re: Kentucky Press Conference set for 1pm this afternoon to announce corporate partnership

Kroger??? Of all the possibilities, that one is uninspiring, but enjoy the cash - always good.

Good grocer sponsorships for other stadiums:

Piggly Wiggly Stadium for Arkansas

Jitney Jungle for Auburn or LSU

Winn Dixie for the Rebel Bears


Hope it doesn't come to this

The more to the story is that the naming rights were sold years ago and JMI just recently started shopping for deals.

Like I said earlier, the naming rights were a part of a 300 million dollar deal from a few years ago and JMI had to finally start recouping some of the money.

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The strange part of this move is that, from what we've seen here (maybe there's more to the story), it's not tied to significant capital improvements to the facility. It's one thing to bank on a corporate sponsorship deal in order to raise the money to build/renovate something, but quite another to do it just for straight cash to the general fund. Like I said, maybe there's more to the story.

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UK makes a gazillion dollars from basketball. They don't need the money at all. For all of the investment UK has put into improving football facilities at UK in recent years, the fact remains the AD doesn't value football the same way football first schools do because most of their money comes from basketball while football has largely been an exercise in throwing money away.

The UKAD didn't need the money ---they are one of the most profitable in all of college sports due to their basketball success-- but if renaming Commonwealth to Kroger means that basketball and other sports that it funds either saves money or gets money and the only cost is the pride of a sport the AD sees as second at best and something they have to do rather than want to do then they'll do it.

UK has a great football fanbase but they're a drop in the bucket compared to their basketball fanbase and their AD views football as largely a drain they have to fund. Their goal is more for their program to be on par with other SEC schools in terms of facilities and look the part of an SEC team but when it gets down to brass tacks basketball comes first and an outrageously expensive sport like football that takes away funds from a huge money generator like basketball for very little gain and sometimes negative return is always going to be viewed as second class. As long as UK football has the appearance of support and manages to avoid embarrassing the school the UKAD is happy.

The only 'more' part to the story is that when it comes down to it the UKAD is really only interested in making sure that basketball has everything it needs and more. If football ever manages to climb out of the rubble and maintain some level of success that will change. The bright spot is that Louisville's success at football has spurred more commitment from the UKAD to football than they've had in years past.

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Selling out to a company founded and headquartered in Ohio.

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Biggest shareholders reside in a city adjacent to Lexington.

Wal-Mart Stadium for Arkansas.

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Do I get Kroger Fuel Points when I buy tickets now?

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Under rated post, well done

I can't wait til they sell the NCAA tournament regional naming rights and we're arguing about whether Mizzou should've been placed in the McDonalds region or FedEx region.

kilo is super rustled as always

I guess at least Mizzou beat KU now and again but still has yet to beat UK

10-0

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When you see Kentucky's fans, you just wonder. You think how wonderful it would be to go to their school. You wish you could trade places for a day, just so you could experience that feeling." - UCLA player Kris Johnson

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