The KFC Yum! Center

Abstract

Host resigned his cabinet position in 2005 but agreed to continue as chair of the Louisville Arena Task Force (LATF). Its members agreed that Louisville needed a new arena but disagreed on the location. “Papa” John Schnatter, University of Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, and Mayor Jerry Abramson all held strong opinions about the best site. The LATF eventually selected a riverfront location, with Schnatter casting the lone dissenting vote. Host then became chair of the Louisville Arena Authority (LAA), working with Louisville civil rights leaders to ensure that minorities were hired on the construction project and overseeing an extremely complex bond issue. Host and the LAA guided the construction project through to completion, and the KFC Yum! Center opened in 2010. Financing of the arena faced some initial criticism, but fears of default have proved to be unfounded. The KFC Yum! Center provides Kentucky with one of the best venues for sports and entertainment in the country.