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Spotlight on Bucks co-owner Wes Edens ahead of new arena

Posted at 9:40 PM, Feb 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-20 10:23:40-05

Wes Edens a co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks has more than just a great courtside seat.

He sat down with TODAY'S TMJ4 to discuss the team and its transition to a new arena.

From growing up in the Northwest to making a name for himself on the East Coast, Edens now spends a lot of time in the Midwest. 

He's optimistic about a team that has not won a championship since 1971.

Edens likes what he sees in the new Bucks arena, and he tours inside as much as he can. 

"It's amazing," said Edens. "You can hear the cheers, right?"

He was a player in the new arena's design and vision.

"We wanted to bring the great light and outdoors of Wisconsin into the arena," said Edens. "You see a lot of natural light, you see a lot of glass."

Considering other major Wisconsin sports complexes like Lambeau Field and Miller Park, Edens wants to make the new Bucks arena a destination. 

"Yes, you want this place for decades to be the place to come to for sporting events and for concerts," he said. 

Edens' destiny with the Bucks began in 2014 when he and Marc Lasry bought the team for $550 million from Herb Kohl.

Nearly four years later Forbes estimates the team's value today at more than $1 billion. Not a bad investment.

From power suits to a pair of jeans, it's clear Edens is on a mission. If you asked him five or 10 years ago if he would have owned a basketball team, he said, "Not five or 10 years ago. Maybe 20. The first opportunity I had to do it was with the Bucks."

"My mom grew up in Wisconsin so I was very familiar with Wisconsin," Edens also said. 

And he's becoming more familiar. He's often courtside at home games keeping a close eye on his players on and off the court.

"I tell them I'm the free guy," Eden said. 

Offering free advice on how to better manage their multi-million dollar contracts and avoid financial trouble or bankruptcy when the game is over.

"If they have questions about finances or looking at investing in something, I'd like to be there to help in any way I can," said Edens.

And helping kids who excel in school is also important to Edens.

He has invited students from Milwaukee and Madison to sit courtside with him or use his seats.

"I just want to be a good steward, I want to engage the community," said Edens. "I want to use it not just in a way for people to enjoy the team but I think it can make a meaningful impact."

Climbing to the top has always been in Edens' DNA.

From ascending the Grand Teton in Wyoming to the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

"What I love about it the most it keeps you very much in the moment," said Edens.

Like the moment now, standing on the ground floor of the new arena and trying to get to the top of the NBA.

"This team has a chance to really accomplish some great things, " said Edens. "We may not have all the pieces yet but we've got the best young talent in the NBA and with a little good fortune, maybe we will be standing here soon holding up that big trophy."