Members of the Nashville Sports Authority had expected to have final documents in hand by now for a lease agreement with the Predators’ new owners. It’s been nearly a month since the ownership group and Mayor Karl Dean agreed on broad terms for a new Sommet Center lease.
At a meeting on Tuesday, city attorneys walked board members through the high points. There will be an additional $3 million spent, but the city’s liability is now limited and refundable if the team leaves.
Despite having many of the specifics, chairman Kevin Lavender reminded his Sports Authority colleagues – who will be the first body to approve the new lease – that nothing is set in stone.
“The final documents are not only being drafted, they’re still being negotiated.”
The new ownership group, made up of mostly local investors and led by venture capitalist David Freeman, finalized the purchase of the team Friday. They’re functioning now under an old lease for the Sommet Center.
Metro officials expect the Sports Authority will work with the Metro Council in approving the lease, but that’s not expected to begin until mid-January.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM