Aug. 28, 2024
Boyd Sports and Covenant Health are happy to announce the naming of Knoxville’s new multi-use stadium as Covenant Health Park.
Randy Boyd, owner of Boyd Sports, LLC, and Jim VanderSteeg, President and CEO of Covenant Health, entered into the partnership as two organizations with shared values and common purpose to deliver a healthy and fun experience to people of the region.
“We are grateful to Covenant Health for partnering with us in this transformational venture,” Boyd said. “Covenant Health Park will be a space that brings our community together and drives the continued growth and revitalization of Knoxville. This stadium is not just about sports; it’s about creating a vibrant place that will serve as a cornerstone for East Tennessee’s future.”
Set to open in 2025, Covenant Health Park will be the new home of the Tennessee Smokies, the Chicago Cubs Double A-affiliate in Minor League Baseball, which will be renamed the Knoxville Smokies upon the team’s return to the city.
“Covenant Health Park will be a place where people of all ages can come together to enjoy sports, entertainment and live healthy, active lives,” VanderSteeg said. “As the region’s largest not-for-profit healthcare provider, based in Knoxville, Covenant Health is dedicated to improving lives through better health. This partnership allows us to extend our mission beyond the walls of our more than 150 locations and into the heart of the community, reinforcing our role as East Tennessee’s trusted and valued healthcare partner.”
The stadium also will host One Knoxville SC of the United Soccer League (USL), alongside a variety of concerts, festivals and community events. Positioned at the intersection of the Old City and East Knoxville, the stadium is anticipated to be a catalyst for economic development, community engagement and cultural revitalization in the area.
The construction of Covenant Health Park represents a $114 million investment, made possible through a public-private partnership involving the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Sports Authority of Knoxville and Knox County, State of Tennessee and other key stakeholders. The stadium is expected to generate nearly half a billion dollars in economic impact over the next 30 years, creating jobs, attracting new businesses and serving as a hub for social and cultural activities.
The announcement of Covenant Health Park comes as the stadium project continues to gain momentum, with construction well underway following a groundbreaking ceremony in June 2023. The project, which will also include adjacent residential developments Yardley Flats and The Beauford Delaney Building, is poised to transform the area, honoring the rich cultural history of East Knoxville while providing new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to serving as the home for professional baseball and soccer, Covenant Health Park will be adjacent to public plazas, vibrant streetscapes and spaces designed for a wide range of community events, from festivals to cultural celebrations. The stadium also will provide a platform for Covenant Health to promote wellness initiatives and engage with the community in new and meaningful ways.
“This partnership with Boyd Sports is a natural extension of our mission, vision and values at Covenant Health,” VanderSteeg said. “We are proud to have our name associated with a project that will have such a lasting impact on Knoxville and East Tennessee. Covenant Health Park will not only be a venue for sports and entertainment, but also a beacon of health and wellness for our entire community.”
Professional baseball goes back more than 100 years in Knoxville. The Smokies will be returning to the city after 25 seasons in Sevier County.
“The naming of Covenant Health Park underscores our commitment to creating a space that brings people together and celebrates the roots of this community,” Boyd said. “This stadium will serve as a bridge between East Knoxville and downtown, revitalizing an area that has been dormant for decades and paving the way for a brighter future.”
About Boyd Sports, LLC
Boyd Sports, LLC, owned by Randy Boyd, owns or operates the Tennessee Smokies, a Chicago Cubs affiliate in Minor League Baseball, and the Appalachian League’s Johnson City Doughboys, Greeneville Flyboys, Kingsport Axmen and Elizabethton River Riders. For more information about Boyd Sports, visit randyboyd.com/sports. For more information about the stadium process, visit visitknoxville.com/knox-sports-authority. For more information about baseball’s return to Knoxville, visit grandslamknox.com.
About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community, and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers, and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.
