As many expected, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats will play the 2017-2018 season at Northern Kentucky University’s BB&T Arena while Fifth Third Arena undergoes some serious renovations.
The Fifth Third Arena renovations will cost $87 million and run from the completion of this season through October 2018.
“We are excited for the opportunity to play in one of the newest facilities in the area,” said UC Director of Athletics Mike Bohn. “This was a long, thorough and engaging process with numerous stakeholders throughout our region. Hamilton County officials were all in for the right reasons and a key part of our discussions. The tri-state area is unique because of its regionality which encompasses a large swath of our fan base. All of those factors helped us make the right decision for our department and University while being fiscally responsible and providing an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, fans, students, donors and supporters.”
“We are pleased to assist the University of Cincinnati and its men’s basketball program for the 2017-18 season and to host the Bearcats in BB&T Arena during their renovation of Fifth Third Arena,” said Ken Bothof, Northern Kentucky University’s Director of Athletics. “We certainly appreciate the great working relationship we have had with Mike Bohn and his staff throughout this process.”
BB&T Arena was built in 2008 and will provide the Bearcats a state-of-the-art facility a short drive from UC’s campus.
“The modern amenities of BB&T Arena will mimic some of the improvements UC fans will experience when we return to Fifth Third Arena in 2018 more closely than other facilities in the area which was important to us,” Bohn said. “The convenience of parking and the arena being less than a 10-mile drive from our campus was also appealing. We will be transporting a UC-branded floor to BB&T Arena to enhance the offsite home-court advantage. We are grateful to Ken Bothof and Andy Meeks from the NKU administration and Darren Stearns and the BB&T Arena staff for allowing us an opportunity to share their arena for a season.”
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