Giannis could 'easily' make Milwaukee more than he earns in $228 million contract, MMAC says

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce said Giannis Antetokounmpo could "certainly outpunch" the $228 million dollar contract he signed Tuesday in economic impact for the city of Milwaukee over it's five-year duration, "without much trouble."

It's not just the revenue fans will pour into nearby restaurants, bars and hotels, but more indirect things like name recognition, according to the MMAC.

“This signing is putting Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Bucks all over the world, and the eyes are really on Milwaukee,” MMAC President Tim Sheehy said.

But the obvious revenue certainly counts, too. Visit Milwaukee said that revenue will jump even higher if Antetokounmpo continues bringing the team to the playoffs.

“A single Bucks playoff game can bring as much as $3 million in economic impact into our community," Visit Milwaukee President Peggy Williams-Smith said. "And that’s money spent outside of Fiserv Forum.”

Ask fans and Milwaukee residents, and they'll tell you, the "Greek Freak" has already transformed the city.

“I've lived here the last six, seven years, and ever since Giannis came here all the stuff they’ve done around the city and stuff, it’s just absolutely amazing,” Bucks fan Jacob Bullis said.

On Tuesday, fans learned that impact will continue.

“I was really excited when I got home from school and my dad was like, oh did you hear about Giannis? I cheered and jumped up and down,” Charlotte Culligan said on the way to buy Bucks merchandise with her father in celebration.

The MMAC said Giannis now makes so much money, even his state taxes become a factor.

“This will really help Wisconsin because Giannis will really become a big taxpayer, helping to pay off, essentially, the arena he’s playing in," Sheehy said.