End of an era: Lasrys look back on Bucks ownership

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- This seemed impossible in 2013. The Bucks were mired in more than a decade of awful-to-mediocre basketball, in maybe the NBA's worst stadium, and Herb Kohl was looking to sell. Rumors of relocation popped up daily.

That all changed when Senator Kohl sold the team to Marc Lasry and Wes Edens for $550 million.

"I think we, Milwaukee, was put on the map from a basketball standpoint."

The Bucks' new ownership promised to build a new arena and bring a championship back to Milwaukee. They honored that.

"I remember at the press conference when my dad said in five years, we'll bring a championship, and I thought, 'wow, that's ambitious,' and it ended up being six."

Milwaukee basketball has done a complete 180 over the last decade. Led by Giannis, the Bucks had the best record in the league again this year and are perennial contenders. But it's off the court, too. The Bradley Center transformed into Fiserv Forum while Deer District became the envy of the NBA.

CBS 58's Scott Grodsky sat down with the Lasrys in the community room of the Moderne Apartments, right in Deer District, where we could see thousands of fans, hours before tip-off.

"I think we're proud. To use a word too many people use too often, it's kinda cool... I think we thought there would be 5-10,000 in the plaza during the championship run. It ended up being 60. I think everything has surpassed what we thought."

So, with the team at the peak of their power as a franchise, why sell now?

"That's a great question," Marc Lasry said. "I don't think it's ever a great time. I think you could make the argument you should wait five years, wait a year. I think for us, there were some different things I want to try and do, and it seems like maybe now is a good time."

Reflecting on the decision to sell, Marc thought back to his talk with the late NBA commissioner David Stern, when they first bought the team.

"He goes, 'congratulations,' when we bought the team. 'This is the second hardest thing you'll ever have to do.' Okay, wow, what is the first? 'Selling.' I was like, oh, no, I'll never do that. And it is. I think it was very hard."

While the sale is finalized, the Lasrys aren't done with sports or Milwaukee. Alex, who worked as a senior vice president with the Bucks, will be staying in the city.

"We want to make sure that we are able to continue to invest in Milwaukee and continue to see it grow."

Marc plans to keep investing in sports, especially internationally.

"I think the world is getting smaller. I think people love sports, so I want to try to do more in sports around the world."

He specifically wants to invest in basketball in Africa. Full circle for the Morocco native who immigrated to the US with next to nothing when he was seven years old.

"This is the greatest country in the world," Marc said. "It really is. That you come here, you're seven years old, don't speak a word of English and this country allows you to be able to succeed." 

As for leaving the Bucks, Alex calls it the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I think it's bittersweet," said Marc. "There's a part of you that is sad, obviously, and a part of you that is looking forward to new adventures."