Report: Menominee tribe to help fund Bucks arena with casino approval

A Native American tribe in Wisconsin has reportedly offered to give at least to $220 million toward a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks if Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker agrees to reverse a decision regarding a proposed casino in Kenosha, Wis., Charles Benson of WTMJ reports.

Mark Belling of WISN AM reported the news earlier in the day on his radio show.

On Jan. 23, Walker announced he would reject the plan for the Menominee tribe to build a $800 million casino in Kenosha, Wis. Walker has until Feb. 19 to reverse course, but has said his decision was final.

The state government currently has an agreement with a Milwaukee casino that mandates no other casinos can be built within 50 miles.

With the tribe’s $220 million, along with the $250 million that has already been promised by the new Bucks owners, Wes Edens and Marc Lasry, and former owner Herb Kohl, the total funded would be at $470 million.

The arena is expected to cost between $400 and $500 million.

Last month, Walker proposed a plan to use the state's "jock tax" to cover the remaining funding necessary for the arena.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver told Edens and Lasry when they bought the team last year that they must build a new arena by 2017 or the team will be sold to the league.

- Sarah Barshop