NBA Franchise Notes: Bucks Face Uncertain Future In Milwaukee

Writer Feels Fans Will Be Less Inclined To Go To Games Since G Michael Redd Was Injured

In Milwaukee, Garry Howard reports the likelihood that U.S. Sen. and Bucks Owner Herb Kohl and his "more-than-deep pockets" can keep the team in Milwaukee over the next five to 10 years "took a major blow" when G Michael Redd went down with a season-ending knee injury. If the Bucks do not make the playoffs this season, Milwaukee's "long-lasting loyalty to the NBA will be put to the ultimate test." It has been widely reported that Kohl "has been losing millions each season," and with the Bradley Center "being close to the worst arena in the NBA as far as profitability is concerned and the economic landscape being what it is today, how much longer can Sen. Kohl keep up the charade that the city can afford an NBA team?" Since '94, Kohl has spent more than $500M on player contracts "in an attempt to keep the team viable in this small market" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/27). In Milwaukee, Don Walker wrote Redd is "in many ways the face of the Bucks." With Redd out, fans "may be less inclined to head out to the Bradley Center." Through 20 home games this season, the Bucks are averaging 15,595 fans at the 18,717-seat Bradley Center, "about 400 fans fewer per game than they averaged all last season" (JSONLINE.com, 1/25).

GRIZZLIES: In Memphis, Geoff Calkins wrote back when Grizzlies Owner Michael Heisley "put winning above money, he was able to get Jerry West to leave" the Lakers to become Grizzlies GM. But now that Heisley has "put money above winning, he can't get [Avery] Johnson to leave" ESPN to become the team's coach. Heisley said, "To question whether I'm trying to go cheap kind of irritates me. You don't think I want to win?" But Calkins wrote the Grizzlies have GM Chris Wallace, President of Business Operations Greg Campbell and new head coach Lionel Hollins "who couldn't have been hired for those same jobs by any other franchise in the league." It "doesn't mean they're bad people," but is it "any surprise that the franchise is struggling?" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 1/26).

SPURS: Spurs Owner Peter Holt said that the team is "freezing prices on Spurs season tickets" for the '09-10 NBA season. Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations Rick Pych also said that season-ticket holders "will not have to pay an increased fee for their seats during the first and second rounds of this year's NBA playoffs." If the Spurs advance to the Western Conference Finals or to the NBA championship, season-ticket holders "will pay the same price for tickets to those games as they did in" '08 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/26).