Rumors

Those who have done business with the Bucks, including teams that inquired about Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline, told ESPN that Haslam was more involved in decisions than before. One team owner even had direct negotiations with Haslam rather than Edens about a potential deal for Antetokounmpo, multiple sources with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN. "We mostly dealt with [GM Jon] Horst," an executive with one of the teams that heavily engaged with the Bucks told ESPN. "But our impression was that Jimmy was really the one who would decide this."

ESPN

Milwaukee Bucks co-owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam told ESPN in a joint 90-minute interview that they will decide the path to take with their two-time MVP together, and the most important factor will be whether Giannis Antetokounmpo signs the four-year, $275 million extension he is eligible to receive on Oct. 1. "Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract]," said Edens, the team's controlling owner until April 2028. "So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he'll be traded." "The likelihood you'll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can't afford that. It's not consistent with what's good for the organization. That's not a Giannis issue. That's any player that's in their last year."

ESPN

Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam told ESPN this setup has worked well since Haslam purchased a 25% stake in the team from Marc Lasry in 2023. "The Jimmy partnership is unbelievably good," Edens said. "And that's really, really important because ... the likelihood is, just given the season we just had, the things we've got in front of us, we've got to make some hard decisions, and it'd be great to make hard decisions with somebody who you really like and trust." As Edens' term as controlling owner wanes, however, there are strong indications that Haslam's power within the organization is growing.

ESPN

Shams Charania: Right now, the Bucks, their executives, their ownership, they're sorting through and they're sifting through trying to figure out is there an aggressive offer so far from one of these teams that have interest, Miami, New York, Minnesota, Golden State, is there an offer that rises to their threshold? And Jimmy Haslam, the Bucks owner, he said yesterday at a Browns press conference that this is what it's always been with the Bucks. What's best for Giannis Antetokounmpo? What's best for Milwaukee? We're going to figure it out. And does an offer and what value reaches that threshold? My understanding is Giannis is ready for a move whether it's now or in the off season. But there's been such a major difference in conversations going on in Milwaukee right now. On one hand, you're discussing Giannis trades and offers. On the other hand, my understanding is they're canvasing the league for potential cash deals and exchanging minimum salaries and talking about draft assets. So, what is that signal about their approach? The entire NBA is waiting because Giannis is the biggest domino whether it's right now or in the summer.

YouTube

The Cleveland Browns introduced a new head coach, Todd Monken, earlier today. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who is also a co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, spoke with media members following today's introductory press conference and briefly addressed the prospect of the Bucks trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. "Giannis is a top three, top four player in the world," Haslam said. "He brought Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years several years ago, and he's a really good person too. He's no problem. He's a great leader, tries hard. "And I think Giannis and the Bucks — and I think this goes back before we were involved — have always worked closely to see what's best for Giannis and what's best for the Bucks, and we'll continue to do so. "

New York Times

The Cleveland Browns introduced a new head coach, Todd Monken, earlier today. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who is also a co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, spoke with media members following today's introductory press conference and briefly addressed the prospect of the Bucks trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. "Giannis is a top three, top four player in the world," Haslam said. "He brought Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years several years ago, and he's a really good person too. He's no problem. He's a great leader, tries hard. "And I think Giannis and the Bucks — and I think this goes back before we were involved — have always worked closely to see what's best for Giannis and what's best for the Bucks, and we'll continue to do so. " While that doesn't give fans much insight into which way the Bucks might be leaning 48 hours before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, Haslam was also asked a follow-up question: What does a successful trade for Antetokounmpo look like, if there is one? "That's a question for (general manager) Jon Horst," Haslam replied.

New York Times

Bucks general manager Jon Horst is known to hold a close relationship with Budenholzer, having hired him to the position in 2018 and then collaborating for the organization’s first title in 50 seasons. There was no tangible discussion, sources said, on Budenholzer’s footing before the series with Miami unlike in past playoffs. And according to multiple league figures with knowledge of the situation, former Milwaukee owner Marc Lasry, who sold his 25% stake in the franchise to Jimmy Haslam in April, was a leading voice behind heating Budenholzer’s seat during that 2021 postseason run. Lasry later revealed to The Athletic he approached Budenholzer in the locker room following the Bucks’ 125-86 loss to Brooklyn in Game 2 of those Eastern Conference semifinals.

Yahoo! Sports

Entering this series, even entering Game 5 on Wednesday night, much of the noise surrounding Budenholzer’s standing in Milwaukee seemed to be external and speculative from other corners of the NBA. Bucks general manager Jon Horst is known to hold a close relationship with Budenholzer, having hired him to the position in 2018 and then collaborating for the organization’s first title in 50 seasons. There was no tangible discussion, sources said, on Budenholzer’s footing before the series with Miami unlike in past playoffs. And according to multiple league figures with knowledge of the situation, former Milwaukee owner Marc Lasry, who sold his 25% stake in the franchise to Jimmy Haslam in April, was a leading voice behind heating Budenholzer’s seat during that 2021 postseason run. Lasry later revealed to The Athletic he approached Budenholzer in the locker room following the Bucks’ 125-86 loss to Brooklyn in Game 2 of those Eastern Conference semifinals.

Yahoo! Sports

Jimmy, why the NBA and why the Bucks for the Haslam Sports Group? Jimmy Haslam: We’ve been involved in football first and then soccer but always admired and liked the NBA. I mean, it’s a great league. Basketball is played worldwide. There’s no question this is the best league in the world. I think it’s got great owners, including our new partners, great commissioner. We’ve looked at it a couple times before and this just happened. Wes and I had mutual acquaintances who introduced us and happened to come together. We’re really excited about the opportunity.

The Athletic

When new ownership partners come in, fans worry about the future of the team — what do you think about the future of the franchise in this city? Jimmy Haslam: The first time Wes and I ever talked was could an NBA team not just reside here, but could it be successful? And they’ve obviously proved they can. They’ve punched way over their weight in almost everything in the NBA, starting first of all on the court, which is what counts. I anticipate the team being here for a long time. Listen, this isn’t a turnaround situation. These guys have done a hell of a job so we’re gonna be quiet and listen and learn and if we can help down the road, that’s great.

The Athletic

What’s appealing about this ownership structure to you? It’s different than the majority stakes you have in Cleveland and Columbus. Jimmy Haslam: That’s a great point. When we came into Columbus, the team was ready to leave town. It was just a mess. And when we came to Cleveland it was a difficult situation. They’ve got this thing going well. I’ll be honest, it’s appealing not to have to shoulder all the load yourself and do it all. Wes and I talk or text regularly but like I said they’ve done a great job here, and so stepping into an established franchise that’s on a good track is very appealing. The luxury tax is a reality for this team, and the repeater tax is around the corner — how do you both feel about having to potentially pay for that? Jimmy Haslam: We’re committed to winning. We talked about that early on. Edens: Yeah.

The Athletic

Tim Bontemps: The NBA announced the sale of Marc Lasry's stake in the Milwaukee Bucks to Dee and Jimmy Haslam has been approved.

Twitter

Eric Nehm: Here is the official press release from the @Bucks on the NBA Board of Governors approving the ownership share purchase by Dee and Jimmy Haslam:

Twitter

Shams Charania: Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry is completing the sale of his Bucks stake to Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Haslam Sports Group for a $3.5 billion valuation on Friday, sources tell me and @eric_nehm .

Twitter