There has been "robust interest from around the country" in investing in the Bucks, according to a source cited by Don Walker of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The source said, "There's a lot of interest in the NBA and this is the only team on the market. There is a considerable amount of interest." Asked if local investors had inquired about investing in the Bucks, the source said, "If you draw a circle with Milwaukee as the center, there would be a significant amount of interest within striking distance of the center." The source declined to say whether Bucks Owner Herb Kohl "had been talking to investors who want a majority interest in the team, or a minority interest" (JSONLINE.com, 3/19). In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen cited a source as saying that despite the interest in the Bucks, a deal to expand the team's ownership group "is not expected soon." The local interest is "driven in part by Kohl's requirement that the new investors keep the Bucks in Milwaukee." The source said that it is "impossible to predict when the marketing and sales process will be complete" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/19).
KEEPING AN EYE ON THE SITUATION: Basketball HOFer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has expressed a desire to purchase an NBA franchise, and said of the Bucks situation, "I'm keeping an eye on it. I might possibly try to be involved. It would be great to be able to help a franchise that I worked for get back to the top. They deserve it. The Wisconsin sports fans are incredible and they deserve a first-rate team. You see how they support the Packers. That's for real" ("Fast Money," CNBC, 3/18).
