The North Carolina-based Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have finalized a $7.656 million purchase of 122 acres of land in Sevierville, Tennessee, near Smokies Stadium, home of minor league baseball team the Tennessee Smokies.
While Tennessee does not permit casino gaming, media reports speculate that the Tribe seeks to build a casino or sports betting venue, should the state legalize the activities. State legislators have discussed amending Tennessee law to permit some form of sports betting. Tennessee Representative Rick Staples, for one, is advocating for sports betting in the state to create new revenue streams to fund educational projects and infrastructure improvements.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians currently owns two casinos on the Qualla Boundary, its federal trust land, both operated by Harrah’s.
The land transfer was completed on June 18. Back in February, when the Tribal Council was discussing plans to move forward with the land acquisition, Principal Chief Richard Sneed said in a statement: “This property, if purchased, will be utilized for future economic development for the EBCI. The location of the property lends itself to many possibilities for economic diversification for the Eastern Band, and I am excited about this opportunity.”
The day following the Tribe’s purchase, Richard Burr, a Republican U.S. senator representing North Carolina, published an op-ed for the Charlotte Observer, alleging the Tribe is pursuing self-determination while lobbying against economic opportunity for other Tribal Nations in North Carolina, including the Catawba and Lumbee.
Principal Chief Sneed responded today: “These kinds of public attacks against the Eastern Band, or any constituent, should be beneath the dignity of any public official. Senator Burr should apologize for his false and harsh comments and withdraw the flawed legislation that he’s championing.”
