Last autumn, I began Operation Buck ‘Em Up. This noble mission set out to increase the fan base of, and overall passion towards, the Milwaukee Bucks in the Chippewa Valley. This column solicited the suggestions of readers of Athletic Aesthetic on what the Bucks could do to become more noticeable in our part of the state. Here is a sampling of these suggestions:

“I suppose I should have figured that if part of the impetus for Operation Buck ‘Em Up was a lack of a Bucks fan base amongst readers of this column, then perhaps there may not be many – or any – people who would actually care to offer a solution. Sure, there was one online commenter who noted that he and his roommates are Bucks fans. Great, now I know of four.”

The proceeding paragraph proves my point about the Milwaukee Bucks’ atrophic support in western Wisconsin. Sure, you can say that the NBA’s decision to make the Eau Claire area part of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ TV broadcast zone has had the effect of blacking-out the Bucks since the beginning of this decade. You can also say that the Bucks have played poorly enough for most of the last two decades (the 2000-01 Conference Finals run and a handful of playoff seasons notwithstanding) that there should be no surprise that people do not have much reason to root for the Bucks.

Yet, I have said and will continue to say that a team that shows it cares about winning (even if the wins come infrequently) and, more importantly, shows it cares about all of its potential fans, will receive interest in turn from said fans. There may be structural barriers to building a strong NBA fan base throughout Wisconsin, what with the Packers and Badgers dominating our sports RAM – a problem made worse by the now-significant level of interest in Brewers’ baseball reaching towards the outer reaches of the state. We may only have so much we can care about, and when a team does not give us any reason (through its players, on-court performance, style, marketing) to care about it, we will toss it aside in favor of the teams we already follow.

The recent NBA Draft provided some Bucks news: a trade two days before the draft that gave them Bruce Bowen, which would have been a big deal four years ago when he was still fairly good; and the drafting of a player (Brandon Jennings) who couldn’t get into college, went to play overseas, got limited playing time, and avoided attending the draft fearing he would get picked too low. I already sense you ordering your Bucks’ season tickets and planning eight-hour weeknight round trips to Milwaukee throughout this winter.

Operation Buck ‘Em Up will require an investment by the Bucks themselves. An investment in quality players and draft picks. An investment in a fan-pleasing playing style (this is entertainment, after all). A large investment in marketing and presence in the Chippewa Valley (and, really, anywhere outside the Milwaukee area). Lastly, an investment in the time required to talk with the NBA about getting their games on television in, you know, Wisconsin.

The latest rebuilding project for the Bucks may now be underway, but rebuilding – or, in some cases, building for the first time – a relationship with the sports fans of Wisconsin should be the Bucks’ top priority. Yes, I know there are Bucks fans in the Chippewa Valley. There simply need to be more. Many, many more. We may have limited room for more teams to support, but the sports fans of western Wisconsin will root for any team that shows a competitive spirit in all facets of their operation. Competitive not only for wins, but for the attention of people who’d rather follow Packers off-season updates than a single Bucks highlight package.

NBA basketball is a growing sport in America. It is dying in Wisconsin. Our NBA team has an obligation to keep its brand of basketball healthy in all parts of the state. Otherwise, more than an operation will be necessary to keep the Bucks alive.