Would you trade the Kentucky Derby for a major pro team?

[formerkywrestler]

Hypothetically Kentucky gets a major (NBA, MLB, NFL) sports team but has to get rid of the KY Derby. Would you do it?

[swamprat]

Keep the Derby.

 

The only place to put a pro franchise would be in Louisville, which is too close to Cincinnati for baseball, to close to Indianapolis for basketball, and to close to Cincy, Indy, and Nashville for football.

 

For basketball, there is too much competition for the sports dollar from the 2 major universities in the state.

 

Also no metropolitan area in the state, save NKY, is large enough to support a pro team. Even NKY has to include the Cincinnati area to make it large enough. It's not about filling stadiums. It's about TV market size. Louisville and Lexington are 40 and above in market size.

 

The Derby draws from all over the world. No major sports franchise draw like that every week. It is an event that lasts a week and pulls in more money into the Louisville area economy than any pro franchise would over the course of a season.

[ekubum]

I would 100%, but I also don't follow horse racing at all.

[Beechwoodfan]

No! The Derby is unique to Kentucky.

[JOHNDUNHOFT]

I agree the Ky Derby is by far the best 2 min in sports anyone can watch and to attend this event is a wonderful experience. JD

[swamprat]

I agree the Ky Derby is by far the best 2 min in sports anyone can watch and to attend this event is a wonderful experience. JD

 

Here's the thing, though. Regardless of the race itself, the media spends the entire week in Louisville and ESPN broadcasts the entire day from Churchhill Downs and the Louisville area.

[KentuckyJoe]

No. The Derby is the worlds best horse race. Its the ultimate goal hor all horse owners. Plus if dropping the derby means Louisville would get a pro team, well I am pretty much anti Louisville in everything Haha

[HammerTime]

No, I already have NFL, MLB teams 15 minutes from me.

[Jim Schue]

No freakin' way.

[Mack The Knife]

What Jim said...

[formerkywrestler]

Do any of you "lose the Derby" voters want to chime in?

[Randy Parker]

^ I voted "lose the Derby" because I care about pro sports & I don't care about the Derby.

[formerkywrestler]

^ I voted "lose the Derby" because I care about pro sports & I don't care about the Derby.

 

Well, you are only eight years old. In time you will grow to appreciate the Derby.

[Getslow]

Do I get a guarantee that the pro team will be here forever or would I be giving up a great, globally-famous sporting event for the chance to get LA Raider'd?

[Randy Parker]

Well, you are only eight years old. In time you will grow to appreciate the Derby.

 

That's true. :lol: