The Bucks are "designing their new arena as an esports competition venue as well as an entertainment showcase to attract patrons from Chicago’s northern suburbs," according to Don Muret of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Bucks President Peter Feigin "laid out a vision" beyond NBA basketball for the $524M arena that includes "accommodating the team’s NBA 2K esports franchise." The arena "can be scaled to an intimate 2,500 for esports" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/17 issue). Feigin added that the Bucks are "in talks with potential naming-rights partners for their future arena, discussing a 20-year deal valued" at more than $7M annually. He said that a deal to rebrand the arena "could be ready by Labor Day." The Bucks are "handling negotiations in-house" with Senior VP/Business Development & Strategy Matt Pazaras "leading the effort" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/17 issue). Feigin said, "How do we let Illinois residents know we have a world-class arena?" In Chicago, Teddy Greenstein wrote, "Are you listening, Chicago?" The arena will have a basketball capacity of 17,500 with a "whopping 10,000 seats in the lower bowl." Feigin: "At the Bradley Center, you're a mile from the court. Or the United Center, which is tremendously large. This will be an unbelievable showcase for basketball and even better for entertainment." He added, "It will feel like an open-air arena. When people leave their seat, they still want to watch and feel the game. We will have authentic food, great service. And anchor bars on every corner" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/15).
