New Downtown Waterfront Arena (Lexington, Louisville: college, pros and cons, living in)

[gobucks86]

So, I've been researching this thing lately and it looks awesome! I found two threads on this, however their both from 2007 I think, so I thought I'd make another thread regarding this since it's closer to opening and people probably have newer thoughts on this.

First off, how does everyone in Louisville feel about this going up? Any pros and cons? Excited? Wish the money would of went to something else?

Also:

- I live in Ohio, so I don't hear about this, but has anything been said about if Louisville will try to persuade an NBA team to come sometime now?

- What new things are planned to come into downtown because of the new arena? Anything?

I think this thing looks awesome. I'm hoping to be living in Louisville by the time this thing opens. I'm hoping to come down to a game this season, if I do I'll want to check out the progress of this place.

But yeah, just thought I'd get some thoughts from people on this new arena and see what people there think of it.

[stx12499]

I think its great. I think the city should get an NBA team though.

[mdawg]

Originally Posted by stx12499

I think its great. I think the city should get an NBA team though.

I would like an NBA team to come also, but then again college basketball is such a big deal here I think an NBA team would take away from that.

[censusdata]

All rational people in Louisville are thrilled it's going up, although some UK fans there (not all, but some) hate U of L so much that they hate to see anything good happen in the city if it also benefits U of L. Ironically the arena could help UK by giving them a close place to place in the NCAA tourney, much like improvements to Rupp Arena gave U of L in 07

There are people who legitimately question the huge price tag required to put it on the Waterfront compared to a site 3 blocks down that would have cost half as much ($300 million vs $150 million). Since it is half way done I think most people now understand how great the 2nd and Main location truly is.

[Christoph006]

I would like to see an NBA or even an NFL team to come here. I would most definitely go to the games when I could. But I don't see that happening. Maybe we'll get more big events to come here, but no pro teams.

[MySpottedFrog7]

I think its pretty cool! Itll be great to go to a game right there at the beautiful Waterfront Park and then hit up a great restaurant in the area afterwards! Im pretty excited about it. It would be cool to have an NBA team but like someone else said, it would take away from what we already have!

[DerbyCityDiva]

I think it's wonderful, and I believe it will do great things for downtown.
But honestly, I can't help it, I think it looks like a big toaster oven...

[censusdata]

The major problem with Louisville getting a pro team is it's tv market is small - quite a bit smaller than the metro area ranking actually. Most revenue comes from tv deals, not attendance.

Louisville has the 49th largest tv market in the US - smaller than places like Harrisburg PA, Greenville/ Spartanburg, & Greensboro/ Winston Salem.

DMA Rankings - US TV Households by Market

[mdawg]

Originally Posted by censusdata

The major problem with Louisville getting a pro team is it's tv market is small - quite a bit smaller than the metro area ranking actually. Most revenue comes from tv deals, not attendance.

Louisville has the 49th largest tv market in the US - smaller than places like Harrisburg PA, Greenville/ Spartanburg, & Greensboro/ Winston Salem.

DMA Rankings - US TV Households by Market

If we got a pro team wouldn't it be broadcast on other TV markets as well? Its not like Cincy or Nashville games get broadcasted only in their local markets. I would think if Louisville got a pro team their games would be broadcast in the Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Paducah markets, as well as other markets surrounding Kentucky.

[jmwbaw]

Originally Posted by censusdata

The major problem with Louisville getting a pro team is it's tv market is small - quite a bit smaller than the metro area ranking actually. Most revenue comes from tv deals, not attendance.

Louisville has the 49th largest tv market in the US - smaller than places like Harrisburg PA, Greenville/ Spartanburg, & Greensboro/ Winston Salem.

DMA Rankings - US TV Households by Market

Louisville is also ranked above both New Orleans and Memphis on that list, both of which have an NBA team.