New MKE Sports & entertainment arena

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce | Milwaukee, WI 53202
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>> View media mentions
>>VIEW PDF on background for the financing the new arena

MMAC believes that building a new arena is necessary to keep  Southeastern Wisconsin a vibrant and diverse entertainment destination for diverse, young talent. It's construction will also spur  long-term catalytic development in downtown Milwaukee. 
Facts surround the current BMO Harris Bradley Center:
  • Support over 750 jobs - 170 full-time Bucks employees and 600 Bucks-related Bradley Center employees
  • Occupies 80,000 square feet of space in downtown Milwaukee
  • Constructed as a hockey venue, the current layout  does not maximize premium seating options.
  • Limited space for non-game day use for revenue makers such as restaurants, shops and tourist attractions.
  • The results from studies conducted on potentially remodeling/retrofitting the existing arena found it to be cost prohibitive to remodel or retrofit for upgrades compared to constructing a new arena.

LOOMING DEADLINES

As a condition of the team's sale, the NBA stated that a new arena be built or the Bucks will be relocated to another city which means Wisconsin:
  • Loses income taxes paid by Bucks employees (estimated $700+ million over next 30 years)
  • Must still maintain the infrastructure of aged facility without a cornerstone tenant (estimated $120+ million cost over the next decade)
  • Loses ancillary development and recognition of having NBA team (Priceless for attracting employees and tourists)

FINANCING OPTIONS

THE OWNERS
The Bucks new ownership group is committed to keeping
the team in Milwaukee.

Their dedication was shown with their pledge - along with former owner Herb Kohl - of $250 million towards a new facility. This donation is expected to cover roughly 50% of the cost of constructing a new arena.
THE STATE
Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed state budget has $200+ million in state financing assistance for a new arena. It plans to use the future tax revenue stream created from Bucks players to back the state’s commitment. This revenue would be lost to the state if the team was forced to leave. The state proposal, which needs legislative approval, requires a minimum local funding commitment of $50 million.

HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT WISCONSIN?

  • A new arena would eliminate the state's Bradley Center burden. Without it, the State lawmakers will be forced to choose between: state taxpayers subsidizing the operation of a outdated facility -or- simply demolishing it
  • We continue to be one of only 30 NBA teams worldwide - an irreplaceable marketing tool for businesses
  • Saves up to 450 Wisconsin jobs
  • Creates a 365-day destination for a variety of audiences. Examples include:
- Staples Center & L.A. Live
- American Airlines Center & Victory Park

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

  1. Use MMAC's online tool to send an email directly to your legislators telling them you support the new downtown arena.
  2. Add your name to the list of supports on Play It FowardWI Coalition website.
  3. Contact the MMAC Governmental Affairs team for more information on how you can get involved at 414/287-4127.

Copyright © 2021 Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.  All rights reserved.
275 W Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 220 | Milwaukee, WI 53203  |  Tel 414/287-4100 | Fax 414/271-7753 | info@mmac.org
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  • Membership
    • Gain visibility >
      • Advertising
      • Event Sponsorship
      • Lead generation
    • Grow & strengthen your biz >
      • Executive roundtable program >
        • Roundtable News
      • Food and beverage manufacturers
      • Focus on the Future Awards
      • Future 50 Awards >
        • Future 50 winner archive
      • Leadership Council
      • International >
        • Global Business Insights series
        • Wisconsin International Trade Conference
        • Benefits of WTA membership >
          • Join WTA now
        • WTA member directory
        • Global Pulse - eNewsletter Archive
        • WTA events
        • Volunteer leadership
      • Roundtables for high-growth companies
      • Small business >
        • Council of Small Business Executives
      • Young professionals
    • Improve the business climate
    • Invest in our community
    • Cost Savings programs >
      • Certificates of origin
      • Health insurance plan
      • Office supply discount program
    • Join now
    • Request More Information
    • Members only >
      • Member Orientation
      • Submit an event
      • Submit news about your company
      • Update email preferences
      • Promote your MMAC membership
  • Events
    • MMAC event calendar
    • Event photos >
      • 2020 Golf Outing
    • Community events calendar
    • Submit an event
    • Sponsorship
    • 2019 MMAC All Member Meeting
  • Talent Pipeline
    • Grow your talent pipeline >
      • Business tours for students
      • Career-based learning
      • Manufacturing CAREERx
      • Technology Education & Literacy in Schools (TEALS)
    • Attracting & retaining young professionals
    • Professional development
  • Equity
    • Region of Choice initiative >
      • ROC: Improve the recruitment, retention & advancement
      • ROC: Increase educational attainment & career development opportunities
      • ROC: Support wealth creation of Black & Brown businesses
      • ROC Background & Data
      • ROC FAQs
  • Advocacy
    • Miller Park economic impact study
    • Legislator voting records
    • Education recommendations >
      • Supportive policies
      • Quality schools
      • Effective Educators
      • Community engagement
    • Ranking Milwaukee County Schools
  • Economic Growth
    • Attracting & retaining businesses
    • Food & beverage cluster
    • Milwaukee Development Corp. >
      • Rebuild & Revitalize Program
    • Milwaukee EB-5 Visa program
    • Milwaukee Urban Strategic Investment Corp. (MUSIC)
    • Metro Milwaukee reports
    • Starting a business >
      • BizStarts
      • New business planning guide
  • About the Region
    • 2021 Navigate Business MKE
    • Benchmarking metro MKE
    • Business outlook survey
    • Economic Trends
    • Local media listings
    • Major employers in metro Milwaukee
    • Metro Milwaukee demographics
    • Order a publication
    • Relocating a business
  • About MMAC
    • Board of directors >
      • New 2021 Board Members
    • Contact us
    • Members of the media
    • Publication archive >
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      • Milwaukee Commerce magazine
    • Scholarships for minority students
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  • COVID-19 Resources
    • Health & Safety Toolkit >
      • Vaccine FAQ
      • Employer Outbreak FAQs
      • Testing FAQs
      • Preparing for the 2nd wave
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    • Business Strategies webinars