MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Bucks legend Junior Bridgeman has become a significant minority owner of the team. The announcement was made this morning at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center by Bridgeman and Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam.
“It is a momentous occasion for our organization and the city of Milwaukee to welcome Junior Bridgeman to the Bucks’ ownership group,” said Bucks co-owners Wes Edens, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Jamie Dinan and Mike Fascitelli. “Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Forum with other Bucks legends, a constant reminder of Junior’s impact on the Bucks’ great history. After his playing career, Junior became one of our country’s most successful business leaders and his story of hard work and perseverance serves as an inspiration to our players and athletes everywhere. We are proud that Junior’s professional life has come full circle as he returns to the Bucks family.”
“I’m overjoyed to return to the Bucks, where I spent the heart of my NBA playing career, to join their world-class ownership group,” Bridgeman said. “I want to thank Dee and Jimmy, Wes, Jamie and Mike for their friendship and support in welcoming me back to Milwaukee. I hope that my life journey serves as an inspiration to current and future players who dream of joining an NBA ownership group. I look forward to cheering the Bucks on this season alongside our great fans.”
Bridgeman, whose No. 2 jersey was retired by the Bucks in 1988 and hangs in the rafters of Fiserv Forum, was one of the NBA’s top players off the bench in his 10-season tenure with the Bucks from 1975-84 and 1986-87. In that time, Bridgeman played in 711 games with Milwaukee and averaged double figures in scoring in eight consecutive seasons, ranking consistently among the league’s highest scoring non-starters. Bridgeman helped the Bucks reach the postseason in eight of his 10 seasons with the franchise and ranks among the team’s all-time leaders in games (3rd, 711), field goals made (7th, 4,142), points (9th, 9,892) and minutes (10th, 18,054).
Following his retirement from the NBA, Bridgeman began investing in restaurants and eventually became the Owner and CEO of Bridgeman Foods, which operated more than 450 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants in 20 states until 2016. In 2017, Bridgeman Foods acquired Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company, LLC, making Bridgeman an independent bottler for Coca-Cola. The Bucks and Bridgeman Foods have also been partners for more than 25 years and together created the “Bucks Win You Win” offer for a free Wendy’s frosty following a Bucks victory.
An East Chicago, Indiana, native, Bridgeman played in 87 games in three seasons at Louisville from 1972-75 and owns college career averages of 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He was selected for consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year awards in 1974 and 1975 after leading the Cardinals to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 1975. Bridgeman also received First Team All-MVC honors in each of his three seasons, earned All-American honors for his senior season and was named to the 1975 NCAA Tournament All-Region Team.
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