Approved: NBA okays list of new Milwaukee Bucks minority owners, but who's on that list?

Little by little, learning more about the Bucks` minority owners

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The NBA has approved a list of new investors for the Milwaukee Bucks. Could that list include a certain "Number 12?"

When the NBA's Commissioner was asked about Number 12 after announcing Wednesday night that the NBA's Board of Governors has approved a list of new Bucks investors, he was coy. The full list of investors hasn't been released.

The Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday evening, July 16th issued the following statement:

"Wes Edens and Marc Lasry today announced that the NBA Board of Governors has formally approved a group of individuals to join the ownership group of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The new participants in the ownership group include familiar faces from the greater Milwaukee business community such as Ted Kellner of Fiduciary Management, Jim Kacmarcik of Kapco, Craig Karmazin of Good Karma Brands, Michael Kocourek of Mid Oaks Investments, Keith Mardak of Hal Leonard Corporation, Teddy Werner of the Milwaukee Brewers as well as several other prominent business leaders with close ties to the Milwaukee area.

"We are so excited about creating a new era of Milwaukee Bucks basketball," said Bucks owner Marc Lasry. "In just a matter of weeks, we have had an incredible draft, brought on a world-class coach, and have now assembled a visionary group of owners from the community."

Bucks owner Wes Edens said, "From day one, Marc and I felt a huge part of the rebuilding process would be dependent on having important leaders from Milwaukee join the ownership of the organization. We believe the future of the Milwaukee Bucks is not only about winning basketball, but also about contributing to Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin."

This much we do know: The new minority owners have been approved and there are some local names. That could be the key ingredient in replacing the 26-year-old BMO Harris Bradley Center.

"We just concluded a four-hour meeting with our Board of Governors. The Board approved a slate of new minority owners of the Milwaukee Bucks," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said late Wednesday night.

Some of the biggest names of Wisconsin sports have expressed interest in investing the Bucks -- including Brewers owner Mark Attanasio.

"'I want to do anything I can do to make life in the city better," Attanasio said.

Also -- former Bucks player Junior Bridgeman, who made a fortune running 160 fast food franchises.

But perhaps the most intriguing possibility is Aaron Rodgers.

Silver could neither confirm nor deny the star quarterback's possible involvement with the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I know Wes Edens has told me that he's had discussions with Aaron Rodgers. I don't know exactly what the state is of those discussions. (Wes Edens and Marc Lasry) are both from New York, but plan on spending a significant amount of time in Milwaukee, and recognize the benefit of local ownership -- frankly celebrities, and non-celebrities," Silver said.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says once the list of investors is known, planning for a new arena can begin.

"The next thing we have to do obviously is once we know who the local investors are, is really roll up our sleeves and deal with the facilities issue," Mayor Barrett said.

One source with knowledge of the situation tells FOX6 News that Edens and Lasry could unveil the new minority partners as soon as Thursday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

We've compiled some additional information on the six minority owners that have been identified by the Milwaukee Bucks.