Departing basketball team owner, ex-U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl mails $500 checks to arena workers

Former Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), who recently sold his ownership of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team after nearly three decades at the helm, has just given his own special going-away present to the employees at the team's arena.

"Today, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation," Kohl said in a letter sent to each of the workers at the BMO Harris Bradley Center — along with a check for $500. "That's why I am pleased to provide you with a gesture of my appreciation."

Izeal Atkins, an usher at the arena, was truly surprised and moved to see the check. "I sat there and shed tears for maybe five to 10 minutes because nobody just walks up gives you $500," Atkins told the local ABC affiliate, WISN-TV. He also added: "I'm kind of speechless still. It's still kind of fresh in my head, but I thank you."

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Kohl famously bought the team in 1985, in order to ensure that the franchise would not be moved out of Milwaukee. When he sought new owners for the team over the past six months, he made it a condition that the new buyers would also keep the team in the city.