Moderators: paulpressey25, MickeyDavis
dbrodz7 wrote:What do we think odds are that Foxconn gets the naming rights now that the deal is official?
BMO Harris Bank will sponsor a club at the lower level of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena, the Bucks and bank officials announced Friday.
The all-inclusive club will be the "most exclusive club space in the arena and will have a direct connection to the player tunnel," the Bucks said in a press release.
BMO Harris has the naming rights for the Bradley Center, the Bucks home arena for the past 29 years.
Friday's announcement cements a continued long-term relationship between the bank and the team, but does not include the naming rights for the team's new $524 million arena under construction just north of the Bradley Center.
Bucks President Peter Feigin has said the team hopes to secure a naming rights deal of $10 million a year for 10 years. There has been no indication about when the naming rights will be announced, other than vague comments from Feigin that it would be soon.
The announcement Friday includes naming BMO Harris a "Founding Partner" for the Bucks as they make plans to move into the new arena in the fall of 2018. The arena is being constructed with $250 million in public money.
The "Founding Partners" are a group of six to eight local businesses that have signed long-term deals with the team. In March, Johnson Controls was named the first Founding Partner.
The Bucks also said that BMO remains the team's "official bank." BMO will issue a Bucks-branded debit card that will provide access to a special entrance and discounts on concessions and other things at Bucks games.
“The Bucks have generated tremendous energy and excitement throughout Milwaukee, energy that will only increase when the new arena opens next year,” said David Casper, BMO Harris president and CEO said in a press release. "We are thrilled to be part of that excitement by making a long-term commitment as a Founding Partner of the new arena, building on our 25-year relationship with the Bucks.”
“BMO Harris Bank has been a long-time valued partner of the Bucks and our expanding relationship demonstrates to our customers, fans and employees our deep-rooted commitment both organizations have to Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin,” Feigin said in the release.
BMO is also the first major partner announced for the Bucks's G-League affiliate in Oshkosh, the Wisconsin Herd.
Pachinko_ wrote:Just from eyeballing it I'd say it looks on pace for ready in 6 months?
stellation wrote:What's the difference between Gery Woelful and this glass of mineral water? The mineral water actually has a source."
I Hate Manure wrote:We look to be awful next season without Beasley.
DanoMac wrote:Spoke with a pretty prominent person this weekend, if Foxconn doesn't get the naming rights to the arena, it will be Amazon. Milwaukee has assembled quite the crew to try and acquire the Amazon headquarters many cities are bidding for.
stellation wrote:What's the difference between Gery Woelful and this glass of mineral water? The mineral water actually has a source."
I Hate Manure wrote:We look to be awful next season without Beasley.
A beer garden connecting the plaza in front of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena to Old World 3rd St. will have a roof and other amenities to protect it from the elements, according to updated plans filed with the city Tuesday.
The plans show a beer garden through which, on event days, thousands of fans can pass on their way to and from the new arena, Bucks president Peter Feigin said in an interview.
"It also will be a great place to have food and beverages and watch games," Feigin said.
The updated plans, crafted by Rinka Chung Architecture, call for 75 percent of the beer garden to be under cover.
Feigin said that while the area will be protected, "it's not like it's going to always be 60 or 70 degrees there."
The renderings show informal seating and gathering areas, a long gas fireplace and a large screen TV.
The beer garden is one portion of the entertainment block that the Bucks plan for the site that also includes land that held a large city-owned parking ramp east of N. 4th St., between W. Highland and W. Juneau avenues. The "Legends" ramp, nicknamed for the sports bar on the ground level, was torn down as arena construction got underway last year.
The beer garden will open onto Old World 3rd St. just south of Ugly's bar, 1125 N. Old World 3rd St.
Workers are busy with site preparation, and more details about what the Bucks plan for the entertainment block are coming in the weeks ahead.
The Bucks plan to construct three buildings at the west end of the beer garden facing the arena and those will have bars, restaurants and other amenities. Previous renderings filed with the city show a brewing kettle in one of the commercial buildings.
"We're pretty much on track for what we said we would be doing," Feigin said. Announcements about the commercial tenants are coming in a few weeks, he said.
Not emphasized in the beer garden renderings are concessions, although there appears to be a stand in the background. Also, one wall features the Miller High Life "Girl in the Moon," an advertising image that dates to 1907.
"The Miller High Life Girl in the Moon has come to represent both the brand and the company that created her," the company's website says. However, it appears that the image in the Bucks' rendering is a "placeholder," artwork that's in the background of an architect's rendering.
Feigin said that "Miller is already a partner" with the Bucks, but the image in the rendering is not meant to be a clue about the brewery's involvement in the entertainment block.
"My expectation is that they'll be involved in some manner," he said, adding that an announcement about a brewery "is not part of this submission."
The most important change in the new plans is that they show more protection from the weather, and more detail about lighting and finishes, Feigin said. The changes were significant enough to require re-submittal to the city, he said.
Such details are being closely watched by bar and restaurant owners on Old World 3rd and Water streets.
The Bucks say they want to complement and not siphon customers away from those businesses.
"We've talked with them throughout this process," Feigin said. "I think a rising tide is good for all ships."
The $524 million arena and adjoining parking lot are being constructed with $250 million in public money. The Bucks' development arm is paying for the various entertainment block projects and the $31 million practice facility that opened in August.
The beer garden plans will be reviewed by the city's Plan Commission Which Oct. 23, and then the Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee Oct. 31, with consideration by the full council on Nov. 7, said Jeff Fleming, spokesman for the Department of City Development.
The Milwaukee Bucks are transitioning into a team with a rapidly growing international following and the naming rights for the new arena will reflect that, team president Peter Feigin told an internationally broadcast cable show Monday.
Feigin emphasized the team's international reach during an appearance on CNBC's early morning show, "Squawk Box." Although he appeared on a federal holiday when the audience is likely smaller, the program is also aired on CNBC affiliates in Europe and Asia.
During Feigin's appearance, the name "Foxconn" never came up. However, his comments sounded like a pitch to the Taiwanese company that's planning a massive technology campus in Racine County.
Feigin discussed the naming rights for the Bucks' $524 million arena now under construction in downtown Milwaukee. Supported with $250 million in taxpayer money, the arena is scheduled to open in time for the 2018-'19 NBA season.
"It's what we need to get done," Feigin said of the naming rights. "It's the cornerstone of ... us financially as we go forward."
In an interview with the Journal Sentinel later Monday, Feigin said his appearance was part of a strategy to raise awareness about the Bucks and the naming rights.
"This was a big opportunity to create some urgency," he said. "Right now, we don't have a deal done with Foxconn or anybody else."
On CNBC, Feigin put the naming rights price at $7 million to $10 million a year for 20 years. He said the building won't bear the name of a locally based company.
"It's not a local deal," he said.
Feigin has said in previous interviews that the Bucks have been talking with Foxconn Technology Group about partnerships, including naming rights.
Foxconn has announced plans to build a massive technology complex in Racine County that could employ up to 13,000 people making liquid crystal display panels.
"I ran," was Feigin's response earlier this summer when asked if he had jumped at the opportunity to meet with Foxconn when it was first announced the company was considering a Wisconsin operation.
Feigin has been present at every important Foxconn announcement in recent months, including a July 26 White House briefing led by President Donald Trump.
Other local companies seen as potential candidates for naming rights — including Johnson Controls, Miller Brewing and BMO Harris — have signed on as partners with the Bucks, but not for the name on the arena.
On Squawk Box, Feigin noted that the NBA — and the Bucks — have an international following.
"In NBA basketball, 80 to 95 percent of our media impressions are outside of our home market," he said.
"This is a global game. This is international. So we've been around the world kind of pitching naming rights."
CNBC anchor Becky Quick interjected: "International? So it might not even be a U.S. company...?"
Feigin responded, "It might be a U.S. company with international reach or vice versa."
Feigin said the team has "unbelievable metrics" when it comes to its audience.
"Think about participation, I mean in Asia. Think about where the media is going," he said.
"I mean half of our digital impressions are coming from outside the United States. And growing at a very steep rate."
The Bucks have five players from other countries on their roster, including Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Flags from those countries — the others are Canada, Australia, South Sudan and Bosnia — hang over the courts in the team's new practice facility.
"The first 30 minutes are — wherever I am — talking about the NBA and the Milwaukee Bucks."
Feigin concluded his TV appearance with a note of optimism about the upcoming basketball season, and further emphasis about the team's audience.
"It's going to be an exciting year. We're fun to watch," he said.
"And we want to transition as one of those NBA teams that really is kind of one of the world's teams."
MickeyDavis wrote:Not a locally based company. Interesting. Sounds as if there are still negotiations going on. $7-$10 million a year is what the Bucks want.The Milwaukee Bucks are transitioning into a team with a rapidly growing international following and the naming rights for the new arena will reflect that, team president Peter Feigin told an internationally broadcast cable show Monday.
Feigin emphasized the team's international reach during an appearance on CNBC's early morning show, "Squawk Box." Although he appeared on a federal holiday when the audience is likely smaller, the program is also aired on CNBC affiliates in Europe and Asia.
During Feigin's appearance, the name "Foxconn" never came up. However, his comments sounded like a pitch to the Taiwanese company that's planning a massive technology campus in Racine County.
Feigin discussed the naming rights for the Bucks' $524 million arena now under construction in downtown Milwaukee. Supported with $250 million in taxpayer money, the arena is scheduled to open in time for the 2018-'19 NBA season.
"It's what we need to get done," Feigin said of the naming rights. "It's the cornerstone of ... us financially as we go forward."
In an interview with the Journal Sentinel later Monday, Feigin said his appearance was part of a strategy to raise awareness about the Bucks and the naming rights.
"This was a big opportunity to create some urgency," he said. "Right now, we don't have a deal done with Foxconn or anybody else."
On CNBC, Feigin put the naming rights price at $7 million to $10 million a year for 20 years. He said the building won't bear the name of a locally based company.
"It's not a local deal," he said.
Feigin has said in previous interviews that the Bucks have been talking with Foxconn Technology Group about partnerships, including naming rights.
Foxconn has announced plans to build a massive technology complex in Racine County that could employ up to 13,000 people making liquid crystal display panels.
"I ran," was Feigin's response earlier this summer when asked if he had jumped at the opportunity to meet with Foxconn when it was first announced the company was considering a Wisconsin operation.
Feigin has been present at every important Foxconn announcement in recent months, including a July 26 White House briefing led by President Donald Trump.
Other local companies seen as potential candidates for naming rights — including Johnson Controls, Miller Brewing and BMO Harris — have signed on as partners with the Bucks, but not for the name on the arena.
On Squawk Box, Feigin noted that the NBA — and the Bucks — have an international following.
"In NBA basketball, 80 to 95 percent of our media impressions are outside of our home market," he said.
"This is a global game. This is international. So we've been around the world kind of pitching naming rights."
CNBC anchor Becky Quick interjected: "International? So it might not even be a U.S. company...?"
Feigin responded, "It might be a U.S. company with international reach or vice versa."
Feigin said the team has "unbelievable metrics" when it comes to its audience.
"Think about participation, I mean in Asia. Think about where the media is going," he said.
"I mean half of our digital impressions are coming from outside the United States. And growing at a very steep rate."
The Bucks have five players from other countries on their roster, including Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Flags from those countries — the others are Canada, Australia, South Sudan and Bosnia — hang over the courts in the team's new practice facility.
"The first 30 minutes are — wherever I am — talking about the NBA and the Milwaukee Bucks."
Feigin concluded his TV appearance with a note of optimism about the upcoming basketball season, and further emphasis about the team's audience.
"It's going to be an exciting year. We're fun to watch," he said.
"And we want to transition as one of those NBA teams that really is kind of one of the world's teams."
