The Milwaukee Bucks are transitioning into a team with a rapidly growing international following and the naming rights for the new arena will reflect that, team president Peter Feigin told an internationally broadcast cable show Monday.

Feigin emphasized the team's international reach during an appearance on CNBC's early morning show, "Squawk Box." Although he appeared on a federal holiday when the audience is likely smaller, the program is also aired on CNBC affiliates in Europe and Asia.

During Feigin's appearance, the name "Foxconn" never came up. However, his comments sounded like a pitch to the Taiwanese company that's planning a massive technology campus in Racine County.

Feigin discussed the naming rights for the Bucks' $524 million arena now under construction in downtown Milwaukee. Supported with $250 million in taxpayer money, the arena is scheduled to open in time for the 2018-'19 NBA season.

"It's what we need to get done," Feigin said of the naming rights. "It's the cornerstone of ... us financially as we go forward."

In an interview with the Journal Sentinel later Monday, Feigin said his appearance was part of a strategy to raise awareness about the Bucks and the naming rights.

"This was a big opportunity to create some urgency," he said. "Right now, we don't have a deal done with Foxconn or anybody else."

On CNBC, Feigin put the naming rights price at $7 million to $10 million a year for 20 years. He said the building won't bear the name of a locally based company.

"It's not a local deal," he said.

Feigin has said in previous interviews that the Bucks have been talking with Foxconn Technology Group about partnerships, including naming rights.

Foxconn has announced plans to build a massive technology complex in Racine County that could employ up to 13,000 people making liquid crystal display panels.

"I ran," was Feigin's response earlier this summer when asked if he had jumped at the opportunity to meet with Foxconn when it was first announced the company was considering a Wisconsin operation.

Feigin has been present at every important Foxconn announcement in recent months, including a July 26 White House briefing led by President Donald Trump.

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Other local companies seen as potential candidates for naming rights — including Johnson Controls, Miller Brewing and BMO Harris — have signed on as partners with the Bucks, but not for the name on the arena.

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On Squawk Box, Feigin noted that the NBA — and the Bucks — have an international following.

"In NBA basketball, 80 to 95 percent of our media impressions are outside of our home market," he said.

"This is a global game. This is international. So we've been around the world kind of pitching naming rights."

CNBC anchor Becky Quick interjected: "International? So it might not even be a U.S. company...?"

Feigin responded, "It might be a U.S. company with international reach or vice versa."

Feigin said the team has "unbelievable metrics" when it comes to its audience.

"Think about participation, I mean in Asia. Think about where the media is going," he said.

"I mean half of our digital impressions are coming from outside the United States. And growing at a very steep rate."

The Bucks have five players from other countries on their roster, including Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Flags from those countries — the others are Canada, Australia, South Sudan and Bosnia — hang over the courts in the team's new practice facility.

During a recent visit to Milwaukee, Bucks co-owner Wes Edens said he travels around the world and said the team always comes up during business meetings.

"The first 30 minutes are — wherever I am — talking about the NBA and the Milwaukee Bucks."

Feigin concluded his TV appearance with a note of optimism about the upcoming basketball season, and further emphasis about the team's audience.

"It's going to be an exciting year. We're fun to watch," he said.

"And we want to transition as one of those NBA teams that really is kind of one of the world's teams."