http://www.wdrb.com/story/26706493/bozic...discussion

http://www.sonicsrising.com/2014/10/5/69...louisville

The 'Ville is probably where the Grizzlies should have moved to when they left Vancouver. But my understanding is that entrenched Cardinal interest worked hard to prevent such an occurrence.

The Yum! Center wasn't even a glimmer in Tom Jurich's eye when the Grizzlies moved to Memphis. Given the State Fair Board's legendary difficulties with even managing a theme park, I couldn't imagine a NBA team in Freedom Hall.

UofL of course is naturally worried about losing the t-shirt fans in the area. Indiana and Kentucky fans don't generally attend Louisville games, so the Yum! struggles to fill its calendar.

Rick Pitino also said that he would not coach at the arena if it had been built at the Water Company site four blocks to the south.

(10-07-2014 09:16 AM)vandiver49 Wrote:  The 'Ville is probably where the Grizzlies should have moved to when they left Vancouver. But my understanding is that entrenched Cardinal interest worked hard to prevent such an occurrence.

Yes, Louisville has done well without pro sports competition. Sometimes I wish UConn didn't have to compete with the 13 pro teams in NY and Boston.

(10-08-2014 07:17 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  The Yum! Center wasn't even a glimmer in Tom Jurich's eye when the Grizzlies moved to Memphis. Given the State Fair Board's legendary difficulties with even managing a theme park, I couldn't imagine a NBA team in Freedom Hall.

UofL of course is naturally worried about losing the t-shirt fans in the area. Indiana and Kentucky fans don't generally attend Louisville games, so the Yum! struggles to fill its calendar.

Rick Pitino also said that he would not coach at the arena if it had been built at the Water Company site four blocks to the south.

Why was Pitino against that location? And it is fairly easy to throw a basketball arena up (18-24 months normally), as such the Griz could have played games in Cincinnati or St. Louis until a legit place was built in Louisville.

I'm not really sure why Pitino pooped on the Water Company site, but the Yum! Center has a visibility factor that is unparalleled given its location. The Yum! Center site was previously occupied by an office building and the former electrical substation for downtown Louisville.

The only thing at the Water Company site would have been near is the curve in I-65.

Hartford used to sell out every game when the Celtics played games there. I left Hartford in 1986, so I don't know if the Celtics still play there occasionally.