The Milwaukee Bucks organization is in mourning following the news of the death of former team owner Herb Kohl at the age of 88. The passing of Kohl, who also served the United States as a senator, was announced on Wednesday by Herb Kohl Philanthropies.

Kohl purchased the Bucks franchise in 1985 for $18 million. Since then, Milwaukee's worth has skyrocketed. As of October 2023, Milwaukee is valued at $3.2 billion, per Forbes.

After the Bucks topped the Brooklyn Nets 144-122 on Wednesday night, head coach Adrian Griffin shared his thoughts on Kohl's passing, courtesy of Bally Sports Wisconsin:

Said Griffin, “Senator Kohl passed away. I just want to send our condolences on behalf of the Bucks organization. he was always kind. I got to work with the Bucks back in 2008-09. Just a humanitarian. You know, it's a big loss for the Bucks organization and the entire state.”

Kohl, a son of Jewish immigrants, was born in 1985 in Milwaukee. He finished his studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree before going to Harvard Business School in 1958 where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree. He also became a US senator in 1988 and again in 1994, 2000, and 2006.

In 2014, Kohl sold a majority of the shares of Bucks ownership to Wes Edens and Marc Lasry.

When the Bucks won the NBA championship in 2021, Kohl was seen joining the team's parade and said that seeing Milwaukee bring home the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time since 1971 was one of the “biggest days of his life.”