Attanasio Has "Options Open" On Bucks; Doesn't See Double Dip Recession

Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio spoke yesterday at the Economic Forum of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and talked about “the economy and baseball,” but “perhaps the most ... newsworthy comments Attanasio made" were about the Bucks, according to Bob Wolfley of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. When asked about owning the Bucks, “it was telling that Attanasio did not say categorically he was not interested.” Attanasio: "I have learned in life -- the great lesson I learned actually from Michael Milken -- is to always keep your options open. I try to keep them open. I love the community and I love sports. It’s [U.S. Senator Herb Kohl’s] team. I have an enormous amount of commitments right now.” He said he has never been approached by Kohl about owning the team, and when asked if he has approached Kohl about ownership, he said, “No, not yet.” He later added, “I have to make sure I don’t get overextended. We will see what happens” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/16).

ECONOMIC FORECAST: Attanasio also voiced "measured optimism" about the country's economic prospects, saying corporate fundamentals are strong and that he does not see another recession looming. Attanasio: "'Is this 2008?' The answer to that, I thought, was 'no.' ... I don't think we're going into a double-dip recession." He added, “American companies have good earning power and healthy balance sheets, and have very smart people running them” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/16).