Could We See Basketball and Hockey at Kroger Field?

Mitch Barnhart (Larry Vaught Photo)

No matter how much money the University of Kentucky is making, it apparently is not enough.

Earlier this month UK reached a new 10-year contract extension with Nike. The previous deal was worth $2.125 million per year but the new deal will pay UK $7 million in the 2025-26 season and rises to $7.5 million by 2030-31. That is about $5 million more per year for the next six years.

Then this week UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart announced that UK and JMI were extending their partnership through 2040 — the original deal ended in 2034. The six new years will provide about $465 million to UK.

“The mission and values remain the same – to put championship rings on fingers and diplomas in hands in ways that create generational opportunities for student-athletes at the University of Kentucky,” Barnhart said in a statement. “How we forge that path, and ensure that mission, will change in this new landscape. This agreement is about creating the revenue opportunities – for our programs and our student-athletes – that will help ensure our continued success.”

The mission might be the same on paper but obviously dollars rule now no matter what anyone says when you have that kind of money involved.

That’s why Kentucky Sports Radio’s Nick Roush reported that Barnhart is looking for more ways to raise money at Kroger Field other than football games. Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childress concerts the last two years have been popular and UK does host the state high school football championships.

Barnhart wouldn’t rule out having a basketball game at Kroger Field where a lot more tickets could be sold, especially if the opponent was Louisville or another big name team.

“I won’t name any groups, but you see stuff going on in stadiums. Why not? Why not try? I think you’re looking for things that could happen,” Barnhart said. “I’m a little short on saying basketball on a slippery surface in November. But I think we have to be open about anything.”

Barnhart said he would even like to be part of the National Hockey League’s Stadium Series that plays a match outdoors once per season.

“We’ve got a (NHL) franchise that sits up in Columbus. We’ve got one down in Nashville. Could there be a meeting of the minds and do a mid-winter classic in here? Could we? I don’t know. Would they be interested? I don’t know. But why not?” Barnhart said.

If the money is right, it could happen.