Before a season that was supposed to focus on welcoming a new coach and possibly a new franchise cornerstone, the Milwaukee Bucks are coping with a heartbreaking loss. They’re mourning the sudden death of Nancy Gruber on June 7, 2026. She was a minority owner of the Bucks and would have turned 71 on June 27. Besides being courtside often, she was known for her philanthropy in Cream City and as a prominent figure in the local sports community.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Nancy Gruber, a cherished part of the Bucks family and a proud Milwaukee native,” an official statement from the Bucks read. “As a minority owner, Nancy was a longtime courtside fixture at Bucks games alongside her husband, David. Through Gruber Law Offices, she was also a valued partner to our organization and the Milwaukee community. Beyond her role with the Bucks, Nancy was a committed philanthropist and community leader whose generosity and spirit touched countless lives across Wisconsin.”

“[Nancy] had a way of making people feel welcomed and valued, and her warmth brought a sense of joy and connection to those around her,” the statement continued. “The Bucks extend our heartfelt condolences to David, her family, and all who knew her. Nancy will be remembered across our team and city, and deeply missed.”

The Milwaukee community responded to the statement with condolences. Many remembered her passion for Wisconsin athletics and her lifelong dedication to community leadership. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also revealed Nancy’s greatest achievement in life, which was not her successful legal career.

“While she built an extraordinary legal and business career and helped countless families through difficult times, Nancy would have said her proudest achievement was the life she built with her family,” according to Sentinel’s life story section. “Nancy had a true zest for life. She loved life. She loved traveling with her family, attending Bucks and Brewers games, and experiencing unforgettable events around the world, from NBA Finals to WrestleMania to NCAA Final Fours to countless concerts. Nancy and her family lived life to its fullest.”

Gruber is survived by her husband, David, their children, Steven and Lauren, and five grandchildren, Gabi, Taylor, Jace, Logan, and Pax, the youngest of whom she met just one day before her passing.

“Nancy was strong yet compassionate, powerful yet deeply empathetic,” her obituary read. “Above all else, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and a constant, loving presence in the lives of those she cared about.”

“Nancy was a true pioneer,” the obituary continued. “She was selfless, fearless, and fiercely loyal. She stood up for what was right without hesitation and never sought recognition. She lived life on her own terms, with strength, compassion, and a uniquely deep capacity to love others. Her care extended far beyond her own family. She became a source of guidance, wisdom, truth, and unwavering support to those in need. She had a rare gift for making people feel safe, understood, and truly cared for.”

Her death leaves a huge emotional void not only in the Bucks’ inner circle but also throughout Milwaukee, where the Grubers are known as passionate, front-row fans of a championship-winning NBA team.

Long before entering sports ownership, Nancy practiced law in the city for 40 years. Born on June 27, 1955, to Robert and Marion Rice, she was guided by a strong moral compass. She pursued her legal career locally and graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School in 1983.

It was during her time at Marquette that she met David Gruber, who would become her husband and professional partner. Together, they grew Gruber Law Offices from a startup to a nationally recognized firm in personal injury law after Nancy joined full-time in 1996.

Nancy’s legal career was marked by her shift from insurance defense litigation to plaintiff advocacy, focusing on securing full and fair compensation for accident and injury victims. She also demonstrated a similar passion through charitable initiatives across Wisconsin, without seeking any public recognition.