SUMMARY
- The Milwaukee Bucks' ownership transition occurred in 2014 when former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl sold the team to a trio of investors.
- The new owners include, Marc Lasry of Avenue Capital Group, Wes Edens of Fortress Investment Group and Jamie Dinan, the founder of York Capital Management,
The Milwaukee Bucks, champions of the 2021 NBA season have an interesting ownership story. In 2014, Herb Kohl, a former U.S. Senator and successful businessman sold the Milwaukee Bucks to a trio of investors. These key figures behind the Bucks’ success are Marc Lasry, Wes Edens, Jamie Dinan, and a surprising addition, NFL star Aaron Rodgers.
Marc Lasry, the CEO of Avenue Capital Group, co-founded the firm in 1995. With a net worth of $2.1 billion, according to Forbes, Lasry is also a big Democratic Party donor. He has been crucial in guiding the Bucks’ social justice initiatives, including the team’s decision to stop staying at Trump hotels in 2016. A former Division III basketball player, Lasry is often seen participating in the NBA All-Star Weekend celebrity game.
Wes Edens, another major figure in the Bucks’ ownership, founded Fortress Investment Group in 1998. He continued as the firm’s chairman even after its acquisition by SoftBank in 2017. Forbes estimates his worth at $4.3 billion. Edens has played an important role in the Bucks’ strategic decisions and growth.
Jamie Dinan, who owns a minority stake in the Bucks is the founder of York Capital Management. Forbes estimated his worth at $1.9 billion. The fourth major investor in the Bucks is Mike Fascitelli, who has a lesser stake. All four owners live near the East Coast, bringing a wide range of knowledge and resources to the franchise.
How much of the Milwaukee Bucks does Aaron Rodgers own?
NFL star player Aaron Rodgers holds a stake in the Milwaukee Bucks. The New York Jets quarterback became a minority owner of the Bucks in 2018, becoming the first active NFL player to own a part of an NBA franchise. Rodgers’ involvement in the Bucks is more than just a financial venture, it represents his deep connection to the state of Wisconsin.
“First of all because I love basketball and second because I’ve been here for so long I wanted, besides my Packer connection, just another natural connection to the state that I love and that I’ve grown up in.”- Rodgers stated.
Aaron Rodgers stays winning.
The Packers superstar QB is now an NBA champion as part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ ownership group 💎 pic.twitter.com/ASK5IfBRhg
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) July 21, 2021
Rodgers’ stake in the Bucks is one percent, he doesn’t play a role in the day-to-day operations of the franchise but is listed as one of the team owners. His investment was made after an existing investor decided to sell their shares in 2018, a move that was made possible by Edens and Lasry.
While the exact figure of Rodgers’ investment hasn’t been publicly disclosed, it’s estimated based on the 2014 sale price of the Bucks. Edens and Lasry purchased the team for approximately $550 million, suggesting that Rodgers’ one percent stake would be around $5.5 million.
Since Aaron Rodgers bought his stake in 2018, the Bucks have reached the postseason every year and won a championship in 2021, their first in 50 years. The team is currently valued at $3.2 billion, according to Forbes. As the 2023-24 season progresses, fans eagerly anticipate if the Bucks can repeat their championship success.