Jim Fitzgerald, former Milwaukee Bucks owner, dies at 86 - USA TODAY

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) â€" Former Milwaukee Bucks owner Jim Fitzgerald has died at the age of 86.

The team says Fitzgerald died Monday morning in his hometown of Janesville. Schneider Apfel Schneider & Schneider funeral home also confirmed his death. His cause of death was not released.

Fitzgerald joined the Bucks' board of directors in 1973, then became president and chairman of the board in 1976. He was the owner during a successful era that included the hiring of Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson and a string of seven consecutive division titles from the 1979-80 season to the 1985-1986 season.

He sold the team in 1985 to Herb Kohl.

Fitzgerald was also part of a business team that owned the Golden State Warriors. He and a partner sold the majority ownership of the team in 1995.

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