Mayor Dean pitches hockey commissioner on hosting 2015 All-Star Game

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • March 2, 2009 Mayor Karl Dean has asked NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to consider holding the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville, the Nashville Predators' lead owner said. Dean used the proposed new downtown convention center to make his pitch when Bettman visited on Feb. 19, said David Freeman, who leads the group of investors who bought the Predators in 2007. Previous inquiries about hosting the All-Star Game have fallen flat because the city doesn't have enough convention space or hotel rooms to accommodate the fans, media and others who would be here for the game and related activities, Freeman said. "We think Nashville will qualify and meet the standards for the All-Star Game as soon as the convention center is open," he said. The convention center has not been formally approved by the Metro Council yet, though the council did unanimously agree to fund planning activities more than a year ago. Architects are close to unveiling final designs for the $595 million facility. Dean's administration is preparing to seek council approval sometime this year to acquire land and finance construction.