How does a City government and a County government collaborate to create a multi-use stadium? 

Very carefully, of course, and assisted by the sturdy infrastructure of a board of directors. 

That board is the Sports Authority Board, created in December 2020. Its purpose is “planning, financing, constructing and managing a publicly owned sports and entertainment stadium in East Knoxville, near the Old City.”


The board's seven members were proposed jointly by City and County staff and approved by City Council and County Commission in April 2021. 

The Sports Authority membership comprises a variety of skills and experiences that benefit any organization, says Special Projects manager Jennifer Searle, who oversees the nomination and membership of the City's many boards and committees. 

Joan Cronan, for instance, understands athletics and budgets. Tim Hill is an experienced real estate developer and chairs Knox Planning. Rosalyn Tillman helmed Pellissippi State's Magnolia Campus for many years. And realtor Nikitia Thompson is a respected community member and experienced board member. 

This mix of backgrounds and experiences leads to a knowledgeable and capable group that meets monthly to vote on contracts, review progress reports, and stay updated about daily operations managed by Boyd Sports.

The Sports Authority has met approximately 58 times between May 2021 and April 15, 2025, the day the stadium officially opened for the first Knoxville Smokies game.  

The Sports Authority also oversees a summer internship program that employs college students from across East Tennessee at several agencies including Denark Construction, KCDC, KUB, MoxCar, One Knox SC, Knoxville Smokies and UES SMT.

Thanks to Sports Authority members for their leadership, Visit Knoxville for their support and City and county leaders for guiding this process.