Poll shows most don't support public funding for new Bucks arena; Could Aaron Rodgers change that?

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A new poll reveals an uphill battle for the Milwaukee Bucks' new owners. It looks like getting the public's help with a new arena may be harder than they thought. Could Aaron Rodgers help? The Packers star is rumored to have interest in potentially becoming a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee say the majority of people believe the Milwaukee Bucks are a benefit to the area. That said -- they don't want to foot the bill for a new arena. Marc Lasry and Wes Edens -- the new Bucks owners, have pledged $100 million towards a new arena. Former Bucks owner Herb Kohl has promised another $100 million. Now, the big question is -- are state taxpayers willing to pitch in? "I'm kinda for public projects -- especially in this city. I'm sure we definitely need a new stadium," Sam Kreuser said. "I'm in support of a new Bucks stadium with private funding," Floyd Debow said. A new poll from UWM says nearly three-quarters of registered voters statewide are against state funding for a new arena. "It's hard to say whether or not the state will support it.  Sometimes the state will ignore polls like this, but I think they're going to face an uphill battle with public opinion here," Joseph Cera with the Center for Urban Initiatives and Research said. Even in the five-county Milwaukee metro region, 63 percent of voters are against using state funds. "If policymakers want to get this through, they're gonna have to engage in something like an advertising campaign," Cera said. Racine Journal Times columnist Gery Woelfel says the Bucks are actively looking for five or six minority owners. One person with interest is the state's most popular athlete. "I talked to a couple people in the last two, three weeks and they all confirmed that Aaron Rodgers would have some interest in joining the Bucks ownership group," Woelfel said. Rodgers has been seen at several Bucks games over the years, but when the Bucks will reveal its minority owners to the public is unclear. Could Rodgers change the public's feelings about supporting the project? Most people FOX6 News spoke with say they really like Rodgers, but they don't expect their opinions will change.