Bucks moving?

[mr.MUskie]

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2013/05/nba-vote-on-kings-seattle-move-raises.html

NBA vote on Kings Seattle move raises stakes for Milwaukee

Rich Kirchen
The news that a group from Seattle has failed — for now — in its effort to lure the NBA's Sacramento Kings raises the stakes for Milwaukee leaders hoping to retain the Milwaukee Bucks, Mayor Tom Barrett told The Business Journal Tuesday.

I asked Barrett about the NBA developments after his luncheon talk Tuesday at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

An NBA committee's decision to block the Sacramento Kings from moving to Seattle has given rise to speculation that the Seattle ownership group might look to buy another franchise — possibly the Milwaukee Bucks.

Bucks executives have said the team is not for sale. However the Bucks and the NBA have said the team will need to leave Milwaukee after the 2016-2017 season unless a new arena is built.

An official discussion on a new downtown arena in Milwaukee has yet to start.

Barrett told me the initiative needs to come from "a number of places." Anyone who wants to maintain southeastern Wisconsin's status of hosting an NBA team needs to get involved, said Barrett, who counts himself among that group.

"We need to be pro-active and get the Bucks to stay here," Barrett told me.

Barrett reiterated his previous remarks that the Bucks are a regional asset and any funding for a new arena should be provided not only by taxpayers in Milwaukee County, but also surrounding counties. The state Legislature would have to approve a multi-county sales tax similar to the one-tenth of 1 percent tax still paying off the bill for constructing Miller Park.

So far, only the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce has promised to take action on the matter. MMAC president Tim Sheehy told me April 29 he now plans to convene a committee in May or June to study Milwaukee's needs for sports and cultural attractions and how to fund them.

[4everwarriors]

They're not goin' anywhere.

[Sir Lawrence]

They're not goin' anywhere.

I agree.  I hear talk of some local Milwaukee big wheels buying out the Senator when he's ready to sell.
How much will Marquette supply for a new facility?

[4everwarriors]

It certainly is in Marquette's best interest to partner with a new facility. Again, another long term investment that requires a vision and some forward thinkin'.
Whether he bites or not is debatable, but Attanasio and probably members of his syndicate, have interest.

[Ari Gold]

They're not goin' anywhere.

agreed, What is overlooked in the talk of the Bucks moving is how Kohl won't sell to anyone that even hints at moving the bucks further than a few blocks from the BC

I agree.  I hear talk of some local Milwaukee big wheels buying out the Senator when he's ready to sell.
How much will Marquette supply for a new facility?

Milwaukee big wheels = Leipold and Attanasion
How much will Marquette supply for a new facility? Likely $0 upfront, same as how their fee structure is now. They'll probably pay higher rent charges.

[Benny B]

The bright side of the Bucks leaving is the hope that MU's hand will eventually be forced into building an on-campus, basketball-only arena.

[Ari Gold]

The bright side of the Bucks leaving is the hope that MU's hand will eventually be forced into building an on-campus, basketball-only arena.

No part of that suggestion should be considered "Bright"

[GGGG]

Milwaukee big wheels = Leipold and Attanasion
How much will Marquette supply for a new facility? Likely $0 upfront, same as how their fee structure is now. They'll probably pay higher rent charges.

There are people in Milwaukee...or at least SE Wisconsin...that are wealthier than both of them.  Herb Kohler is probably wealthier than both of them combined.  

The problem is that many people simply don't want to invest in a sports franchise.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

I agree.  I hear talk of some local Milwaukee big wheels buying out the Senator when he's ready to sell.
How much will Marquette supply for a new facility?

MU supplies dates = revenue.  I doubt we put much capital into a building, if any at all.  We will be a tenant, not an owner.  The arena needs events and MU drives a bunch for games and graduation, etc.

[warriorchick]

The bright side of the Bucks leaving is the hope that MU's hand will eventually be forced into building an on-campus, basketball-only arena.

Why would the Bucks leaving force Marquette to build their own facility?  If anything, it gives them more negotiating power at the BC because of sharply reduced demand.

[Ari Gold]

There are people in Milwaukee...or at least SE Wisconsin...that are wealthier than both of them.  Herb Kohler is probably wealthier than both of them combined.  

The problem is that many people simply don't want to invest in a sports franchise.  

True. The Miller Park tax will never be extended so its tough to do what OKC did in building a downtown and arena. The first Miller Park Tax got a lot of heat, but Imagine where the brewers would be today without that stadium.

[GGGG]

True. The Miller Park tax will never be extended so its tough to do what OKC did in building a downtown and arena. The first Miller Park Tax got a lot of heat, but Imagine where the brewers would be today without that stadium.

Hell, imagine where Milwaukee would be?  For all the angst, yelling, and bullsh*t that the sales tax caused, in retrospect it was an absolute no-brainer.  And IMO you will probably see some sort of combination of the same, or similar tax, along with a contribution from Kohl himself to get a new arena done.

[MUfan12]

Not sure how feasible this would be, but it's an interesting idea.

http://www.620wtmj.com/sports/milwaukee-bucks/205803901.html

[GGGG]

Not sure how feasible this would be, but it's an interesting idea.

http://www.620wtmj.com/sports/milwaukee-bucks/205803901.html

I love Milwaukee.

But only Milwaukee would think this is a feasible idea.  This is something a Division 2 college should consider.  Not a city that wants to retain an NBA team.

[Ari Gold]

I love Milwaukee.

But only Milwaukee would think this is a feasible idea.  This is something a Division 2 college should consider.  Not a city that wants to retain an NBA team.

We're that desperate for a new arena (without continuing the MP Sales tax, raising new taxes, increasing spending or getting anything less that 100% privately funds)

[foreverwarriors]

I love Milwaukee.

But only Milwaukee would think this is a feasible idea.  This is something a Division 2 college should consider.  Not a city that wants to retain an NBA team.

Go from having a giant cinder block in the middle of downtown to a giant pillow.

[Coleman]

We're that desperate for a new arena (without continuing the MP Sales tax, raising new taxes, increasing spending or getting anything less that 100% privately funds)

What exactly is the opposition to continuing the Miller Park sales tax? Seems like the obvious choice for funding... no one would even feel it

[ChicosBailBonds]

Hell, imagine where Milwaukee would be?  For all the angst, yelling, and bullsh*t that the sales tax caused, in retrospect it was an absolute no-brainer.  And IMO you will probably see some sort of combination of the same, or similar tax, along with a contribution from Kohl himself to get a new arena done.

Milwaukee would be fine.  Milwaukee was fine when the Braves left, they were fine before the Bucks came.  Different, but fine. Los Angeles isn't any better or lessor because it doesn't have a football team (that won't stop some leaders to do what they can to make it happen).  The BS comes from publicly supporting teams when there are many more high priority issues that need to be taken care. At some point the teams, local corporations, etc need to pay the freight (most of it) and not burden everyone else while the local school system burns to the ground.  All about priorities.

I'm as big a sports fan as there is, it's part of my career, but many of us draw the line on what dollars should be used for.   It's a shiny toy.  Does anyone really believe Nashville is more major league than Houston because Nashville has a NHL team and Houston doesn't?  How did D.C. survive all those years after the Senators left before the Nationals came?  If the Marlins left Florida tomorrow, would all 17 people that care form a protest around the mayor's office?  Indianapolis and Jacksonville have a NFL team but Portland, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Louisville, Columbus, etc do not.  It's become laughable out here, we're just part of the NFL extortion game to get better stadium deals for other cities...that's L.A.'s role.  The Bucks will do the same thing, play on the fear of losing the team to extort more money, raise taxes (justifying it by saying its a sin tax or an out of market tax for hotel \ rent a car \ etc).  They are nice to have, but not end of the world if they leave. 

I get that it is a source of civic pride and there are halo effects to all of this (almost always totally overstated on revenue impact studies), especially with smaller mid-size cities.  It seems they attach so much of their worth and well being to the presence of a team and they are so worried they will be somehow viewed as less without them.  Seattle is still Seattle, even without the Sonics.  If they get a team, fine.  If they don't, Seattle still survives just fine.

I know a lot of people will disagree and I get it.

[Sir Lawrence]

Riddle me this:

Right now which franchise is more valuable, the Milwaukee Bucks or the Milwaukee Brewers?  Not "valuable to the community" but "valuable to purchase."

[Groin_pull]

Milwaukee would be fine.  Milwaukee was fine when the Braves left, they were fine before the Bucks came.  Different, but fine. Los Angeles isn't any better or lessor because it doesn't have a football team (that won't stop some leaders to do what they can to make it happen).  The BS comes from publicly supporting teams when there are many more high priority issues that need to be taken care. At some point the teams, local corporations, etc need to pay the freight (most of it) and not burden everyone else while the local school system burns to the ground.  All about priorities.

I'm as big a sports fan as there is, it's part of my career, but many of us draw the line on what dollars should be used for.   It's a shiny toy.  Does anyone really believe Nashville is more major league than Houston because Nashville has a NHL team and Houston doesn't?  How did D.C. survive all those years after the Senators left before the Nationals came?  If the Marlins left Florida tomorrow, would all 17 people that care form a protest around the mayor's office?  Indianapolis and Jacksonville have a NFL team but Portland, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Louisville, Columbus, etc do not.  It's become laughable out here, we're just part of the NFL extortion game to get better stadium deals for other cities...that's L.A.'s role.  The Bucks will do the same thing, play on the fear of losing the team to extort more money, raise taxes (justifying it by saying its a sin tax or an out of market tax for hotel \ rent a car \ etc).  They are nice to have, but not end of the world if they leave. 

I get that it is a source of civic pride and there are halo effects to all of this (almost always totally overstated on revenue impact studies), especially with smaller mid-size cities.  It seems they attach so much of their worth and well being to the presence of a team and they are so worried they will be somehow viewed as less without them.  Seattle is still Seattle, even without the Sonics.  If they get a team, fine.  If they don't, Seattle still survives just fine.

I know a lot of people will disagree and I get it.

OKC ended up with the Sonics...but there's not a person on the planet who thinks OKC is a better city than Seattle. Sports teams can enhance a city—but they don't make a city.

[Benny B]

Why would the Bucks leaving force Marquette to build their own facility?  If anything, it gives them more negotiating power at the BC because of sharply reduced demand.

Without the revenue from the Bucks, the BC's days are numbered.  Sure, MU might be able to negotiate a better deal, but that's only temporary as it's going to expedite the BC's demise... MU and the Admirals cannot support the upkeep requirements at the BC on their own.  The talk about a new stadium isn't solely because the NBA and the Bucks want a new arena, it's that they are going to need a new arena soon.  The BC is 25 years old, and without a major capital infusion, the arena likely has only 10-15 years of useful life left, functional obsolescence (by NBA standards) aside.

No, it wouldn't happen the day after the Bucks leave town, but as long as there's an NBA franchise around, MU will never have to build its own arena.  And quite honestly, I don't see Milwaukee building a new arena anytime soon (i.e. in the next 5-10 years)... at least not on the public dime.

[Groin_pull]

Without the revenue from the Bucks, the BC's days are numbered.  Sure, MU might be able to negotiate a better deal, but that's only temporary as it's going to expedite the BC's demise... MU and the Admirals cannot support the upkeep requirements at the BC on their own.  The talk about a new stadium isn't solely because the NBA and the Bucks want a new arena, it's that they are going to need a new arena soon.  The BC is 25 years old, and without a major capital infusion, the arena likely has only 10-15 years of useful life left, functional obsolescence (by NBA standards) aside.

No, it wouldn't happen the day after the Bucks leave town, but as long as there's an NBA franchise around, MU will never have to build its own arena.  And quite honestly, I don't see Milwaukee building a new arena anytime soon (i.e. in the next 5-10 years)... at least not on the public dime.

Crazy to think that a 25 year old arena is now an obsolete fossil. Ridiculous. Look at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta....same deal. The sports stadium/arena arms race is out of control.

Meanwhile, our schools, roads, and bridges keep crumbling.....

[ChicosBailBonds]

OKC ended up with the Sonics...but there's not a person on the planet who thinks OKC is a better city than Seattle. Sports teams can enhance a city—but they don't make a city.

I agree with you, but some people think otherwise.

[Hards Alumni]

There are people in Milwaukee...or at least SE Wisconsin...that are wealthier than both of them.  Herb Kohler is probably wealthier than both of them combined.  

The problem is that many people simply don't want to invest in a sports franchise.  

This is so incredibly wrong I don't know where to start.  There are a TON of wealthy people lined up to buy NBA franchises.  Recently, they have been one of the best investments for the super rich.  Look no further than the Charlotte Bobcats recent history.

[Hards Alumni]

Crazy to think that a 25 year old arena is now an obsolete fossil. Ridiculous. Look at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta....same deal. The sports stadium/arena arms race is out of control.

Meanwhile, our schools, roads, and bridges keep crumbling.....

Not really.  25 years old is right around home computers started arriving in most people's homes.  25 years ago you had to have a cell phone the size of a briefcase.  25 years ago the Berlin Wall was just coming down.  25 years ago MTV still played videos.  Most importantly, 25 years ago the Cubs had only not won the World Series 75 years straight!  HOLEY COW!  While it may not seem like that long to the older generations on this board, it was.

And I don't really follow the logic that if we build a stadium that we can't pay for schools, roads, and bridges.  But really I don't think we want to get started on that topic.