HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Milwaukee Bucks have told NBA Commissioner David Stern that when the team's lease at the BMO Harris Bradley Center expires in 2017 the franchise will have a plan that includes a new arena. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, David Stern, Herb Kohl 

Asked whether the NBA had imposed a hard deadline of 2017 to have a new arena in place in Milwaukee, Stern said: "The Bucks came to us and said we will have a plan that will have a new arena at the end of this extension of this lease. 'And will you please give us an extension and approve it?' And we did. That's the current state of the record." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, David Stern, Herb Kohl 

Kohl, who purchased the Bucks in 1985 from Jim Fitzgerald for approximately $19 million, is apparently still receptive to bringing on an additional business partner. The possibility of the 76-year-old Heisley re-entering the Bucks’ picture is highly unlikely. Heisley suffered a debilitating stroke in February and remains in a Chicago-area hospital. I’ve been told he’s been in a coma for more than a month and the prospects of a recovery are extremely bleak. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Michael Heisley, Herb Kohl 

Aaron Bruski: Bucks owner Herb Kohl, in the market for an arena subsidy in MIL, in Sacramento to take in the Bucks/Kings game. #dots Twitter @aaronbruski

Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Herb Kohl 

Bucks general manager John Hammond confirmed this morning that he is in discussions with team owner Herb Kohl over a contract extension. Hammond spoke to reporters at the BMO Harris Bradley Center to discuss the exit of coach Scott Skiles. Hammond described it as a mutual decision after a meeting Monday and said he did not expect it to happen when he went to work Monday. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, John Hammond, Herb Kohl 

Yet, there have been rumblings Hammond may actually receive an extension — whether Kohl is or isn’t the majority owner next season. While the Bucks have made the NBA playoffs just once in the last four seasons under the Hammond-Skiles regime, Hammond was the 2010 NBA Executive of the Year and is highly respected by his peers. Hammond refused to comment on whether there have been any talks about an extension for him. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

But the chatter among NBA insiders has intensified in recent months with many believing Kohl could sell the team outright or bring on board a partner who would eventually become the Bucks’ primary owner. One well connected individual who has his finger on the pulse of the Bucks’ ownership situation insisted just a few weeks ago that Kohl would sell his NBA franchise, which he has owned since March 1985, to Michael Heisley, a billionaire from Chicago. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Michael Heisley, Herb Kohl 

But when recently asked about buyging the Bucks, Heisley said, “It’s a false rumor.” Some Heisley associates said Heisley has deep concerns about the viability of the Bradley Center, which opened in 1988. Additionally, I was told Heisley had inquired about the availability of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Michael Heisley, Herb Kohl 

Attanasio is also part owner of the Milwaukee Admirals, an American Hockey League team, and was a major sponsor in the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Kohl, who is incredibly guarded about his personal dealings, has been mum about any potential sale. Instead, Kohl said he still derives much pleasure from owning the Bucks and now that his senatorial duties are done, intends on being even more involved with the team. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

The Bucks, sources say, have told Skiles to keep an open mind, and in case he has a change of heart, they would be willing to talk about another deal. Usually, teams that really want someone back -- a player, a coach, whomever -- figure out a way to make it happen. But the Bucks have done nothing substantive toward offering Skiles a new deal. Both sides appear willing to play out the season, and there is no animosity either way, sources said; Skiles is fond of owner Herb Kohl, and vice versa. NBA.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

We haven't necessarily seen the last of former Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley. Not if you buy what's circulating with increasing volume about Heisley's interest in eventually buying the Milwaukee Bucks from Herb Kohl. Sale speculation about the Bucks has been a staple for years, but the latest scenario has the Chicago-based Heisley making a serious bid to buy the franchise if Sen. Kohl can secure the new building (or Bradley Center refurbishment) that would cement the team's future in Wisconsin. ESPN.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Michael Heisley, Herb Kohl 

Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl has had several offers to buy his NBA franchise over the years but, for the last year or so, he has had a standing offer on the table from an out-of-state entrepreneur. In other words, if Kohl was inclined to sell the Bucks right now, he could. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

"I expected to have at least a conversation [with Milwaukee]," Delfino told HoopsHype. "I ended up aggravating my injury because I wanted to play with the Bucks. It hurts me a little bit that they have not even reached out to me. That's life, things happen. I learned from the experience. Coach Scott [Skiles] and the owner [Herb Kohl] have been very good to me. The rest... I expected a little bit more. HoopsHype

Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Carlos Delfino, Scott Skiles, Herb Kohl 

MJ4 has learned the Milwaukee Bucks will make a big announcement Monday concerning the Bradley Center's future. Sources say several local businesses are stepping up to make a financial committment to the Bradley Center. The Bradley Center is considered the oldest and smallest NBA facililty in the league despite being nearly 25 years old. Just this month, Bucks owner Herb Kohl told TODAY'S TMJ4's Lance Allan it's time for a new stadium. "I think its worth the effort, it's been worth the effort that we put into keeping our team here over the years," Kohl says. "I believe it's worth the effort in trying to keep the team here in the years to come." Today's TMJ4

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

A source says "more than a dozen leading business" will step up with several milllions of dollars to help the Bradley Center stay fianancially viable for the next few years. Those extra years will help the Bucks and the community figure out how and if a new facility can be built to keep the Bucks here even longer. Today's TMJ4

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

Bucks owner Herb Kohl confirmed at a news conference Friday that general manager John Hammond will not work with a contract extension during the coming season. Scott Skiles agreed last week to return for the final year of his contract. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, John Hammond, Scott Skiles, Herb Kohl 

But the Bucks owner said he is confident the team can take the steps necessary to become a playoff team. Milwaukee finished the past season with a 31-35 record and was eliminated from playoff contention in the final week. "Scott is one of the best coaches in the league, and I'm very pleased he's going to be with us next year," Kohl said at the team's Cousins Center training facility. "It's true about John Hammond. It's an outstanding team, I believe. "This is a results kind of business we're in, and you measure at some point, we all do, we measure ourselves by our results. We were supposed to be in the playoffs. We didn't get there. We should still be playing. We're not still playing. "So if you want to know whether or not we're happy, no we're not happy. Why should we be happy? But we're planning for next year, and I think with this continuity and the ability of Scott and John, as well as the staff and our players, there's a lot to be enthusiastic about. "And it's on that basis that we're going forward." Kohl said "we're looking for good and great results and a long and happy relationship." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, John Hammond, Scott Skiles, Herb Kohl 

Gery Woelfel: Kohl wants to "secure" Bradley Center for "next several years" though. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

Gery Woelfel: Kohl goes on the offensive for new arena. Willing to throw in own money. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl 

Gery Woelfel: Rumors still persist Kohl is open to selling Bucks but still be a minority owner. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl