Editing Nashville Predators (section)

==Team information==

===Facilities===
[[File:Bridgestone Arena (Northeast corner).JPG|thumb|The Predators have played their home games at [[Bridgestone Arena]] since 1998.]]
The Nashville Predators have played their home games at [[Bridgestone Arena]] since their inaugural season in 1998. Opened in 1996, Bridgestone Arena is a multi-purpose venue in downtown Nashville.

===Fan traditions===
Fans of the Nashville Predators have modified [[Legend of the Octopus|the octopus-throwing tradition]] of [[Detroit Red Wings]] fans to show their support: on occasion, a fan will throw a [[catfish]] onto the ice. ''[[The Tennessean]]'' newspaper of Nashville cites the first instance of this as being on October 30, 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2019/04/08/why-nashville-predators-throw-catfish/3401793002/ | title=The catfish, a Predators tradition that dates back to 2003, is back | website=[[The Tennessean]]}}</ref> On May 16, 2017, during game 3 of the conference finals at [[Bridgestone Arena]], country music singer, songwriter, and record producer [[Keith Urban]], who had performed the [[The Star-Spangled Banner|national anthem]] prior to the game, was seen on the Jumbotron hoisting a massive catfish that [[Tennessee Titans]] left tackle, [[Taylor Lewan]] had with him at the game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kuharsky |first1=Paul |title=Taylor Lewan's Tuesday night: Catfish, beer and cheering for Predators |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/22492/taylor-lewans-tuesday-night-catfish-beer-and-cheering |website=ESPN.com |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=May 17, 2017}}</ref> Lewan, along with fellow Titans offensive linemen [[Jack Conklin]], [[Quinton Spain]], [[Ben Jones (offensive lineman)|Ben Jones]], and [[Josh Kline|Josh Klein]], and Titans quarterback [[Marcus Mariota]], served as the hype men prior to the game, another Predators playoff tradition prior to home games, which included them waving gold Predators towels, Mariota encouraging the crowd to get louder, Lewan hoisting the catfish, and the offensive linemen chugging beer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prewitt |first1=Alex |title=Catfish-toting Taylor Lewan, Titans adding to Predators madness in Nashville |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2017/05/18/nashville-predators-tennessee-titans-taylor-lewan-catfish |website=SI |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=May 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wsmv.com/story/35449022/keith-urban-titans-offensive-line-hype-up-preds-fans-at-playoff-game|title=Keith Urban, Titans Offensive Line Hype Up Preds Fans a Playoff Game|last=Apel|first=Kara|date=May 17, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180313170532/http://www.wsmv.com/story/35449022/keith-urban-titans-offensive-line-hype-up-preds-fans-at-playoff-game|archive-date=March 13, 2018|url-status=dead|publication-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref>

Section 303 is where a section of fans at the Bridgestone Arena sit, stand, and cheer, colloquially known as ''The Cellblock''. The group refers to themselves as "the loudest section of the loudest arena in the NHL."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=9821|title=Section 303: I came, I saw - I yawned|first=Dominic|last=Bonvissuto|newspaper=Nashville City Paper|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220726/http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=9821|archive-date=September 27, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fan-based organization has been recognized by the Predators' front office. A large banner was produced by the front office for posting on the wall behind the section.

On April 3, 2008, with the Predators clinging to a 3–2 lead with 4:30 in their final home game of the regular season, a sellout crowd at what was then known as the [[Bridgestone Arena|Sommet Center]], gave the team a [[standing ovation]] through the entirety of the final [[Television timeout|TV timeout]]. The Predators went on to win the game against the [[St. Louis Blues]] and advanced to the [[2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs|playoffs that year]], where the "standing O" during the final TV timeout has since become a fan tradition.

The mascot of the Predators is [[Gnash (mascot)|Gnash]], a blue saber-toothed cat. Introduced in 1998, Gnash's trademark includes stunts, such as very fast rappels, zip lines, and a pendulum swing that takes him under the scoreboard and just inches off the ice. To go along with the saber-toothed cat mascot, Predators fans proudly use their ''Fang Fingers'' during each [[Power play (sporting term)|power play]] of the game. There are foam saber-fang gloves that can be purchased, but most fans simply curl their index and middle fingers on each hand into fang shapes and brandish them in an up-and-down motion. Fang Fingers are done to the horror sounds from the [[Alfred Hitchcock]] movie, ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=527289|title=An Introduction To Smashville|website=National Hockey League|agency=Nashville Predators|date=April 27, 2010}}</ref>

Fans are also known for a variety of chants taunting players of the opposing team, particularly the goalie. For example, after each Predators goal, fans call the opposing goalie's name, accompanied by shouts of "It's all your fault" and other epithets. These cheers are sometimes said to originate from tradition at college football games,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Godfrey|first1=Steven|title=How the Nashville Predators built a fan base in the heart of college football country|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2015/4/17/8429653/nashville-predators-fan-base-nhl-hockey-south-stanley-cup-playoffs|website=SBNation.com|publisher=[[Vox Media, Inc]]|date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> but some of these derive from traditions held by fans of Nashville's former pre-NHL hockey teams [[Nashville Dixie Flyers]], [[Nashville South Stars]], [[Pensacola Ice Flyers|Nashville Knights]], and [[Nashville Ice Flyers|Nashville Nighthawks/Nashville Ice Flyers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/nashville-knights-7022.html|title=Nashville Knights hockey team statistics and history at hockeydb.com|website=hockeydb.com}}</ref> This has contributed to the team also being called "Smashville".<ref>{{cite web|title=Preds' postseason run has turned Music City into Smashville|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/preds-postseason-run-has-turned-music-city-into-smashville-051117-2|work=Fox Sports|agency=Associated Press|date=May 11, 2017}}</ref>

===Jersey and logo===
[[File:Nashville Predators Alternate Logo.svg|thumb|150px|Nashville's third jersey logo (2001–2007); a more detailed, three-quarters front view of the team's [[Smilodon|saber-toothed cat]] logo and used as their 2023 reverse retro jersey logo (2023–present)]]
The original Predators uniforms were worn from 1998 to 2007 and both featured a silver yoke on the shoulder. Navy and white were the base uniform colors while gold was used only as an accent color. The white uniforms featured the primary Predators logo outside a navy triangle while the navy uniforms use the same logo minus the triangle. From 1998 to 2004 the secondary logo featuring the Gaylord Entertainment Center (now Bridgestone Arena) tower adorned the shoulders.

From 2001 to 2007 the Predators wore mustard gold third jerseys featuring the front-facing saber-toothed cat logo. These jerseys are known by the nickname "Mustard Cats." The logo then replaced the tower alternate logo on the shoulders of their primary uniforms in 2005.

Switching to [[Reebok]]'s Edge template in 2007, the Predators made minor tweaks to their uniforms. Most notably, the white uniforms no longer featured a contrasting nameplate color, while the city name was added above the Predators logo.

From 2009 to 2011, the Predators wore navy third jerseys but with black replacing gold as trim color. A roundel logo featuring the fossilized cat adorned the shoulders while a checkerboard pattern of black and navy squares adorned the sleeves, tail stripes and socks.

For the 2011–12 season, the Nashville Predators changed their jersey design and color scheme. The home jerseys are a bright gold with navy and white highlights, while the away jerseys are white with gold and navy highlights. Furthermore, the Predators changed their logo, making it purely white, gold and navy. The jerseys have a guitar pick on the shoulder with the [[Flag of Tennessee|Tennessee state tri-star]] inside it, lines reminiscent of guitar strings on the numbers, and piano keys along the neckline inside the jersey as a nod to Nashville's internationally known music heritage. From the 2016–17 season gold helmets became a permanent part of the home uniform, after they first used them on Saturday home games the prior season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bratten|first=Brooks|title=Preds Adopt Gold Helmets for Every Home Game|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/predators-to-wear-gold-helmets-for-home-games/c-281801034|website=National Hockey League|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>

In the 2017–18 season the Predators changed their uniform style to fit with the new [[Adidas]] template. While the gold home uniforms received minimal alterations, the away white uniforms featured more gold accents in the sleeves, shoulders and tail while navy was relegated to trim color.

The Predators unveiled a special edition uniform for the [[2020 NHL Winter Classic|2020 Winter Classic]], featuring a design inspired from the uniforms of the defunct [[Eastern Hockey League|EHL]] team [[Nashville Dixie Flyers]]. Heavy gold stripes with navy trim adorn the chest and sleeves while a script rendition of the team name was inserted to the gold chest stripe. A navy felt-rendered saber-toothed cat logo was also added on the left shoulder.

In the 2020–21 season, the Predators released a special "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform, using the design they wore from 1998 to 2007. However, gold was used as the base color while navy was relegated to trim color.

For the [[2022 NHL Stadium Series|2022 Stadium Series]], the Predators released a navy uniform with a thick gold stripe in front. The "Smashville" moniker in large navy letters along with the navy "guitar pick" alternate logo was emblazoned inside the gold stripe. Numbers were enlarged for visibility purposes.

A second "Reverse Retro" uniform was released in the 2022–23 season, using the 2001 to 2007 alternate uniform but with the current athletic gold in place of mustard gold.

===Mascot===
The mascot of the team is an anthropomorphic saber-toothed tiger named Gnash.

===Ownership===
The franchise was initially owned by a group led by [[Craig Leipold]]. On May 23, 2007, Leipold was reported to have reached a tentative agreement to sell the team to [[BlackBerry Limited|Research in Motion]] chairman and co-CEO [[Jim Balsillie]].<ref name=Balsille>{{cite web | url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2007/05/24/balsillie_has_deal_to_buy_predators.html | title=Balsillie has deal to buy Predators | website=[[Toronto Star]] | date=May 24, 2007}}</ref> At the time, Leipold indicated that the team would play the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]] in Nashville but that the future of the team after that was not clear.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canadian Billionaire To Buy Predators|url=http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6560713|website=newschannel5.com|publisher=WorldNow|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016131021/http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6560713|archive-date=October 16, 2007|location=Nashville, TN|date=May 24, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 23, information leaked by several sources indicated that Leipold no longer wanted to sell the Predators to Balsillie.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cox|first1=Damien|title=NHL calling the tune in Nashville|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/2007/06/23/nhl_calling_the_tune_in_nashville.html|access-date=May 28, 2017|work=Toronto Star|publisher=Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd.|date=June 23, 2007|location=Toronto, ON|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804173546/https://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/2007/06/23/nhl_calling_the_tune_in_nashville.html|archive-date=August 4, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequently, a campaign to land the team in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], received a boost in late June 2007.<ref name="Predators get boost">{{cite web |last1=Dornbrook |first1=James |title=KC could have chance to join hunt for Nashville Predators |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2007/10/29/story12.html |website=www.bizjournals.com |access-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716043820if_/https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2007/10/29/story12.html |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> The Canadian ''[[National Post]]'', citing anonymous sources, reported that Leipold planned to sell the team to [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] venture capitalist William "Boots" Del Biaggio III, who wanted to relocate the club to Kansas City's new [[Sprint Center]] for the 2008–09 season.<ref name="Predators get boost"/> Del Biaggio, who had a contract with [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] to own an NHL club that would play home games in Sprint Center, had made an offer reported to be for about $190&nbsp;million for the Predators. Del Biaggio had entered an agreement two years earlier, in 2005, to purchase the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]], but the club backed out of the deal after it won that year's NHL draft lottery and took [[Sidney Crosby]] with the first overall pick.<ref name="Predators get boost"/>

On July 19, 2007, a group of local business owners known as Our Team Nashville held a rally at the [[Bridgestone Arena|Sommet Center]] to encourage fans to buy season tickets in order to help the Predators meet the attendance figures needed to keep the team in Nashville. They drew approximately 7,500 fans and sold the equivalent of 726 full-season tickets during the rally.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Kevin|title=Local supporters stage successful ticket rally|url=http://predators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=334837|website=National Hockey League|archive-date=August 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807134521/http://predators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=334837|date=July 20, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The rally was heavily supported by [[George Plaster]], then a sportscaster on [[WGFX]] 104.5 "The Zone" sports radio in Nashville. On August 1, 2007, the group released a letter of intent from Craig Leipold.<ref>{{cite news |title=Predators set to sell team to local group |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2957518 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=August 2, 2007}}</ref> After negotiations with the City of Nashville, the local group headed by David Freeman reached an agreement with [[List of mayors of Nashville, Tennessee|Mayor of Nashville]] [[Karl Dean]], and the NHL Board of Governors approved the sale on November 29, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/sale-of-predators-finalized-for-193m-us-1.689331|title=Sale of Predators finalized for $193M US|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=December 7, 2007|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref>

In June 2008, Del Biaggio ran into legal trouble over a multitude of unpaid loans, culminating in his filing for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/06/06/del-biaggio-files-for-bankruptcy/ | title=Del Biaggio files for bankruptcy | date=June 6, 2008}}</ref> Furthermore, it was alleged that Del Biaggio acquired the loans he used to buy his stake in the team through fraudulent means, prompting an [[FBI]] investigation and criminal charges.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maki |first1=Allan |title=Del Biaggio's trials take another twist |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/del-biaggios-trials-take-another-twist/article18451727/ |access-date=May 29, 2017 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=June 13, 2008}}</ref> The charges culminated in a 97-month prison sentence for Del Biaggio. Under [[United States bankruptcy law]], a [[Bankruptcy trustee|trustee]] was appointed to sell Del Biaggio's assets, including his stake in the Predators, to pay off his creditors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nashville reaches deal to consolidate ownership|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/nashville-reaches-deal-to-consolidate-ownership/article1388220/ |access-date=May 29, 2017 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=July 21, 2010}}</ref> In November 2011, it was announced that [[Calgary]] businessman [[W. Brett Wilson]] had purchased a 5% interest in the Nashville Predators.<ref>{{cite news |title=St. Denis takes rare path to NHL |url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Denis+takes+rare+path/5723053/story.html |work=The Gazette |location=Montreal |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123180339/http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Denis%2Btakes%2Brare%2Bpath/5723053/story.html |archive-date=November 23, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 1, 2010, during the 2009–10 season, the Predators front office saw Freeman step down as chairman of the Nashville Predators in favor of Thomas Cigarran.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoag |first1=Dirk |title=David Freeman steps down as chairman of the Nashville Predators |url=http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2010/3/1/1331542/david-freeman-steps-down-as |website=On the Forecheck |publisher=[[Vox Media, Inc]] |access-date=May 28, 2017 |date=March 1, 2010 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142812/https://www.ontheforecheck.com/2010/3/1/1331542/david-freeman-steps-down-as |url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 2, Cigarran announced that the local ownership group had completed the purchase of the Del Biaggio stake.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoag |first1=Dirk |title=Nashville Predators complete purchase of Boots Del Biaggio shares |url=http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2010/9/2/1666028/nashville-predators-complete |website=On the Forecheck |publisher=[[Vox Media, Inc.]] |access-date=May 28, 2017 |date=September 2, 2010 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202731/https://www.ontheforecheck.com/2010/9/2/1666028/nashville-predators-complete |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Ownership dispute====
On June 23, 2016, Freeman filed a $250&nbsp;million [[lawsuit]] against the Nashville Predators and Cigarran. His claim was that his ownership stake has been improperly diluted by Cigarran failing to notify him of [[capital call]]s, and that he had not received [[surety|loan guaranty]] fees that the ownership group had agreed to pay him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rau |first1=Nate |title=Predators owner sues team, chairman for $250M|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/06/23/predators-owner-files-suit-against-team-250m/86038666/|access-date=May 7, 2017|work=The Tennessean|date=June 23, 2016}}</ref> The lawsuit stated that Freeman initially owned a 48% share, while the holding company for the Nashville Predators stated that Freeman controlled less than 1% of ownership in the team at the time of the suit.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Steimer|first1=Jacob|title=Predators lawsuit sent back to arbitration, major win for team|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/07/29/predators-lawsuit-sent-back-to-arbitration-major.html|access-date=May 7, 2017|work=Nashville Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> This dilution was exacerbated by the existence of two classes of investments in the Predators: the common units owned by Freeman were subject to capital calls; the Series A units originally owned by Del Biaggio and his minority partner were not subject to capital calls.<ref>{{cite web|title=IN RE BIAGGIO {{!}} Case No. 08-30991 TEC, Adv. Proc. No. 12-3065 TEC.|url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20BCO%2020121109588/IN%20RE%20BIAGGIO|website=Leagle.com|access-date=May 7, 2017|date=November 8, 2012}}</ref>

The dispute was sent to court-ordered [[Arbitration in the United States|arbitration]] on July 29, 2016, under the supervision of NHL commissioner [[Gary Bettman]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barchenger|first1=Stacey|last2=Rau|first2=Nate|title=Judge rules in favor of Predators, Cigarran, arbitration|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/07/29/judge-freemans-dispute-preds-stays-arbitration/87740340/|access-date=May 7, 2017|work=The Tennessean|date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> As of January 25, 2018, arbitration was continuing in the unresolved dispute.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cavendish|first1=Steve|title=Email Allegations in Preds Ownership Fight|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/features/article/20990024/email-allegations-in-preds-ownership-fight|access-date=February 2, 2018|work=Nashville Scene|date=January 25, 2018}}</ref> The outcome may remain undisclosed, as the arbitration is private.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rau|first1=Nate|title=Nashville Predators to name Herb Fritch new chairman, replacing Tom Cigarran|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2018/04/25/nashville-predators-name-herb-fritch-new-chairman/550855002/|access-date=May 23, 2018|work=The Tennessean|date=April 25, 2018}}</ref>

====Bill Haslam purchases majority stake====
On June 17, 2022, the Predators announced that former [[Governor of Tennessee]] [[Bill Haslam]] would purchase shares in the club and become majority owner over the course of several years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Haslam Slated to Acquire Ownership Stake in Nashville Predators |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/bill-haslam-slated-to-acquire-ownership-stake-in-nashville-predators/c-334643794 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 19, 2022}}</ref> Haslam's brother, [[Jimmy Haslam]], is the owner of the [[Cleveland Browns]] and the [[Columbus Crew]].

===Broadcasters===
{{main|List of Nashville Predators broadcasters}}
Local television rights of Predators games are held by [[FanDuel Sports Network South]] (formerly Bally Sports South), with its territory covering Tennessee, [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], most of [[Kentucky]], northern [[Mississippi]] and northern [[Alabama]]. Radio coverage is carried by the [[Nashville Predators Radio Network]], whose flagship station is [[WPRT-FM]].