CVG could not compete because there simply is not enough O&D traffic. Absent O&D traffic with a decent yield no hub is going to survive long term. Delta has to many hubs in a small area. From the moment the merger was announced CVG was doomed. Anyone who thought otherwise was deluding themselves. I also suspect that as soon as the new terminal opens in ATL you will see MEM go away also. At best it will become a focus city.