Bridgeman was selected by the Lakers in the 1975 Draft, but made history with the Bucks.
Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman. September 17, 1953 – March 11, 2025.
Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, the former NBA standout who turned a modest basketball fortune into a billion-dollar business empire, has died at 71.
Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency during a fundraising event at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on Tuesday. His sudden passing was confirmed by the hotel’s ownership company, though further details remain unclear.
Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, the former NBA standout who turned a modest basketball fortune into a billion-dollar business empire, has died at 71.
Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency during a fundraising event at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on Tuesday. His sudden passing was confirmed by the hotel’s ownership company, though further details remain unclear.
Thank you for watching
Best known for his nine-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Bridgeman was an integral part of the franchise, with his No. 2 jersey hanging in the Fiserv Forum rafters.
“His hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the nation’s top business leaders,” the Bucks said in a statement, calling his memory “an inspiration to the organization.” Bridgeman carved out a steady 12-year career, averaging 13.6 points per game before retiring in 1987.
Bridgeman first rose to fame as a star for the Louisville Cardinals, leading them to the 1975 Final Four. His performance earned him a No. 8 pick in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, who traded him to Milwaukee in the blockbuster deal for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
From the NBA to the fast food business
After basketball, he made history in an entirely different arena-business. What started with the purchase of three Wendy’s franchises evolved into a fast-food empire, making him one of the country’s largest restaurant franchise operators.
MORE in MARCA
Colby Covington challenges LeBron James to a fight for bullying Stephen A. Smith: You’re a scumbag | MarcaMarca
The open war between Serena Williams and Stephen A. Smith related to her husband Alexis Ohanian | MarcaMarca
He later expanded into the beverage industry, owning a Coca-Cola bottling company, and in 2020, he revived Jet and Ebony magazines after purchasing them for $14 million.
In February, Forbes estimated Bridgeman’s net worth at $1.4 billion. He leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only in sports but in business and media. He is survived by his three children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan.
News
Young Thug Finally Settles Long-Running Beef With Lil Wayne — Hints at Secret Collab Album That Could Shake the Hip-Hop World
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 13: Rapper Young Thug speaks onstage at the 2021 REVOLT Summit at 787 Windsor on November 13, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) Young Thug’s comments on Lil Wayne come after dropping his…
Rihanna Confronts Rising Star Tyla Over Flirty Messages With A$AP Rocky: A Tense Showdown That Shook the Music World
In the high-stakes universe of celebrity, where every glance, every smile, and every text is dissected by millions, a recent industry event in Los Angeles became the stage for a confrontation that has sent shockwaves across the music world. Rihanna,…
Diddy’s Former Bodyguard Big Homie CC Escapes U.S. Amid Mysterious Cyanide Poisonings and Car Crashes: “If He Walks Free, I’m Target Number One”
Big Homie CC, once the shadow and right-hand man of hip-hop mogul Diddy, has reportedly fled the United States, leaving behind a life of fame, luxury, and peril. The reason? A terrifying series of cyanide poisonings, all cleverly disguised…
Whispers of the Panther: Tupac’s Cousin Finally Speaks on Secrets, Betrayal, and the Vegas Conspiracy Sept. 15, 1996 Remembered: Tupac Shakur’s Shadowed Legacy
In the long shadow of a revolutionary bloodline, where the fire of the Black Panther Party still simmers, a voice once silenced has returned. William Lesane, Tupac Shakur’s first cousin and a quiet keeper of the family’s secrets, broke thirty…
“HE KNEW ABOUT THIS” — Evidence Suggests D4vd Was Informed That Celeste Rivas Had Been Placed in His Tesla
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) D4vd attends the Juun.J Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 27, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo…
D4VD Case Sh0cker: Newly Released Official Report Finally Reveals the True Cause Behind Celeste Rivas’ Tragic Case— Confirms the Teen Was NOT Pregnant, Ending Days of Speculation
The mystery surrounding the death of Celeste Rivas deepened this week after her official death certificate revealed that the cause of death is still being deferred, pending toxicology results and further investigation. According to documents obtained by TMZ, the 15-year-old’s body was discovered…
End of content
No more pages to load
