Well, at least it’s not The Bucket. Okay, maybe.

Going to have to live with “KFC Yum! Center” as the name of Louisville’s new downtown basketball arena. The company has signed a 10-year deal worth $13.5 million. Yum Brands also paid $5 million in 2006 to have its name placed on the University of Louisville basketball practice facility.

Arena envy is running amuck in some circles, with less than 195 days before the facility opens.

Be forewarned that University of Kentucky fans will dub the arena, “The Chicken Coop.” But that is little more than a transparent effort to belittle what will be the crown jewel of college basketball arenas.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

15 thoughts on “Louisville Arena Has A Name, Or Two”
  1. I like “Pressure Cooker” for the name 😛 since thats how KFC chicken is prepped.

  2. Which raises the irrelevant question…will UofL fans be able to get a slice of Papa John’s pizza in The Bucket? Yum! Brands has a pie making outfit of its own…namely Pizza Hut.

  3. Any word on the naming rights to the court — will it be Denny Crum Court?

    I’m assuming KFC will dominant the concessions? Hopefully they’ll have some healthy food there.

    1. The court will be named after Denny Crum. That was decided a while back.

      As for healthy food, I’ve always considered fried chicken and tacos to be healthy stuff, better than typical arena fare anyway, even caramel corn.

  4. Well who came up with the most money,,,kfc yum offered it the most ,,I was surprissed ups didn’t came up big with the money,,but yum gave money and they got there name on arena,,good call

  5. I rather enjoy Ville fans embracing the moniker ‘downtown chicken bucket.’

    too bad ‘Planned Parenthood Pavilion’ never came to fruition.

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