The Milwaukee Bucks are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 50 years, squaring off against the Phoenix Suns. While that’s cause for celebration for the franchise’s long-suffering fans, some national experts aren’t thrilled with the prospect of travelling to the Midwest city. And their sentiments have been captured in a moment merch shirt that promotes civic pride for this “terrible” city.

It started on June 23 during ESPN’s morning debate show First Take, as the hosts were discussing the NBA playoffs and the four remaining teams at the time – the Bucks and Suns as well as the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers. “Do you really want to go to Milwaukee? Is that where you want to be?” asked former NFL player Damien Woody, to which commentator Stephen A. Smith replied “Hell no.”

Host Molly Qerim Rose then added the NBA Finals were “going to be [in] terrible cities” and that the show would be unlikely to travel for the Finals as customary.

“I don’t believe either [the Hawks or Clippers] are going to win their respective series. But I don’t believe I’ve ever rooted for the Atlanta Hawks or the Los Angeles Clippers more in my life,” Smith said.

Just saw this on First Take and I'm not surprised whatsoever. Milwaukee has not covered on ESPN for decades. We don't want yall in Milwaukee when we host the NBA Finals!! @SnellSZN@nathanmarzion@brewhoop
#bucksin6 #terriblecities #Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/Mqk1bD07uL

— Logan Winser (@logan_winser) June 22, 2021

Milwaukee and its nearly 600,000 residents took issue with the ESPN commentators’ remarks. “We would welcome them to Milwaukee to see just how wrong they are anytime,” Claire Koenig, the communications director for Visit Milwaukee, told TV station TMJ-4 Milwaukee. “We are easy to get around, more affordable and you can do more in a weekend here than you could do in Chicago or L.A. any day.”

The Bucks’ president Peter Feigin also issued a response, asking the First Take hosts “when’s the last time you were in Milwaukee?” Feigin also mentioned some of the attractions in the Midwest city and even offered a tour.

Dear @FirstTake, pic.twitter.com/3CR4PB9LjS

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 23, 2021

Meanwhile, Rev Pop, a Milwaukee-based branding and design company, took it upon itself to defend its disrespected metropolis. The agency designed a shirt with the “Terrible City” moniker featured in big bold script. Wrapped around it on the chest area is wording in gold that says “Loyal Citizen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”

On Rev Pop’s shop page for the shirt, the product description reads, “Own it. We’ve got the best damn city in US of A. No one knows yet and let’s keep it that way so we don’t overpopulate.” Rev Pop is also selling a T-shirt that reads “Stay Terrible Milw.” The shirts are being sold for $35 each, with profits of $10 per shirt to be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Milwaukee. The website notes that if Rose wants to purchase the shirts, she would have to pay $75 for shipping. The items are sold at DamnNiceCity.com, which includes other pro-Milwaukee goods and searchable directories for restaurants, bars and live music.

After ESPN insulted its home city, Milwaukee-based Rev Pop created these T-shirts to celebrate its “terrible city.” A portion of each sale will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Milwaukee.

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