Milwaukee Bucks: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day
3. The arrow is pointing up
The Media Day atmosphere was buzzing with optimism, both for the prospects of the team on-the-court this season and the value of the franchise itself. The Milwaukee Bucks are a team that is on the rise in more ways than one.
For the team itself, a young core that perfectly fits the defensive system is champing at the bit to prove itself after a first round exit in the playoffs last season. Giannis Antetokounmpo was hyped for the highest of individual awards, and the conversations often turned to what last season’s second-youngest team could accomplish this time around.
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What was more surprising, if not as exciting for fans, was the increase in the value of the team itself. Michael Fascitelli, Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan bought the team in 2014. “When we bought the team three years ago, we talked about making this a world class organization in every respect,” Edens told the BizTimes. “That starts with the facilities and the people who run them.”
As the Bucks build a new stadium and facilities, they are investing in an asset that is skyrocketing in value. Although the Bucks operated with a slight deficit last season, the value of the team has quadrupled since the ownership group purchased it just a few short seasons ago. The Bucks were purchased for $550 million in 2014, but are now valued at $2.2 billion.
Marc Lasry was likewise optimistic about the future on and off the court. “One of the things we said four years ago was, we are going to build a new arena, we are going to build a new (training) facility and we are going to win a championship,” Lasry said. “You can see we are progressing and I think in the next three to five years, we will have accomplished all those goals.”