MILWAUKEE -- The NBAs board of governors unanimously approved the sale Thursday of the Milwaukee Bucks to New York investment firm executives Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry, bringing the forlorn franchise one step closer to starting a new era. Former U.S. senator Herb Kohl reached agreement with them last month for a price tag of about $550 million after they pledged to keep the team in Milwaukee. The NBA said Thursday in a statement that the transaction is expected to close shortly. The leagues expected approval comes days before the NBA holds its draft lottery. The Bucks, who had a league-worst 15 wins, have the best odds to get the No. 1 pick next week for Junes talent-rich draft. "The Bucks and their fans will benefit greatly from their vast business experience, energy and strong commitment to Milwaukee," commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. Lasry and Edens committed to providing $100 million to help build a new arena. Kohl also announced he would donate $100 million for a new facility to replace the BMO Harris Bradley Center, the teams downtown home, which opened in 1988. Edens had said he hoped to get a plan completed for a new arena in a year, and have it built in a couple of years. He thought it might take about $400 million to build a new facility, though the new owners might face a tricky task in seeking public funding if they dont get more private help. Kohl bought the Bucks for $18 million in 1985. The Milwaukee native, whose family owned a chain of department stores, was hailed as a hometown hero. Silver praised Kohl for his "unprecedented and historic financial gift toward the construction of a new Milwaukee arena and for his outstanding service to the league and his community over his nearly 30-year tenure." An injury-plagued season left the Bucks a franchise-worst 15-67. They have finished above .500 only three times since 2000, though Milwaukee did make the playoffs in 2012-13. The Bucks were swept in four games by Miami in the first round. With new owners and a 25 per cent chance to pick up the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Bucks face a defining off-season. Even if it doesnt win the lottery, Milwaukee cannot fall below the fourth pick in a draft stocked with top prospects, including Dukes Jabari Parker and Kansas Andrew Wiggins. Replica Shoes Wholesale China .Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday. Cheap Shoes China Wholesale . Here is a look at all the moves through the first week of NHL Free Agency. The most significant deals will get the full Numbers Game column treatment, like these:Briere-for-Parenteau trade. http://www.wholesaleshoes.us.org/.com) - Former New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is joining the Major League Baseball Players Association staff as a senior advisor to executive director Tony Clark. Cheap Replica Shoes China . The Calgary Stampeders running back received the West Division nomination for the CFLs top individual award Thursday in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and leagues eight head coaches. Wholesale Shoes 2020 . - Doug Kalitta led Top Fuel qualifying Friday in the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway with a 3.CINCINNATI - Defensive tackle Devon Stills 4-year-old daughter got one of the biggest cheers on a cold, windy night Thursday at Paul Brown Stadium. Leah Still was on the field after the first quarter when the Cincinnati Bengals presented Childrens Hospital with a check for more than $1 million to help with cancer research and treatment. The girl is being treated for cancer. She was releaased from a hospital in Philadelphia and flew to Cincinnati to see her father play for the first time, sitting in an overhead suite for most of the game against Cleveland.dddddddddddd. Still wrote Leah Strong on his eye black strips. Police officers working the game wore his uniform No. 75 on their backs. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '