Milwaukee Leaders Speak Out After ESPN Hosts Call City 'Terrible'

MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukeeans are speaking out after talking heads on ESPN's "First Take" made some unfavorable comments about the city while talking about traveling for the NBA Finals.

When former NFL player Damien Woody asked host Stephen A. Smith if he really wanted to go to Milwaukee for the finals, Smith replied with, "hell no."

Host Molly Qerim Rose added that she had missed a Super Bowl when it was held in Minnesota and that she was thankful to probably miss traveling to another Midwestern city - implying Milwaukee was one of the "terrible" cities.

After that, the Bucks president and a Milwaukee alderman issued statements with their rebuttals.

Bucks president Peter Feigin said, "Hey, First Take hosts, when's the last time you were in Milwaukee? Must be a while." In the statement, Feigin offered to give them a tour, highlighting the city's neighborhoods, the dining scene and the Lake Michigan waterfront.

"There's a reason people are moving to this welcoming gem of a city in record numbers," he said.

Alderman Khalif Rainey of the 7th District had a strong and flammable opening to his statement:

"I have a message for the haters of the Milwaukee Bucks," Rainey said, "Keep bringing the disrespect so the Bucks can keep turning it into jet fuel that they'll use to propel the team to its first NBA Championship in 50 years!"

Rainey highlighted the 15,000 fans that cheered and danced outside of the Fiserv Forum during and after the playoff games. "We love our team and this year they have the pieces in place to get the job done," he added. "It's about character, and about being flat-out DOGS when they need to be (just ask Brooklyn!)"

Other similar responses in support or against Milwaukee have also stormed social media. The cities that remain in the playoffs are Milwaukee, Phoenix, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Enjoy some more Milwaukee Twitter support.

Home. #MKE pic.twitter.com/uWeRJ8ld7t
— Time To Rise (@MarquetteU) June 23, 2021

ESPN - go take a seat. This isn’t your granddads Milwaukee. This is a booming city filled with an energetic fan base ready to rally behind Giannis, Khris, Jrue and the rest of our team. You can keep throwin shots but we know you’re off base. #FearTheDeer #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/T1C34PN0CP
— Nate Vomhof (@natevomhof) June 23, 2021