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Kentucky Mavericks Leaving Owensboro

Torsak Thammachote, 123rf Stock Photo

A minor league basketball franchise in Owensboro is calling it quits after two seasons.The Mavericks had successful back-to-back runs while playing in the Sports Center, including a runner-up finish in the Premier Basketball League championship this year. Owensboro City Manager Bill Parrish said the decision to cease operations comes as the owner of the Mavericks considers retirement.

 

"A hobby, an enjoyment, a love of sports like the Mavericks is very expensive to operate. It's my understanding he's going to get out of that business,” Parrish said.

Team officials said the decision to close the organization was a cost-cutting move. While the Mavericks have drawn a large number of fans, ticket sales haven’t been enough to offset the expenses. City Manager Bill Parrish says the team’s departure will not be a major economic loss.

"The real loss is just for our team. Owensboro loved the Mavericks, supported them better than a larger city did. It was a fast-paced game of basketball that everyone loved. The team members were out and active in our community doing things,” Parrish said.

The Mavericks re-located to Owensboro two years ago from Shreveport, Louisiana. The team was the runner-up in this year’s Premier Basketball League championship. While no talks have begun, Parrish says the city would be interested in landing another team to play in the Sports Center.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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