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BBBLazing

All-Conference
Dec 30, 2009
4,888
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I'm an NBA fan. I watch games most nights that UK is not on tv. Watching all of the coverage tonight about Kobe Bryant, including his final game, made me think that I don't remember a discussion on this forum about people's thoughts on the potential of an NBA team in Louisville.

I live in western Kentucky now, but lived in Louisville in the 70s and enjoyed the Colonels. I think with UK having so many players in the league, I think that Kentucky as a state would embrace a team, if for no other reason there would be a former Kentucky player playing in Louisville most games because damn near every team has one of us on it. While I realize that it would probably have to be in Louisville and that causes travel issues to a big part of the state, I think about how I supported the Reds when I lived in Louisville and had to drive to their games.

I realize that many UK fans don't like pro basketball, but I'm curious as to everyone's thoughts on whether they would support an NBA team in Louisville.
 
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M

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
Professional sports create apathy for college programs. I’ve seen it first hand with the Titans and Tennessee football while living in TN during both eras. The Titans have destroyed UT football. The Grizzlies did much of the same for Memphis basketball. Kids simply don’t care in Memphis anymore, it’s Grizzlies all day.

Alabama and Kentucky have survived so well because they don’t have pro teams.

I hope Kentucky never gets one.
 
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B

BBBLazing

All-Conference
Dec 30, 2009
4,888
4,388
0
morgousky said:
Professional sports create apathy for college programs. I’ve seen it first hand with the Titans and Tennessee football while living in TN during both eras. The Titans have destroyed UT football. The Grizzlies did much of the same for Memphis basketball. Kids simply don’t care in Memphis anymore, it’s Grizzlies all day.

Alabama and Kentucky have survived so well because they don’t have pro teams.

I hope Kentucky never gets one.
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I understand your point, but think it is different with UK and UL basketball. The Hornets haven't destroyed UNC and Duke because of the loyal fan support. The Pacers haven't got rid of IU's fan support, as crazy as IU fans are. I think UK and UL both have sufficient fan"atics" that it would work.
 
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Drcats2025

Drcats2025

Heisman
Nov 13, 2012
8,025
16,061
93
morgousky said:
Professional sports create apathy for college programs. I’ve seen it first hand with the Titans and Tennessee football while living in TN during both eras. The Titans have destroyed UT football. The Grizzlies did much of the same for Memphis basketball. Kids simply don’t care in Memphis anymore, it’s Grizzlies all day.

Alabama and Kentucky have survived so well because they don’t have pro teams.

I hope Kentucky never gets one.
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Meh. Memphis had its best success after the nba team was brought there. Kentucky basketball has a cult like following that would not be altered by a professional team. It will be passed down generationally just like it always has been. Memphis state basketball is non comparable. The Charlotte Hornets didn’t hurt UNC or Duke. UT football is merely coincidental, no different than a program like USC falling. It happens. I don’t follow the NBA that closely anymore, and an NBA team located in Kentucky would change that.
 
YouKay

YouKay

Heisman
May 15, 2002
35,671
31,767
113
morgousky said:
Professional sports create apathy for college programs. I’ve seen it first hand with the Titans and Tennessee football while living in TN during both eras. The Titans have destroyed UT football. The Grizzlies did much of the same for Memphis basketball. Kids simply don’t care in Memphis anymore, it’s Grizzlies all day.

Alabama and Kentucky have survived so well because they don’t have pro teams.

I hope Kentucky never gets one.
Click to expand...

That is a really interesting perspective. I dont remember the Colonels doing any damage to UK back in the day though.
 
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K

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,867
31,594
113
BBBLazing said:
I'm an NBA fan. I watch games most nights that UK is not on tv. Watching all of the coverage tonight about Kobe Bryant, including his final game, made me think that I don't remember a discussion on this forum about people's thoughts on the potential of an NBA team in Louisville.

I live in western Kentucky now, but lived in Louisville in the 70s and enjoyed the Colonels. I think with UK having so many players in the league, I think that Kentucky as a state would embrace a team, if for no other reason there would be a former Kentucky player playing in Louisville most games because damn near every team has one of us on it. While I realize that it would probably have to be in Louisville and that causes travel issues to a big part of the state, I think about how I supported the Reds when I lived in Louisville and had to drive to their games.

I realize that many UK fans don't like pro basketball, but I'm curious as to everyone's thoughts on whether they would support an NBA team in Louisville.
Click to expand...

There were plenty of discussions back when the Yum Center was being talked about getting built. It could have been used for both UL and an NBA team but UL and Pitino fought against it. The city then screwed themselves over because of the deal they gave UL. The only way it ever happens is if they make it a shared occupancy and I'm sure UL will keep fighting it. So I doubt it ever happens here.
 
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irishcat1965

irishcat1965

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
20,998
45,201
113
morgousky said:
Professional sports create apathy for college programs. I’ve seen it first hand with the Titans and Tennessee football while living in TN during both eras. The Titans have destroyed UT football. The Grizzlies did much of the same for Memphis basketball. Kids simply don’t care in Memphis anymore, it’s Grizzlies all day.

Alabama and Kentucky have survived so well because they don’t have pro teams.

I hope Kentucky never gets one.
Click to expand...
Where the hell have you been my friend?:joy:
 
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Tannerdad

Tannerdad

Heisman
Mar 30, 2002
55,573
60,371
48
Hate the NBA. But was a season ticket holder during the Colonels days. Different time.

But I see the appeal and honestly, Louisville needs a pro presence if they want to actually think they can compete with surrounding cities. And Yum is a great venue.
 
B

Big John Stud

All-American
Jan 14, 2003
23,281
8,876
0
Counsins Willie at Knight said:
Depends on the name for the team. As petty as this sounds, if the were named the Louisville (insert mascot) instead of the Kentucky (insert mascot) then I would have a much harder time supporting them and would rather just not have it.
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That's why it would have to be named Louisville. Why cater to people who hate our city? Let them cheer for their Cincinnati, Tennessee, and Indianapolis teams since thats more palatable to them.
 
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B

BBBLazing

All-Conference
Dec 30, 2009
4,888
4,388
0
~Keyser Soze~ said:
He lives in Kite Kentucky but don't argue with him. Its cool to wish death and destruction to someone's hometown on this board as long as its Louisville. Im sure Louisville burning to the ground would improve his life though.
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I've lived in all parts of this state and love it all. I've lived in Ft. Thomas, Hazard, Louisville, Paducah, and now in Owensboro. My kids were raised and still live in Louisville with my grandkids. Don't really understand why someone from the mountains hates Louisville other than that they hate UL sports. If that is the reason, it is stupid. Louisville funds a big part of this state.
 
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CB3UK

CB3UK

Hall of Famer
Apr 15, 2012
64,459
107,559
78
Not an NBA fan at all. Putting a team there or Cincinnati would garner a bit of interest from me....Id give em a chance. College basketball has gotten so bad of late I am open to the idea of trying the NBA again. Haven't cared a lick about it since the mid to late 90s in middle and high school.
 
T

TurnipDaBeet

All-Conference
Oct 17, 2019
5,500
4,392
0
BBBLazing said:
Doesn't have to be bigger. The NBA doesn't draw as much as UK does regularly. I just think that having Lebron or AD or John Wall or any big NBA player would draw basketball fans.
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Thats what they all say (myself included)

Aint about watching the OTHER players.

Haha oh ohhh maaan

Couldnt imagine the criticism & craziness with a KENTUCKY NBA team

Unless they name them The Kentucky Goblins
 
U

Ukbrassowtipin

Heisman
Aug 12, 2011
82,276
90,237
113
I've never understood why ppl are so against a team. Every nba team is profitable and brings tons of jobs to a market. Plus it gives you something to watch in June if they make the playoffs. The nba is a fun product to watch when you realize what youre watching..they make insane plays look easy and everyone is that good. I still love college basketball of course but you never see a game dominated by referees.

As far as whoever said the titans destroyed UT..no. The growth of the city is why. Nashville is largely a transplant city at this point not just native tennesseans
 
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C

Counsins Willie at Knight

Senior
Feb 25, 2018
183
433
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~Keyser Soze~ said:
That's why it would have to be named Louisville. Why cater to people who hate our city? Let them cheer for their Cincinnati, Tennessee, and Indianapolis teams since thats more palatable to them.
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This is actually a fair point. I have no problem with the city itself or the people there (that wear blue), but the concept of cheering for a “Louisville” team is hard to wrap my head around. If a former player was on the team I think a lot more of the state would start to gain interest, but that happening is far from guaranteed.
 
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OldRed

OldRed

All-Conference
Jun 7, 2001
18,001
4,656
113
KyCatFan said:
There were plenty of discussions back when the Yum Center was being talked about getting built. It could have been used for both UL and an NBA team but UL and Pitino fought against it. The city then screwed themselves over because of the deal they gave UL. The only way it ever happens is if they make it a shared occupancy and I'm sure UL will keep fighting it. So I doubt it ever happens here.
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Who is now paying the bulk of the debt for that Red Elephant now? Is it the city or the state? If so, they need to shift the cost back to the University.
 
S

sambowieshin_rivals

Heisman
Nov 27, 2009
21,246
21,450
0
Supafuzz75 said:
Nah.. I'll pass.. It'd fail within 3 years anyway.. Plus only place feasible would be Louisville,, and I'd like to see that city burn to the ground..
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Louisville has it's issues, as any larger city does.....but burn it to the ground??? It is the largest city in the state, home of the Ky Derby, and the economic driver of the state. Take away Louisville and a good portion of the state would have absolutely zero money for roads, schools, courts or clean water.
Love it or hate it....without Louisville, Ky goes from a poor state to a piss poor state.
 
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E

EliteBlue

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
16,751
20,269
0
It’s I’d say they have a 50/50 shot of being 1 of the 2 added cities at the next expansion.

if they do it and are smart either he marketing the team will be the KENTUCKY Colonels (not Louisville bc parr’s of the state wont connect with that) and the colors red and blue. Kinda half UK and Louisville so you can still wear your schools color, as College basketball driven as this state is.
 
I

Ineverplayedthegame

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2005
5,139
4,960
0
Not going to happen.
First you need a billionaire with an ego to stroke. Any takers? Didn’t think so.
Second the Louisville TV market is very marginal for pro sports.
Thirdly there is marginal corporate support availability and with interest.
Lastly the NBA team would at least want the Yum center rebranded for them along with primary tenant status and then eventually their own new arena.

The city of Louisville basically di@@ed around when there was a chance to get in to pro sports at a reasonable cost and now all they can afford is minor league baseball, minor league soccer, and women’s soccer.
 
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M

MethodUK

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2009
4,673
1,854
113
I live here in Louisville. My business Is in Louisville. An NBA team would work here in Louisville.

The infrastructure is already built. Many have mentioned Memphis so I suggest googling their numbers in regards to income , ticket sales, and longevity. Not bad for a team that rarely sells out games.

Dan Issell and Daryl G are big supporters of the NBA and I believe are still fighting for it.

I see both sides but I'm just a big NBA fan.. also hope they pass the sports gambling bill which would help this cause
 
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V

VikingCat21

All-Conference
Jan 3, 2016
1,726
2,945
57
I’m all for an NBA team in Louisville. I live in lex and I would def split season tickets with some friends. I think people would be surprised at how well a team would do there. U6 basketball doesn’t move the needle on a national scale like UK does, but a new expansion NBA team would.
 
BigBlue1992

BigBlue1992

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2011
2,009
3,722
81
I don't think it'll ever happen and don't really want it to. I like it being all about UK. Not knocking our beautiful state but Kentucky isn't known for being wealthy. We're down there with Mississippi and West Virginia as being at the bottom in the country. Obviously it takes huge funds to keep a professional sport going and we only have one big city in the state. And Louisville isn't big compared to many others. I think it would make more sense for MLB bringing a team in but I also doubt that too.
 
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D

DexterPotts

Senior
Sep 2, 2017
650
878
0
Supafuzz75 said:
Nah.. I'll pass.. It'd fail within 3 years anyway.. Plus only place feasible would be Louisville,, and I'd like to see that city burn to the ground..
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Well about 55% of the fan base in Louisville is KY azz wipe so you’d be burning down a lot of KY fans homes... might want to rethink that perspective
 
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John Henry

John Henry

Hall of Famer
Aug 18, 2007
35,574
172,795
113
I am not an NBA fan and don't care to be one. But I will say this. When the old Kentucky Colonels of the ABA had a chance to join the NBA and turned it down that was a huge mistake. It was such a mistake it probably set back the economic growth of the city of Louisville like nothing else. Having a professional sports franchise gives a feeling of being a "major league city". That draws business and jobs to your community.

America is enjoying the best economy in most of our lifetime. I recommend the city of Louisville jump aboard, bring in a franchise and become Major League. Every one will benefit including those who don't care about the NBA. Do it.
 
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C

Crankdatmustard_rivals66299

All-Conference
Jul 18, 2010
5,161
4,434
0
I can promise you the NBA is coming to Louisville within the next 3-7 years. It is a done deal when the league opens the books to add teams. Seattle and Louisville.
 
P

playmorezeppelin_rivals181042

All-Conference
Mar 19, 2017
1,180
2,376
0
morgousky said:
Professional sports create apathy for college programs. I’ve seen it first hand with the Titans and Tennessee football while living in TN during both eras. The Titans have destroyed UT football. The Grizzlies did much of the same for Memphis basketball. Kids simply don’t care in Memphis anymore, it’s Grizzlies all day.

Alabama and Kentucky have survived so well because they don’t have pro teams.

I hope Kentucky never gets one.
Click to expand...

I'm an avid NBA fan and I have to agree with this. Pro sports definitely steal the shine from even elite college programs. Especially if they're a good NBA team.
 
S

Swimcat20

All-Conference
Dec 27, 2014
906
1,188
57
You don't put an NBA team in Cincinnati without a new arena. We all know that's not going to happen.
 
KFuqua

KFuqua

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2001
2,202
2,627
113
I'm not sure that the state will support it enough for it to work. If the Cats are playing, who's going to watch the NBA team?

I would think that's what they have to figure out. Can the state sustain an NBA team given the massive college basketball following in the state?
 
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