It's not dead yet, says Stern

David Stern said what I believe to be his first take on the Bradley Center, home of the Milwaukee Bucks. He has stated that the Bradley Center will eventually need to be replaced, but the situation is not desperate yet. Given the situation in Seattle, I think leaders in Milwaukee and SE Wisconsin should be cognizant of how quickly this will come to pass. There is not much appetite for a new tax to help pay for a new arena, but Milwaukeeans need to realize that there isn't going to be another Jane Pettit to drop a new arena into their laps. Also, keep in mind that the Bradley Center is more than just a home for a basketball team or two. It hosts concerts, seminars, and other events. So, a quality venue is something that will help to keep Milwaukee relevant. I know that the idea of replacing a 20-year old arena that looks really nice seems to be ridiculous. And, on many levels, it is. And, if Stern is right, the Bradley Center is not dead yet. But, its time is limited. If I was in Milwaukee and in a position to do something about this, I am already laying groundwork for any number of scenarios to help construct a new arena. I figure this will come to a head in about five years.

By the way, Timberwolves fans ought to keep an eye on how things are handled concerning a new arena for the Bucks, because the Target Center isn't much younger than the Bradley Center. And, given that the Twins and Gophers are already at the public trough for new stadiums, and the Vikings are trying to get in, the Timberwolves are a few short years away from being in a less-than-desirable situation.

Of course, the NBA could stop holding cities like Seattle hostage. But, that isn't happening.