from wdrb.com
OUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Businesses in downtown Louisville are reaping the benefits of an increased attendance at University of Louisville men's basketball games this season.
The Cardinals
defeated Miami at the KFC Yum! Center Saturday to improve to 18-6 overall and 11-2 in the ACC. With two seasons of a combined record of 12-52 and declining attendance, the team's struggles meant less business for some restaurants and bars.
Downtown businesses have been hoping that the team would rebound after three straight losing seasons. The revival of Louisville men's basketball has added to revenue for bars and restaurants.
"Pat Kelsey brought some energy to the city, and we're reaping the benefits," said Wayne Sweeney, director of operations Merle's Whiskey Kitchen.
On Saturday, Louisville's announced attendance at the KFC Yum! Center was 15,588, bringing the regular season average to 14,200 per game this season. That's 3,143 per game more in attendance than last year's average, with Louisville's announced attendance at 11,057 during the 2023-24 season.
Merle's Whiskey Kitchen is just one of the businesses seeing a difference this year.
"Obviously you see a lot more locals on game day because people are getting out and enjoying the town, enjoying the food, enjoying the drinks, enjoying the city," Sweeney said. "The past couple years were a little rough."
With more made baskets, comes more brews and bites bought by fans before and after games.
"It's definitely good when everybody can make a profit, it means these businesses are able to stay open, have the effective businesses they need to make a profit for their companies," said Ebony Johnson, a Louisville fan who attended the game Saturday.
"It was bad for a long time," Matthews said. "I'm glad to see everybody back in motion. It brings money back to businesses again."
Fans stopped by Matthews' tent to purchase hats after the Cardinals' 18th win of the season. He's seeing more purchases this season.
"Everyone is happy to buy UofL apparel again," Matthews said.
With four more home games left, Louisville has already surpassed attendance numbers from previous seasons. At this point, Louisville has cumulative announced attendance of 184,600, surpassing the last two seasons, 2022-23 (138,943) and 2023-24 (129,205).
"It's a good vibe once Louisville is doing well, everything is good once Louisville basketball is winning," said Derrick Brown, a Louisville fan.
The winning is a welcomed return for local spots.
"The foot traffic is unbelievable, the energy is unbelievable, if you're not at the game, it's your own fault because it's a lot of fun downtown," Sweeney said.
Sweeney said other businesses around downtown are excited for the renewed energy around the team.
"It creates a camaraderie, it creates a vision of downtown of what it was, what is should be. Get downtown and enjoy these businesses, help these kids out," Sweeney said. "There's Louisvillians working down here, serving, these guys go to UofL, they support the school, so come support them so they can keep on going, make our city what it is. It's a great entertainment city."
In the past five home games, Louisville has an average attendance of 15,519. Last month, the
announced attendance for Louisville's game against Virginia was 18,233, the largest announced number for a U of L men’s home game since Duke visited on Jan. 29, 2022.
The KFC Yum! Center seats 22,090 fans during men's basketball games.
