Quick Facts: Milwaukee Bucks
| Current Owners | Wes Edens, Jimmy & Dee Haslam, Jamie Dinan |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Bought | 2014, for $550 million |
| Bought From | Herb Kohl |
| Current Governor | Wes Edens (through ~2028) |
| Championship | 2021 (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Finals MVP) |
| Notable Note | Haslams also own the NFL’s Cleveland Browns |
Who Owns the Milwaukee Bucks?
The Milwaukee Bucks are owned by a partnership led by Wes Edens, with Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Jamie Dinan also holding significant stakes.
Edens, Marc Lasry, and Jamie Dinan bought the team from longtime owner Herb Kohl in 2014 for $550 million, with a condition attached: keep the team in Milwaukee, which led directly to the public-private financing deal that built the Bucks’ current arena.
Marc Lasry sold his 25% stake to the Haslam family in 2023. Jimmy and Dee Haslam already owned the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, making this one of the more notable cross-league ownership situations in American sports.
Edens and the Haslams structured governorship in five-year terms — Edens holds it now, expected to hand the role to Jimmy Haslam around 2028 — and recent front-office changes, including team president Peter Feigin’s exit in favor of Haslam Sports Group’s Josh Glessing, suggest the Haslam side’s influence is already growing ahead of that formal handover.
Milwaukee Bucks Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Herb Kohl buys the team, $18 million | Herb Kohl | Kept team from potentially relocating |
| 2014 | Sold for $550 million | Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan | Kohl required team stay in Milwaukee |
| 2021 | NBA championship | Edens, Lasry, Dinan | Giannis Antetokounmpo named Finals MVP |
| 2023–Present | Lasry sells 25% stake to the Haslams | Edens + Jimmy & Dee Haslam + Dinan | Governorship set to rotate to Haslam ~2028 |
About Wes Edens & the Haslam Family
Wes Edens co-founded Fortress Investment Group, the private equity and alternative asset firm, and has used that background to run the Bucks with a heavy focus on long-term financial structuring — including the arena financing deal tied to Kohl’s original sale condition.
Jimmy and Dee Haslam built their fortune through Pilot Flying J, the truck-stop chain founded by Jimmy’s father, before expanding into sports ownership with the Cleveland Browns and now a growing stake in the Bucks through Haslam Sports Group.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Herb Kohl’s sale came with a condition, not just a price: keeping the team in Milwaukee was baked into the 2014 deal, directly shaping the arena financing that followed.
- The Haslams own teams in two different major leagues: the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and now a substantial, growing stake in the NBA’s Bucks.
- Governorship is on a fixed rotation, not a permanent role: Edens holds it today, with a planned handover to Jimmy Haslam around 2028 already agreed.
- Front-office changes are already signaling the shift: Haslam Sports Group’s Josh Glessing taking over as team president suggests growing Haslam influence ahead of the formal governorship change.
- The 2021 title arrived under the original ownership trio: Edens, Lasry, and Dinan were all still in place when Giannis led Milwaukee to its first championship since 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Milwaukee Bucks?
A partnership led by Wes Edens, with Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Jamie Dinan also holding significant ownership stakes.
Who did the current owners buy the team from?
Herb Kohl, who had owned the Bucks since 1985 and sold for $550 million in 2014.
Is Marc Lasry still a Bucks owner?
No, he sold his 25% stake to the Haslam family in 2023.
Do the Haslams own any other major sports teams?
Yes, the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, making this a notable cross-league ownership case.
Who will be the Bucks’ governor after Wes Edens?
Jimmy Haslam is expected to take over the governor role around 2028 under the agreed five-year rotation.
