Wildcat Blue Nation
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Revenue split rumors reveals deep divide in BBN

It wasn't just Cal vs Stoops, it is apparently football vs. basketball in Lexington.
ByDrew Holbrook|
Sep 14, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; A Kentucky Wildcats fan dressed as a pope raises a thumbs down during the first half against Georgia Bulldogs at Kroger Field. Georgia won 13-12. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; A Kentucky Wildcats fan dressed as a pope raises a thumbs down during the first half against Georgia Bulldogs at Kroger Field. Georgia won 13-12. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images | Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images

Kentucky fans keep fighting over the wrong thing

The rumor mill doesn’t need facts—it just needs WiFi and a social media account.

This week, a false report lit up social media claiming Kentucky would allocate 45% of its upcoming revenue-sharing pool to the men’s basketball program. No confirmation, no details—just a vague number and a whole lot of reaction off a CBS report.

It didn’t take long for the BBN civil war to reignite.

Some fans instantly backed Mark Stoops and the football program. Others defended the basketball tradition. But for a rumor that wasn’t even true, the fighting sure felt real.

“I’m just a Kentucky basketball fan” vs. “I don’t care about basketball, I support football” dominated the replies. One user tried to cool the fire:

“Newsflash: Kentucky football DOES NOT PLAY Kentucky basketball!!! You can be a fan of both equally and not be a sellout to either!!” @KentuckyHypeMan

Another fan posted a proposed breakdown:

“45% to basketball, 40% to football and 15% to everything else? Sounds good to me.” (@ky__update)

But not everyone was ready to compromise.

One post said Rupp was inferior to Kroger:

“Rupp Arena has never, could never match this energy.” (@FlemFlam_)

The video attached? Kroger Field erupting after a blocked kick return touchdown.

Another account dug deeper:

“Why do we have a portion of the fanbase that love Kentucky Football so much that it makes them have resentment towards Kentucky Basketball?” (@Karl_Townes)

It’s a fair question.

Basketball is Kentucky’s crown jewel. But football has earned its place. Stoops has led the program to historic highs, and with NIL dollars flowing, Kentucky football is spending like a contender. The results aren't there but that is not on BBN and the fans who pack out Kroger Field every Saturday night. It is on Stoops.

But here’s the real truth: this isn’t a rivalry. There’s no need to pick a side. One banner doesn’t take away from the other. In fact, a united Big Blue Nation—supporting both programs with equal passion—is the secret sauce to long-term success.

Basketball school? Football school?

Try this: Kentucky is a sports school.

Let the rest of the country debate which program is better. Kentucky fans know the answer is both.

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