Junior Bridgeman, who was an NBA Sixth Man and transitioned from modest origins to become a billionaire philanthropist with one of the most successful post-playing business careers among athletes, recently became a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks—his former team—passed away on Tuesday following a medical emergency at an event in Louisville, Kentucky.
Bridgeman had reached the age of 71.
Bridgeman reportedly clutched his chest at one point during a fundraising lunch, suggesting he thought he was having a heart attack, according to several Louisville television stations. Emergency medical personnel were summoned to the scene, as reported by stations such as WLKY and WAVE.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver conveyed his sorrow in a statement:
Junior Bridgeman’s unexpected death fills me with great sorrow. After his 12-year NBA career, Junior became an extraordinary businessman, establishing a career that was both highly successful and greatly respected. He acted as a mentor for generations of NBA players and athletes who were eager to learn from him about succeeding in the business world. Junior, as a recent owner of a minority share in the Milwaukee Bucks and an investor in NBA Africa, established the benchmark for representing our league and sport with elegance and respect. I extend my deepest sympathies to Junior’s wife, Doris, their children—Eden, Justin, and Ryan—the Bucks organization, and his numerous friends and fans in the basketball community.”
Bridgeman, who hails from East Chicago, Indiana, was a standout player on Washington High School’s championship team in 1971, which had an unblemished record of 29 wins and no losses. He later became an All-American at Louisville and guided his team to the Final Four in 1975. In 1975, the Los Angeles Lakers selected the 6-foot-5 wing player with the eighth overall pick in the draft but subsequently traded him to Milwaukee as part of a major deal involving Bucks superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Bridgeman had a 12-season NBA career, spending 10 seasons with the Bucks and two with the LA Clippers. Throughout his career, he averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in roughly 25 minutes of playtime per game, gaining recognition as one of the league’s top sixth men. From 1985 to 1988, he held the position of president of the National Basketball Players Association.
Bridgeman, who earned only $2.95 million throughout his NBA career and never exceeded $350,000 in a single season, established a fast-food empire after retiring from basketball. At its height, his company owned more than 450 restaurants nationwide. He took on the role of a Coca-Cola bottling distributor across three states and Canada, acquired Ebony and Jet magazines, and made investments in NBA Africa.
Bridgeman acquired a 10% interest in the Milwaukee Bucks in September, and by February, Forbes indicated his net worth had exceeded $1.4 billion.
The Bucks organization released a statement expressing their sorrow:
We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the tragedy of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman’s passing. His No. 2 jersey, which has been retired, hangs in the Fiserv Forum to serve as a perpetual reminder of his exceptional contributions to the team. He completed the circle of his professional journey last September by rejoining the Bucks family as an owner. His legacy will eternally inspire the Bucks organization.
Bridgeman’s path to success was a considerable distance from his working-class origins. While he was growing up in East Chicago, he wanted to become a member of the Boy Scouts, but his family couldn’t afford the $1.25 fee for membership. During his high school years, he worked various odd jobs during the summer, making about $20 to $40 weekly—funds he attempted to manage throughout the academic year.
While in college in Louisville, he worked summer shifts at a farm equipment company and also held overnight shifts twice a week at a Ford truck plant, where he clocked in from midnight to 7 a.m.
Bridgeman continued to be a beloved figure in Louisville even after his playing days. Craig Greenberg, the mayor, referred to his death as a significant loss, stating,
„Er war ein All-American an der U of L… ein selbstgemachter Milliardär. However, what I will remember most about Junior Bridgeman is his quiet yet effective support for those in need, his devotion to his family, and his steadfast commitment to our community.
Prior to the Bucks game on Tuesday night, head coach Doc Rivers shared his thoughts on Bridgeman’s motivating journey:
“Picture a child who dreams of being an NBA player as they grow up—and then that child turns that dream into a reality by becoming an NBA owner.” He embodies the type of role model the league should highlight daily in conversations with our young players.
Bridgeman continued to be devoted to teaching NBA players—rookies, veterans, and whole teams—about financial literacy, even long after his basketball career was over. He often preached caution, as he was deeply concerned about the financial struggles that many professional athletes faced.
He told ESPN last summer, “Money can vanish.” “Regardless of whether it amounts to $80,000 or $80 million, it can still disappear if you don’t exercise caution.”
Bridgeman aimed for players to contemplate generational wealth—the concept of making sure their income served not only themselves but also their families across generations. He was very proud that all three of his children were engaged in various facets of the business empire he had created.
In retrospect of his life post-basketball, Bridgeman once shared with ESPN,
It was enjoyable. People wonder, ‘How could that be fun?’ But it was—just like playing basketball.
(This report features contributions from the Associated Press.)
