(03-07-2018 11:13 PM)Seminowl Wrote: Lol what? Now I enjoy watching NBA games, but I don’t think Loiusville can support a NBA franchise. What that team starts playing like the Nets all the fans will ignore the NBA and watch their college teams. The Charlotte Hornets stadium is empty just about every game because people would rather watch UNC or NC State play.
I have to disagree with you analysis here. I was living in Charlotte and actually had season tickets to the Hornets games when they first started. It was a big deal then, and the now-demolished Charlotte Colliseum on Tyvola Road, which was actually bigger than the current arena, was almost always sold out and packed to the rafters.
However, in time 3 things came together to kill the buzz (pun intended):
1) the owner, George Shinn, did just about everything he could do to poison the well
2) the team decided to give a then record contract to Larry Johnson after a nice playoff run... but Larry was injured, and besides, the REAL talent on that team was Alonzo Mourning. When Mourning's contract came up for renewal, they said they couldn't give him as much as Larry. He left, and the team's playoff hopes went with him. After that, the "honeymoon" was officially over.
3) the NFL came to town, meaning not only was the NBA no longer the only pro game in Charlotte, it was clearly behind the NFL, too.
If at least 2 of those things happen in Louisville then, yes, it will kill fan support. All 3 and the owner will have no choice but move the team.