Why Did Nashville Name Their Team the Predators
Most NHL teams get their names from local culture or geography. The Nashville Predators took a completely different route. So how did the Nashville Predators get their name? A prehistoric discovery beneath downtown Nashville inspired one of hockey's most unique team names. Back in 1971, workers found something extraordinary that would eventually shape the identity of Nashville's future hockey team.
The fossil discovery that started everything
During construction of the First American National Bank building downtown, workers uncovered a cave filled with ancient bones. Among the fossils lay a nine-inch fang and foreleg bone from a Smilodon fatalis - a saber-toothed tiger that roamed the region over 9,000 years ago. The discovery was remarkable. Nashville sat on top of prehistoric history, and someone would eventually use that history to name a hockey team. (Pretty wild when you think about it.)
How the Predators name came to be
When Nashville earned an NHL franchise in 1997, the team needed a name. Owner Craig Leipold submitted "Predators" for consideration. The team also considered finalists like "Ice Tigers," "Fury," and "Attack." Fans voted, and Leipold's submission won. On September 25, 1997, the saber-toothed tiger logo became official, connecting the team directly to Nashville's paleontological past.
Why this name sets Nashville apart
The Predators identity links directly to local natural history. Fossils from the original 1971 discovery are displayed at Bridgestone Arena, where fans can see them before games. Most NHL cities have names based on weather, animals, or regional culture. Nashville has something deeper - a connection to the actual prehistoric creatures that once lived there. That makes the team's identity genuinely unique in professional hockey (and honestly kind of awesome).
The team's legacy since 1998
The Predators began play in the 1998-99 season and quickly became competitive. In 2017, Nashville reached the Stanley Cup Finals, bringing the team's fierce brand to a national audiance. The mascot Gnash reinforces the saber-toothed tiger theme at every game. Fans embrace the prehistoric imagery because it tells a real story about their city's history.
A nine-inch fang found 50 feet underground in 1971 sparked the idea. That single fossil led to one of sports' best origin stories. When you watch the Predators play, you're watching a team named after creatures that actually walked the ground beneath Nashville thousands of years ago. That's something no other NHL franchise can claim.