The Milwaukee Bucks are now under new ownership. Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns and the Columbus Crew, purchased Marc Lasry’s stake in the Bucks for $3.5 billion. Additionally, Haslam’s wife and Browns co-owner, Dee Haslam, is also a part of the transaction and will be a partial owner of the NBA team.
Assuming the deal will be permitted by the NBA, Haslam would take over Lasry’s 25% share effective immediately. Not only will he receive a quarter of the ownership, but he will consequently take over the governorship as well. Haslam’s ownership percentage would tie for a majority share that is equal to Wes Edens’ and Jamie Dinan’s. However, his role as governor would essentially give him the “final say” in personnel decisions and the like.
Many Bucks fans are less than enthusiastic about the new marriage between the Bucks and Jimmy Haslam. His track record with the Browns is one of the more miserable ownership histories in all of sports. The good news for Bucks fans is while he has been known to be notoriously cheap, Haslam has spent a lot of money on the Browns recently to a fair degree of success. Unfortunately, the underbelly of that spending holds a five year, $250 million contract with a man who has more than 20 civil lawsuits against him for inappropriate conduct and sexual assault.
Undoubtedly, Haslam has not earned many fans as his tenure as an owner for a variety of reasons. As long as the team is successful and Haslam can avoid controversy, it’s almost assured Bucks fans won’t mind his involvement.
Get the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on Twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook via Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.
Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up