Home » Louisville Metro Council approves resolution for NBA expansion team

Louisville Metro Council approves resolution for NBA expansion team

Louisville one of several cities mentioned as possible choices

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2017) — By a unanimous vote, the Louisville Metro Council on Thursday night approved a resolution of support for any future expansion of the National Basketball Association in Metro Louisville.

imgres-3The NBA has said it is considering adding two expansion teams. Seattle has been said to the frontrunner, with Louisville, Pittsburgh, Omaha, Las Vegas, Vancouver, BC, Mexico City, Kansas City and St. Louis all having been mentioned.

“There is every indication the NBA may be ready to move forward with expansion team possibilities in the future and I think it is in our best interest to show that our city would fully support any new effort,” said Councilman Dan Johnson (D-21), the primary sponsor of the Resolution.

The resolution highlights the city’s love of the sport of basketball and points out the city has the facilities to accommodate a new NBA franchise. The resolution says the KFC YUM! Center is one of the best arenas in the country and the NBA would be an enhancement to local businesses and the city’s economy.

Last week, Johnson told the Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education Committee that the recently finalized collective bargaining agreement agreed upon by the NBA and players mentions expansion over 100 times.

“There are many cities that are now beginning to send a message to the NBA that they would be supportive of any future expansion,” Johnson said. “We should always be prepared to be in the hunt.”

The resolution simply states, “That Metro Louisville would support an NBA/WNBA basketball franchise and the economic development it would bring to our community.”