Nashville linked to possible Chicago White Sox move. How the city responded
Nashville has been connected with the Chicago White Sox this week about the Major League Baseball team possibly moving here, but city officials say no discussions have taken place between the team and the city.
Reports started to circulate from Chicago on Monday that White Sox officials may be concerned about their current stadium lease, which expires in six years. The reports indicated if conversations fail to start soon the club's ownership may consider leaving the city.
There has been speculation that Nashville may be in the market for a Major League Baseball team for several years and some of the reports this week included Nashville as a possible landing point if the White Sox were to move.
But Ben Eagles, senior advisor to Mayor John Cooper, told The Tennessean Wednesday there have been no conversations between Nashville and the White Sox.
“Nashville has proved to be a world-class sports town, and our (Nashville) Sounds have led the minor leagues in attendance, but there has been no communication with the White Sox about relocating to Music City,” Eagles replied in an email.
The White Sox have been in Chicago for more than 100 years and called Guaranteed Rate Field home for more than 30 years.
White Sox speculation
Speculation about a possible move heated up Monday after a report from Crain's Chicago Business stated White Sox chairman and majority owner Jerry Reinsdorf might consider leaving based on a comment provided by a franchise spokesman concerning the current stadium lease.
“We have not had any conversations about our lease situation,” team spokesman Scott Reifert told Crain’s Chicago Business. “With six years remaining, it is naturally nearing a time where discussions should begin to take place. The conversations would be with the city, ISFA and the state, and most likely would be about vision, opportunities and the future.”
White Sox officials have referred other media outlets, which have reached out for a comment on the situation, to the statement provided to Crain's.
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Various media outlets picked up on the report and many included Nashville as a possible destination.
The story also mentioned the club could relocate to the Chicago suburbs.
In addition the White Sox fired executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn on Tuesday
Why Nashville?
As late as last April Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred spoke publicly about the possibility of Nashville getting a major League franchise.
The main takeaway, however, from what Manfred said was that Nashville should be focused on a possible expansion team rather than a relocated franchise, which would be the case if the White Sox move.
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"I've said I'd like to see us get serious consideration in trying to get to 32 teams," Manfred said in April. "There's a lot of advantages to 32, and, you know, when you think about the available possibilities in terms of expansion, I think Nashville's on everybody's list."
Officials from Music City Baseball, a group formed in 2019 to help bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville, say they have had favorable conversations with Manfred about the possibilities of an expansion team.
A poll of current Major League Baseball players conducted in June by The Athletic revealed Nashville was their favorite city for expansion by a wide margin.
Meanwhile there has been hardly any indication that state or city officials are interested in bringing a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville. Ownership issues and lack of space for a stadium are major hangups.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville linked to possible Chicago White Sox move. How city responded
