Metro Asks Court To Dismiss 'Save Our Fairgrounds' Stadium Suit

NASHVILLE, TN -- Metro lawyers asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to stop a crucial part of the deal to build a stadium at The Fairgrounds Nashville.

The group Save Our Fairgrounds filed a request for an injunction Wednesday to stop the transfer of 10 acres of land to the owners of a Major League Soccer franchise should the league expand to the Music City. Save Our Fairgrounds argues that the land deal violates a charter amendment approved by Metro voters in 2011 that requires certain events to be maintained at The Fairgrounds. They say the land giveaway threatens those protected events.

Metro lawyers, on the other hand, say that Save Our Fairgrounds has no standing to seek an injunction, because the group cannot prove an actual injury and that the claim the state fair will be required to move out of Nashville is speculative.

Nashville and three other cities will make a final appeal to the MLS expansion committee Dec. 6 and then to the league's Board of Governors Dec. 14 with an announcement on the first two expansion franchises to begin play in 2020 expected shortly thereafter. Nashville is considered a favorite.

Image via Nashville Soccer Holdings