Wesley R. Edens is a Principal, Founder and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fortress Investment Group LLC. Fortress was founded in 1998 and is a $62 billion alternative asset management company with headquarters in New York and offices around the world. Mr. Edens is responsible for Fortress’s private equity business, which primarily invests in transportation and infrastructure, real estate, health care, financial services and media.

Prior to founding Fortress, Mr. Edens was a partner and managing director of BlackRock Financial Management Inc., where he headed BlackRock Asset Investors, a private equity fund. In addition, Mr. Edens was formerly a partner and managing director of Lehman Brothers.

Mr. Edens received a B.S. in Finance from Oregon State University.

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Milwaukee Loves Peter Feigin

Milwaukee Loves Peter Feigin

Outgoing Bucks leader, replaced by the team, showered with praise by community, given rare 'key to the city.'

Milwaukee Bucks Name New Team President

Milwaukee Bucks Name New Team President

Peter Feigin had led team for 12 seasons.

Photo Gallery: Scenes From 2025 Bucks Media Day
Photo Gallery

Scenes From 2025 Bucks Media Day

Milwaukee Bucks players and management talk new arrivals, leadership and athleticism ahead of season.

Junior Bridgeman Buys “Significant” Share of Milwaukee Bucks

Junior Bridgeman Buys “Significant” Share of Milwaukee Bucks

Former player-turned-entrepreneur buys shares of several minority owners. Team valued at $4 billion.

Commuter Rail Startup Has Big Vision, Lots of Questions

Commuter Rail Startup Has Big Vision, Lots of Questions

Regional system, say organizers, would use existing tracks, require no operating subsidy.

Murphy’s Law: Common Ground Gets National Attention
Murphy’s Law

Common Ground Gets National Attention

Group’s battle with city housing authority becoming embarrassing for Milwaukee.

Back in the News: State’s 7 Richest People Worth $72 Billion
Back in the News

State’s 7 Richest People Worth $72 Billion

Up by 28% or a combined $16 billion in just one year.

Back In The News: Uihleins Are Now Billionaires
Back In The News

Uihleins Are Now Billionaires

Top Republican donors join state's leading billionaires John Menard and Diane Hendricks.

NBA Approves Haslam’s Acquisition of Milwaukee Bucks

NBA Approves Haslam’s Acquisition of Milwaukee Bucks

Cleveland Browns' owner buying Marc Lasry's interest in team.

Bucks 2nd Most Valuable NBA Team Following Lasry’s Sale

Bucks 2nd Most Valuable NBA Team Following Lasry’s Sale

Lasry selling 25% stake to Browns owner Jimmy Haslam at $3.5 billion team valuation.

Cleveland Browns Owner Could Buy Major Share of Milwaukee Bucks

Cleveland Browns Owner Could Buy Major Share of Milwaukee Bucks

Jimmy Haslam would buy out Marc Lasry's share of team.

Top 10 of 2022: Most Popular ‘Back in the News’ Columns
Top 10 of 2022

Most Popular ‘Back in the News’ Columns

Ron Johnson, Foxconn, Kyle Rittenhouse and the richest people in Wisconsin all made news.

Back in the News: Will Lasry Sell His Bucks Ownership?
Back in the News

Will Lasry Sell His Bucks Ownership?

"Open" to selling and would make a huge profit, NBA insiders suggest.

Back in the News: Bucks Owners Continue to Cash In
Back in the News

Bucks Owners Continue to Cash In

Team's value now $2.3 billion, a 5-fold increase in value in 8 years, with big help from taxpayers.

Lasry Dropping Out Of Senate Race

Lasry Dropping Out Of Senate Race

Barnes now clear frontrunner, but Godlewski still a challenger.

How Alex Lasry Rose in the Polls

How Alex Lasry Rose in the Polls

Labor support, personal wealth helps Bucks exec in Democratic primary for US Senator.

Back In The News: State’s 8 Richest People Worth $58 Billion
Back In The News

State’s 8 Richest People Worth $58 Billion

List of billionaires led by John Menard at $16.6 billion. Super wealthy have helped transform states like Wisconsin.

Photo Gallery: Bucks Host Ring Ceremony, Unveil Championship Banner
Photo Gallery

Bucks Host Ring Ceremony, Unveil Championship Banner

Nearly 400 diamonds on each ring with loads of symbolism embedded.

Photo Gallery: Milwaukee Bucks Parade, Celebration
Photo Gallery

Milwaukee Bucks Parade, Celebration

Crowd estimated in excess of 100,000.

Milwaukee Bucks Win NBA Title, First in 50 Years

Milwaukee Bucks Win NBA Title, First in 50 Years

Giannis Antetokounmpo named Finals MVP.

Murphy’s Law: Lasry Misleads Voters On Minimum Wage
Murphy’s Law

Lasry Misleads Voters On Minimum Wage

U.S. Senate candidate’s claim to back family supporting jobs exaggerates, distorts truth.

Alex Lasry Files To Run for Senate

Alex Lasry Files To Run for Senate

Bucks VP is one of many Democrats interested in seat.

Back In The News: Billionaire Sports Owners Get Richer
Back In The News

Billionaire Sports Owners Get Richer

Report shows 64 billionaire owners gained $99 billion during pandemic, helped by billions in tax subsidies.

Murphy’s Law: Bucks Franchise Worth $1.86 Billion
Murphy’s Law

Bucks Franchise Worth $1.86 Billion

A four-fold increase in value since new arena built. Taxpayers helped the rich get richer.

Urban Reads: Wes Edens’ Plan to Get People on Trains
Urban Reads

Wes Edens’ Plan to Get People on Trains

All the city news you can use.

Eyes on Milwaukee: 40 Affordable Homes for Washington Park
Eyes on Milwaukee

40 Affordable Homes for Washington Park

Developer plans to rehab 24 properties, including many duplexes, in one-mile radius.

Keisha Krumm Leaving Common Ground

Keisha Krumm Leaving Common Ground

Helped push for mortgage foreclosure settlement by banks. New successor named.

Murphy’s Law: Taxpayers Make Bucks, Brewers Rich
Murphy’s Law

Taxpayers Make Bucks, Brewers Rich

Forbes sees huge growth in value of franchises since taxpayer-financed stadiums built.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Fiserv Forum by the Numbers
Eyes on Milwaukee

Fiserv Forum by the Numbers

79 pieces of art, 8,000 tons of steel and 17,500 seats.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Bucks Open Fiserv Forum
Eyes on Milwaukee

Bucks Open Fiserv Forum

"The most forward-thinking, 21st-century building," says Bucks president Peter Feigin.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Bucks Show Off Nearly Finished Arena
Eyes on Milwaukee

Bucks Show Off Nearly Finished Arena

See the court, scoreboard, and Panorama Club. But naming rights? Still a secret.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Bucks Unveil Old World Third St. Bar
Eyes on Milwaukee

Bucks Unveil Old World Third St. Bar

Live Block plans updated to include 2,045-square-foot building alongside beer garden.

Murphy’s Law: Lasry Sued for “Weinstein Sexual Enterprise”
Murphy’s Law

Lasry Sued for “Weinstein Sexual Enterprise”

Bucks owner, other Weinstein board members knew Harvey was a predator, suit claims.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Sherman Park Has Been a Melting Pot
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Sherman Park Has Been a Melting Pot

Tracing the neighborhood’s German, Jewish and African American heritage.

Friday Photos: Bucks Arena Taking Shape
Friday Photos

Bucks Arena Taking Shape

Distinctive design of arena's facade now clearly visible

Friday Photos: Arena Rises from Frozen Tundra
Friday Photos

Arena Rises from Frozen Tundra

Snow and freezing weather didn't delay construction of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena.

House Confidential: John Hammond’s Hum-Drum Colonial
House Confidential

John Hammond’s Hum-Drum Colonial

Bucks general manager has $850,000 Whitefish Bay home. And he doesn't vote much.

House Confidential: Alex Lasry’s $1 Million Waterfront Condo
House Confidential

Alex Lasry’s $1 Million Waterfront Condo

And why not? The son of Bucks owner Marc Lasry has become a MAJOR player in town.

Murphy’s Law: The King of Subprime Lending
Murphy’s Law

The King of Subprime Lending

How Bucks owner Wes Edens makes millions off troubled homeowners.

The Power of Common Ground

The Power of Common Ground

Nonprofit advocacy group has had huge impact on city, though some grumble about their tactics.

In Public: Bucks Arena Design Is Anti-Urban
In Public

Bucks Arena Design Is Anti-Urban

Its generic, well-mannered and probably won’t improve with “tweaks.”

Murphy’s Law: Common Ground’s $30 Million Victory for City
Murphy’s Law

Common Ground’s $30 Million Victory for City

Pressure on Bucks owner Wes Edens results in Nationstar’s $30 million pledge to prevent foreclosures.

Will Bucks Break Their Lease?

Will Bucks Break Their Lease?

Why the new arena deal will not lock down the franchise in Milwaukee

Murphy’s Law: Did Bucks Investors Pay Off Walker?
Murphy’s Law

Did Bucks Investors Pay Off Walker?

One publication says yes. But most donors to his presidential campaign are secret.

The City’s Real Costs for Bucks Arena

The City’s Real Costs for Bucks Arena

The exact total is unknown, but will be much higher than media has reported.

Common Ground Lobbying Against Bucks Arena

Common Ground Lobbying Against Bucks Arena

Community organization is pushing city, county and state representatives to oppose public funding.

Murphy’s Law: The Secret Tax Subsidy Society
Murphy’s Law

The Secret Tax Subsidy Society

Republicans and Democrats conspire to create stealth taxes to fund the NBA arena. Will they succeed?

Plats and Parcels: 229 New Apartments in Brewers’ Hill
Plats and Parcels

229 New Apartments in Brewers’ Hill

But one of the two new buildings being developed generated grr-ipes from Matt Wild and Mary Louise Schumacher. Dare we disagree?

Murphy’s Law: Bucks Owners Must Build Without Subsidy
Murphy’s Law

Bucks Owners Must Build Without Subsidy

Unique financial situation of Bucks owners suggests they may have to build a new arena, even with no taxpayer support.

Plats and Parcels: Northwestern Mutual Could Demolish a City Block
Plats and Parcels

Northwestern Mutual Could Demolish a City Block

Will entire city block be used to build 1,000 car parking garage? And will The Couture dispute ever get settled?

Plats and Parcels: Walker’s Point on the Rise
Plats and Parcels

Walker’s Point on the Rise

South 2nd St. is booming and redevelopment on National Ave. may follow a similar pattern.

Murphy’s Law: Foundation Helps Herb Kohl Get $20 Million Windfall
Murphy’s Law

Foundation Helps Herb Kohl Get $20 Million Windfall

His “$100 million gift” to Greater Milwaukee Foundation will gain him huge tax break for supporting new NBA arena.

NEWaukeean of the Week: Alex Lasry
NEWaukeean of the Week

Alex Lasry

"Marc, Wes, Jamie and the Bucks are determined to help rejuvenate the city."

Murphy’s Law: How Will NBA Arena Benefit the City?
Murphy’s Law

How Will NBA Arena Benefit the City?

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver promises a new arena will launch a Downtown renewal. Is he right?

Murphy’s Law: Dispute Over Bucks Arena Goes National
Murphy’s Law

Dispute Over Bucks Arena Goes National

New York Times dumps on Milwaukee business leaders, and city becoming divided on issue.

Build Bucks Arena in Inner City?

Build Bucks Arena in Inner City?

Community leader calls on new owners to consider North Side location.

Murphy’s Law: Will Republicans Support a Bucks Bailout?
Murphy’s Law

Will Republicans Support a Bucks Bailout?

It can’t get done without GOP legislators, but they have deeply felt reasons for opposing any deal.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Visiting Leaders Pitch Pro Stadiums — And Transit!
Eyes on Milwaukee

Visiting Leaders Pitch Pro Stadiums — And Transit!

MMAC organized event to sell NBA arena, but speakers from Cleveland, Denver and OKC said Millenials want transit, too.

Murphy’s Law: Four Plans to Save the Bucks
Murphy’s Law

Four Plans to Save the Bucks

But can any of the plans create the new NBA arena they need?

Plenty of Horne: Downtown Power Brokers Mull Expanded Convention Center
Plenty of Horne

Downtown Power Brokers Mull Expanded Convention Center

Leaders of Wisconsin Center and the Bradley Center consider key changes for downtown facilities.

Milwaukee Is a Great Lakes Star

Milwaukee Is a Great Lakes Star

New census estimates show Milwaukee’s population is growing faster than any other Great Lakes city.

Common Ground Will Fight New Bucks Owners If No “Fair Play”

Common Ground Will Fight New Bucks Owners If No “Fair Play”

Group serves notice: any plan for new arena must include $200 million for children's playgrounds and athletic fields.