Andrew Pace
Herb Kohl, a former Democratic U.S. senator from Wisconsin and former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, passed away at the age of 88. Kohl was a popular figure in Wisconsin, known for his civic and educational philanthropy, including a $25 million donation to the University of Wisconsin for the construction of the Kohl Center, a sports arena for the university's basketball and hockey teams. Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 for $18 million to keep the team in his hometown and owned them until 2014. During his ownership, the Bucks went through six head coaches and never reached the NBA Finals. Kohl's legacy as a senator and owner of a professional sports team is remembered fondly in Wisconsin and beyond.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Herb Kohl |
| Profession | Former U.S. senator from Wisconsin and former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team |
| Age at Death | 88 |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Business | Kohl's grocery and department stores |
| Education | Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Master's degree in business administration from Harvard University |
| Military Service | Army Reserve from 1958-1964 |
| Philanthropy | Donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin for the construction of the Kohl Center; Funded the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation providing scholarships and fellowships in Wisconsin |
| Purchase of Milwaukee Bucks | Bought the team in 1985 for $18 million to keep them in Milwaukee; Sold the team in 2014 for $550 million |
| Senate Legacy | Known for his civility and lack of ego; Supported President Obama's health reform; Supported dairy policy in Wisconsin |
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What You'll Learn
- Herb Kohl was a former US senator and owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team
- Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 for $18 million
- He was one of the richest members of the Senate and its only sports team owner
- Kohl donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to fund the Kohl Center
- Kohl was a popular figure in Wisconsin, spending generously on civic and educational causes
Herb Kohl was a former US senator and owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team
Herb Kohl, a former US senator and owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, passed away at the age of 88. Kohl was a prominent figure in Wisconsin politics and business, serving as a senator for 24 years and representing the state in the US Senate. He was known for his commitment to the community and his philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment of the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, which provides grants to students, teachers, and schools.
Kohl's involvement with the Milwaukee Bucks began in 1985 when he purchased the team for $18 million to ensure they remained in his hometown of Milwaukee. Kohl was a passionate basketball fan and a driving force behind bringing the National Basketball Association (NBA) to Milwaukee in 1968. During his nearly 30-year ownership of the Bucks, Kohl made significant decisions, such as trading star players and coaches, and faced challenges, including the team's struggle to reach the NBA Finals.
Kohl's ownership of the Bucks was marked by his commitment to keeping the team in Milwaukee. He refused to sell the team to potential buyers who intended to relocate them, even if it meant foregoing financial gains. In 2014, after nearly three decades of ownership, Kohl sold the Bucks for $550 million to New York-based billionaires Wes Edens and Marc Lasry. However, he ensured that the team would remain in Milwaukee by including a clause in the sale agreement.
In addition to his ownership of the Bucks, Kohl had a notable business career. He inherited and expanded his family's grocery and department store business, eventually becoming a retail shopping magnate. Kohl was also a philanthropist, donating $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to fund the construction of the Kohl Center, a sports arena for the university's basketball and hockey teams.
Kohl's legacy is remembered for his contributions to Wisconsin, both as a senator and a sports team owner. He was described as a humble and effective leader who cared about the people he represented. His impact on the state extended beyond politics and business, as he left a lasting mark on the world of basketball in Wisconsin.
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Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 for $18 million
Herb Kohl, a former Democratic U.S. senator from Wisconsin, purchased the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 for $18 million. Kohl was born in Milwaukee and was a prominent figure in Wisconsin business and political circles. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, he worked as an investor and eventually spun off his own company, Kohl Investments, to manage these assets. Kohl was also involved in his family's business, which included grocery and department stores, pharmacies, and liquor stores. He served as the president of Kohl's in the 1970s and helped grow the business.
Kohl's purchase of the Milwaukee Bucks was motivated by his desire to keep the team in his hometown. The team was at risk of being sold and relocated, and Kohl stepped in to ensure they remained in Milwaukee. This decision was aligned with his civic commitments to the state of Wisconsin, which extended beyond basketball. For example, he donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to fund the construction of the Kohl Center, a state-of-the-art sports arena for the university's basketball and hockey teams.
Kohl's ownership of the Bucks lasted until 2014 when he sold the team to New York billionaires Wes Edens and Marc Lasry for $550 million. During his ownership, the Bucks went through several head coaches and experienced both successful and challenging seasons. They never reached the NBA Finals under Kohl's stewardship, but his commitment to the team and the city of Milwaukee was unwavering.
In addition to his business and sports endeavours, Kohl had a successful political career. He was a senator from 1988 until his retirement in 2012, known for his populist-leaning liberal views and commitment to community service. Kohl was an unusual figure in the Senate, known for his quiet nature and effectiveness on issues important to his state, particularly dairy policy. He was also one of the richest members of the Senate and the only professional sports team owner among them.
Overall, Herb Kohl's purchase of the Milwaukee Bucks for $18 million in 1985 was a significant moment in his life, reflecting his dedication to his community and his passion for basketball. His ownership ensured the team remained in Milwaukee and left a lasting legacy in the world of professional sports.
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He was one of the richest members of the Senate and its only sports team owner
Herb Kohl, the former U.S. senator who passed away at 88, was one of the richest members of the Senate. He was also the only owner of a professional sports team in the Senate, owning the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. Kohl purchased the team in 1985 for $18 million to ensure the team remained in Milwaukee. During his ownership, the Bucks went through six head coaches and never reached the NBA Finals. In 2003, he considered selling the team to former NBA player Michael Jordan for $170 million but decided against it. Kohl finally sold the team in 2014 to New York billionaires Wes Edens and Marc Lasry for $550 million.
Kohl's wealth came from his business career before entering politics. After graduating from Harvard Business School, he joined the family business, which included a chain of grocery and department stores. Kohl helped expand the business to include 100 stores. He later spun off his own company, Kohl Investments, to manage his assets. In 1970, he became president of Kohl's, which was sold to BATUS Inc. in 1978.
As a senator, Kohl was known for his philanthropic activities and support for education. He donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to fund the construction of the Kohl Center, a sports arena for the university's basketball and hockey teams. This was the single largest private donation in the university's history. Kohl also established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships and fellowships to students, teachers, and schools in Wisconsin.
Kohl was a populist-leaning liberal who supported President Barack Obama's health reform legislation. He was an unusual figure in the Senate, known for his quiet and unassuming manner, and his commitment to community and service. He was also notable for being one of the few businesspeople in the Senate, which he saw as an advantage as he did not have to rely on financial contributions from others.
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Kohl donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to fund the Kohl Center
Herb Kohl, a former U.S. senator and owner of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, passed away at the age of 88. During his lifetime, Kohl was known for his civic commitments, including his efforts to keep professional basketball in Wisconsin. As a testament to his dedication to the state, Kohl donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to fund the construction of the Kohl Center, a state-of-the-art sports arena for the school's basketball and hockey teams. This donation, the single largest private donation in the university's history, reflected Kohl's passion for sports and his desire to elevate the university's athletic program to premier status.
The Kohl Center, located at UW Madison, became the new home for the university's basketball and hockey teams, replacing the previous venues of the Wisconsin Field House and the Dane County Coliseum. The centre was developed by the Wisconsin-based Hammes Company in 1993 and has since hosted a variety of events beyond sports, including commencement ceremonies, concerts, ice skating shows, career fairs, political gatherings, and conventions. The arena boasts a high attendance for men's and women's college hockey and has hosted NCAA championship events in volleyball, men's basketball, and men's hockey.
Kohl's donation to the University of Wisconsin was just one example of his philanthropic endeavours. He also established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships and fellowships to students, teachers, and schools in Wisconsin. Additionally, Kohl's philanthropic organisation, Herb Kohl Philanthropies, has made significant contributions to various causes, including a $1.5 million donation to support faculty research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.
Beyond his civic commitments, Kohl left a lasting legacy in Wisconsin politics. As a Democrat, he served as a U.S. senator from Wisconsin for 24 years before retiring in 2013. Known for his populist-leaning liberal views, Kohl supported significant legislation during his tenure, including President Barack Obama's health reform. He was praised for his commitment to community, kindness, and service by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who highlighted the positive impact of Kohl's work on seniors, students, teachers, farmers, and rural areas in the state.
Kohl's impact extended beyond his political career, as he was also a successful businessman. After graduating from graduate school, he worked as an investor and eventually founded Kohl Investments to manage his assets. He also inherited a family-owned chain of grocery stores, department stores, pharmacies, and liquor stores, further contributing to his wealth. Kohl's business acumen and financial success enabled him to pursue his philanthropic endeavours and support various causes close to his heart.
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Kohl was a popular figure in Wisconsin, spending generously on civic and educational causes
Herb Kohl, a former U.S. senator and owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, was a popular figure in Wisconsin. Kohl was born in Milwaukee and was a childhood friend of Bud Selig, who went on to become commissioner of Major League Baseball. Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 for $18 million to ensure the team remained in Milwaukee. He was committed to keeping the team in the city, and his ownership of the team helped solidify his popularity in Wisconsin. Kohl was also known for his civic and educational philanthropy, donating $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to fund the construction of the Kohl Center, which houses the university's basketball and hockey teams. This donation was the single largest private donation in the university's history.
In addition to his contributions to the University of Wisconsin, Kohl also funded the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships and fellowships to students, teachers, and schools in Wisconsin. Kohl's philanthropy extended beyond education, as he also contributed $100 million towards the construction of the Fiserv Forum, a new arena for the Bucks. This contribution helped ensure that the team remained in Milwaukee. Kohl's civic commitments were recognised by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who stated that "Wisconsin's seniors, students, teachers, and schools, and farmers and rural areas, among so many others, are better off because of his life and legacy."
Kohl's popularity in Wisconsin was also influenced by his political career as a senator. He was a Democrat who served the state of Wisconsin and was known for his effectiveness on issues important to the state, particularly dairy policy. Kohl was one of the richest members of the Senate and the only professional sports team owner in the Senate during his tenure. He was also known for his humility and lack of interest in seeking credit for his work. Kohl's political career began with his involvement in state politics as a donor and fundraiser for Patrick Lucey, who was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 1970 and reelected in 1974. Kohl then became the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in 1975, and under his leadership, the Democrats achieved historic victories in the 1976 election.
Kohl's business career also contributed to his popularity in Wisconsin. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, he worked as an investor and eventually started his own company, Kohl Investments. He also helped grow the family-owned business, Kohl's, which included grocery and department stores. Kohl became president of the company in the 1970s and oversaw its expansion. Kohl's business success and his subsequent involvement in state politics and ownership of the Bucks solidified his popularity in Wisconsin.
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Frequently asked questions
Herb Kohl was a former Democratic U.S. senator from Wisconsin and former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. He was also one of the richest members of the Senate and the Senate's only professional sports team owner.
Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 for $18 million to ensure the team remained in Milwaukee. He was a popular figure in Wisconsin, and his purchase of the Bucks kept them from leaving town.
Kohl donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin to help fund the construction of the Kohl Center, home to the school's basketball and hockey teams. He also used his own money to fund the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, which donates money for scholarships and fellowships to students, teachers, and schools in Wisconsin.
Kohl sold the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014 to New York billionaires Wes Edens and Marc Lasry for $550 million.
