LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 16: Louisville Cardinals mascot in action in the first half of the game against the Boston College Eagles at KFC YUM! Center on January 16, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville won 80-70.

Forbes: Louisville basketball program more valuable than 3 NBA teams

7 years ago
Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The University of Louisville's men's basketball team was more profitable last year than three NBA franchises, according to Forbes' list of the most valuable college hoops programs.

Louisville finished 2018 with $23 million in profit, more than the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Charlotte Hornets.

The Cardinals' profit actually declined last year after averaging $30.4 million over the previous three years. The basketball program became mired in the NCAA corruption scandal in 2017, costing longtime coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich their jobs.

Kentucky, Louisville's cross-state rival, ranked a close second on the list, averaging $22.9 million in profit over the three years.

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