Representative Williams Says Sports Authority Board Bill Is About Finances, Not Politics

State Representative Ryan Williams said his bill to reconstitute the boards of directors for sports authorities specific to Davidson County impacts more than the Nashville area.

The bill would give the state majority control over the board that manages sport venues such as Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena. Williams said as proposed, 10 out of the 13 members would be appointed by the state to account for the state’s investment into the facilities.

“Sales tax revenues are collected at the local level, and then, they are redistributed among the state,” Williams said. “One of the biggest beneficiaries of sales tax are the stadiums. So as a member and chairman of finance appropriations, I felt like it was important that all Tennesseans have a voice on how those dollars are spent.”

Currently, the Nashville mayor appoints all 13 seats. Williams said the bill is not meant as a consequence to the Metro Council voting against the GOP convention coming to Nashville in 2024.

“In this instance, I don’t think it is such,” Williams said. “There are other bills that I feel like that may be more directed towards that. For example, Leader Lamberth and Leader Johnson have one that changes the make up of the Metro Council. For me, it’s more about the finance and management of the state’s revenue since we are by all means investors into these stadiums.”

Williams said he understands that the timing of the bill may seem “off” to some. However with $500 million invested in the new Titan’s stadium, Williams believed it was time for the state to have a seat at the table.

“It may be looked that way from a timing perspective, but because of the changes made to Bridgestone two years ago, MLS three years ago and now the Titan’s stadium, I felt like it was an appropriate time to do it now,” Williams said. “It’s just coincidental that it happened to be during a time the GOP convention was given the snub by metro.”