BUCKS ARE LOWEST VALUED NBA FRANCHISE

Interesting article in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

The Milwaukee Bucks are the lowest valued team in the 30-team National Basketball League, according to a new ranking by Forbes magazine. The Bucks are worth $278 million, according to the magazine, which annually rates the value of sports franchises. That's $6 million less than the next lowest valued team, the Charlotte Bobcats. NBA franchises routinely dismiss the value of the Forbes calculations, although NBA.com put the story on its own Web site. The Bucks, according to Forbes, actually increased 5% in value from last year. The magazine says the team produced $94 million in revenue last season and had operating income of $5.4 million. The Bucks don't disclose financial figures, but owner Herb Kohl, the Democratic senator from Wisconsin, has said for years that he loses money on the team. This year, the team's payroll is $71.4 million. The most valued franchise in the league, and the most troubled, is the New York Knicks. The Knicks are valued at $613 million. The news that the Bucks are on the low end comes at a time when the Bucks are now well into the season, yet have not signed a new lease with the Bradley Center. There is no danger of the Bucks pulling out of the arena, but it seems evident that the Bradley Center is running out of ways to enhance the revenue potential of the area for the Bucks. The Bucks do not pay rent at the Bradley Center, but they do get a share of concession and suite revenue.