Forbes: Louisville basketball program more valuable than 3 NBA teams

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.