The NBA's Milwaukee Bucks still don't have a naming rights sponsor for their new arena. It's getting late in the game especially considering it will begin hosting events including concerts and comedy shows starting in September. The Bucks have wanted to obtain a sponsorship around $7 to $10 million per year, but at this point, that may be unlikely. That said, the Bucks' brand is in a great space right now and could very well obtain this type of money even if the arena is set to open soon. The Bucks have stated they plan to sign a sponsor that has an international and domestic appeal but, but that begs the question, what company has the money and boldness to become the arena sponsor? There have been a lot of missed impressions and chances to elevate a brand if you are company X. There is still plenty of time to capitalize off this deal and makes me wonder will that company be from Wisconsin. A TMJ-4 story reported about the Bucks naming rights situation: "Kohl's is not going to be a sponsor with the new arena. Harley-Davidson also probably not, because they already signed on as the patch sponsor, they've got the logo on the jerseys, so they're out of the running.” Northwestern Mutual’s name has been thrown out there but over the years, but Kirchen says the company has told him they won’t be a sponsor." BMO Harris Bank, Froedtert Hospital, Johnson Controls, Medical College of Wisconsin all won't be the sponsor. Fiserv recently came out and said they aren't the sponsor either, as well as. American Family Insurance. Likewise, Foxconn Technology, a global electronics manufacturer, and one that is relatively new to the U.S. market, could have made sense to attract a new audience here and globally. This company is also based in Asia, where basketball continues to be extremely popular and followed by fans in this market. Increased technology in arenas also made think this would have been a good naming rights sponsor. However, this brand is not recognized by folks in Wisconsin, and the Bucks are really trying to stay true to the state through its product offerings and sponsorships. Urban Milwaukee also reported that Potawatomi is out of the running and Miller-Coors too, as they have a deal on the table as founding partner. After this extensive process of elimination list, this leads me to my case on why Kohler Co. should and might be the naming rights sponsor for the Bucks arena. Kohler is a company with strong Wisconsin roots, has a lot of money (can you say 6 billion in revenue?) and seems like a prime company that is looking to jump into the sport space if done strategically. Peter Feigin, the Bucks president, stated that the brands they are working with on finalizing a deal are domestic but have an international presence. Kohler is a domestic and state-bred company that has products in Africa, Europe, Asia and touch virtually every continent. Their products range from decorative bath and sink options to engine generators. Kohler could very well already provide services to Bucks arena (i.e toilets) and there might be an existing relationship between these two entities. More importantly, they operate and own lot of golf and resort venues around the world, and this fact makes me believe that the next sports splash that this company makes could be with the Bucks' new arena as the naming-rights sponsor. This company knows what it takes to obtain sponsorship dollars around its own facilities like the American Club that played host to many folks during the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. This resort will also play host to the 2020 Ryder Cup, a sign that this company and facility will continue to host large scale events that generate a lot of revenue to dare I say it--pay for sponsorship deals like this potential, not confirmed, possible deal with the Bucks. Golf is also a sport that lends itself to high-paying customers and clients, and Kohler is already familiar with the spending that is involved with sporting and entertainment complexes and events. If Kohler had not operated golf courses and resorts, I don't know how viable of an option this company would have to become a sponsor. However, the extensive experience in the golf industry is probably helpful for both the Bucks and Kohler as they negotiate a potential deal that relates to the sports industry. (assuming they are the naming rights sponsor-of course.) The different signage involved in these venues, the opportunity for the Bucks to lure potential customers associated with these resorts and chance to package deals for season ticket holders and fans is very fitting. Imagine being able to attend an NBA game in the middle of winter and then going to a golf resort during the summer. That sounds like an attractive deal. Corporate partners or clients who want a piece of the Bucks' pie might have even more interest in extending suite contracts and tickets into future seasons if in-kind deals like a golf outing or resort getaways are at play. Kohler understands what it takes to create five-star experiences with their resorts and hotels, and associating its brand with a new, state-of-the-art facility and popular sports organization seems like a smart branding move for Kohler. In 2016, Kohler also announced plans to create an office downtown, and this parallelism between them and the Bucks' move downtown (both business and basketball operations are within a five minute drive of each other) seems very fitting. Two global brands that are looking to strengthen ties with the city seems like a perfect fit as the Bucks look to gain more fans within the city and become popular alongside the Milwaukee Brewers. Being able to employ people is the hallmark of a great company and business in my eyes, and Kohler can attract even more talent through this move downtown. Being closer to the hubbub of the city and not on a high horse in Kohler is a sound move and one that makes sense in order to collaborate,network with city officials and leaders around the city. People around Milwaukee and Wisconsin generally know Kohler as a manufacturer of toilets and sinks, but that's about it. Can you imagine the possibilities to change the perception around your brand by becoming a naming rights sponsor of the Bucks arena? This association between two Wisconsin companies not only makes sense for Kohler if they are looking to branch out of a business to business space (perception wise) and into a consumer-friendly space where they can set up activation around the arena and other non game day events. Only time will tell who the Bucks' arena sponsor will be, but Kohler Co. seems like a viable option to plaster their name along that new, beautiful stadium sitting in downtown Milwaukee.