Louisville splits its own city with the University of Kentucky and their influence doesn't extend one step outside of it.
I have lurked on your boards for years, often resisting the urge to sign up and respond to posts that are not factual when the topic involves The UofL. I have agreed with and enjoyed most of what I have read here. I would like however to respond to the above and offer some facts.
1. Louisville doesn't share the city with UK fans. The reality is UK holds an annual basketball in Louisville at Freedom Hall every season. It hasn't sold out in decades. There is simply no interest. If the Nations 16th largest city is split between UofL and UK fans, wouldn't cat fans be able to fill 19k arena?
2. UK out of conference football and basketball games are not shown live in Louisville. They are broadcast tape delayed at 1AM Sunday morning. If they were popular wouldn't they be on live TV like they are in Lexington?
3. UK pays a local clear channel radio station 1 million a year to broadcast games for them in Louisville. The radio station can't sell advertising because Louisville business's refuse to support UK. Ironically one of the primary sponsor's of UK coaches call in shows in Louisville is the University of Louisville.
It is difficult for those that don't live in Louisville to understand the connection the city and metro area have to the university. UofL is the city's team and businesses support it much in the same way a professional team is supported in other larger cities. The Yum Center has 72 luxury suites and Papa Johns has 62. All are bought by local businesses to support the university. The Yum Center has over 22,000 seats. There is a 10 year waiting list for season tickets. Louisville football sold out over 45,000 season tickets this year.
As a side note, much has been written here about Louisville's sweetheart deal at The Yum Center. Keep in mind the city and state's chief negotiator was Jim Host. You can Google him and read his bio. Host is UK booster. His company Host Communications has close ties to UK.
UofL did not want The Yum Center built. Jurich, Ramsey and Papa John Schnatter wanted an on campus arena and had the money to build it. UofL only agreed to go Downtown after Host made them a deal they couldn't turn down. The primary reason Host and UK wanted the arena built? Host and UK wanted an arena in Kentucky that UK could play early round tournament games at. Much in the same manner UNC and Duke play early round games in arenas in North Carolina.
No doubt UK is popular in the state. However, in the city of Louisville and in bedroom communities in surrounding counties, UK has little to no presence.
CJ