Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Home games will be played at Vanderbilt University's Memorial Gymnasium.
- Team name chosen from more than 25 options to represent Nashville's music, culture, neighborhoods, universities, food, sports, and energy.
- Team's blue and yellow colors draw inspiration from the flag of Nashville and Davidson County.
- Franchise led by President and CEO Nancy VanReece alongside Managing Partner Mark Walsh.
- League aims to provide professional opportunities and develop players for the WNBA; teams carry 11-player rosters and a 34-game season.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Nashville’s newest professional sports team officially has a name.
The Nashville Vibe was unveiled Tuesday as Music City’s new professional women’s basketball team, which will begin play in the UPSHOT League in May 2027.
Nashville Vibe official logo. (PHOTO: Upshot Nashville)
The Vibe will be the sixth franchise in the professional women’s basketball league and will play its home games at Vanderbilt University’s Memorial Gymnasium. Team officials said the name was selected after considering more than 25 possibilities and is intended to represent Nashville’s music, culture, neighborhoods, universities, food, sports, and overall energy.
The team’s blue and yellow color scheme also draws inspiration from the flag of Nashville and Davidson County.
City of Nashville Flag. (PHOTO: Davidson County)
The Nashville Vibe captures everything that makes this city special, our music, our energy, and the spirit that brings people together,” team President and CEO Nancy VanReece said.
Nashville was announced as the league’s sixth market in April. VanReece, a former Metro Nashville council member, leads the franchise alongside Managing Partner Mark Walsh.
The UPSHOT League began play in May 2026 with four teams: the Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, Charlotte Crown and Greensboro Groove. Nashville and Baltimore will join as expansion markets for the 2027 season.
The league was created to provide professional playing opportunities in the United States while developing players who could move on to the WNBA. UPSHOT teams carry 11-player rosters and play a 34-game regular season, with 17 games at home and 17 on the road.
The Vibe’s 17 home games will be played at Memorial Gymnasium beginning in May 2027.
Vanderbilt Memorial Gymnasium. (PHOTO: Upshot Nashville)
Mayor Freddie O’Connell welcomed the new team and said its arrival adds to Nashville’s growing sports landscape.
I can’t wait to bring my family to watch The Vibe, and I’m excited for the city to build upon our reputation as a great sports town,” O’Connell said.
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The franchise said additional announcements, including its inaugural head coach, player signings, jerseys, and mascot, are expected in the coming months.
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