|
MILWAUKEE -- Bucks owner Herb Kohl wants to add to the teams ownership group in hopes of building a new arena that he said would cement the teams long-term future in Milwaukee. Dwan Edwards Blue Jersey . Kohl said Monday he hired a firm to help in the search for new partners, and that any new partners who are added will have to be equally committed to keeping the team in Milwaukee. "I like to believe that bringing in new ownership ... if its done in the right way, will reinvigorate the franchise and make our future in Milwaukee stronger and more secure," he said. Keeping the team in Wisconsins largest city would require a new arena to replace the 25-year-old BMO Harris Bradley Center, also home to Marquette basketball and the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, he said. "Without new investors and without a new facility, would we at some point lose the Bucks? Yes," he said. Kohl, who recently retired after four terms as a U.S. senator, bought the Bucks in 1985. The team is frequently mentioned as a candidate for a move because of the age of its arena, but Commissioner David Stern said Kohls decision shows he is dedicated to preventing that. "With this announcement, Sen. Kohl continues his mission: to assure continuity of Bucks ownership by broadening its ownership base, and assuring that the fans of Wisconsin will enjoy NBA basketball and other events in a new state-of-the-art facility," Stern said. Kohl and Stern both said Kohl bought the team with the goal of keeping it in Milwaukee, and that remains a priority now. Kohl said he hadnt identified possible partners yet, and that the process was only in its infancy. When asked whether hed consider taking on a partner who demanded a majority stake, Kohl said it was too early to commit to specifics. Kohl, 78, said hes in good health, but he knew he needed to plan for the organizations long-term future. He also said he was willing to contribute some of his own wealth toward the cost of a new stadium, and he hoped to secure private funding as well. If that happens, the team would have a firm private-sector commitment that could provide a convincing case for the public to finance the rest, he said. Kohl noted that Miller Park, where the Milwaukee Brewers play, is a fine facility but one that serves as little more than a baseball-only venue. And Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers, is also a one-use facility. But the BMO Harris Bradley Center hosts 200 events per year, including concerts and family events, so a new stadium would benefit the entire community, not only the Bucks, he said. Reporters asked whether potential partners would even want to invest in a team that couldnt consider a new area outside of Milwaukee, or in a team thats struggled to be competitive in recent seasons. Kohl replied that his team is profitable and its value has risen along with the values of every other NBA team. He declined to say exactly how much his team is worth. At 5-19, the Bucks are the worst team in the NBA. But Kohl said theyre a part of the community -- a part of his community -- and he wouldnt let them leave, even though he knew the franchise could be worth far more in a larger city. "It would be a big loss for this community if we lost our NBA franchise," he said. "That would be a huge step backward, for not only Milwaukee but the surrounding communities. "I dont want to see that happen. And so this asset is not for sale outside of Milwaukee." ------ AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney in New York contributed to this report. Charles Johnson Blue Jersey . -- Brian Dawkins biggest contribution Sunday in the AFC wild card playoffs will be with his talking and not his tackling. Amini Silatolu Panthers Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. LEDUC, Alta. -- Hayden Dawes had two goals and two assists Tuesday as the host Leduc Oil Kings beat the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves 6-3 at the Telus Cup national midget hockey championship. The Oil Kings opened up a 5-0 lead after two periods, only to see Sudbury mount a spirited comeback attempt with three goals in the first 4:32 of the third period. Dawes second goal of the game at 15:25 of the third put the game out of reach and ensured the hosts remained perfect at the tournament. Leduc improved to 2-0-0 while Sudbury, the Central region representatives, fell to 0-2-0. In other games, Phenix du College Esther-Blondin defeated the Saskatoon Contacts 6-2 and the Red Deer Rebels edged the Moncton Flyers 2-1. In the late game, Carson Powlik, Preston Eshenko, Kord Pankewicz and Jody Sick also scored for Leduc. Connor Burgess, Michael Laidley and Brandon Langella replied for Sudbury. Kevin Verhoeff made 28 saves for Leduc. Maxim Veilleux and Andrrew Lefebvre combined for 49 saves for Sudbury. Fernando Velasco Jersey. . Earlier, Laurent Dauphin had two goals and an assist as the Phenix defeated the Contacts. David Storto added a goal and an assist, while Daniel Audette and Frederik Gauthier also scored as the Quebec region representatives improved to 2-0. Kevin Darveau made 23 saves to pick up the win. Rourke Chartier and Reid Gardiner replied for Saskatoon (0-1-1), while Mack Shields stopped 21 shots for the West representatives. In the other game, Jonathan Finnigan scored the winning goal as the Rebels edged the Flyers. Brady Bakke also scored for Red Deer (1-0-1), the tournaments Pacific region representative. Zack Smith scored with one second remaining in regulation, spoiling the shutout bid of Red Deer goaltender Matthew Zentner. Zentner finished with 20 saves. Nathan Armstrong was excellent in goal for the Flyers (0-2-0), making 41 saves for the Atlantic representatives. cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
