Former Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is expressing interests in buying the Milwaukee Bucks from owner Herb Kohl, according to a report by ESPN.com.
“Heard a fresh round of rumbles this week that former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley…is already interested in buying back into the league and has the Milwaukee Bucks in his sights,” ESPN columnist Mark Stein reported.
Heisley, who is based in Chicago, received an estimated $377 million for selling the Grizzlies in October.
Stein reported that Heisley could make “a serious bid to buy the franchise” if Kohl can secure an agreement to build a new arena in Milwaukee or refurbish the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
An upgraded arena in Milwaukee for the Bucks “would cement the team’s future in Wisconsin,” Stein said.
Heisley had hoped to move the Grizzlies to Chicago to give the Second City a second NBA franchise, but that never happened.
“Buying the Bucks would give Heisley a very-close-to-home route back into the league he loves, after those long-ago attempts to convince the league that Chicago was big enough for two NBA franchises proved unsuccessful,” Stein said.