Yesterday (Tuesday June 13, 2023) morning Knoxville and Knox County leaders along with Randy and Jenny Boyd officially broke ground on the Knoxville Smokies multi use stadium.

Boyd bought the team in 2013. He purchased the Downtown property in 2015. Boyd has covered every possible track for several years, including a sit down meeting with me one October afternoon several years ago to ensure this “internet blogger” understood the vision and had my questions answered.

Doug Kirchofer of Boyd Sports, LLC is one of the smartest men, I have encountered, on the rare occasions that i reach out to Doug he is prompt, precise and treats me as he does anyone else in the media.

Long before this team was owned locally by the Boyd’s or the previous owners. I wanted the stadium in West Knox County off Lovell Road, that couldn’t happen (due to a previous Knoxville Mayor) and it went to Kodak. It has thrived in Kodak. Any location will have opposition, the due diligence has occurred and now it will be our multi use stadium.

I could not be at the ground breaking yesterday morning, however, Boyd Sports at my request provided the images for you, my readers. I work so you do not have to jump a paywall with your hard earned dollars to view it.

WVLT captured all the speeches here. So enjoy them as well if you like.