Council's NBA resolution based on unnamed source
Metro Council members withdrew their names from a resolution supporting the NBA coming to Louisville hours after it was filed Monday morning upon learning it a key provision was based on unnamed sources.
Councilman Dan Johnson introduced the non-binding measure, which says the league "has indicated they are prepared to proceed with expansion teams." It comes four days after NBA spokesman Mike Bass told the Courier-Journal the league has "no plans for expansion at this time." He added there are no discussions of a franchise moving either.
Asked where Johnson, D-21st District, was getting his information, Democratic caucus spokesman Tony Hyatt said the councilman indicated it came from an unnamed source. "Councilman Johnson has not given me an indication who is the source," Hyatt said.
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Councilman Brandon Coan, who is listed as one of seven co-sponsors, said he pulled his support for the measure on Friday after reading the NBA's official comments. He said bringing professional basketball to Louisville is an exciting prospect but that it is counterproductive under these circumstances.
"I personally don't feel comfortable trusting an anonymous source over the NBA's official source," said Coan, D-8th.
Coan said he told Johnson to remove his name from the measure three days ago and wasn't sure how it ended up on the resolution filed with the clerk's office Monday morning. The resolution still lists Democrats Cindi Fowler, Bill Hollander, Barbara Sexton Smith, Mary Woolridge and President David Yates along with Republican James Peden as co-sponsors.
Hyatt said Yates, D-25, has asked that his named also be removed as a sponsor.
Fowler, D-14th, said she was unaware of the NBA's official comment and will have to reconsider supporting the idea. "I don't like doing things when they're not as they appear," she said. "I need to talk to Dan Johnson to see who his sources are."
Republican caucus spokesman Steve Haag said Peden had instructed Johnson to delete the resolution's language regarding the NBA's intentions. He said unless Johnson "can show how the wording of his resolution is factually correct," then the measure should be amended before receiving the council's support.
Other co-sponsors either did not immediately respond to requests for comment or could not be reached for comment.
Louisville has been yearning for an NBA franchise for about four decades, and the council has spent thousands in taxpayer dollars on efforts to attract a professional team to the city. But several local officials, including Mayor Greg Fischer's office, rebuffed an online report suggesting NBA and city representatives were meeting to discuss potential league expansion.
Johnson's measure says the Yum! Center "needs an improved financial climate and more dates of operation." It also says the addition of an NBA team would mean more business for downtown restaurants and hotels, and additional tax receipts for the city.
Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at (502) 582-4475 or pbailey@courier-journal.com
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