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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Giannis Antetokounmpo grinned broadly. He couldn’t quite help himself. He scrolled through photos on his phone of Peter Feigin, holding trophies, standing in front of cutouts of the Milwaukee Bucks’ star, on the shorelines of Greece. Antetokounmpo playfully ribbed the now-former president of the Bucks and Fiserv Forum.
Feigin might have left the organization on Jan. 5, but Antetokounmpo wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of a sentimental farewell.
“We had this funny relationship between me and him,” Antetokounmpo said with a smile. “He’d always say, ‘I’m the captain, I’m the captain.’ One year, I told him, I’m the (expletive) ship, though. If I don’t move, we don’t move.’”
He scrolled through some more photos.
“That’s my guy,” Antetokounmpo said.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers had his own anecdote that brought about a smile and chuckle, saying he told Feigin about a barbershop he was going to and Feigin claimed it as his own.
“We had an amazing relationship,” Rivers said. “Obviously I think we all were very surprised. Peter's a great guy. I've been in this 27 years and I would say he's one of the presidents that I've seen as far as his connection to the city. He knew everybody. I've never seen a president more connected to a city than him. Every political leader."
Feigin was replaced by Josh Glessing of the Haslam Sports Group, which owns 25% of the Bucks, but to Rivers' point, news of Feigin’s departure elicited comments from around the Milwaukee area:
“It is deeply disappointing to learn of the sudden departure of Peter Feigin as President of the Milwaukee Bucks. During his tenure, Peter has been an outstanding leader and fighter for one of the NBA’s smaller market franchises.
“Peter brought experience, professionalism, and good-natured humility to the negotiations with the city and other levels of government that helped bring us the Deer District and the Fiserv Forum. His ideas and his ability to think creatively about what could work from an economic development standpoint (and what fans and visitors would actually like) were critical in helping to deliver what we have in the Deer District today.
“Moreover, Peter was heavily engaged in the Milwaukee community, providing critical assistance to many civic and charitable initiatives from the Big Clean to voter registration.
“I want to thank Peter for his many outstanding contributions to Milwaukee, and I wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.
“The old adage seems to apply here: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
“Thank you to Peter Feigin for 12 incredible years of leading the Milwaukee Bucks organization to new heights, creating exciting opportunities, and inspiring success throughout the community. Under Peter’s leadership, the Bucks have elevated their game – bringing home the Larry O'Brien Trophy with their unforgettable 2021 NBA Championship win and creating memories for sports fans across Wisconsin to cherish forever.
“I had the opportunity to work with Peter to secure the deal that kept the Bucks right here in Milwaukee, sparking unprecedented downtown growth through the creation of Fiserv Forum and the Deer District. Beyond the court, Peter’s deep connections with the Milwaukee community have built new partnerships and initiatives that empower our young people, advance health equity efforts, and open new opportunities for residents and families.
“As a lifelong Bucks fan, I can confidently say that Peter’s impact in Milwaukee County will be felt for many years to come. I look forward to working with incoming Milwaukee Bucks President Josh Glessing as the County remains a steadfast partner and supporter of the team and organization. Time to bring home another championship – let’s go Bucks!”
"Peter Feigin has been a tremendous leader in our city and state. We worked together to redevelop the vacant Park East corridor, built the new Bucks area, and created a booming entertainment district for our city. His leadership then and now was on full display: a tireless, engaged, people person. He cares about people - be it those doing the hard jobs in the arena or those sitting courtside. He's a winner and he brought a championship to Milwaukee. I join people from all across this city and state to say thank you to Peter for his leadership and a job well done."
“For the past twelve years Peter Feigin has set a high standard as a business and civic leader in Milwaukee. His commitment to excellence, always looking out for how he and the Bucks could serve the community, has created a positive impact. Our two Councils very much appreciate his unwavering commitment to the working men and women of our area. Peter is a man of his word, something all too rare in corporate and public life today. From the construction of Fiserv Forum to the continuing development of Deer District he has held true to his commitment to employing the men and women of organized labor. Over 10,000 jobs were created in building Fiserv Forum alone, every hand that touched that building was that of a union member and they were paid a family supporting wage. Again, we mark this moment with our appreciation for Peter’s contributions to the Milwaukee community.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo, civic leaders react to Peter Feigin leaving Bucks
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Feigin might have left the organization on Jan. 5, but Antetokounmpo wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of a sentimental farewell.
“We had this funny relationship between me and him,” Antetokounmpo said with a smile. “He’d always say, ‘I’m the captain, I’m the captain.’ One year, I told him, I’m the (expletive) ship, though. If I don’t move, we don’t move.’”
He scrolled through some more photos.
“That’s my guy,” Antetokounmpo said.
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Bucks coach Doc Rivers had his own anecdote that brought about a smile and chuckle, saying he told Feigin about a barbershop he was going to and Feigin claimed it as his own.
“We had an amazing relationship,” Rivers said. “Obviously I think we all were very surprised. Peter's a great guy. I've been in this 27 years and I would say he's one of the presidents that I've seen as far as his connection to the city. He knew everybody. I've never seen a president more connected to a city than him. Every political leader."
Feigin was replaced by Josh Glessing of the Haslam Sports Group, which owns 25% of the Bucks, but to Rivers' point, news of Feigin’s departure elicited comments from around the Milwaukee area:
Alderman Robert J. Bauman
“It is deeply disappointing to learn of the sudden departure of Peter Feigin as President of the Milwaukee Bucks. During his tenure, Peter has been an outstanding leader and fighter for one of the NBA’s smaller market franchises.
“Peter brought experience, professionalism, and good-natured humility to the negotiations with the city and other levels of government that helped bring us the Deer District and the Fiserv Forum. His ideas and his ability to think creatively about what could work from an economic development standpoint (and what fans and visitors would actually like) were critical in helping to deliver what we have in the Deer District today.
“Moreover, Peter was heavily engaged in the Milwaukee community, providing critical assistance to many civic and charitable initiatives from the Big Clean to voter registration.
“I want to thank Peter for his many outstanding contributions to Milwaukee, and I wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.
“The old adage seems to apply here: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley
“Thank you to Peter Feigin for 12 incredible years of leading the Milwaukee Bucks organization to new heights, creating exciting opportunities, and inspiring success throughout the community. Under Peter’s leadership, the Bucks have elevated their game – bringing home the Larry O'Brien Trophy with their unforgettable 2021 NBA Championship win and creating memories for sports fans across Wisconsin to cherish forever.
“I had the opportunity to work with Peter to secure the deal that kept the Bucks right here in Milwaukee, sparking unprecedented downtown growth through the creation of Fiserv Forum and the Deer District. Beyond the court, Peter’s deep connections with the Milwaukee community have built new partnerships and initiatives that empower our young people, advance health equity efforts, and open new opportunities for residents and families.
“As a lifelong Bucks fan, I can confidently say that Peter’s impact in Milwaukee County will be felt for many years to come. I look forward to working with incoming Milwaukee Bucks President Josh Glessing as the County remains a steadfast partner and supporter of the team and organization. Time to bring home another championship – let’s go Bucks!”
Former ambassador to Luxembourg and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett
"Peter Feigin has been a tremendous leader in our city and state. We worked together to redevelop the vacant Park East corridor, built the new Bucks area, and created a booming entertainment district for our city. His leadership then and now was on full display: a tireless, engaged, people person. He cares about people - be it those doing the hard jobs in the arena or those sitting courtside. He's a winner and he brought a championship to Milwaukee. I join people from all across this city and state to say thank you to Peter for his leadership and a job well done."
Joint labor letter from Pam Fendt, president of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council and Dan Bukiewicz, president of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council
“For the past twelve years Peter Feigin has set a high standard as a business and civic leader in Milwaukee. His commitment to excellence, always looking out for how he and the Bucks could serve the community, has created a positive impact. Our two Councils very much appreciate his unwavering commitment to the working men and women of our area. Peter is a man of his word, something all too rare in corporate and public life today. From the construction of Fiserv Forum to the continuing development of Deer District he has held true to his commitment to employing the men and women of organized labor. Over 10,000 jobs were created in building Fiserv Forum alone, every hand that touched that building was that of a union member and they were paid a family supporting wage. Again, we mark this moment with our appreciation for Peter’s contributions to the Milwaukee community.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo, civic leaders react to Peter Feigin leaving Bucks
Continue reading...
