What to know about Jimmy and Dee Haslam buying into the NBA’s Bucks

On Mar 29, 2023

Prospective Bucks buyer Jimmy Haslam (right) watches the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of their game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. - Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

PHOENIX — The biggest national story currently involving Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam has nothing to do with the football team. Instead, it’s about their venture into a new sports enterprise.

Late February, it was reported that the Haslam Sports Group had a deal in place to purchase the 25% of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks owned by Marc Lasry. The reported cost would be for a $3.5 billion valuation.

Lasry and Wes Edens had originally purchased the Bucks in 2014 at a cost of $550 million. Edens is maintaining his portion of the team.

The Haslams’ interest in the Bucks originated with multiple reports on Feb. 10. The agreement being in place was reported Feb. 27, just prior to the start of the NFL’s Scouting Combine, which they don’t typically attend.

The Haslams spoke for the first time to reporters since last August during a 25-minute interview Monday with a small group of Northeast Ohio media, including the Beacon Journal, while at the NFL’s annual meetings at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. One of the topics which came up was the Bucks ownership.

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“It’s opportunistic,” Jimmy Haslam said. “I mean listen, we never thought we’d own 10% of the Steelers. Never thought we’d own the Browns. Dee and I had never been, beside watching (daughter) Whitney play high school soccer, had never been to a soccer game. So it’s just opportunistic. It was straightened set of circumstances; we were called on this opportunity. Business, sports, you tend to be optimistic. I have no idea what will happen next. First thing’s first, let’s get this done and then let’s get the Browns winning games.”

Here’s a look at what to know about the Haslams branching out into the NBA world based upon that conversation.

Are Jimmy and Dee Haslam officially in NBA ownership at this point in time?

The Haslams confirmed their interest in the Bucks. However, Jimmy Haslam said the NBA’s process is still playing out with regards to the sale.

“It hasn’t been formally approved,” he said. “I think you all know we like business, we like sports, and we consider it a good opportunity. But it’s really premature for us to say anything because we haven’t been approved by the NBA yet. There’s a couple more hoops to jump through.”