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Bucks founder Marv Fishman first wanted to bring football to Milwaukee; Vince Lombardi said no

NOTE: This story was updated on Jan. 18, 2022, to make it free for all readers.

Less than two years before Marvin Fishman, the self-described “unknown real estate man from Milwaukee,” became Marv Fishman, an “owner of Milwaukee’s new NBA franchise,” he stood before county officials trying to establish the city’s first professional sports team since the Milwaukee Braves left town.

Fishman wasn’t interested in basketball yet. He was set on bringing a football team to Milwaukee.

At 4 p.m. on Sept. 1, 1966, Fishman met with the county board to request a County Stadium lease agreement for his prospective Continental Football League franchise.