Junior Bridgeman 1953 – 2025

Biography

Athlete and businessman. Junior Bridgeman was an American professional basketball player and entrepreneur. A standout at the University of Louisville, he led the Cardinals to the 1975 NCAA Final Four and was twice named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Selected 8th overall in the 1975 NBA Draft, Bridgeman played 12 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Milwaukee Bucks, where his No. 2 jersey was later retired. Following his basketball career, Bridgeman became a highly successful businessman. He built one of the largest fast-food franchise empires in the United States, owning hundreds of Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants. He later expanded into beverage distribution as a Coca-Cola bottler and acquired Ebony and Jet magazines in 2020. At the time of his death, he held a 10% ownership stake in the Milwaukee Bucks and had an estimated net worth exceeding $1 billion.

Bridgeman also served as president of the National Basketball Players Association and was active in philanthropy and civic leadership. He died in Louisville, Kentucky, at age 71.