Exterior photo of Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Image Credit: Mike Kalasnik (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Nashville Predators and Nashville’s Metro government have signed a new lease agreement that will keep the Predators at Bridgestone Arena through the 2049 NHL season. The signing of the new lease will eliminate the operating subsidy from the local government’s general fund. The current lease between the two was signed in 2012 and was set to expire in 2028. The lease extension is expected to be approved by the Nashville Sports Authority in the coming weeks.

The current lease agreement called for city funds to be provided for Bridgestone Arena’s annual operating losses. The Nashville Predators and Powers Management currently receive $8.4 million from the metro government to run the arena and book as many concerts and non-hockey events as possible. The Nashville Predators will still be able to generate revenue from ticket surcharges to help fund future improvements to Bridgestone Arena. Over the next 20 years, the Nashville Predators plan to spend more than $350 million on additional renovations and improvements. The first phase of those improvements will occur in 2021 when the team will add a new press box and 1,200 new seats. By making ongoing annual improvements to Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Predators won’t have to seek funds to build a new and more up to date arena in the future.

Since 2012, the Nashville Predators have invested more than $70 million into upgrading and improving Bridgestone Arena. Some of those key improvements include the following.

  • Installation of brand new seats at Bridgestone Arena
  • Renovation of all concession stands and restrooms at Bridgestone Arena
  • Renovation of the player locker rooms and the Nissan SoBro Entrance
  • Construction of premium club areas including the Lexus Lounge, 501 Club and Bunker Suites
  • Construction of the Nashville Predators team store on Fifth Avenue
  • Construction of the Barrel House and Pete & Terry's Tavern
  • Installation LED ribbon boards and a new sound system inside the arena

In 2008, Nashville nearly lost the Predators to Hamilton, Ontario until local investors purchased the team at the last minute. The current lease agreement helped provide more stability for the franchise who have become one of the most marketable teams in the National Hockey League. In fact, the Nashville Predators are currently riding a sellout streak of more than 150 home games and have implemented a waitlist for prospective season ticket holders.

 

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