Judges block Tennessee law letting state pick 6 on local pro sports facility board
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A panel of judges has blocked a new law in Tennessee that would restructure the group that oversees professional sports facilities in Nashville by letting state leaders choose six of 13 board members.
Late last week, three justices agreed that the law targeting the Nashville Sports Authority likely violates House Rules protections in the state Constitution by emphasizing Nashville and not requiring approval from local voters or two-thirds of the Metro Council require. The temporary injunction blocks the law while the city's lawsuit moves through the courts. The law would have come into effect on January 1.
The ruling marks a fourth court decision against the state in the broader legal battle over laws passed this year by Republican lawmakers that dilute Democratic-leaning control of Nashville, ranging from oversight of the international airport to the size of the Combined Metro Council. the city and the province. .
The Nashville Sports Authority, created by city officials under a corporate charter in 1995, has 13 board members selected by the city's mayor and approved by the Metro Council. The new law ensures that the mayor retains a small controlling majority with seven appointments, while the other six choices are divided among the speakers of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the governor.
Nashville officials have cited House Rules protections in their lawsuits against several other new state laws that limit their power. Additionally, the lawsuit against the sports authority says the law would further violate the state constitution by firing board members before their terms expire.
Although the new law does not specifically mention Nashville-Davidson County, the justices called it “an untenable presumption at best” to say the state intended the changes to apply to other counties because of the parameters included by lawmakers.
In support of the change, prominent Republican lawmakers have reasoned that the state has approved $500 million in bonds to help build a new $2.1 billion domed stadium planned for the Tennessee Titans. A planned performing arts center nearby will also receive $200 million from the state, House Speaker Cameron Sexton has noted.
Tim Meads, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, said their team is reviewing the court's decision.
Earlier this year, the Republican-dominant Legislature passed the Sports Authority Act, as well as a series of others targeting Nashville, after city leaders introduced a proposal in 2022 to host the 2024 Republican National Convention. The exchange escalated efforts in previous years to pass laws upending policies Republicans disliked in Nashville, as well as in left-leaning Memphis.
In one of the other lawsuits filed by Nashville officials, a judicial panel ruled that the state cannot enforce a new law that makes it easier to pass changes through the Metro Council to the local fair speedway, which is being considered for upgrades in hopes to draw a NASCAR. race. The state declined to appeal this ruling.
In addition, judges blocked the law that reduced the metro council from 40 to 20 seats before it would have come into effect for the August elections. That lawsuit is still ongoing.
Judges have halted another change that would give the state a majority of appointments to Nashville International Airport's board. The state has appealed that case.