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MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Junior Bridgeman, a longtime Milwaukee Bucks player who owned stake in the team, has died.
He was 71 years old.
According to media reports, Bridgeman suffered a medial emergency at a Louisville hotel during a fundraising event Tuesday.
Bridgeman played for the Bucks from 1975-84, as well as during his final NBA season in 1986-87. His 711 games in Milwaukee rank third in franchise history, behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
In 1998, the Bucks retired Bridgeman’s No. 2 jersey.
Following his NBA career, Bridgeman went on to become a billionaire businessman. He invested in restaurants and eventually became owner and CEO of Bridgeman Foods, which operated over 450 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants in 20 states until 2016. He has also been an independent bottler for Coca-Cola. Additionally, Bridgeman’s family owns Ebony and Jet magazines.
Last September, Bridgeman purchased a 10% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming a significant minority owner of the franchise.
In a statement, the Bucks said:
The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman.
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.
We are heartbroken by Junior’s passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Doris, his children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan, his entire family and all those close to him.
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