Tim McGraw Joins Kats Ownership Group
Published on November 1, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
NASHVILLE (Nov. 1, 2004) â Award-winning artist Tim McGraw, who has sold more than 30 million albums and charted 23 number one singles in his wildly successful music career, has purchased a minority interest in the Nashville Kats arena football franchise. The announcement was made at a press conference on Monday by K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr., the Kats' majority owner, founder and CEO.
"I am very pleased to welcome Tim McGraw to the Kats organization," said Adams. "He is a man who brings excitement to everything he is a part of, and his involvement adds even more excitement to a fantastic sport like arena football. Tim is an avid football fan, and he is a suiteholder for the Titans. His love for the sport makes it a natural fit for him and for this organization."
After already establishing himself as one of country music's most popular and respected performers, McGraw now makes his first venture into the world of professional sports. He joins Jon Bon Jovi of the Philadelphia Soul as another major musician to join an ownership group in the Arena Football League.
"I've always been proud to call Nashville home and am excited about this new venture with the Kats," said McGraw. "I look forward to a great 2005 and kicking it off with a hometown concert."
In addition to purchasing a stake in the team, McGraw will hold a headline performance just for Nashville Kats season ticket holders and selected sponsors. The date and location for the concert is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. It will be the only live, headline act McGraw will play in Nashville in 2005.
"The only chance the people of Nashville will get to see Tim McGraw play live in the next year will be to buy Kats season tickets," said Adams, who is also the founder and owner of the NFL's Tennessee Titans. "I don't know of a better holiday gift out there than getting a full season of Kats arena football, and then having tickets to see Tim McGraw in concert thrown in for free."
McGraw is experiencing his career-best year with the launch of his new record Live Like You Were Dying, which debuted with sales of 766,000 in its first week and has now gone on to sell 2 million copies. He broke a 30-year record with a 10-week number one single with the album's title track, and has become the only country music artist to have a number one song on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 with "Over and Over," his duet with Hip Hop artist Nelly. He also celebrated a top-rated $50 million grossing 2004 concert tour, made his critically-acclaimed acting debut in October in the feature film "Friday Night Lights," and is soon to host his second NBC-TV concert special, which will air the night before Thanksgiving.
The Nashville Kats begin play in the Arena Football League's Central Division in January 2005. The expansion franchise will keep the name and identity of the previous Nashville Kats arena football franchise, which played in the AFL from 1997-2001. Tickets are available by phone at 615-565-4700, or through Katsonline.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 1, 2004
- Tim McGraw Joins Kats Ownership Group - Nashville Kats
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