In many people’s eyes something that is less than 20 years old would be young. However, when it comes to NBA arenas, the Bradley Center is the third oldest basketball facility in the NBA even though it is less than 20 years old. The Milwaukee Bucks were formed in 1968 and began playing at the MECCA, now known as the US Cellular Arena, for nearly two decades. With a capacity of 12,700 the MECCA was one of the smallest arenas in the NBA. During the 1980s the team began to seek a new arena. No public funding was needed for a new arena as Jane Petit and Lloyd Petit donated $90 million to the State of Wisconsin, in honor of their father Huey Bradley, for the construction of a new arena.
FACTS & FIGURES
-Opened: 10/1/1988
-Capacity: 18,717
-Tenants: Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)
-Cost: $90 million
-Architect: HOK Sport
-Address: 1001 N. 4th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53203
-Former Name(s): None
Seating Chart
In October 1986 construction began on the Bradley Center in downtown Milwaukee. Completed in just two years, the Milwaukee Bucks played their first game at the arena in October 1988. The Bradley Center has a capacity of 18,717 and includes 68 skyboxes that are located between the upper and lower levels. Not only was it home to the Milwaukee Bucks, but also Marquette University and the Milwaukee Admirals (AFL).
The Bradley Center was demolished and the Milwaukee Bucks now play at the Fiserv Forum.
About the Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks were the first NBA team to feature a logo on their uniforms.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formerly known as Lew Alcindor, began his professional career with the Milwaukee Bucks and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The Bucks’ 1971 championship team, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, is considered one of the best in NBA history.
In the 1970s, the Milwaukee Bucks popularized the skyhook shot, a shot in which the shooter extends their arm and releases the ball with one hand while keeping their arm extended in the air.
The Bucks have retired seven numbers in franchise history, including Abdul-Jabbar’s #33, Bob Dandridge’s #10, and Oscar Robertson’s #1.
The team’s mascot is Bango, a deer that performs stunts and dances at games.