How did Nashville transform from a city with no major professional sports teams into one of America’s major sports destinations? Jay Grider, COO and Special Advisor at the Nashville Sports Council and author of Last Call: From the Minor Leagues to Nashville’s Rise as a Major Sports Destination, joins Nashville Sports Report to discuss the people, events and decisions that helped build Nashville’s modern sports identity.

Grider has spent much of his career working behind the scenes in event operations, sports recruitment and the development of major sporting events in Nashville, with experience ranging from minor-league baseball to the Music City Bowl. We talk about how Nashville earned its place on the national sports map and what it takes for a city to establish itself as a destination for major events.

Also on this week’s Nashville sports roundup:

• The Nashville Predators trade Luke Evangelista to the New Jersey Devils, receiving Colorado’s conditional 2028 first-round pick and New Jersey’s 2028 second-round pick as Nashville continues accumulating draft capital.
• The Tennessee Titans set their initial 53-man roster, Xavier Restrepo lands on the practice squad, former starting quarterback Will Levis remains unsigned, and rookie Fernando Carmona earns the starting job at right guard.
• Nashville SC plays New York City FC to a 0–0 draw before road matches against Toronto FC and Inter Miami.
• Vanderbilt football opens its season with a 28–9 win over Austin Peay.
• No. 3 Vanderbilt soccer improves to 5–0, with Sydney Watts scoring twice in a road win over Houston.
• Middle Tennessee defeats Murray State, while Tennessee State falls on the road at No. 3 Georgia.

Nashville Sports Report covers the teams, people, events and stories that make up Nashville’s sports community, including the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt Athletics, Tennessee State, Middle Tennessee and more.

Links

• Buy Jay's Book "Last Call" Here
• Volunteer with the Nashville Sports Counsel
• Nashville SC vs NYCFC highlights
• Vanderbilt Soccer vs. Houston highlights
• TSU vs Georgia Highlights
• Vanderbilt Football vs. Austin Peay highllights
• MTSU vs Murray State Post-Game Press Conference

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Vanderbilt broadcaster Andrew Allegretta joins the Nashville Sports Report to talk about the craft of play-by-play, how he prepares differently for football, baseball and basketball, and the path that brought him from Tulane to the Vanderbilt Sports Network. Allegretta, Vanderbilt’s Director of Radio Broadcasting and play-by-play voice for Commodore football and baseball, also discusses what it is like covering Vanderbilt athletics from one of the best seats in the house.

Elsewhere in Nashville sports, Nashville SC continued its remarkable season with a dominant 4–0 win over FC Cincinnati at GEODIS Park, giving the club 52 points and four straight MLS victories. The show also covers the Titans’ final two preseason games, Cam Ward’s progress, Carnell Tate’s strong joint practice against Chicago, Will Levis’ preseason finale, the Titans’ new “Music City” Rivalries uniform, Vanderbilt soccer’s 4–0 start, and the Nashville Sounds’ first no-hitter since 2017.

Links:

• Robert Saleh Post-Game press conference 8.29.26
• Titans "Music City" Rivalry Uniforms
• Nashville SC vs. FC Cincinnati 
• Last Two Minutes commentary of the All Ireland Football final between Mayo and Kerry (Russell misidentified County Mayo as County Cork during the interview)

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Michael Hanna, chef, founder and owner of St. Vito Focacceria, joins Nashville Sports Report to talk about building one of Nashville’s distinctive restaurants, the city’s food and hospitality culture, and the connection between restaurants, sports and the communities that form around them.

Also this week, Nashville SC completes a remarkable nine-points-in-eight-days run with wins over Inter Miami, the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew. The Columbus match provided the wildest finish of the stretch, with Reed Baker-Whiting and Andy Nájar scoring in stoppage time to turn a 2–1 deficit into a 3–2 win. Nashville now has 49 points through 21 matches—the most in MLS history through that point of a season.

Plus:

• Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans have an encouraging joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks ahead of their second preseason game.
• The Nashville Sounds continue their season before heading to Jacksonville for a six-game series against the Jumbo Shrimp.
• Vanderbilt women’s soccer improves to 3–0 with a 4–1 win over No. 21 Memphis.
• The Nashville Stampede extend their franchise-record winning streak.

Links:

St. Vito Focacceria: stvitonashville.com
Instagram: @st.vito_focacceria

Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami highlights

Nashville SC vs. New York Red Bull highlights

Nashville SC vs. Columbus Crew highlights

Reed Baker-Whiting's game tying goal

BJ Callaghan Columbus Post-Match Press Conference

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This week on the Nashville Sports Report, we break down what we learned about Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans during their joint practice and preseason win over the San Francisco 49ers — including why Ward’s stronger performance in Tuesday’s practice may tell us more than his uneven night in Thursday’s game.

We also look ahead to the Titans’ upcoming test against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, recap Nashville SC’s Leagues Cup exit, and preview a major MLS matchup against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at GEODIS Park. Plus, we check in on the Nashville Sounds, the Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena, and Vanderbilt’s upcoming Dore Jam.

This week’s guest is Lisa Carter, a Nashville commercial real estate agent and real estate investor, who joins the show to explain what actually goes into finding, evaluating and purchasing land for a potential new baseball stadium in Nashville. We discuss the real estate side of stadium development — from assembling enough property to location, infrastructure, surrounding development and the challenges involved in getting a large site under control.

Lisa is not affiliated with Music City Baseball or the Nashville Stars. Her conversation offers an independent real estate perspective on what it would take to secure a stadium site if Major League Baseball eventually comes to Nashville.

You can contact Lisa at [email protected]

Topics include:

• Cam Ward’s joint practice vs. preseason performance
• Titans vs. 49ers
• Robert Saleh’s defense
• Titans-Seahawks preview
• Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami
• Nashville’s MLS standings push
• Nashville Sounds
• Vanderbilt Dore Jam
• Nashville baseball expansion
• Finding land for a potential MLB stadium
• Nashville commercial real estate

Links

• Robert Saleh Press Conference
• BJ Callaghan Pre-Match Press Conference

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Training camp is in full swing for the Tennessee Titans, and this week's Nashville Sports Report covers the latest developments from around the Nashville sports scene.

🏈 Tennessee Titans
• Training camp is underway with the pads officially on
• Elic Ayomanor is making waves and could challenge Calvin Ridley for the WR3 spot
• Peter Skoronski signs a four-year, $100 million extension with $88 million guaranteed
• The Titans hold their Blue & White Scrimmage at Nissan Stadium
• Tennessee heads to San Francisco for joint practices with the 49ers before Thursday night's preseason game
• Netflix releases the trailer for The Testimony of Vince Young, including a focus on how Steve McNair's death affected the former Titans quarterback
• The Titans unveil a controversial new look for mascot T-Rac

⚽ Nashville SC
• Nashville SC falls to Club León in the Leagues Cup
• The Boys in Gold use a heavily rotated and historically young lineup
• Nashville continues Leagues Cup play against Atlético de San Luis and Monterrey
• NSC returns to MLS action next weekend against Inter Miami in a top-two matchup

⚾ Nashville Sounds
• The Sounds sit at 61-51 and remain in third place
• Nashville faces the Memphis Redbirds before returning home for a six-game series against the Indianapolis Indians

🎙️ Featured Interview: Ricky Thrash
This week's guest is Ricky Thrash, Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives at Vanderbilt University. Ricky has spent nearly two decades at Vanderbilt, and Russell sits down with him to discuss his role, the current state of Vanderbilt athletics, and the start of the new athletic year.

Links

• Purchase Vanderbilt Women's Soccer Season Tickets
• Robert Saleh Blue and White Scrimmage Press Conference
• Titans - Peter Skoronski Extension Announcement
• Netflix - Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young trailer
• Titans - T-Rac Page (new look)
• Nashville SC vs. Club Leon highlights

Subscribe for weekly coverage of the Tennessee Titans, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt athletics, the Nashville Sounds, and the biggest stories in Nashville sports.

#Titans #TennesseeTitans #TitansTrainingCamp #PeterSkoronski #ElicAyomanor #Vanderbilt #RickyThrash #NashvilleSports #NashvilleSC

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Training camp is officially underway, and on this special edition of the Nashville Sports Report, host Russell Ries takes a deep dive into everything you need to know before the Tennessee Titans begin the 2026 NFL season.

From last year's disappointing 3-14 finish to the arrival of head coach Robert Saleh, this episode examines how the Titans have transformed the organization and what fans should expect this fall.

Topics include:

🏈 What Went Wrong in 2025
• Why the Titans finished with one of the NFL's worst records
• The coaching change from Brian Callahan to Robert Saleh
• Lessons learned from last season

🏈 A New Era in Nashville
• Robert Saleh's defensive philosophy
• Brian Daboll's impact on Cam Ward's development
• How the new coaching staff is reshaping the franchise

🏈 Titans Roster Breakdown
• Cam Ward and the quarterback room
• Can the offensive line improve?
• Carnell Tate and one of the deepest receiving corps the Titans have had in years
• Jeffery Simmons, the rebuilt defensive line, and Saleh's defensive system
• Position-by-position analysis of the offense and defense

🏈 Offseason Moves
• Free agency additions
• NFL Draft picks, including Carnell Tate, Keldric Faulk, and Anthony Hill Jr.
• The Titans' new uniforms, logo refresh, and upcoming Rivalries jersey

🏈 2026 Schedule & Season Outlook
• Key games to watch
• The final season at Nissan Stadium
• Training camp and preseason storylines
• Russell's win prediction and playoff expectations

Whether you're getting ready for fantasy football or simply counting down to Week 1, this episode covers everything Titans fans need to know heading into the 2026 season.

Link:

• Training Camp Opening Press Conference
• Titans Brand page
• Titans Rivalry leak
• Music City Audible: Titans LEAKED Rivalry Uniform Concept

Subscribe for weekly coverage of the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt athletics, the Nashville Sounds, and the biggest stories in Nashville sports.

#Titans #TennesseeTitans #NFL #CamWard #RobertSaleh #TrainingCamp #NFLPreview #TitansFootball

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On this week's episode of the Nashville Sports Report, host Russell Ries recaps another busy week across Middle Tennessee sports, highlighted by Nashville SC's return to winning ways, the start of Tennessee Titans training camp, and an in-depth conversation with Nashville SC supporter and commentator Parkins Gillespie.

⚽ Nashville SC
The Boys in Gold defeated CF Montréal 1-0 on Wednesday thanks to a Sam Surridge penalty, despite continuing injury concerns following the MLS World Cup break. Russell previews tonight's matchup against Orlando City, now featuring French star Antoine Griezmann and returning Orlando striker Daryl Dike, and discusses what lies ahead for Nashville SC.

🏈 Tennessee Titans
Titans rookies have reported for training camp, with veterans arriving next week. Russell breaks down the early storylines, including injuries to JC Latham and Amani Hooker and what they could mean for an offensive line already facing important questions entering the season.

⚓ Vanderbilt Athletics
Vanderbilt announces SRM Concrete as the first all-sports jersey patch sponsor in school history, while details for the annual Dore Jam fan event are revealed. Plus, former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is waived by the Baltimore Ravens.

⚾ Nashville Sounds
The Sounds continue their road trip in Sugar Land as they battle to stay in the International League playoff race before returning home next week.

🎙️ Featured Interview: Parkins Gillespie (@parkinsgillespie.bsky.social)
This week's guest is Nashville native, Nashville SC season ticket holder, and BlueSky contributor Parkins Gillespie. Russell and Parkins discuss Nashville SC's season, the MLS World Cup break, injury concerns, roster questions, and the current state of soccer in Nashville.

Links:

• Nashville SC Post-Match Presser
• Nashville SC vs CF Montreal Highlights
• Vanderbilt / SRM Concrete Announcement
• Dore Jam Information
• Ravens Waive Diego Pavia
• Probably not the Pro Bowl Parkins was referencing but everything about this video of the 1993 Pro Bowl highlights is perfect

Subscribe for weekly coverage of the Tennessee Titans, Nashville SC, Nashville Predators, Vanderbilt athletics, the Nashville Sounds, and the biggest stories in Nashville sports.

#NashvilleSC #Titans #TrainingCamp #NashvilleSports #MLS #Vanderbilt #NashvilleSounds

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On this week's episode of the Nashville Sports Report, host Russell Ries recaps a busy week across Nashville sports, highlighted by Nashville SC's return from the MLS World Cup break with a hard-fought win over Atlanta United and another major addition to the roster.

This week's topics include:

⚽ Nashville SC
• Nashville SC defeats Atlanta United despite a long injury list
• Shaq Mohammed scores the match-winning goal
• New signing Elias Saad arrives from Germany after representing Tunisia at the World Cup
• Reports link Nashville SC to Senegalese midfielder Famara Camara
• Preview of Wednesday night's match against CF Montréal at GEODIS Park

🏈 Tennessee Titans
• Chris Johnson will be inducted into the Titans Ring of Honor during Week 1 against the New York Jets
• Cam Ward takes center stage in Season 3 of Netflix's Quarterback
• Titans training camp begins this week as rookies and veterans report to Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park

🏒 Nashville Predators
• The Predators unveil their 2026-27 regular season schedule with a hilarious TV-themed release video
• Nashville's home opener is set for October 1 against the Minnesota Wild
• Locally televised games move to The Spot - Nashville 28
• Assistant GM Jeff Kealty departs for the San Jose Sharks

⚾ Nashville Sounds
• The Sounds continue their pursuit of the Memphis Redbirds in the International League standings as they wrap up their series with Norfolk before heading to Sugar Land.

Featured Interview
This week's guest is Matthew Sullivan, a senior developer at Atiba with nearly 20 years of experience building sports analytics, fantasy sports, and simulation software. Russell and Matt discuss the evolution of sports data, predictive modeling, fantasy sports strategy, and how technology continues to shape the way fans understand the games they love.

Links

• Nashville SC vs Atlanta United full highlights
• Titans' Chris Johnson Ring of Honor Announcement Video
• Elias Saad highlights
• Famara Camara highlights
• Nashville Predators 26/27 Season Schedule Announcement Video
• "How Lucky You Can Be" - Buster Olney book on Don Meyer
• Abstract of "Authorship Versus Influence" about Professor Martin Mueller's work
• Yakety Sax - 1 Hour Version (for when the pain is too great)

Subscribe for weekly coverage of the Tennessee Titans, Nashville SC, Nashville Predators, Vanderbilt athletics, the Nashville Sounds, and the biggest stories in Middle Tennessee sports.

#NashvilleSC #Titans #ChrisJohnson #CamWard #Quarterback #Predators #NashvilleSports #MLS #FantasyFootball #RotoBaseball

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Nashville SC is back from the World Cup break, and Russell previews Friday night's showdown with Atlanta United, predicts a big win for the Boys in Gold, and discusses Sam Surridge joining Nashville's league-leading four MLS All-Stars.

Also this week: the Nashville Predators lock up Mavrik Bourque with a six-year contract, continue reshaping the front office with the hiring of assistant GM Vukie Mpofu, Titans training camp draws closer as Cam Ward prepares for Netflix's Quarterback, the USMNT's disappointing World Cup exit, and the latest on the Nashville Sounds' push for first place.

Plus, Russell sits down with Nashville entrepreneur and Atiba founder JJ Rosen to talk about growing up in Nashville, his grandfather Ralph Kornman's career as a local sportswriter, founding one of Nashville's leading technology companies, and former Nashville Sounds slugger Steve Balboni.

Links:

• Steve Balboni 1980 profile
• Netflix Quarterback - Season 3 trailer
• USA vs Belgium extended highlights

If you enjoy Nashville sports, Tennessee Titans, Nashville SC, Predators hockey, Sounds baseball, and conversations about Music City sports history, be sure to subscribe to the Nashville Sports Report.

#NashvilleSports #NashvilleSC #TennesseeTitans #Predators #NashvillePredators #NashvilleSounds #MLS #MLSSoccer #USMNT #WorldCup #SamSurridge #HanyMukhtar #CamWard #ChrisMacFarland #MavrikBourque #JJRosen #SteveBalboni #Atiba #Nashville #MusicCity

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CORRECTION: This episode mistakes the date of the next USMNT game. The game is on Monday, July 6th NOT Tuesday July 7th

On this special Fourth of July edition of the Nashville Sports Report, host Russell Ries is joined by Music City Baseball board member Nancy Schultz for an in-depth conversation about the effort to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville through the Nashville Stars initiative. Nancy discusses the vision behind Music City Baseball, Nashville's growing case for an MLB franchise, and her family's longstanding connection to sports in Middle Tennessee.

Before the interview, we reflect on the heartbreaking news that former Tennessee Titans superstar Chris Johnson has been diagnosed with ALS. We discuss CJ2K's incredible legacy on and off the field, what he meant to Nashville, and why he remains one of the greatest players in Titans history.

Also on this week's show:

• Tennessee Titans announce public training camp dates and details for the 2026 Blue & White Scrimmage
• Nashville Predators GM Chris MacFarland reshapes the roster with trades and free agent signings involving Mavrik Bourque, Nils Höglander, Jack Drury, Adam Edström, and Alexander Kerfoot
• What the Predators' busy offseason says about the future direction of the franchise
• The US Men's National Team advances to the World Cup quarterfinals and prepares for a showdown with Belgium
• The Nashville Sounds continue their chase of the Memphis Redbirds in the International League standings

Featured Interview:
Nancy Schultz, board member of Music City Baseball, joins the Nashville Sports Report to discuss the Nashville Stars project, the effort to bring Major League Baseball to Tennessee, and why she believes Nashville is ready to become a major league city.

If you'd like to support ALS research and patient care, please consider donating to The ALS Association.

Click here to support the Nashville Children's Alliance.

Featured Links:

Chris Johnson on Good Morning America

USMNT vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nashville Stars homepage 

Nashville Stars shop

Nashville Stars newsletter

Nashville Stars on Instagram

Nashville Stars on Twitter

Subscribe for weekly coverage of the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt athletics, the Nashville Sounds, and the biggest stories in Nashville sports.

#MusicCityBaseball #NashvilleStars #MLBtoNashville #NancySchultz #Titans #ChrisJohnson #Predators #NashvilleSports

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Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music
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