Bucks President Peter Feigin recently discussed the team's pursuit of naming rights for its new downtown Milwaukee arena, saying, "Number one is we're not going to compromise. We think there’s a tremendous value, we want an unbelievable brand association with this building because it's such a special project. The Giannis (Antetokounmpo) effect is a big deal. It's kind of exploded for us on an international basis, so all of a sudden, the prospects of who to work with have changed over the last six months." Feigin said of what the team is looking for in a partner, "We’re looking for one and one equals two, so how can we align with a brand that almost strengthens our brand equity. A great, blue chip international brand that in a perfect world, increases our audience that also has a great following. If it was a consumer product company, how do we leverage what they’ve done in the marketplace. If it's a technology company, how can we leverage? An insurance company, who can we get their buyer groups engaged in our business? There’s a lot of different alignments."
GLOBAL APPEAL: The Bucks over the summer were discussing naming rights with South Korea-based Foxconn, which is opening a massive new facility in Wisconsin. Feigin said of those talks, "In some shape or form we’ll have a partnership with Foxconn. At this point, I wouldn’t think it’s going to be naming rights.” As to why the team is looking globally for a naming-rights partner, Feigin said, “The metrics. 90% of our impressions go beyond our home state. When we do our digital, our broadcast, TNT or ESPN or (FS Wisconsin), our highlights, 50% of them are going to China -- if that tells what the audience growth is. We’ve got this international presence that has exploded way beyond. It’s an NBA trend, but certainly unique to Milwaukee in the last two to three years. Giannis is a big deal with that when you think about 10-20 million video views from outside the country." As far as price range on a naming-rights deal, Feigin said, "We’re looking for a long term, 20-year deal in the range of $7-10 million (annually)" ("414ward," WTMJ-NBC, 10/29).
PICK & POP: Feigin also said the arena's "founding partnerships" were "crucial." He said, "Froedtert, the medical college of Wisconsin, Miller-Coors, we’ll have Coke in the new building. These are foundational partners" (“414ward,” WTMJ-NBC, 10/29). In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen noted Coca-Cola "will replace Pepsi as the soft-drink provider" at the new arena next season. Pepsi had held pouring rights at the BMO Harris Bradley Center since '99. Dr Pepper Snapple Group Business Development Manager Jim Kitelinger said that his brand "declined to submit a bid." He said that he was "surprised the incumbent Pepsi didn’t land the contract for the new Bucks arena." Kitelinger: "Pepsi being the incumbent I thought they would get it" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/31).
GRUB HUB: In Milwaukee, Nancy Stohs notes the Bucks' new training facility features a "roughly 1,000-square-foot kitchen" that team dietitian Shawn Zell "largely designed." Zell and his staff used to feed the team from a "75-year-old kitchen that they found and rehabbed" at the previous training center. The space "includes a pizza oven, a double-stack combination oven that can steam, smoke and roast; a grill and griddle, a large soup kettle, four induction burners and more." Zell said, "We have the greatest kitchen in professional sports." Zell noted he serves the team "just under 1,400 meals a year." He added that coaches and staff "also eat there -- more than 60 people in all" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 11/1).
