Rumors

Bucks general manager Jon Horst is known to hold a close relationship with Budenholzer, having hired him to the position in 2018 and then collaborating for the organization’s first title in 50 seasons. There was no tangible discussion, sources said, on Budenholzer’s footing before the series with Miami unlike in past playoffs. And according to multiple league figures with knowledge of the situation, former Milwaukee owner Marc Lasry, who sold his 25% stake in the franchise to Jimmy Haslam in April, was a leading voice behind heating Budenholzer’s seat during that 2021 postseason run. Lasry later revealed to The Athletic he approached Budenholzer in the locker room following the Bucks’ 125-86 loss to Brooklyn in Game 2 of those Eastern Conference semifinals.

Yahoo! Sports

Entering this series, even entering Game 5 on Wednesday night, much of the noise surrounding Budenholzer’s standing in Milwaukee seemed to be external and speculative from other corners of the NBA. Bucks general manager Jon Horst is known to hold a close relationship with Budenholzer, having hired him to the position in 2018 and then collaborating for the organization’s first title in 50 seasons. There was no tangible discussion, sources said, on Budenholzer’s footing before the series with Miami unlike in past playoffs. And according to multiple league figures with knowledge of the situation, former Milwaukee owner Marc Lasry, who sold his 25% stake in the franchise to Jimmy Haslam in April, was a leading voice behind heating Budenholzer’s seat during that 2021 postseason run. Lasry later revealed to The Athletic he approached Budenholzer in the locker room following the Bucks’ 125-86 loss to Brooklyn in Game 2 of those Eastern Conference semifinals.

Yahoo! Sports

Jimmy, why the NBA and why the Bucks for the Haslam Sports Group? Jimmy Haslam: We’ve been involved in football first and then soccer but always admired and liked the NBA. I mean, it’s a great league. Basketball is played worldwide. There’s no question this is the best league in the world. I think it’s got great owners, including our new partners, great commissioner. We’ve looked at it a couple times before and this just happened. Wes and I had mutual acquaintances who introduced us and happened to come together. We’re really excited about the opportunity.

The Athletic

When new ownership partners come in, fans worry about the future of the team — what do you think about the future of the franchise in this city? Jimmy Haslam: The first time Wes and I ever talked was could an NBA team not just reside here, but could it be successful? And they’ve obviously proved they can. They’ve punched way over their weight in almost everything in the NBA, starting first of all on the court, which is what counts. I anticipate the team being here for a long time. Listen, this isn’t a turnaround situation. These guys have done a hell of a job so we’re gonna be quiet and listen and learn and if we can help down the road, that’s great.

The Athletic

What’s appealing about this ownership structure to you? It’s different than the majority stakes you have in Cleveland and Columbus. Jimmy Haslam: That’s a great point. When we came into Columbus, the team was ready to leave town. It was just a mess. And when we came to Cleveland it was a difficult situation. They’ve got this thing going well. I’ll be honest, it’s appealing not to have to shoulder all the load yourself and do it all. Wes and I talk or text regularly but like I said they’ve done a great job here, and so stepping into an established franchise that’s on a good track is very appealing. The luxury tax is a reality for this team, and the repeater tax is around the corner — how do you both feel about having to potentially pay for that? Jimmy Haslam: We’re committed to winning. We talked about that early on. Edens: Yeah.

The Athletic

Tim Bontemps: The NBA announced the sale of Marc Lasry's stake in the Milwaukee Bucks to Dee and Jimmy Haslam has been approved.

Twitter

Eric Nehm: Here is the official press release from the @Bucks on the NBA Board of Governors approving the ownership share purchase by Dee and Jimmy Haslam:

Twitter

Shams Charania: Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry is completing the sale of his Bucks stake to Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Haslam Sports Group for a $3.5 billion valuation on Friday, sources tell me and @eric_nehm .

Twitter

Jimmy Haslam offered up the first public comments on his impeding purchase of a significant share of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday at the NFL owner’s meetings in Arizona. Speaking to Ohio reporters, Jimmy and Dee Haslam — owners of the Cleveland Browns — said the purchase of Marc Lasry’s 25% is still weeks away from NBA approval so they didn’t want to get into specifics, but did say Wes Edens would assume governorship of the team while the Haslam Sports Group learns the NBA business.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

"It's opportunistic," Jimmy Haslam said of the impending purchase. "I mean listen, we never thought we'd own 10% of the Steelers. Never thought we'd own the Browns. Dee and I had never been, beside watching (daughter) Whitney play high school soccer, had never been to a soccer game. So it's just opportunistic. It was straightened set of circumstances; we were called on this opportunity. Business, sports, you tend to be optimistic. I have no idea what will happen next. First thing's first, let's get this done and then let's get the Browns winning games."

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Shams Charania: Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry has an agreement to sell his stake in the Bucks to American businessman and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Haslam Sports Group for a $3.5 billion valuation, sources tell me and @Eric Nehm.

Twitter

Sources with knowledge of Lasry’s plans said he will continue pursuing business opportunities in sports, including the potential of ownership of another professional team. Edens and Lasry bought the Bucks from Herb Kohl in 2014 for $550 million. As part of the sale though, Kohl promised to donate $100 million to a new arena to help ensure the team remained in Milwaukee.

The Athletic

Under Lasry’s tenure, the Bucks fulfilled their promise of a new arena, Fiserv Forum, which was built and opened in August of 2018 and has led to tremendous business success around the building as the surrounding development, called the Deer District, has helped transform a portion of Milwaukee’s downtown. Lasry’s nearly decade-long run as a Bucks co-owner — the last three and a half came as the controlling governor — saw the Bucks emerge as a powerhouse on and off the floor.

The Athletic

The Haslam Sports Group, owners of the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew, are in advanced talks to acquire Marc Lasry’s stake in the Milwaukee Bucks, according to multiple people familiar with the negotiations.

Sportico