Ed Martin, the key figure in the scandal that rocked the University of Michigan basketball program, has died at a Detroit hospital. He was 69.

Henry Ford hospital confirmed that the former booster died on Friday night from a pulmonary embolism after being admitted earlier in the day.

Martin's death will have very little impact on the NCAA investigation of the Michigan program, but could have a huge bearing on federal indictments against Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber and two of his family members.

After pleading guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money, Martin told the federal government that he took gambling money, combined it with other funds, and lent $616,000 to four Michigan players while they still were amateurs.

The players include Webber, Robert Traylor of the New Orleans Hornets, Maurice Taylor of the Houston Rockets and Louis Bullock, who has been playing professionally in Europe.

Michigan imposed sanctions on the men's basketball program after conducting its own investigation into the allegations. The NCAA infractions committee will rule in the next two months on whether those sanctions are enough.

The sanctions include forfeiture of all victories from five seasons, taking down championship banners from those years, returning $450,000 in tournament income and placing its basketball program on probation.

According to committee chair Tom Yeager, Martin's death means nothing in reference to the NCAA case against Michigan.

"The case was heard Friday and the university did not dispute the indictment," Yeager told ESPN.com's Andy Katz. "There are no more plans for any questions or followups on this case. The next move is to render a decision in the next 6 to 8 weeks."

However, Martin's death could cause problems in the prosecution of Webber, his father, Mayce Webber Jr., and aunt, Charlene Johnson, on charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and lying to a federal grand jury centering on Martin's illegal gambling operation.

Although the prosecution could admit Martin's sworn grand jury testimony into evidence, the defense could also argue that its inability to cross examine a convicted felon on the witness stand are grounds to keep that testimony out. And even if the grand jury testimony is admitted, it would have less impact on a jury than Webber being able to face his primary accuser.

Webber, who has maintained his innocence since the indictments were handed down, was unavailable for comment. The University of Michigan also declined to comment on Martin's death.