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UK Signs Deal to Keep Wildcats at Rupp Arena Through 2033

Anthony Roderman
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Flickr (Creative Commons License)

Lexington Center Corporation officials and the University of Kentucky are inking a deal to keep UK playing basketball in Rupp Arena, so that the Wildcats will call Rupp “home” for at least another 17 years.

The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team is expected to keep playing in Rupp Arena through, at least, 2033.  

The agreement, outlined in a letter of intent, got the backing of the Lexington Center Corporation and the University of Kentucky this week.  Details of the anticipated lease were disclosed Thursday.  In addition to extending the playing time at Rupp for 15 years, the agreement includes wording about additional facility improvements.

Lexington Center is committing to $15 million dollars in additional improvements including more chairback seats and new hospitality areas. UK will reimburse Lexington Center just over a million dollars for previous design work.  

UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart says Rupp has been the home of the basketball Wildcats for four decades and the school is proud to remain there for the next 15 years.

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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