Titans, SEC Oppose Attempted Ticket Tax on Nashville Stadium Proposal

Nashville metro council members have pushed back a decisive vote on a new home for the Tennessee Titans.

A final vote on the team’s proposed $2.1 billion stadium project has been postponed until April 25 as the Titans and several tourist groups oppose a late-breaking amendment that would impact the revenue split of non-NFL events held at the stadium. 

Metro council member Brandon Taylor proposed the amendment, which would secure up to 10% of each ticket sold for a concert or non-pro football event at the stadium for the city, per Axios. 

The amendment narrowly passed 19-18 around 1 a.m. CT on April 5, and several groups aren’t happy — especially the Titans.

• A mayoral aide said that a $470 million revenue loss for the team would be a “conservative” estimate.
• Supporters claim the change would help fund new transportation and roadway infrastructure improvement in Nashville. 
• But SEC commissioner Greg Sankey expressed concerns that the amendment would be a “disincentive” to hold non-NFL sports events in Nashville.

Live Nation, WME, Creative Arts Agency, and the Country Music Association were among several major entertainment organizations to sign a letter opposing Taylor’s amendment. The letter states the proposal “inflates the costs to ticket buyers, including every Davidson County resident who wants to see a sports event or a music concert,” according to the Tennessee Lookout. 

Next week’s meeting is expected to present a compromise proposal from Nashville council member Jennifer Gamble negotiated between the Titans and tourism officials.