Former college star, NBA player and Milwaukee Buck’s co-owner Junior Bridgeman collapsed and died on Tuesday. He was 71.
Bridgeman had a medical emergency while at a lunch at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY. He reportedly told a reporter that he thought he had a heart attack. The first answers were called and he was transported from the stage by ambulance.
Al J. Schneider Company, who owns the hotel, confirmed Bridgean’s death on Tuesday evening.
“Junior Bridgeman was an integral part of our society. From his athletic impact on his philanthropic efforts, he will be deeply missed,” said Lance George, Marketing Manager, in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bridgeman family during this time.”
Bridgeman was a billionaire contractor and a big name in Louisville in addition to his basketball utilization.
Just six months ago, he bought an ownership of 10 percent in Bucks. He reported it according to a valuation of $ 3.4 billion.
“Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman,” Bucks said in a statement. Junior’s retired No. 2 Jersey hangs in the Fiserv Forum and serves as a constant reminder of his outstanding game on the track and his impact on Buck’s success.
“His hard work and endurance led him to become one of the country’s foremost business leaders and in September last year, Junior’s professional life came in full circle when he returned to the Bucks family as the owner. His memory will always be an inspiration for the Bucks organization.”
We are shocked and saddened by the tragic departure of Bucks legend and the owner Junior Bridgeman. We send our deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/xakotcdef5
– Milwaukee Bucks (@bucks) March 11, 2025
Bridgeman arrived on the stage while playing for the University of Louisville for three seasons (1972-75) and was twice the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. He was an average of 15.5 points, 7.6 returns and 2.7 assists in 87 matches. The Cardinals reached the last four during their final season and lost 75-74 to overtime to powerful UCLA.
In the NBA, Bridgeman spent 10 of its 12 seasons (1975-87) with Bucks. He is the ninth leading painter in franchise history with 9,892 points and stands third in played games (711).
Bridgeman’s number retired by Bucks in 1988.
The eighth overall election in the draft 1975 by Los Angeles Lakers, Bridgeman was traded to Buck’s less than three weeks later in Mega-Deal who sent Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Southern California.
Bridgeman was a fantastic sixth man during his NBA career and on average 13.6 points and 3.5 returns in 849 matches (52 starts) with Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers.
Bridgeman started buying Wendy’s Franchises during his playing career and eventually owned 360 Wendys and Chili’s restaurants after retiring. In 2016 he sold them and took over a Coca-Cola Bottling franchise. Per S&P Global Market Intelligence is Bridgeman the only owner of the bottle, which rattles in at least $ 350 million in revenue each year.
Bridgeman bought Publications Ebony and Jet 2020 and owns Coca-Cola Bottling of Canada, which he acquired with Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment 2018.
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