2017 was an interesting year for the Milwaukee Bucks.
It was the start of what has become nine straight years of being in the playoffs. Giannis was the NBA’s Most Improved Player, and the league switched their jersey partnership from Adidas to Nike.
This switch opened the gate for jersey patch partnerships. The Bucks went local for their initial deal, signing with Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson.
That partnership expired after three seasons, and the Bucks went without the extra stitching for the 2020-21 regular season— more than likely due to a massive bidding war following Giannis’ new contract.
That changed for the 2021 playoffs, where the Bucks switched over to Motorola.
https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1395729077319970826
That partnership was described as “multiyear,” but its full extent has not been publicly disclosed. The Bucks are one of only ten NBA teams to have had fewer than three jersey sponsors since the league introduced this new revenue stream.
Nonetheless, the ‘M’ patch continues to be donned on the Bucks’ threads so far this season, and while there is no end in sight, it’s fascinating to think about what the Deer may do next— whenever that time comes.
Potential Future Bucks’ Jersey Patch Sponsors
1. Gruber Law Offices
The “one patch, that’s all” campaign would be a fun one and another ode to supporting a local organization that has called Milwaukee home for 40 years. The Bucks have been longtime partners with Gruber Law Offices, as many fans are familiar with hearing, “Who wants a T-shirt from Gruber Law Offices?!” after a Bucks’ three-pointer over the years.
Skeptics may think Gruber is too niche or local to be on a Bucks jersey, but plenty of NBA teams have already thrown companies like these on their threads:
- Boston Celtics: Amica (Rhode Island-based insurance)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Cleveland-Cliffs (Cleveland-based iron mining)
- Denver Nuggets: Ibotta (Denver-based mobile technology company)
- Detroit Pistons: StockX (Detroit-based online marketplace and clothing reseller)
- Houston Rockets: Memorial Hermann Health System (not-for-profit health system in Southeast Texas)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Sezzle (Minneapolis-based publicly traded financial technology firm)
- Sacramento Kings: Ann Phoong Law (Sacramento personal injury lawfirm)
- Utah Jazz: LiveView Technologies (Utah-based video surveillance)
You see the ads on billboards, TV, social media— and maybe on a Bucks jersey someday.
2. Culver’s
Another highly popular Wisconsin-based organization (shout out Sauk City), Culver’s could be another option the Bucks pursue. The two became official partners this season, where you can get free cheese curds if the Bucks lead after the third quarter.
One of its locations in Shorewood even attempted a social-media campaign to give Giannis free Culver’s for life after the Bucks won the 2021 NBA Championship.
The pitch didn’t stop there. In 2023, Culver’s tried again after Giannis dropped 54 points in a win over the Clippers.
There’s even a Culver’s-themed Bucks jersey out there already.
https://twitter.com/BucksLead/status/1839681805772902837
3. Kwik Trip
While there are currently no locations in the city of Milwaukee, Kwik Trip was once the official chocolate milk of the Bucks.
The NBA already has one gas station sponsor (Love’s, Oklahoma City Thunder), so seeing Kwik Trip on a Bucks jersey wouldn’t be too crazy to think about.
The Wisconsin staple has also just opened a new distribution center in DeForest, with “no plans to slow down.”
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