Huddle up and break out those old jerseys. Let’s TBT (travel back in time) to reminisce on these defunct Nashville sports teams.
Nashville Kats
- Sport: Arena football
- Timeline: 1997-2001 + 2005-2007
The original Kats played at Nashville Arena (aka Bridgestone Arena) and were named after The Lovin’ Spoonful’s 1966 hit “Nashville Cats.” Notable achievements include being named “Organization of the Year” in their inaugural season + back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in the team’s last two years. After lease disagreements, the Kats were sold, moved to Atlanta and re-established as the Georgia Force.
Years later, Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams purchased rights to expand the franchise + take back the Kats’ identity. The team once again took the field in 2005 at Gaylord Entertainment Center. The new Kats maintained an 8-8 record in their second year, but ultimately ticket sales didn’t remain steady, so Adams ceased operations in 2007.
Nashville Ice Flyers
- Sport: Minor professional hockey
- Timeline: 1996-1998
The Nashville Ice Flyers, known as the Nashville Nighthawks during the 1996-1997 season, brought home 41 wins to Municipal Auditorium in the team’s second and final season. Star player Alexsandr Chunchukov led the team with 102 points, but ultimately the introduction of the Nashville Predators in 1998 brought the Flyers to their end.
Nashville Metros
- Sport: Soccer
- Timeline: 1989-2012
The Nashville Metros played at various Nashville and Franklin high school and municipal stadiums before settling into their home field at Ezell Park. The Metros played indoors until 1996, winning only six matches in six seasons. The outdoor team proved a much better record, going on to make a US Open Cup appearance in 1998.
Before the start of the 1999 season, the club reorganized as the Tennessee Rhythm for financial reasons. The team returned to its original stadium and name in 2001 + downsized to the Premier Development League in 2002. Before its end in 2012, the Metros were the longest continuously owned and operated franchise in the USL.
