Junior Bridgeman, once an NBA Sixth Man who ascended from humble beginnings to build one of the most impressive off-court success stories among pro athletes, transformed into a billionaire humanitarian and more recently became a partial owner of a team.
Milwaukee Bucks
The team for which he formerly played lost a member on Tuesday following a medical emergency at an event in Louisville, Kentucky.
Bridgeman was 71 years old. Several television stations in Louisville reported that Bridgman clutched his chest during a fundraising luncheon, suggesting he thought he might be having a heart attack. Stations such as WLKY and WAVE stated that emergency medical staff were summoned to the scene.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected death of Junior Bridgeman,” stated NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Junior was the quintessential businessman, leveraging his significant 12-year tenure as an NBA athlete into becoming a distinguished and prosperous business executive. As a role model, he guided countless NBA players and athletes from various sports looking to gain insights from him regarding success in the corporate arena. For half a century—most notably as a partial owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, an advocate for NBA Africa, and a trailblazer who embodied grace and honor both on and off the court—he remained a committed part of the NBA community.”
Our deepest sympathies go out to Junior’s spouse, Doris, along with their kids, Eden, Justin, and Ryan. We also extend our condolences to the entire Bucks team and all of his friends and supporters within the basketball world.
Born in East Chicago, Indiana, the individual was part of the 1971 Washington High School Senators’ undefeated state champion team with a record of 29-0. Later, Bridgeman went on to become an All-American at the university level.
Louisville Cardinals
, making it to the 1975 Final Four. The
Los Angeles Lakers
selected the 6-foot-5 forward with the eighth pick in the 1975 draft, subsequently trading him to Milwaukee as part of a major trade for the Bucks’ superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Bridgeman spent 12 seasons in the NBA, including 10 with the Bucks and two with another team.
LA Clippers
Over his career, he maintained an average of 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 25 minutes per game, earning recognition as one of the premier Sixth Men. Additionally, he held the position of President for the National Basketball Players Association from 1985 through 1988.
Notably, Bridgeman earned approximately $2.95 million throughout his NBA career, with no single season paying him over $350,000. However, following retirement, he established a significant fast-food enterprise which reached upwards of 450 outlets nationally during its zenith. Additionally, he secured rights as a Coca-Cola bottler for regions spanning three U.S. states and extending into Canada. His investments also included acquiring Ebony and Jet magazines. Furthermore, he put money into NBA Africa.
In September, Bridgeman acquired a 10% share in the Bucks, and in February, Forbes revealed that Bridgeman’s wealth had exceeded $1.4 billion.
The Bucks issued a statement expressing their shock and sorrow over the untimely death of team icon and owner Junior Bridgeman. The number 2 jersey, which has been permanently taken out of circulation at Fiserv Forum, stands as a testament to both his exceptional performance during games and his significant contribution to the team’s victories. Through relentless effort and steadfast determination, he rose to prominence among America’s leading entrepreneurs. Notably, just last September, Junior completed this career journey by once again joining forces with the Bucks as part of the ownership group. He remains an enduring source of motivation for everyone connected with the franchise.
Bridgeman’s achievements were quite different from his blue-collar roots. Growing up in East Chicago, he wished to become part of the Boy Scouts, yet the $1.25 registration cost proved beyond what his family could manage. During his time in high school, Bridgeman took on various temporary positions during summer breaks, earning between $20 and $40 weekly—funds which he attempted to make last through the academic term. Later at the University of Louisville, he would spend his summers laboring at an agricultural machinery factory, a metal cutting firm, along with pulling shifts at a Ford truck plant—from midnight until 7 a.m.—a few nights each week.
After his playing days, Bridgeman became a beloved figure in Louisville, and upon his passing, Mayor Craig Greenberg stated that the city had “suffered the loss of a kind, generous, and pioneering legend.”
“He was an All-American athlete from the University of Louisville… and became a self-made billionaire,” Greenberg stated. “However, what I’ll always cherish about Junior Bridgeman is his unassuming yet significant help to those who needed it.” This affection also extended to his devotion to his family and his unwavering backing of their community.
Before Milwaukee’s game on Tuesday evening, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers referred to Bridgeman as a significant role model.
Consider that child who grew up with aspirations of becoming an NBA player, likely their biggest dream, and instead became an NBA team owner,” Rivers stated. “He serves as the perfect example the league should present daily whenever they speak to our younger athletes.
Years after hanging up his basketball shoes, Bridgeman addressed NBA players—both newcomers and seasoned pros—and whole teams regarding financial literacy, a subject he felt strongly about due to witnessing numerous athletes from various sports encounter severe financial difficulties. Over time, with escalating salaries in the NBA, Bridgeman continued to emphasize prudence.
He cautioned SofTech last summer that money can vanish. It doesn’t matter whether it’s $80,000 or $80 million; either amount could suddenly be gone.
Bridgeman also emphasized the importance of athletes thinking about intergenerational wealth—the notion that they should extend their income for use by coming generations within their families. He mentioned last year to SofTech how delighted he was that his family—his three children—had joined different aspects of the business conglomerate he had assisted in establishing.
Reflecting on his life post-basketball, Bridgeman shared with SofTech, “It was enjoyable. Some people asked, ‘How could you find it enjoyable?’ But truly, it was fun—much like playing basketball itself.”
The Associated Press provided contributions to this report.
