Junior Bridgeman, a Milwaukee Bucks legend and an accomplished billionaire businessman, has passed away, the team announced. He was 71.
“The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman,” the Bucks statement read.
“Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Forum, serving as a constant remembrance of his outstanding play on the court and his impact on the Bucks’ success. His hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the nation’s top business leaders and, last September, Junior’s professional life came full circle when he returned to the Bucks family as an owner. His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization.”
“I am devastated to learn of the sudden passing of Junior Bridgeman,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Junior was the ultimate entrepreneur who built on his impactful 12-year NBA playing career by becoming a highly respected and successful business leader. Junior was a dedicated member of the NBA family for 50 years — most recently as a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, an investor in NBA Africa. Born in East Chicago, Indiana, he led the Washington High School Senators to a state championship with a 29-0 record.”
Bridgeman became an All-American for the Louisville Cardinals, reaching the 1975 Final Four. He was drafted with the 8th pick in 1975 but was traded to Milwaukee as part of a blockbuster deal for Bucks star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
During a fundraising event Tuesday (March 11) in Louisville, Bridgeman sustained a medical emergency at the Galt House Hotel. Those in attendance said that Bridgeman grabbed his chest during the event and said he believed he was having a heart attack.
Bridgeman played with Bucks teams who were one of the premiere teams of the 80s, alongside Marques Johnson and Sidney Moncrief. They won at least 50 games in seven consecutive seasons and reached the Eastern Conference finals in 1983, 1984, and 1986.
A versatile 6-5 guard-forward, Bridgeman played 10 of his 12 seasons with Milwaukee. He scored 9,892 of his 11,517 points for the Bucks, averaging 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. In 1979-80, he posted a career-high 17.6 points per game and is the ninth-leading scorer in franchise history. His final two seasons were with the Los Angeles Clippers.
But Bridgeman’s greatest accomplishments came off the court. Interestingly, he made about $2.95 Million in his entire NBA career, never topping more than $350,000 in a single season. Wisely investing his money, Bridgeman amassed a fast-food empire with hundreds of Wendy’s and Chili’s franchises across the country. He also became a Coca-Cola bottling distributor with territory across three states and Canada. Eventually, he bought Ebony and Jet Magazines, invested in NBA Africa, and purchased a 10 percent ownership stake in the Bucks. His net worth grew to more than $1 Billion.
Bridgeman is survived by his wife, Doris, their children, Eden, Justin and Ryan.
We at HOT97 extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Junior Bridegeman.
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