April 23, 2026
PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL TEAM COMING TO KNOXVILLE IN 2027
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knoxville is a sports town. A new pro team is entering the mix and will be the city's first professional women's team when they begin play next year. Professional softball is coming to Knoxville. The team will be a part of the Professional Softball League, giving women like Maryville native and PSL executive Caylan Arnold Elliott an opportunity to continue their sport at the next level right here in the United States — an opportunity that wasn't easily accessible before. "The fanbase is here," said PSL executive Caylan Arnold Elliott. "You have young girls who need role models to look up to. You've got the girls who play at the University of Tennessee but now this is going to give the professional side of things and give these girls an opportunity to say, 'Hey, I could play professional softball.'" "I went overseas and played in Italy," said Arnold Elliott. "There really wasn't a pro league in the US. I was just looking for any opportunity to continue my career." She continued her career with the Florida Vibe, an independent pro softball team. However, she said finding other teams to play against was tough. That won't be the case anymore. "Now we're in a league and it's going to be this inaugural season with multiple teams from all across the country," said Arnold Elliott. Seven teams will compete in the league this summer, with Knoxville joining as an expansion team in 2027. So why did the East Tennessee city make the cut? "The collegiate team is bringing people in from all across the country as a top-ten program consistently," said Jessie Blaine. "We have general talent right down the street." Blaine experienced that talent first hand. The former Mississippi State Bulldog played against the Lady Vols multiple times during her collegiate career. She is now back on Rocky Top for a different reason and an unexpected opportunity. "It wasn't until recently I found myself in Knoxville going to law school because softball was sort of over for me," said Blaine. "I was an elite player all my life but my story had come to an end because opportunities were so scarce." This team not only gives opportunities for athletes like Blaine to play professionally now, but also for future softball stars, showing young girls what they can achieve in the sport. "I always saw myself playing college, but I thought I was going to have to do something else after," said 108 Bombers' player Emily Mount. "But now I can see myself playing at a higher level." As for the team's name, home venue, and ownership group — those details are still to come. But those behind the team promise some notable names are involved. "We've got some pretty incredible names that are on the list of who want to be a part of this," said Arnold Elliott. "You've got a few celebrities, you've got some really fun Knoxville ties, and people that you definitely know the names of. We don't want to give away any spoilers yet, but it's some big names." Originally reported by WATE 6 On Your Side. Read the full story at wate.com.