The Everlasting Economic Benefits of the Milwaukee Bucks

The Everlasting Economic Benefits of the Milwaukee Bucks

Written by: Avery Mueller

As many of us know, the Milwaukee Bucks season has recently ended in a devastating defeat to the Boston Celtics in the sixth game of the 2nd round of playoffs. This came to a shock to many Wisconsinites, after the Bucks last season ended in a championship -- bringing a sense of pride to all of those who watched back in the summer of 2021. Although this year’s season did not finish in the way many fans anticipated or wanted, we can look back on all of the economic advantages that the exceptional team has brought to Milwaukee in the past two years. 

The long term economic shutdowns due to Covid-19 had awful effects on urban economies, especially Milwaukee . According to City.Milwaukee.Gov, “Approximately 47% of Milwaukee workers with unemployment claims, or roughly 46,800 workers, filed at least three months of weekly claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 26,000 workers filed at least six months of weekly unemployment claims from March 2020 through January 2021.” Many businesses were also shut down, as the lockdown continued (seen in the empty streets pictured).  Housing rates became inevitably more expensive than many could afford. Shortages were found in many stores city-wide. These profound impacts left many in Milwaukee hopeless, while struggling to provide for themselves and their families. 

It was almost a miracle that the Bucks 2020-21 season ended the way it did. The Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that the playoff game streak gathered a total of $57.6 million in direct and indirect spending (with 28 million gained during 6 game finals series in July alone). UrbanMilwaukee stated, “Direct spending, approximately $32 million, occurred in lodging ($8.4 million), recreation ($6.6 million), retail ($5.8 million), food and beverage ($5.2 million), transportation ($4.3 million), business services ($1.2 million) and space rental ($38,521).” These profits really pushed the economy in Milwaukee forward, and provided hope for many citizens and businesses -- hope that many hadn't felt for months.

Overall, there is no doubt in mind that the $250 million dollar Fiserv Form was a great usage of public financing, as they brought in almost $58 million dollars in just one season. Furthermore, the creation of the Deer District (an outside viewing option where fans gather together to watch the game) was genius, as it gathered 65,000 people in the final game. Of course, Deer District has a long way to go in terms of safety of its occupants, but the benefits are substantial considering its entry is free: thousands of dollars in parking fees generated, food and drinks being bought, merchandise being basically ripped off the shelves, hotel rooms being sold for the nights of the games, and so much more. The new spaces and updates to the Bucks arena and property was a great investment, especially during a time when Milwaukee needed it most. "I think it's been phenomenal for the city, it really has," Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry said. "That's the one thing you want. It feels like it brought the city together."

65,000 fans pack Deer District for Bucks Game 6 | FOX6 News Milwaukee (Link to FOX6 news report from game 7/20/21)

Though the Milwaukee Bucks 2021-2022 season didn’t end in the same championship fans had seen the previous year, it would be ignorant to say that all of the team’s hard work was for nothing; millions of more dollars were brought to the city, as tickets to Fiserv Form were sold out, and as the deer district started up again. This money contributes significantly to rebounds that some businesses hoped for, and the citizens of Milwaukee who still need to get back onto their feet, more than two years since the pandemic originally started. 

As many fans await the 2022-23 NBA basketball season to start, it will be thrilling to watch to see how the teams and players perform in comparison to previous years, and what economic influence that the Bucks will have on their city once again. 

Works Cited

“65000 fans pack Deer District for Bucks Game 6 | FOX6 News Milwaukee.” YouTube, 21 July 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIAVcoaSCpk&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 23 May 2022.

“Aerial views of nearly empty Milwaukee streets during the coronavirus pandemic.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 April 2020, https://www.jsonline.com/videos/news/2020/04/02/drone-view-nearly-empty-milwaukee-streets-during-coronavirus-pandemic/5113163002/. Accessed 23 May 2022.

“Bucks Announce Adjustments To Deer District For Game 6.” NBA.com, 19 July 2021, https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/bucks-announce-adjustments-deer-district-game-6. Accessed 23 May 2022.

“The COVID-19 pandemic: Impacts on cities and major lessons for urban planning, design, and management.” NCBI, 18 September 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7499053/. Accessed 23 May 2022.

“Economic Impact Data for Milwaukee Bucks Championship.” Visit Milwaukee, 27 September 2021, https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/media/press-releases/economic-impact-data-for-milwaukee-bucks-champions/. Accessed 23 May 2022.

Jannene, Jeramey. “Eyes on Milwaukee: Bucks Championship Had $58 Million Economic Impact.” Urban Milwaukee, 27 September 2021, https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2021/09/27/eyes-on-milwaukee-bucks-championship-had-58-million-economic-impact/. Accessed 23 May 2022.