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Message
Junior Bridgeman has passed away
Posted on 3/13/25 at 11:01 am
Posted on 3/13/25 at 11:01 am
WKYT News
This is for the older guys, but he played for Louisville in the mid 70's. They lost to UCLA in the 1975 final four, and then Kentucky lost to them in Wooden's last game.
He was a great baller, and an even better businessman. After Louisville, he played 9 years for the Milwaukee Bucks, drafted #8 overall.
Famously, Bridgeman made about $2.95 million in his NBA career and never more than $350,000 in a season. But after his career, he built a fast-food empire that, at its peak, totaled more than 450 restaurants nationwide. He became a Coca-Cola bottling distributor with territory across three states and into Canada. He bought Ebony and Jet magazines. He invested in NBA Africa.
In September, Bridgeman purchased a 10% stake in the Bucks, and in February, Forbes reported that Bridgeman's net worth had surpassed $1.4 billion.
Long after his playing career, Bridgeman spoke to NBA players -- rookies, veterans and entire teams -- about financial literacy, a topic he was deeply passionate about after seeing a number of notable athletes across sports face financial ruin. As the years went on, and as salaries rose in the NBA, Bridgeman preached caution.
"Money can disappear," he told ESPN last summer. "Whether it's $80,000 or $80 million, it can still disappear on you."
He became one of 4 billionaire former athletes, along with Arnold Palmer, David Beckham, and Michael Jordan.
This is for the older guys, but he played for Louisville in the mid 70's. They lost to UCLA in the 1975 final four, and then Kentucky lost to them in Wooden's last game.
He was a great baller, and an even better businessman. After Louisville, he played 9 years for the Milwaukee Bucks, drafted #8 overall.
Famously, Bridgeman made about $2.95 million in his NBA career and never more than $350,000 in a season. But after his career, he built a fast-food empire that, at its peak, totaled more than 450 restaurants nationwide. He became a Coca-Cola bottling distributor with territory across three states and into Canada. He bought Ebony and Jet magazines. He invested in NBA Africa.
In September, Bridgeman purchased a 10% stake in the Bucks, and in February, Forbes reported that Bridgeman's net worth had surpassed $1.4 billion.
Long after his playing career, Bridgeman spoke to NBA players -- rookies, veterans and entire teams -- about financial literacy, a topic he was deeply passionate about after seeing a number of notable athletes across sports face financial ruin. As the years went on, and as salaries rose in the NBA, Bridgeman preached caution.
"Money can disappear," he told ESPN last summer. "Whether it's $80,000 or $80 million, it can still disappear on you."
He became one of 4 billionaire former athletes, along with Arnold Palmer, David Beckham, and Michael Jordan.
2
Posted on 3/13/25 at 11:04 am to kywildcatfanone
Good on him.
Didn't know you can make that much money franchising someone else's restaurants.
Didn't know you can make that much money franchising someone else's restaurants.
Posted on 3/13/25 at 11:27 am to Chastains
quote:
Didn't know you can make that much money franchising someone else's restaurants.
Jamal Mashburn has made a shite ton of money doing that too.
As for OP, this is a huge, huge lose for the Louisville community. He poured so much money into the city and the community in so many different facets. I had the opportunity to work at a school that had some after school programs funded through a grant with his organization. Just an incredibly good man that'll be mourned by many.
Posted on 3/13/25 at 11:30 am to kywildcatfanone
I am an old guy and remember his days at UCLA…
Posted on 3/13/25 at 11:54 am to dukke v
Junior was a good player, a guard-small forward. Should have won a couple Sixth Man awards if they were given back then.
Played with Marques Johnson, Dave Meyers, Sidney Moncrief on some really good Bucks' teams.
Played with Marques Johnson, Dave Meyers, Sidney Moncrief on some really good Bucks' teams.
Posted on 3/13/25 at 2:29 pm to dukke v
He played for Louisville.
Posted on 3/13/25 at 7:06 pm to FightinTigersDammit
quote:
Junior was a good player, a guard-small forward. Should have won a couple Sixth Man awards if they were given back then.
Played with Marques Johnson, Dave Meyers, Sidney Moncrief on some really good Bucks' teams.
Sat that now a lot of the 70's/80's players I saw so many times at games are passing away...
Posted on 3/13/25 at 7:53 pm to zackcary
You are right. My bad. I remember when they played UCLA in 75.
Posted on 3/13/25 at 8:10 pm to Tiger in Texas
Hard to believe those days were 45 years ago
Posted on 3/13/25 at 8:15 pm to Tiger in Texas
We must be of a similar age
Posted on 3/14/25 at 11:07 am to Chastains
quote:
Good on him.
Didn't know you can make that much money franchising someone else's restaurants.
He was in on the ground during Wendy's initial expansion. If I recall, Dave Thomas served as something as an advisor and mentor for him. That helps a lot.
For his first few stores, he worked in the store during the offseason while he was still in the NBA.
Posted on 3/14/25 at 11:14 am to BluegrassBelle
quote:
As for OP, this is a huge, huge lose for the Louisville community. He poured so much money into the city and the community in so many different facets. I had the opportunity to work at a school that had some after school programs funded through a grant with his organization. Just an incredibly good man that'll be mourned by many.
And the golf community both locally and nationally. He was well-connected in professional golf beyond even his purchase of Valhalla and relationship with the PGA of America.
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