If Tyra wants to gain supporters...

[gocds]

Calling an NBA franchise a job creator is a stretch, a real stretch. Maybe 30 to 40 jobs with 15 to 20 of them being high paying. Being opposed to an NBA franchise isn’t like being opposed to a major distribution center or manufacturing facility. Or being against Ford Motor creating 200 or more new high paying jobs. And, yes, UofL is one of the largest employers in Jefferson County and ranks pretty high in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. And a great many of those jobs are high paying. I think we should think about that employer before going off the deep end for an NBA franchise. Maybe Mr. Grissom would “buy in” and he would make even more money. Maybe that’s what some are thinking is important. I sure don’t.

GO CARDS - BEAT EVERYBODY!!! God Bless America!!!

 

[chevelle99]

May want to ask downtown restaurant and bar owners who have invested big bucks how they feel about a pro team. Maybe even ask some waitresses and bartenders at these establishments. Many are students not on an athletic scholarship at U of L who could benefit from another big game once or twice a week.

 

[CardX]

May want to ask downtown restaurant and bar owners who have invested big bucks how they feel about a pro team. Maybe even ask some waitresses and bartenders at these establishments. Many are students not on an athletic scholarship at U of L who could benefit from another big game once or twice a week.

If those bar owners were proud alums, they'd likely be leary of their alma mater suffering any further.

 

[zipp]

May want to ask downtown restaurant and bar owners who have invested big bucks how they feel about a pro team. Maybe even ask some waitresses and bartenders at these establishments. Many are students not on an athletic scholarship at U of L who could benefit from another big game once or twice a week.

There's plenty of commerce that has recently moved to and is apparently doing well in that area of town. No one promised anyone who made that business decision an NBA team on their doorstep.

And when we start trying to improve the lives of waitresses and bartenders in a community of 1+ million people, we're setting the wrong goals...

 

[Rockfly78]

There's plenty of commerce that has recently moved to and is apparently doing well in that area of town. No one promised anyone who made that business decision an NBA team on their doorstep.

And when we start trying to improve the lives of waitresses and bartenders in a community of 1+ million people, we're setting the wrong goals...

I don’t know anything about the details of the Yum center financial troubles, but you do. Would and NBA franchise not help remedy that issue?

This could come down to the city vs the university. Although if your president is already on board then it may just come down to Louisville vs Seattle.

 

[chevelle99]

Lol. Many of the most vocal and frequent posters of this site have and continue to encourage other Card fans to not renew season tickets. All those empty seats at U of L home games aren’t because Jurich supporters are watching the big game at a downtown bar. Not sure if Jurich Uber Alles or Cards Uber Alles is the mentality here.

 

[ShortCreek]

I’m a vocal fan and I’ve never encouraged anyone to stay home, not but tickets, etc.

 

[CardX]

I don’t know anything about the details of the Yum center financial troubles, but you do. Would and NBA franchise not help remedy that issue?

This could come down to the city vs the university. Although if your president is already on board then it may just come down to Louisville vs Seattle.

Exapnsion, if/when that occurs, would include 2 cities. Seattle is a lock. Louisville would be competing with cities east of the Mississippi. Issel, president of the latest NBA movement, has said a renovated Freedom Hall is a top option. It's BS, but he's gone on record. Lastly, our president sucks all kinds of man hood. F*** him and anyone who supports him.

 

[CardX]

Lol. Many of the most vocal and frequent posters of this site have and continue to encourage other Card fans to not renew season tickets. All those empty seats at U of L home games aren’t because Jurich supporters are watching the big game at a downtown bar. Not sure if Jurich Uber Alles or Cards Uber Alles is the mentality here.

Not accurate at all.

 

[nccardfan]

May want to ask downtown restaurant and bar owners who have invested big bucks how they feel about a pro team. Maybe even ask some waitresses and bartenders at these establishments. Many are students not on an athletic scholarship at U of L who could benefit from another big game once or twice a week.

It’s not just bars and restaurants, it’s hotels. Louisville has been told in the past that they don’t have enough hotels to host large events. Hell, a consequence of this could be we get our own on campus facility near PJ’s.

 

[CardX]

It’s not just bars and restaurants, it’s hotels. Louisville has been told in the past that they don’t have enough hotels to host large events. Hell, a consequence of this could be we get our own on campus facility near PJ’s.

I'd be all for a Floyd St arena. All for it.

 

[chevelle99]

I guess an NBA game in Louisville would require a lot more hotel rooms than lesser events regularly held here. Like The Kentucky Derby.

 

[CardX]

I guess an NBA game in Louisville would require a lot more hotel rooms than lesser events regularly held here. Like The Kentucky Derby.

I'm guessing you went to college.

 

[Chapman123]

There are other reasons to oppose an NBA franchise here besides being a U of L fan. I don't like the culture it represents and the image it often has. I also don't like that it too often brings in a mercenary, profit-driven owner who holds the venue and city hostage with threats to move it otherwise. And in Louisville's case, the franchise won't be as successful as it would be in a larger city with more of a pro sports base.

U of L is a culture of college students, rooted in academics and the community, and it's not going anywhere if it doesn't get its way. It's committed to Louisville and will be indefinitely. If you're picking the NBA regardless of its effects on U of L, you're shortsighted...

Those are real reasons right there. Good post.

Being bad for U of louisville isn't enough in my opinion as a resident of this city. I see the reasons that you have put out there as legit concerns

 

[chevelle99]

There's plenty of commerce that has recently moved to and is apparently doing well in that area of town. No one promised anyone who made that business decision an NBA team on their doorstep.

And when we start trying to improve the lives of waitresses and bartenders in a community of 1+ million people, we're setting the wrong goals...

Guess you are right. We should only be concerned with the well being of top tier athletic directors and recycled college/pro/college coaches making millions.

Screw the small people.

 

[zipp]

Lol. Many of the most vocal and frequent posters of this site have and continue to encourage other Card fans to not renew season tickets. All those empty seats at U of L home games aren’t because Jurich supporters are watching the big game at a downtown bar. Not sure if Jurich Uber Alles or Cards Uber Alles is the mentality here.

You're not understanding the message... It's not stay away from games, it's keep money out of U of L's pockets. They're not the same thing; and properly done, it affects no one but U of L...

 

[zipp]

It’s not just bars and restaurants, it’s hotels. Louisville has been told in the past that they don’t have enough hotels to host large events. Hell, a consequence of this could be we get our own on campus facility near PJ’s.

No chance those hotels are being built because of Bailout Arena events. I can quote the number of room-nights from the consultants' report in 2014 if anyone is interested. Very few U of L attendees spend the night, and there aren't enough other attendees to matter to hotels the size of those downtown on a yearlong schedule...

 

[zipp]

Guess you are right. We should only be concerned with the well being of top tier athletic directors and recycled college/pro/college coaches making millions.

Screw the small people.

I have nothing against the middle class. But a hundred people making minimum wage plus tips don't drive the bus--not the one I'm riding anyway...

 

[zipp]

I don’t know anything about the details of the Yum center financial troubles, but you do. Would and NBA franchise not help remedy that issue?

This could come down to the city vs the university. Although if your president is already on board then it may just come down to Louisville vs Seattle.

Depends on your POV and timeframe...

The place was built and is now being financed mostly by the public sector. They've engineered the numbers to make the red ink go away. Now if they want to reduce or eliminate the annual bailout, they need more privately generated revenue. The City and State would rather NOT continue to bail it out as they do. All of this IMO is in the short run.

In the long run and if it's a zero sum game--the NBA gains at U of L's expense--those benefits eventually disappear. U of L won't be able to afford the rent and/or the NBA would pull up stakes. It's not profitable to play there for either tenant. Those put the arena right back into quicksand without public sector bailout funds again.

I've always predicted the NBA would be tried because politicians would rather get out of the bailout game. Anyone who supported this arena at that location was consciously or not making this happen. My hope is that this arena ages to the point it's no longer attractive to an NBA owner who wants shiny new digs...

 

[gocds]

The University of Louisville has approximately 7,000 employees with over half of them making $75K per year. Do you think any of those folks ever eat in downtown restaurants? Of course they do. A “proposed” NBA franchise might bring 40 new jobs to our city with about 1/2 of them making excellent wages. There is no comparison as to the value of UofL or an NBA franchise to our city. None whatsoever.

GO CARDS - BEAT EVERYBODY!!! God Bless America!!!

 

[nccardfan]

The University of Louisville has approximately 7,000 employees with over half of them making $75K per year. Do you think any of those folks ever eat in downtown restaurants? Of course they do. A “proposed” NBA franchise might bring 40 new jobs to our city with about 1/2 of them making excellent wages. There is no comparison as to the value of UofL or an NBA franchise to our city. None whatsoever.

GO CARDS - BEAT EVERYBODY!!! God Bless America!!!

You’re missing the point. It’s not U of L vs NBA, it’s U of L + NBA for the city of Louisville. Ask yourself this, are you going to choose NBA games over U of L games? I’m not. But it does give people choices. There are people who relocated from the northeast or Pittsburgh that have no allegiance to U of L but might support NBA. To be honest, I think your biggest fear is from UK fans flocking to watch former players. I’ll take their money...

 

[chevelle99]

I don't think the city has a chance at an NBA franchise. We would be at the lower end of population for NBA cities right off the bat. Not to mention the popularity of college athletics, horse racing and casino gambling close by. All competing for the same recreation dollar.

I think it's sad many claim to be against it solely because they fear it would hurt U of L athletics or take money away from U of L. Even though having a pro sports team is generally viewed as a positive image enhancer for a city. Meanwhile, the same group is doing everything they can to take money away from U of L as a protest about the current U of L board, athletic director and possibly even men's basketball coach. A campaign with no clearly defined goal or upside which is harming the university financially and creating zero jobs at any wage level.

Coach Crum complained about having to share Freedom Hall with dog and pony shows. Events which often forced U of L into long away game stretches and other scheduling nightmares. I hope that on the off chance Louisville gets an NBA team a way for them to share The Yum Center with U of L and regular concert schedules could be found. I don't think the number of dog and pony shows has gone down at Freedom Hall not to mention tractor pulls. Even if nothing comes of this effort, having Dan Issel and some local businessman pitching Louisville to the NBA has been positive for the city.

 

[glassmanJ]

i want the nba team. i am a u of l fan. but i also live in lousiville and would love to see the yum center paid for and the millions the nba brings. it's shortsighted to live in a city and pay your taxes to the yum center then say don't put anything else in there. you want us to go broke supporting u of l as the only tenant instead of bringing in another team. i am a u of l fan and want the nba and as a liberal i find it offensive that all of you keep saying the only reason for the nba team is cats fans trying to stick it to louisville. that's childish and makes you look just as petty. an nba increases the prestige of our city so much so the rest of the state will be jealous but will still come to see former cats players. cat fans will pack the place to see their former players. they'll come for sure. the nba coming has so many benefits and the only cons posted are selfish u of l reasons and none look at how the city benefits. i am a card fan but i pay taxes and live in louisville and the city comes first. not some school on ncaa probation and looking possibly at the death penalty. grow up! being a true fan means you support where you live first not some business or school. . so foolish to say put louisville in front of the city or state. well if you pay off the yum center yourself than you can keep everyone out. i for one would think zipp would be 100% in for this reason alone. show me how the nba hurts louisville the city or kentucky the state? prove to me the nba hurts this town when the arena is already built? i can't believe any could say "if you are a true fan" you'd do everything to keep the city from getting better so your stupid school can be the only one in town. booo hooo hooo. makes me sad that i root for the same team as some here

 

[MtCardinal]

I have nothing against the middle class. But a hundred people making minimum wage plus tips don't drive the bus--not the one I'm riding anyway...

How big of you Zipp not to, "be against the middle class." Also, I don't think many people making minimum wage qualify as, "middle class."

 

[Chapman123]

i want the nba team. i am a u of l fan. but i also live in lousiville and would love to see the yum center paid for and the millions the nba brings. it's shortsighted to live in a city and pay your taxes to the yum center then say don't put anything else in there. you want us to go broke supporting u of l as the only tenant instead of bringing in another team. i am a u of l fan and want the nba and as a liberal i find it offensive that all of you keep saying the only reason for the nba team is cats fans trying to stick it to louisville. that's childish and makes you look just as petty. an nba increases the prestige of our city so much so the rest of the state will be jealous but will still come to see former cats players. cat fans will pack the place to see their former players. they'll come for sure. the nba coming has so many benefits and the only cons posted are selfish u of l reasons and none look at how the city benefits. i am a card fan but i pay taxes and live in louisville and the city comes first. not some school on ncaa probation and looking possibly at the death penalty. grow up! being a true fan means you support where you live first not some business or school. . so foolish to say put louisville in front of the city or state. well if you pay off the yum center yourself than you can keep everyone out. i for one would think zipp would be 100% in for this reason alone. show me how the nba hurts louisville the city or kentucky the state? prove to me the nba hurts this town when the arena is already built? i can't believe any could say "if you are a true fan" you'd do everything to keep the city from getting better so your stupid school can be the only one in town. booo hooo hooo. makes me sad that i root for the same team as some here

I can't stand modern day liberals, but I agree with your post.

 

[wilkie01]

I for one no longer follow pro sports period. A bunch of spoiled greed people play them.

 

[zipp]

You’re missing the point. It’s not U of L vs NBA, it’s U of L + NBA for the city of Louisville. Ask yourself this, are you going to choose NBA games over U of L games? I’m not. But it does give people choices. There are people who relocated from the northeast or Pittsburgh that have no allegiance to U of L but might support NBA. To be honest, I think your biggest fear is from UK fans flocking to watch former players. I’ll take their money...

The LPT-NBA thingy has about run its course; Lite may not even be coaching there next year.

There's no chance that it's purely U of L + NBA. In fact, as far as corporate money, it's almost purely U of L OR NBA. How many corporate season ticket owners currently are also gonna buy NBA season tix? How many new companies to this area are gonna buy season tix to BOTH TEAMS? Very few IMO.

And corporate money drives the bus. That used to not be the business model, but at Bailout, it's the way it is. Go into the lower arena and meet the people who sit there. I have bought tickets from a number of them since the move downtown. Very few mom-and-pop gray hairs paying big money who moved into lowers from The Hall...

 

[zipp]

...I think it's sad many claim to be against it solely because they fear it would hurt U of L athletics or take money away from U of L. Even though having a pro sports team is generally viewed as a positive image enhancer for a city...

That's not the SOLE reason. I don't like the NBA culture and image. The owners are mercenaries who have no long term commitment to the cities where they play. And it's a crap product where the players play at 3/4 speed for most of the season. Its financial benefits are also overstated.

...Meanwhile, the same group is doing everything they can to take money away from U of L as a protest about the current U of L board, athletic director and possibly even men's basketball coach. A campaign with no clearly defined goal or upside which is harming the university financially and creating zero jobs at any wage level...

You again don't understand the dynamics... Keeping money from U of L is a short term strategy to get out current management. Nobody on this forum hates U of L although some don't understand what helps and hurts it. As far as "clearly defined goal", what's unclear about "clown show"??

...Coach Crum complained about having to share Freedom Hall with dog and pony shows. Events which often forced U of L into long away game stretches and other scheduling nightmares. I hope that on the off chance Louisville gets an NBA team a way for them to share The Yum Center with U of L and regular concert schedules could be found. I don't think the number of dog and pony shows has gone down at Freedom Hall not to mention tractor pulls. Even if nothing comes of this effort, having Dan Issel and some local businessman pitching Louisville to the NBA has been positive for the city.

Crum just about ran the program into the ground before he was forced to retire, and Issel is an old racist who played under Adolph Rupp. I don't want either one determining what's good for U of L, at least not anymore...

 

[zipp]

i want the nba team. i am a u of l fan. but i also live in lousiville and would love to see the yum center paid for and the millions the nba brings. it's shortsighted to live in a city and pay your taxes to the yum center then say don't put anything else in there. you want us to go broke supporting u of l as the only tenant instead of bringing in another team. i am a u of l fan and want the nba and as a liberal i find it offensive that all of you keep saying the only reason for the nba team is cats fans trying to stick it to louisville. that's childish and makes you look just as petty. an nba increases the prestige of our city so much so the rest of the state will be jealous but will still come to see former cats players. cat fans will pack the place to see their former players. they'll come for sure. the nba coming has so many benefits and the only cons posted are selfish u of l reasons and none look at how the city benefits. i am a card fan but i pay taxes and live in louisville and the city comes first. not some school on ncaa probation and looking possibly at the death penalty. grow up! being a true fan means you support where you live first not some business or school. . so foolish to say put louisville in front of the city or state. well if you pay off the yum center yourself than you can keep everyone out. i for one would think zipp would be 100% in for this reason alone. show me how the nba hurts louisville the city or kentucky the state? prove to me the nba hurts this town when the arena is already built? i can't believe any could say "if you are a true fan" you'd do everything to keep the city from getting better so your stupid school can be the only one in town. booo hooo hooo. makes me sad that i root for the same team as some here

U of L never signed up to see that Bailout Arena got "paid for"... That was an ill advised plan by politicians and downtown business hacks. And the current business model is paying for the arena just fine on the backs of taxpayers. Politicians simply would like some other way to waste your money, and they think an NBA helps them do that. (They're wrong of course like they always are...)

If you say you want an NBA team and you're willing to compromise U of L's fortunes at the same time, I'm sorry, I agree with others who have said you're not a real U of L fan or not a good one. No sense blurring that distinction--the NBA fan canoe can probably accommodate you full time, and the drive to Indy ain't that bad...

 

[chevelle99]

One thing that may derail the withholding of funds from U of L is for Coach Padgett and the team to keep winning. Every win lessens the grumbling. It’s also hard for the average fan to stay mad about unrelated issues for very long. A win tonight or at least a respectable team effort would be nice.

 

[ShortCreek]

U of L never signed up to see that Bailout Arena got "paid for"... That was an ill advised plan by politicians and downtown business hacks. And the current business model is paying for the arena just fine on the backs of taxpayers. Politicians simply would like some other way to waste your money, and they think an NBA helps them do that. (They're wrong of course like they always are...)

If you say you want an NBA team and you're willing to compromise U of L's fortunes at the same time, I'm sorry, I agree with others who have said you're not a real U of L fan or not a good one. No sense blurring that distinction--the NBA fan canoe can probably accommodate you full time, and the drive to Indy ain't that bad...

With you BIG-TIME on this one Zipp. If you are a Card fan educated on what the NBA would do the Card b-ball program you cannot be for it coming to town! End of story. The city can grow, etc. who said the NBA is paramount to that happening?

 

[ShortCreek]

That's not the SOLE reason. I don't like the NBA culture and image. The owners are mercenaries who have no long term commitment to the cities where they play. And it's a crap product where the players play at 3/4 speed for most of the season. Its financial benefits are also overstated.

You again don't understand the dynamics... Keeping money from U of L is a short term strategy to get out current management. Nobody on this forum hates U of L although some don't understand what helps and hurts it. As far as "clearly defined goal", what's unclear about "clown show"??

Crum just about ran the program into the ground before he was forced to retire, and Issel is an old racist who played under Adolph Rupp. I don't want either one determining what's good for U of L, at least not anymore...

Agree 100%.

 

[ShortCreek]

i want the nba team. i am a u of l fan. but i also live in lousiville and would love to see the yum center paid for and the millions the nba brings. it's shortsighted to live in a city and pay your taxes to the yum center then say don't put anything else in there. you want us to go broke supporting u of l as the only tenant instead of bringing in another team. i am a u of l fan and want the nba and as a liberal i find it offensive that all of you keep saying the only reason for the nba team is cats fans trying to stick it to louisville. that's childish and makes you look just as petty. an nba increases the prestige of our city so much so the rest of the state will be jealous but will still come to see former cats players. cat fans will pack the place to see their former players. they'll come for sure. the nba coming has so many benefits and the only cons posted are selfish u of l reasons and none look at how the city benefits. i am a card fan but i pay taxes and live in louisville and the city comes first. not some school on ncaa probation and looking possibly at the death penalty. grow up! being a true fan means you support where you live first not some business or school. . so foolish to say put louisville in front of the city or state. well if you pay off the yum center yourself than you can keep everyone out. i for one would think zipp would be 100% in for this reason alone. show me how the nba hurts louisville the city or kentucky the state? prove to me the nba hurts this town when the arena is already built? i can't believe any could say "if you are a true fan" you'd do everything to keep the city from getting better so your stupid school can be the only one in town. booo hooo hooo. makes me sad that i root for the same team as some here

Please

I don’t know anything about the details of the Yum center financial troubles, but you do. Would and NBA franchise not help remedy that issue?

This could come down to the city vs the university. Although if your president is already on board then it may just come down to Louisville vs Seattle.

As I stated on other threads, I’m not losing a bunch of sleep over this because I don’t think it ever happens. But, I’m going to give my opinion anytime it comes up! Seattle is not slated to get their team until 2025 at the earliest. And their the first NBA option.

 

[RogerIndy]

Yeah, there are football teams that share. But, off the top of my head they are middle of the road schools whose attendance stinks, USF, Temple, etc.

Miami?

 

[zipp]

One thing that may derail the withholding of funds from U of L is for Coach Padgett and the team to keep winning. Every win lessens the grumbling. It’s also hard for the average fan to stay mad about unrelated issues for very long. A win tonight or at least a respectable team effort would be nice.

Speaking for myself, I'm relentless (or so I'm told...)

 

[zipp]

Plenty of reasons, I’ll list a few.

*Corporate dollars will be reduced (buying suites, tickets, ads, etc)

*Regular ticket sales - some fans will opt to spend on NBA or buy some of both - further depleting revenue.

*Must share facility - limits scheduling flexibility, practice time on court where you play games, etc

Media coverage - will be reduced/split.

Many, many more reasons. I’ll argue my point further by asking a question. Name a prominent, big-time D-I program that splits time in an NBA arena and is highly successful year after year? There may be one program that could argue that - possibly Villanova.

But even Nova is not near the program Louisville has been throughout history. And Nova’s attendance (9,772 last season sharing with the 76’ers about 2/3 of the time, playing at Palestra on campus the other 1/3) and revenue pales in comparison to UofL.

This is just my brief take, I can get much deeper.

Shorty's right about this too... Only David and Goliath are compatible to share an arena. And the NBA team is always Goliath.

If you aspire to be where Memphis (State) is, keep supporting an NBA team at Bailout. And we'll all learn to call U of L "UL" in the future...

 

[chevelle99]

Well I’ll admit your tenacity is certainly admirable. However there is a sporting event tonight involving the men’s basketball team you may choose to attend, watch on tv, protest at or ignore all together. I’ll be cheering on the Cards from a locally owned bar that serves fresh burgers hand pattied when ordered. Check back tomorrow if possible sometime before the Daytona 500.

 

[brookstreet]

i want the nba team. i am a u of l fan. but i also live in lousiville and would love to see the yum center paid for and the millions the nba brings. it's shortsighted to live in a city and pay your taxes to the yum center then say don't put anything else in there. you want us to go broke supporting u of l as the only tenant instead of bringing in another team. i am a u of l fan and want the nba and as a liberal i find it offensive that all of you keep saying the only reason for the nba team is cats fans trying to stick it to louisville. that's childish and makes you look just as petty. an nba increases the prestige of our city so much so the rest of the state will be jealous but will still come to see former cats players. cat fans will pack the place to see their former players. they'll come for sure. the nba coming has so many benefits and the only cons posted are selfish u of l reasons and none look at how the city benefits. i am a card fan but i pay taxes and live in louisville and the city comes first. not some school on ncaa probation and looking possibly at the death penalty. grow up! being a true fan means you support where you live first not some business or school. . so foolish to say put louisville in front of the city or state. well if you pay off the yum center yourself than you can keep everyone out. i for one would think zipp would be 100% in for this reason alone. show me how the nba hurts louisville the city or kentucky the state? prove to me the nba hurts this town when the arena is already built? i can't believe any could say "if you are a true fan" you'd do everything to keep the city from getting better so your stupid school can be the only one in town. booo hooo hooo. makes me sad that i root for the same team as some here

No hope for people like you. WOW dude.

 

[td75]

This is interesting, I thought the Louisville metropolis had grown enough to easily handle a NBA franchise without killing interest in the UL basketball program.

I'm originally from Jeffersonville and I remember when Jeff was MUCH smaller than it currently is. I'll bet the population of Jeff has tripled since 1990 and there's a bunch of UL fans on that side of the river.

It's hard for me to sit here and believe that a pro team would destroy UL basketball. Is there any proof that UL would nosedive from a pro team, or is this just people committed to being nothing more than a college town?

 

[CardX]

This is interesting, I thought the Louisville metropolis had grown enough to easily handle a NBA franchise without killing interest in the UL basketball program.

I'm originally from Jeffersonville and I remember when Jeff was MUCH smaller than it currently is. I'll bet the population of Jeff has tripled since 1990 and there's a bunch of UL fans on that side of the river.

It's hard for me to sit here and believe that a pro team would destroy UL basketball. Is there any proof that UL would nosedive from a pro team, or is this just people committed to being nothing more than a college town?

Memphis bball is darn near dead. NBA wouldn't "destroy" UL basketball. Would hurt it, however.