Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have agreed to purchase Marc Lasry’s 25% stake of the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal that puts the value of the NBA franchise at $3.5 billion, according to media reports on Monday.
Haslams To Buy Piece Of Milwaukee Bucks At $3.2 Billion Valuation In Highly Unusual Deal https://t.co/Tr1f4QAZkM pic.twitter.com/NYL65HWnms
— Forbes (@Forbes) February 27, 2023
It seems, however, that the agreement has not been finalized. Neither the Bucks nor the Haslams publicly disclosed any element of the agreement.
The Haslams, who also own the Major Soccer League club Columbus Crew, have explored buying other professional sports teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves in the past.
Those numbers, if finalized, would mean the Haslams plan to spend about $875 million for Lasry’s stake of the team.
It would be the second-highest valuation in NBA history.
The value of the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury’ value has been put at $4 billion when Mat Ishbia acquired them in a deal that closed earlier this month.
The Haslams bought the Browns from Randy Lerner in 2012 for $1.05 billion but their tenure in Cleveland mostly has been defined by losing records, changes and controversy.