Press Release|Public Finance
KBRA Assigns Ratings to Stadium Revenue Bonds of Metro Govt of Nashville and Davidson County Sports Authority
10 Jul 2023 | New York
KBRA assigns long-term ratings to the Sports Authority of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Stadium Project Senior Revenue Bonds, Series 2023A at AA- Stable Outlook, Stadium Project Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series 2023B at A+ Stable Outlook, and Stadium Project Revenue Bonds (Non-Tax Revenue Pledge), Series 2023C and Series 2023D (Federally Taxable) at AA Stable Outlook.
Key Credit Considerations
The rating was assigned because of the following key credit considerations:
Credit Positives
- Enclosed stadium with modern amenities provides potential for significant revenue enhancement and sales tax collections, and opportunity for additional events not currently attracted to the existing stadium.
- Diverse and growing economic base with significant tourism/convention activity has fueled pronounced HOT increases and demand for more hotel accommodations.
- Authority contribution is capped with no responsibility for construction cost overruns or maintenance of the completed facility; construction delays will have a very limited impact on pledged revenue generation.
- FY 2022 pledged revenues currently provide coverage of MADS requirement for the Series 2023A and Series 2023B Bonds.
Credit Challenges
- The Bonds are secured by sources that may at times be adversely affected by economic factors.
- The number and popularity of events held at the stadium correlates with sales tax, ticket tax and team rent collections.
- Amount of non-tax revenue backstop available may be dependent upon general economic activity and is subject to additional Authority and Convention Center Authority issuance which holds a prior lien on revenues.
Rating Sensitivities
For Upgrade
- Pledged revenue performance well in excess of current projections leading to bond redemption.
For Downgrade
- Secular decline in pledged revenues.
To access rating and relevant documents, click here.