Nashville Sports Report

Russell Ries

Nashville Sports Report is a weekly podcast covering the teams, people, stories and culture that make up Nashville sports.  Each episode combines a look at the latest from the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt Athletics and the rest of the local sports scene with in-depth conversations featuring athletes, broadcasters, journalists, photographers, executives, historians, fans and others who help shape sports in the Nashville sports community. Hosted by Russell Ries, Nashville Sports Report goes beyond scores and headlines to explore how Nashville sports work, why they matter and what they reveal about the city itself.

  1. 18h ago

    Who Builds Nashville Sports? Monica Fawknotson on Venues, Growth and What Comes Next

    This week on Nashville Sports Report, Russell Ries talks with Monica Fawknotson, President of the Metropolitan Nashville Sports Authority, about the people, venues and decisions behind Nashville’s growth as a sports city. Monica explains what the Sports Authority actually does, how Nashville’s major venues are financed and managed, and why the city’s rise as a sports destination was a “10-year overnight success story.” The conversation covers the new Nissan Stadium and East Bank redevelopment, GEODIS Park’s intentionally Nashville design, the 2030 Super Bowl, the future of women’s professional sports in Nashville, Municipal Auditorium, and her memories of working with legendary Tennessee State coach Ed Temple.  Monica Fawknotson Transcription… Also in this week’s Nashville sports recap: Vanderbilt football falls 52-17 to Ole Miss.The Nashville Predators go through an eventful three-game stretch against Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and add defenseman Jayden Struble.Vanderbilt women’s soccer moves to 12-0-1 with a 1-0 win at Missouri and takes over first place in the SEC.Nashville SC beats Austin FC 4-1, extends its winning streak and continues a record-setting season.The Tennessee Titans enter today’s game against Houston still looking for their first win.WATCH / READ MORE Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss recap: Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss recap Predators at Maple Leafs highlights: Nashville at Toronto highlights Predators at Canadiens highlights: Nashville at Montreal highlights Predators at Senators highlights: Nashville at Ottawa highlights Vanderbilt women’s soccer at Missouri recap: Vanderbilt at Missouri recap Nashville SC at Austin FC recap: Nashville SC 4-1 Austin FC recap $1 Vanderbilt soccer tickets vs. Florida, Oct. 15: https://vucommodores.evenue.net/event/SOC26/SOC08 Nissan Stadium memorabilia and legacy collection: Nissan Stadium Collection Send us your thoughts OR Come be on the show Nashville Sports Report https://nashvillesportsreport.com Twitter/X - @NSHSportsReport BlueSky - @NSHSportsReport.bsky.social YouTube - @NashvilleSportsReport Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music License: Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://audiolibrary.com.co/pold/games Music promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/SyFPLhALc5w

  2. Oct 4

    Betty Wiseman: Building Belmont Women’s Basketball and a Nashville Sports Legacy

    This week on Nashville Sports Report, Russell Ries sits down with Betty Wiseman, the founder of Belmont University women’s basketball and one of the pioneering figures in Nashville women’s sports. Wiseman started Belmont’s women’s basketball program in 1968, at a time when opportunities for women in college athletics looked very different than they do today. She talks about discovering basketball growing up in Tennessee, playing for the legendary Nashville Business College program, building Belmont basketball from the ground up, coaching in the years before Title IX transformed women’s athletics, her friendship with Pat Head Summitt, and the players, coaches and experiences that shaped her life in the game. The conversation also explores the remarkable history of women’s basketball in Tennessee and the generations of women who built the sport long before it received the attention it does today. The timing of the conversation became especially appropriate this week, when Nashville unveiled Metro’s 300th historical marker outside Municipal Auditorium honoring the powerhouse Nashville Business College women’s basketball teams. NBC won 11 AAU national championships during its 20-year run, including eight consecutive titles from 1962 through 1969. Russell also runs through the week in Nashville sports, including the Tennessee Titans’ loss to the New York Giants, the Nashville Predators opening their season against Minnesota before earning their first victory against Dallas, Vanderbilt football’s trip to No. 2 Georgia, Middle Tennessee at Kansas, Tennessee State at Western Illinois and another win for undefeated Vanderbilt women’s soccer. Learn More About Betty Wiseman and Nashville Women’s Basketball Betty Wiseman Scrapbooks – Belmont University Archives Explore Betty Wiseman’s digitized scrapbooks at Belmont University Metro’s 300th Historical Marker Spotlights Pioneering Local Basketball Team – Nashville Scene Read the Nashville Scene story about the Nashville Business College historical marker Be Like Belmont Betty T-Shirts https://panetory.com/be-like-belmont-betty-shirt Game Highlights & Recaps Tennessee Titans vs. New York Giants Watch Titans-Giants highlights Nashville Predators vs. Minnesota Wild Watch Predators-Wild highlights Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars Watch Predators-Stars highlights Vanderbilt vs. Georgia Vanderbilt-Georgia game recap Middle Tennessee vs. Kansas Middle Tennessee-Kansas game recap Tennessee State vs. Western Illinois Tennessee State-Western Illinois game recap Vanderbilt Women’s Soccer vs. Kentucky Vanderbilt-Kentucky game recap Nashville Sports Report covers the teams, people, history and culture that make up Nashville sports. Send us your thoughts OR Come be on the show Nashville Sports Report https://nashvillesportsreport.com Twitter/X - @NSHSportsReport BlueSky - @NSHSportsReport.bsky.social YouTube - @NashvilleSportsReport Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music License: Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://audiolibrary.com.co/pold/games Music promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/SyFPLhALc5w

  3. Sep 20

    Vanderbilt Soccer Coach Darren Ambrose | Vandy Stuns NC State, Nashville SC Clinches Playoffs

    Vanderbilt women’s soccer head coach Darren Ambrose joins Nashville Sports Report to talk about building the Commodores into one of the nation’s top programs, how Vanderbilt soccer has evolved during his tenure, the culture behind the program and what he has learned over more than a decade in Nashville. The Commodores enter the week 8–0–1 after a 5–0 win over Texas A&M, continuing a run that has included Vanderbilt’s first No. 1 national ranking, an SEC championship, two SEC Tournament titles, a Sweet 16 appearance and the program’s first trip to the Elite Eight. Before the conversation with Darren, we recap a wild weekend across Nashville sports: Vanderbilt football improves to 3–0 with an incredible 35–31 comeback win over NC State, decided by a forced fumble and touchdown in the final seconds. We feature Andrew Allegretta’s Vanderbilt radio call of the final play.Tennessee State earns its first win of the season, rallying past Florida A&M 29–26.Middle Tennessee improves to 2–1 with a 27–20 win over Nevada.The Tennessee Titans look ahead to the Philadelphia Eagles after a 23–10 season-opening loss to the New York Jets.Nashville SC beats Chicago Fire FC 3–0 to clinch a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs and reach 60 points.Vanderbilt women’s soccer rolls past Texas A&M 5–0.Nashville Predators prospects sweep Carolina and Tampa Bay at the 2026 Prospect Showcase as the Preds move into training camp and preseason.The new Nashville Vibe name and identity are unveiled ahead of the UPSHOT League franchise’s 2027 debut at Memorial Gymnasium.The Nashville Sounds enter their final game of the season at 79–69.Highlights & Game Recaps Vanderbilt 35, NC State 31 — Vanderbilt game recap Tennessee State 29, Florida A&M 26 — Tennessee State game recap Middle Tennessee 27, Nevada 20 — Middle Tennessee game recap New York Jets 23, Tennessee Titans 10 — Titans game recap Nashville SC 3, Chicago Fire FC 0 — Watch the MLS highlights Vanderbilt 5, Texas A&M 0 — Women’s Soccer — Vanderbilt match recap Predators Prospects 4, Carolina 1 — Predators recap Predators Prospects 3, Tampa Bay 1 — Predators recap Featured Call This episode features Andrew Allegretta’s radio call of Vanderbilt’s remarkable final play against NC State. Hear our full Nashville Sports Report conversation with Andrew Allegretta: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2615141/episodes/19724508 Nashville Sports Report covers the teams, people and stories that make up Nashville sports, including the Titans, Predators, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt, Tennessee State, Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Sounds and more. Send us your thoughts OR Come be on the show Nashville Sports Report https://nashvillesportsreport.com Twitter/X - @NSHSportsReport BlueSky - @NSHSportsReport.bsky.social YouTube - @NashvilleSportsReport Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music License: Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://audiolibrary.com.co/pold/games Music promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/SyFPLhALc5w

  4. Sep 13

    Inside Nashville SC Sports Photography with Christina Moore | Titans-Jets Week 1

    What does it take to capture a Nashville SC match from the sideline? Sports photographer Christina Moore of SixOneFive Soccer joins Nashville Sports Report to talk about the craft of sports photography—from choosing where to position herself and anticipating action before it happens to recognizing the quieter moments that can tell the story of a match just as powerfully as a goal or celebration. Christina also explains how watching a game through a camera changes what she notices, what makes her know almost immediately that she has captured a special image, and some of the details you only discover when you spend a match watching players through a lens. Elsewhere on this week’s Nashville Sports Report: • Tennessee Titans: The 2026 season begins at Nissan Stadium against the New York Jets in Robert Saleh’s first regular-season game as Titans head coach—and against the team he coached from 2021–24. We also discuss Cam Ward, Jeffery Simmons and Morgan Cox being named captains. • Chris Johnson: Johnson’s Ring of Honor induction has been postponed, although the Titans will still honor his career at halftime. We also discuss his deeply personal Players’ Tribune piece, “A Letter to My Kids,” about living with ALS, making his diagnosis public and the family helping him continue to fight. • Nashville SC: The Boys in Gold take one point from a difficult two-match road stretch after a 2–1 loss at Toronto FC and a 2–2 draw against Inter Miami. • Nashville Predators: Rookie camp is underway as the Predators begin preparations for the 2026–27 NHL season. • College football: Vanderbilt improves to 2–0 with a win over Delaware, while Tennessee State falls at Alabama A&M and Middle Tennessee loses a close game at Marshall. • Vanderbilt soccer: An unbeaten start, the program’s first-ever No. 1 TopDrawerSoccer ranking, and a draw at Georgia to open SEC play. • Nashville Sounds: Thomas Pannone makes history with a perfect game—retiring all 27 Durham hitters on just 94 pitches. LINKS Chris Johnson — “A Letter to My Kids,” The Players’ Tribune Read “A Letter to My Kids” Christina Moore Instagram: @cmoorestories SixOneFive Soccer: Christina Moore’s photography and stories Personal website: CMooreStoryteller.com Nashville SC highlights Toronto FC vs. Nashville SC — September 9, 2026 Inter Miami CF vs. Nashville SC — September 12, 2026 Send us your thoughts OR Come be on the show Nashville Sports Report https://nashvillesportsreport.com Twitter/X - @NSHSportsReport BlueSky - @NSHSportsReport.bsky.social YouTube - @NashvilleSportsReport Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music License: Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://audiolibrary.com.co/pold/games Music promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/SyFPLhALc5w

  5. Sep 6

    How Nashville Became a Major Sports Destination with Jay Grider | Predators Trade Luke Evangelista & Titans Set Roster

    How did Nashville transform from a city with no major professional sports teams into one of America’s major sports destinations? Jay Grider, COO and Special Advisor at the Nashville Sports Council and author of Last Call: From the Minor Leagues to Nashville’s Rise as a Major Sports Destination, joins Nashville Sports Report to discuss the people, events and decisions that helped build Nashville’s modern sports identity. Grider has spent much of his career working behind the scenes in event operations, sports recruitment and the development of major sporting events in Nashville, with experience ranging from minor-league baseball to the Music City Bowl. We talk about how Nashville earned its place on the national sports map and what it takes for a city to establish itself as a destination for major events. Also on this week’s Nashville sports roundup: The Nashville Predators trade Luke Evangelista to the New Jersey Devils, receiving Colorado’s conditional 2028 first-round pick and New Jersey’s 2028 second-round pick as Nashville continues accumulating draft capital.The Tennessee Titans set their initial 53-man roster, Xavier Restrepo lands on the practice squad, former starting quarterback Will Levis remains unsigned, and rookie Fernando Carmona earns the starting job at right guard.Nashville SC plays New York City FC to a 0–0 draw before road matches against Toronto FC and Inter Miami.Vanderbilt football opens its season with a 28–9 win over Austin Peay.No. 3 Vanderbilt soccer improves to 5–0, with Sydney Watts scoring twice in a road win over Houston.Middle Tennessee defeats Murray State, while Tennessee State falls on the road at No. 3 Georgia.Nashville Sports Report covers the teams, people, events and stories that make up Nashville’s sports community, including the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt Athletics, Tennessee State, Middle Tennessee and more. Links Buy Jay's Book "Last Call" HereVolunteer with the Nashville Sports CounselNashville SC vs NYCFC highlightsVanderbilt Soccer vs. Houston highlightsTSU vs Georgia HighlightsVanderbilt Football vs. Austin Peay highllightsMTSU vs Murray State Post-Game Press ConferenceSend us your thoughts OR Come be on the show Nashville Sports Report https://nashvillesportsreport.com Twitter/X - @NSHSportsReport BlueSky - @NSHSportsReport.bsky.social YouTube - @NashvilleSportsReport Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music License: Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://audiolibrary.com.co/pold/games Music promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/SyFPLhALc5w

  6. Aug 30

    Andrew Allegretta on Vanderbilt Broadcasting & the Craft of Play-by-Play | Nashville SC Rolls Past Cincinnati

    Vanderbilt broadcaster Andrew Allegretta joins the Nashville Sports Report to talk about the craft of play-by-play, how he prepares differently for football, baseball and basketball, and the path that brought him from Tulane to the Vanderbilt Sports Network. Allegretta, Vanderbilt’s Director of Radio Broadcasting and play-by-play voice for Commodore football and baseball, also discusses what it is like covering Vanderbilt athletics from one of the best seats in the house. Elsewhere in Nashville sports, Nashville SC continued its remarkable season with a dominant 4–0 win over FC Cincinnati at GEODIS Park, giving the club 52 points and four straight MLS victories. The show also covers the Titans’ final two preseason games, Cam Ward’s progress, Carnell Tate’s strong joint practice against Chicago, Will Levis’ preseason finale, the Titans’ new “Music City” Rivalries uniform, Vanderbilt soccer’s 4–0 start, and the Nashville Sounds’ first no-hitter since 2017. Links: Robert Saleh Post-Game press conference 8.29.26Titans "Music City" Rivalry UniformsNashville SC vs. FC Cincinnati Last Two Minutes commentary of the All Ireland Football final between Mayo and Kerry (Russell misidentified County Mayo as County Cork during the interview)Send us your thoughts OR Come be on the show Nashville Sports Report https://nashvillesportsreport.com Twitter/X - @NSHSportsReport BlueSky - @NSHSportsReport.bsky.social YouTube - @NashvilleSportsReport Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music License: Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://audiolibrary.com.co/pold/games Music promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/SyFPLhALc5w

  7. Aug 23

    Michael Hanna of St. Vito on Nashville Food, Sports & Restaurant Culture | Nashville SC Makes MLS History

    Michael Hanna, chef, founder and owner of St. Vito Focacceria, joins Nashville Sports Report to talk about building one of Nashville’s distinctive restaurants, the city’s food and hospitality culture, and the connection between restaurants, sports and the communities that form around them. Also this week, Nashville SC completes a remarkable nine-points-in-eight-days run with wins over Inter Miami, the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew. The Columbus match provided the wildest finish of the stretch, with Reed Baker-Whiting and Andy Nájar scoring in stoppage time to turn a 2–1 deficit into a 3–2 win. Nashville now has 49 points through 21 matches—the most in MLS history through that point of a season. Plus: Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans have an encouraging joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks ahead of their second preseason game.The Nashville Sounds continue their season before heading to Jacksonville for a six-game series against the Jumbo Shrimp.Vanderbilt women’s soccer improves to 3–0 with a 4–1 win over No. 21 Memphis.The Nashville Stampede extend their franchise-record winning streak. Links: St. Vito Focacceria: stvitonashville.com Instagram: @st.vito_focacceria Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami highlights Nashville SC vs. New York Red Bull highlights Nashville SC vs. Columbus Crew highlights Reed Baker-Whiting's game tying goal BJ Callaghan Columbus Post-Match Press Conference Send us your thoughts OR Come be on the show Nashville Sports Report https://nashvillesportsreport.com Twitter/X - @NSHSportsReport BlueSky - @NSHSportsReport.bsky.social YouTube - @NashvilleSportsReport Music: Games by Pold https://soundcloud.com/pold-music License: Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://audiolibrary.com.co/pold/games Music promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/SyFPLhALc5w

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Nashville Sports Report is a weekly podcast covering the teams, people, stories and culture that make up Nashville sports.  Each episode combines a look at the latest from the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, Vanderbilt Athletics and the rest of the local sports scene with in-depth conversations featuring athletes, broadcasters, journalists, photographers, executives, historians, fans and others who help shape sports in the Nashville sports community. Hosted by Russell Ries, Nashville Sports Report goes beyond scores and headlines to explore how Nashville sports work, why they matter and what they reveal about the city itself.

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