadium

Rendering of new Titans stadium. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

By far the biggest story of the year came when the Titans and Mayor’s office announced a deal to build a new, domed football stadium for the NFL franchise.

In early October, the team and Mayor John Cooper announced their plan that wouldn’t directly hit Nashville taxpayers or come from the city’s general fund. The deal includes a new lease, which will not force the city to pay for any repairs and will keep the Titans in Nashville long-term.

The proposed stadium would be a state-of-the-art building with a capacity of nearly 60,000. It will open the opportunity for Nashville to host the Super Bowl, College Football Playoffs and even a NCAA Final Four.

This new stadium will cost over $2 billion, but will be paid for by the team and the NFL, $500 million in bonds by the state and by a sales tax in and around the stadium, as well as a new hotel occupancy tax. So far, the deal has passed the first wave of approval by the Metro Council and will most likely be finalized in early 2023.