Herb Kohl says it's time for a replacement for the BC

[chapman]

Have someone draw up an enticing blueprint and get some interest from the NHL teams that is looking to move.  The community and sponsor support is more likely to fly for that than the Bucks.  Nobody cares about the Bucks.

[Dawson Rental]

What you just proposed costs more money than if they just built a new arena.

Just what I was thinking when I read it.  It's a bitch, but renovation evidently is a real construction pain.

In Memphis, the Pyramid is sitting idle because building a new basketball area was much cheaper than renovating the Pyramid.  They are seriously trying to convert it into a huge Bass Pro shop.  Pretty shocking when one considers the size of the place.

[Warriors10]

Herb wants the public to give over more money to him? Maybe he should open his wallet and pay for a stadium himself. Typical socialist.

Typical ill-informed poster.

[avid1010]

Bush also was a socialist. And Herb hasn't done jack sh!t for anyone, just like any other lifetime pol in DC.

you should really understand the word socialist first.  was kohl's a socialist idea?  something tells me kohl played the free market economy better than anyone on this board.  he's also done more for mu than anyone on this board just by supporting an nba franchise in milwaukee.  if you're advocating for no new arena and no nba team then continue to feel that way about kohl.  my hope is he puts up big $$$ and the community puts up $$$ as well to get something done.  like his politics or not...he's a pretty good guy.  i'll eat a sully's burger with him anytime.  

[martyconlonontherun]

I heard Poto wanted to help with a new arena......but not downtown. City leaders insisted on a downtown arena and that shipped has now sailed.

Also, Kohl is one of the "poorest" NBA owners. He is worth about $300 million with most of it being the Bucks. He doesn't have enough money to pay for a $400 million arena, unless he dies and completely neglects nephews/nieces, his charities, and alma maters.

I would support a tax, personally. However, I see no way in hell of this passing. Politicians lost their jobs over Miller Park. People still complain about it even the team has been very successful (given market) and brings a TON to local bars and clothing stores. There's a different between hand outs and investing in your city. Just because public money goes towards the project, the tax payers aren't necessarily getting screwed.

I think Minne put together a study that should just between game ticket/food/clothing sales and income tax, the city would make up all money it gave to the team. Not to mention making a more marketable city overall.

[martyconlonontherun]

He should over spend and have a winning team for a year or two, and then ask for public support.  That is the way it works.  I can't see much public and even business support behind this team getting a new stadium. I sure hope they don't increase the seating capacity, if they do build  a new one.

Lol, you do realize Kohl's Bucks are constantly at the Luxury Tax threshold, in the top 3rd in salaries, had some of the highest paid coaches in Karl and Skiles, and loses money every that comes from Kohl's pockets?

You can say A LOT of bad qualities of Herb Kohl as owner of the Bucks (meddling, striving to be mediocre, etc) but spending is not one of them. Totally misinformed comment.

[avid1010]

just pull a selig and get charlie sykes and JS to support you...hell the guy looking to take kohl's seat is the one that made miller park possible. 

[MUBurrow]

I think Minne put together a study that should just between game ticket/food/clothing sales and income tax, the city would make up all money it gave to the team. Not to mention making a more marketable city overall.

So related to the benefit arguments, studies have debunked most of them. The issue with the city making the money back doesn't work, because sports franchises have been found to not bring new money into areas. They just alter the way that disposable income is actually spent in those areas. So while a new Bucks might be able to be shown to generate more income than the Bradley Center Bucks, those aren't new dollars. An in depth study would likely show that money to come from other possible destinations for disposable income.

Similarly, the jobs argument falls pretty flat as studies have shown stadiums boost only low income or temporary employment statistics.  Netting out the area's employment numbers show negligible change with or without the stadium.

All that being said, I would be all for a new stadium to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee. There are a lot of intangible benefits to a team, city recognition and a sense of community unification among them.  So depending on the private vs public numbers, I think a reasonable deal could get done.

[Warriors10]

I heard Poto wanted to help with a new arena......but not downtown. City leaders insisted on a downtown arena and that shipped has now sailed.

Think Milwaukee realized they screwed up by not putting Miller Park downtown.  Just think of all the revenue that would have gone to downtown businesses alone in the last 4 years.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

why not ask potowatomi to sponsor/fund the new stadium?

a new stadium i would think would help out the city -- increase the value of everything around it.  i think the city should help fund a new stadium, it happens everywhere.

but this guy should know how to raise money for something.  of course it should be a combination of public and private funds.  that's how these things go

The public won't finance the red-headed step child,  so I think it's Potawatomi stepping up or the Bucks are gone.  They are really the only one that could finance it and if they built it by the casino it would be a win-win for the teams and the casino.  They have by far the biggest "tourist" attraction with nearly 7 million per year.  An arena there for sports/entertainment would be great cross promotion bringing more to events and more to the casino.

While the downtown would probably lose money,  it would pale in comparison to if the Bucks left entirely.  The move would bring in a lot of tax dollars and add to what is already the biggest employer in Milwaukee county.  Milwaukee could actually benefit greatly from such a move.  The casino is embarrassingly poorly marketed and more attention could bring in a lot of money to the city.  At over 780,000 sq ft it is BY FAR the largest casino in America...and it may actually even be the largest casino in the world in terms of gambling space.

I think it's time to embrace Potawatomi.  It's a sleeping giant that can bring in a lot more money 24/7.  That PR team should start marketing it as the largest casino in the USA/WORLD...it would probably get more people in the door to check the place out.

[Hards Alumni]

Bush also was a socialist. And Herb hasn't done jack sh!t for anyone, just like any other lifetime pol in DC.

[martyconlonontherun]

Think Milwaukee realized they screwed up by not putting Miller Park downtown.  Just think of all the revenue that would have gone to downtown businesses alone in the last 4 years.

True, but was there a spot for it? Not saying no, I'm just curious. I wasn't in Milwaukee at the time. Too bad we couldn't have combined the projects and had the 2 stadiums separated by a street of bars. It would have really brought some life downtown and would be a constant activity with both winter/summer sports. Would've taken a ton of planning that Milwaukee isn't capable of doing. They almost got the Bradley Center funding pulled by the Petite family for lack of organization and arguments on how to build the BC.

[martyconlonontherun]

The public won't finance the red-headed step child,  so I think it's Potawatomi stepping up or the Bucks are gone.  They are really the only one that could finance it and if they built it by the casino it would be a win-win for the teams and the casino.  They have by far the biggest "tourist" attraction with nearly 7 million per year.  An arena there for sports/entertainment would be great cross promotion bringing more to events and more to the casino.

While the downtown would probably lose money,  it would pale in comparison to if the Bucks left entirely.  The move would bring in a lot of tax dollars and add to what is already the biggest employer in Milwaukee county.  Milwaukee could actually benefit greatly from such a move.  The casino is embarrassingly poorly marketed and more attention could bring in a lot of money to the city.  At over 780,000 sq ft it is BY FAR the largest casino in America and by a WIDE margin...and it may actually even be the largest casino in the world in terms of gambling space.

I think it's time to embrace Potawatomi.  It's a sleeping giant that brings in money 24/7.  

My understanding is that Poto offered but now it's too late. I think they invested too much into their hotel to buy land and a stadium for the Bucks.

[4everwarriors]

Think Milwaukee realized they screwed up by not putting Miller Park downtown.  Just think of all the revenue that would have gone to downtown businesses alone in the last 4 years.

Absolutely right. 'Cept Buddy, hands down, would have nothin' to hear of it.

[warthog-driver]

dies and completely neglects nephews/nieces, his charities, and alma maters.

I had zero awareness of Herb Kohl so I googled him. I thought he owned the grocery & dept stores (we have them up here in Seattle) but he and his brother sold out to BATUS 40 years ago. I also thought he was worth a lot more than he is. Most surprising is that he has always flown solo and has no offspring. There are a lot of links to suggestions about his personal life and preferences. Thought the nickname "Dairy Queen" was rather funny.

[martyconlonontherun]

I had zero awareness of Herb Kohl so I googled him. I thought he owned the grocery & dept stores (we have them up here in Seattle) but he and his brother sold out to BATUS 40 years ago. I also thought he was worth a lot more than he is. Most surprising is that he has always flown solo and has no offspring. There are a lot of links to suggestions about his personal life and preferences. Thought the nickname "Dairy Queen" was rather funny.

Liberal 80-year-old senator that never married.....not that there is anything wrong with that.

Also, I think Kohl has been a great representative of Wisconsin/Milwaukee, but his businesses haven't been successful. He inherited Kohl's they went south, he sold them, and then they took off. The Bucks went completely down hill since he took over and part of it is because of his ownership style. For his part, he does care a lot about the city/team and has put his money where his mouth is in that regards.

[warthog-driver]

Liberal 80-year-old senator that never married.....not that there is anything wrong with that.

...his businesses haven't been successful. He inherited Kohl's they went south, he sold them, and then they took off. The Bucks went completely down hill since he took over and part of it is because of his ownership style.

Was Dairy Queen part of his business portfolio? Seems he is known by that call sign.

[reinko]

Was Dairy Queen part of his business portfolio? Seems he is known by that call sign.

OMG!  He might like guys!  Hee Hee! Everyone look, it might be one of those gays!

[jficke13]

Isn't there some kind of no-politics rule? I mean, why bother when we can hide anonymity on the internet and lob equally nonsensical assertions at each other left and right.

[jficke13]

also, the only reason I want the Bucks to stay in mke is so MU can have a nice arena to play in. Without that, I wouldn't spend a second caring if the NBA left.

[Blackhat]

Kohl is gay?

Always wondered how Larry Harris got GM job, must've been his lover.

[warthog-driver]

OMG!  He might like guys!  Hee Hee! Everyone look, it might be one of those gays!

I could care less about his personal preferences. As one who lives in a world of funny call signs I happen to think Dairy Queen is funny. I appreciate the wit.

Here are the call signs of some buds:

"Cleat" Torres

"Ima" Cummin

"Skid" Roe

"Dirty" Sanchez

"All Beef" Franks

"Rabbi" Gonzalez  (I have no idea as he's not Jewish)

"Jeter" Bush

"Sloppy" Sechands

"Bearded" Klamm

"Hair" Pye

"Chris" Coe

"Horse" Koch

Of course, you might not think any of that is funny but then I could not possible expect you to have any understanding of the world of fighter pilots and the irreverence our occupation demands. Big difference between selling tires and war fighting.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2011189,00.html

[4everwarriors]

Yeah, some of the cats in my job go by:

Helen Bedd
Jack Mehoff
Hugh G. Recsion

Sure, we're all really normal everyday folks.

[Blackhat]

As a half blood member of the Wisconsin Slapaho tribe I was given the name Liwanu at birth, which means "man with elephant trunk in pants"

[warthog-driver]

Yeah, some of the cats in my job go by:

Helen Bedd
Jack Mehoff
Hugh G. Recsion

Sure, we're all really normal everyday folks.

The call signs I listed are real and painted on the sides of our aircraft (including rank and first name...ie Maj Jim "All Beef" Franks) Call signs have been part of the Aviator Warrior Ethos since WWI. I fear that the continuing pussification of America will bring an end to this proud tradition.

Damn that Donna Shalala. Damn her anyway!