One would think that if you own a franchise that is amongst the lottery participants almost on an annual basis, is among the league’s worst, attendance-wise, has an arena that hasn’t been updated since forever and bleeds red-ink (read: loses money) on a regular basis, you would would entertain at least one of 2 options: sell your team or relocate them to another city.? Try telling that to Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl, aka Senator Herb Kohl.
Kohl, according to the Associated Press, said that the team will never leave from Milwaukee; here’s a curious statement, one that I don’t think that you’ll hear from NBA owners, either publicly or privately: “Milwaukee is a permanent fixture in the NBA.? I’m not in this business to make any annual profits.? The value of the asset fortunately has appreciated over the years.? On an annual basis, it’s a money-losing proposition.? I’m in it because I love the sport, I love the competition and I love winning.”
Despite the Bucks’ struggles, Kohl hasn’t given up, even though the Bradley Center, which was built in 1988 for $91 million, is considered by today’s standards, a fossil, amenities-wise.? And yes, in a recurring theme with MR. Kohl, the team isn’t leaving nor is it for sale.? Yet, Kohl leaves a window of opportunity out there for a potential buyer of his team – albeit a very small window, but still – in that they, if they want to purchase the Bucks, would have to have a plan in place to get a new arena built for the team.
Maybe it is just me, but if I owned the Bucks, and they were going to the lottery annually, not to mention that they lost money every year and played their home games in a woefully outdated facility, I would at least listen to some offers.? That’s just good business.? Besides, Kohl is getting on in years and he can’t take the franchise with him to the grave, so a contingency plan would be?adviseable at some point in time.?


March 20th, 2008
Stephen Rhodes
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