By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Aug 14, 2018 at 4:36 PM

It's a new era, a new building and now a new face at the center of the Milwaukee Bucks' television presence, as broadcaster Telly Hughes announced he has been let go after spending most of a decade in and around the team. 

Hughes first announced that the Bucks "wanted to go in a 'different direction'" Monday night on Twitter, adding his appreciation and gratefulness to "the entire state of Wisconsin" shortly after in a second tweet. 

Hughes elaborated on his dismissal in a phone interview with Woelfel's Press Box, noting, "They just told me they want to go in a different direction. I respect their decision. They feel as though this is something that had to be done. They feel it’s going to improve the product. I completely understand and respect that. I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had over the last eight seasons."

Originally hailing from East St. Louis, Illinois, Hughes came to Milwaukee from Minneapolis to start work for Fox Sports Wisconsin in 2009. Hot off an Emmy win for "Our Heroes: A Black History Month Special," Hughes quickly became a familiar face for Wisconsin sports fans as he worked as a sideline reporter for both the Bucks and Brewers. His focus would eventually shift fully to the Bucks, working for the past two seasons as the team's director of digital content. 

"I've really enjoyed my time in Milwaukee," Hughes told OnMilwaukee in a 2011 Milwaukee Talks interview. "It's a lot closer to my hometown, of course, and it has more of a Midwestern feel, even though Minneapolis is considered the Midwest. It feels a lot more like home."

There's no word yet on Hughes' next move – in his interview with Woelfel, he notes an interest in play-by-play, which he did over the radio for the Wisconsin Herd of the developmental G League for a few games this past year – nor on his replacement on the sidelines, but stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more information as it becomes available. 

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.