MILWAUKEE — Already missing out on a Bucks playoff run, Fiserv Forum may be losing another major summer event.
According to TMJ4 News partners, the Milwaukee Business Journal, Democratic National Convention officials have opened the possibility of not using the arena at all for the August event. The articlesays no final decision has been reached.
Joe Biden’s acceptance speech will still take place in Milwaukee, and whatever surrounding convention activities take place are expected to be held at the Wisconsin Center convention facility downtown.
Plans for the DNC have been scaled down considerably due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Original projections of 50,000 people coming to Milwaukee have dramatically shifted. Delegates, sponsors, lobbyists, and others are thought to be less likely to travel and delegates will be able to participate virtually, so the need for the 17,000-seat Fiserv Forum isn’t there.
The Milwaukee Business Journal says a source familiar with the DNC’s status indicated that the convention originally secured both Fiserv Forum and the Wisconsin Center District buildings for the event complex.
The Wisconsin Center district consists of the Wisconsin Center, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre.
If the DNC pulls out of Fiserv Forum, sources said it is unlikely Deer District would refund what is likely a multi million-dollar payment. When the convention was moved from July to August, the Wisconsin Center District negotiated its contract with the DNC to receive at least half of the contract amount if the venues aren’t used.