Indeed, the state's NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies, does not play in Nashville, which is where the Tennessee Summitt would be stationed if sanctioned by the WNBA. The WNBA looks to have prioritized cities with existing NBA teams first in this new wave, as did recent expansion sites like Golden State, Toronto and Portland.

The WNBA's expansion plans have been revealed, and while some cities are celebrating, Nashville's hopes for a team have been temporarily dashed. Music City Center continues expansion pursuit Bill Haslam went to Washington.

The social media accounts for each city posted responses to Cunningham, who said Tuesday she wasn’t sure “how excited people are to be going to Detroit or (Cleveland).”