You’d think it would be a simple answer. You search for who is the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, and you expect one name, maybe two. But the reality is a lot more like a corporate puzzle or a game of musical chairs played with billions of dollars. Honestly, if you still think Marc Lasry is the guy running the show, you’re living in 2022.
The Bucks aren't owned by just one person. They are controlled by a heavyweight collective known as Milwaukee Bucks, Inc. As of early 2026, the power is split between a few titans of industry, a legendary former player, and a handful of local investors who probably never imagined the team would be worth what it is today.
The Power Players: Edens, Haslam, and the $3.5 Billion Handshake
Basically, the "big two" in the front office right now are Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam.
Wes Edens has been around since 2014. He’s the co-founder of Fortress Investment Group and has been a constant through the Giannis era. He’s currently the "Governor" of the team—that’s NBA-speak for the person who has the final vote at the league’s board meetings.
Then you have the Haslams. This was the massive shake-up. Back in April 2023, Jimmy and Dee Haslam (the same people who own the Cleveland Browns and the Columbus Crew) bought out Marc Lasry’s 25% stake. It wasn't cheap. The deal valued the Bucks at roughly $3.5 billion.
Think about that for a second. Herb Kohl sold the team for $550 million in 2014. In less than a decade, the value spiked by nearly 600%.
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The ownership works on a rotation. Edens is serving a five-year term as Governor that runs through 2028. After that? Jimmy Haslam is scheduled to take the reins. It’s a "pass the baton" style of leadership that keeps both billionaire camps happy.
The Return of a Legend: Junior Bridgeman
This is the part of the story that actually has some soul. In late 2024, Junior Bridgeman officially became a "significant minority owner" of the Bucks.
If you aren't a die-hard Milwaukee fan, you might not realize how poetic this is. Bridgeman played ten seasons for the Bucks. His No. 2 jersey is literally hanging in the rafters of the Fiserv Forum. Back in the 70s and 80s, he was making maybe $350,000 a year.
After he retired, he didn't just sit on his career earnings. He built a fast-food empire, at one point owning over 450 Wendy’s and Chili’s locations. When he bought a 10% stake in the team in 2024, it felt like a homecoming.
"It had to mean more than just investing," Bridgeman told reporters at his introductory press conference. "It had to have some kind of heartfelt connection."
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He joins a list of other minority owners, including Jamie Dinan and Mike Fascitelli, who have stayed in the mix since the 2014 purchase.
Why Ownership Changes Matter for Fans
You might wonder why you should care about who is signing the checks. It’s simple: money wins championships.
When Marc Lasry left, there was a bit of anxiety. Lasry was seen as the "basketball guy" of the original trio. But the Haslams brought a different kind of energy. They are used to the NFL world where spending is aggressive.
The current ownership group has had to face some brutal financial realities. The NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is designed to punish teams that spend too much. The Bucks, with a roster built around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, are constantly teetering on the edge of the "second apron"—a luxury tax threshold that makes it incredibly hard to trade for new players.
Who is the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks right now? A group that is willing to pay.
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They’ve shown a willingness to stomach massive tax bills to keep the championship window open. If they weren't all-in, you wouldn't see guys like Lillard in a Bucks jersey.
The 2026 Leadership Shift
We just saw a major change in the day-to-day operations. In January 2026, Peter Feigin—the man who basically built the Deer District and oversaw the team's growth for 12 years—stepped down as team president.
The new guy? Josh Glessing.
Glessing is an executive from Haslam Sports Group. This is a clear sign that the Haslam influence is growing within the organization. While Edens is still the Governor for a few more years, the Haslam fingerprints are starting to appear on the business side of the franchise.
What You Need to Know: A Quick Summary
- Wes Edens: Current Governor (until 2028) and co-founder of the 2014 era.
- Jimmy & Dee Haslam: Joined in 2023 after buying Marc Lasry's 25% stake.
- Junior Bridgeman: Former Bucks player who bought a 10% stake in 2024.
- Jamie Dinan: A key majority partner who has been involved since the 2014 sale.
- The Value: The team is currently valued at over $4 billion.
It's a crowded room. But so far, the "ownership by committee" approach hasn't led to the kind of infighting that destroys franchises. They seem to have a shared goal: keep the team in Milwaukee and keep the trophy case occupied.
If you’re tracking the future of the franchise, watch the 2028 transition. That’s when Jimmy Haslam officially takes the "Governor" seat. Until then, it’s Edens’ ship to steer, with a very wealthy and invested group of partners watching from the wings.
For the most accurate way to keep tabs on these shifts, you should monitor the official NBA Board of Governors releases, as any transfer of even 1% of the team has to be vetted by the league. You can also look into the Haslam Sports Group's annual filings for updates on their portfolio growth.