Here & Now

How Bucks’ Win is Boosting Milwaukee Economy

Frederica Freyberg:

One thing is for sure, the crowds outside the Fiserv Forum for game six showed just how much Wisconsin is bursting with pride over the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA championship win.

[Cheers and applause]

And the celebration played on into the week, including with a Bucks victory parade through downtown Milwaukee. In the lead, Bucks players themselves and public officials, like the governor, mayor and Milwaukee County executive David Crowley. Just how much do the champs and their organization mean to Milwaukee and, by extension, the state? We asked David Crowley, who joins us now. Thanks very much for being here and congratulations.

David Crowley:

Thank you so much. This is an awesome opportunity. As you can probably tell by my voice, it was a great parade.

Frederica Freyberg:

Lots of cheering. What was going through your head as you marched through or rode through the streets in the Bucks’ victory parade late this week?

David Crowley:

I think this meant a lot for Wisconsinites, Milwaukeeans, this whole region. I’ve always been a lifelong fan of Milwaukee Bucks. To be a part of this parade was just phenomenal. It was the first time ever we actually won a championship right in our own backyard. Even when you think about the Brewers years ago, as well as the Bucks years ago but to see so many people out and really come out to support this team, support this city was just an amazing opportunity.

Frederica Freyberg:

So seeing the crowds for the games and the after-party, was it like, yes, the investment, which was broadly $250 million in public financing to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee and construct the arena, it paid off. The investment paid off. Is that what you were thinking?

David Crowley:

Oh, absolutely. I remember being part of the Legislature as an aide when the Fiserv Forum legislation was going through the process. And I think it has paid off. Thank you to Herb Kohl for making sure that the Bucks stay here, the owners for their commitment to this region. But this has been a huge economic boost for a lot of different individuals, especially for those within the “Deer District” in downtown Milwaukee, to see thousands of people coming into this city, coming to this region, spending their money, just let you know that this is something new for us. And we should get used to being on the national stage. Having the Bucks right now as the world champions, seeing this great run so far with the Brewers, this is something we have to get used to. So we see the economic impact and it’s been great to see so many folks spending their dollars, patronizing our community, especially with the past two years that we have seen.

Frederica Freyberg:

Do you know how much spin-off economic effect there has been from the Bucks and their presence? I mean, is there like a dollar amount that people like yourself and others in the city talk about?

David Crowley:

You know, after reading some of the reports, you know, anywhere between $2 to $3 million were being spent right here in our own backyard during those home finals games. Even when you think about those away games, we still had tens of thousands of people at the “Deer District” patronizing local restaurants, patronizing local businesses. And so we see a lot of money being spent. But now it’s about how do we make sure that those dollars are being spent here locally, we can capture those dollars right here. I’m really excited about the opportunity it brings when we talk about the local option sales tax for us to be able to invest those dollars that are being spent here locally.

Frederica Freyberg:

Aside from the economics of it, does rallying around the team create unity among people, unity that we really need about now?

David Crowley:

You know, when you think about, you know, our mission and vision here in Milwaukee County is that we believe we can become the healthiest county by achieving racial equity. When you think about sports, right here in Milwaukee, in the most diverse county throughout the whole state, you see all types of people, no matter their age, no matter what they look like, no matter who they love. They were at that Bucks arena. So I got to give a great thanks again to all sports fans because it’s one of the most diverse places you can go right here in our own backyard. We did see a rallying cry. We’ve seen people coming together from all walks of life, from all across this region to come celebrate, to come support our Milwaukee Bucks. So it was a great thing to see. And hopefully we can continue to have this type of morale boost for many years to come.

Frederica Freyberg:

Now, I know that as part of the state financing package, Milwaukee County has to forego something like $4 million a year in shared revenue from the state and there are certainly some people who would say that money could be going to needed services unrelated to professional basketball. What is your response to that?

David Crowley:

Well, you know, we could be using these dollars. There were different changes in the legislation that required us to give the $4 million in our shared revenue back. But at the end of the day, this is about giving us some tools, giving local governments the options to raise different types of revenues. And this is what the local option sales tax can do for us. But I will say that it has also given us an opportunity as well to really bring more people together. But we do need those dollars. But that’s why we’re going to the state Legislature, building relationships with folks on both sides of the aisle on why we need the local option sales tax. At the end of the day, even with that $4 million it’s not going to solve all of our problems. So between now and 2027, in the next six years, we’re facing about a $150 million budget gap. To put that in perspective, our Milwaukee County transit system budget this year is $150 million alone. Even if we talk about the $4 million we still need the additional revenues to make sure our buses are running to get people to work, to make sure we have great parks people can enjoy. Also to make sure we can invest locally in our young people, in our seniors as well as everything else that makes us great.

Frederica Freyberg:

All right. We need to leave it there. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Thank you very much. Go, Bucks.

David Crowley:

Thank you so much for having me. Go, Bucks. Bucks in six.