Why can’t Milwaukee host the NBA All-Star?

The recent NBA All-Star weekend held in Indianapolis has sparked conversations about the event’s location choices and the opportunities missed by smaller market teams like the Milwaukee Bucks. While the spotlight shone brightly on Indianapolis, some voices in the basketball community wondered why Milwaukee, comparable in many ways but with lower visibility, hadn’t had its turn to host such a prestigious event.

The Milwaukee Bucks, with their passionate fan base and impressive Fiserv Forum constructed in 2018, seem like a natural fit for an All-Star showcase. Despite numerous bids, Milwaukee has only hosted the All-Star game once, way back in 1977. Fiserv Forum, a state-of-the-art arena, has hosted various events, including the upcoming Republican National Convention, stressing its capability for grand-scale occasions.

Possible reasons

The expectation for Milwaukee to land an All-Star game grew even more perceptible when cities like Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, and Cleveland, similar in market size, were awarded the honor. However, the recent announcement that Golden State would host the event instead left many scratching their heads. Critics pointed out that Golden State last hosted in 2000, while Los Angeles has seen the event three times since the turn of the century. In the past, building a new arena in a city involved a simple promise that the city and its team would host an NBA All-Star game and weekend in the future. However, this promise may not be fulfilled in the case of Milwaukee.

The disappointment resonated deeply within NBA circles, with some questioning the rationale behind continually choosing cold-weather cities for the All-Star festivities. Suggestions for warmer locales like Miami, California, Vegas, or New Orleans gained traction, reflecting the preferences of players and fans alike for more temperate climates during the February event. Also, the new requirements of minimum hotel rooms, the size of a convention center, and the number of nonstop and international flights were thrown into the equation

However, amidst the disappointment, there’s a glimmer of hope for Milwaukee. The pandemic-induced reshuffling of events and the consecutive years of Midwestern cold cities hosting the All-Star game has altered the landscape. Despite missing out on opportunities, for now, the consensus remains that Milwaukee’s time will come. The sentiment echoes the idea that the pandemic upended the expected timeline, potentially delaying Milwaukee’s chance to showcase its basketball fervor and modern amenities on a grand scale. With star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo calling Milwaukee home, the city undoubtedly possesses the allure to host a memorable All-Star weekend.