Legendary NBA sixth man who became a billionaire weeks before his passing

Key Points

• Junior Bridgeman quietly built a $1.4 billion business empire after his NBA career, investing in fast food, beverages, and even his former team.
• A savvy investor, Bridgeman’s $150,000 cable investment led to substantial returns, marking the start of his successful entrepreneurial career.
• Bridgeman left a lasting legacy of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and leadership, just weeks after reaching billionaire status.

Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA sixth man, left a legacy that extended far beyond basketball and into the business world. After a worthy career on the court, Bridgeman quietly built a business empire. His passing on Mar. 11, just weeks after reaching billionaire status, marked the end of a remarkable life shaped by determination and a vision that defied expectations.

From court to corporate empire

Growing up in East Chicago, Indiana, as the son of a steel mill worker and a stay-at-home mom, Bridgeman’s early life didn’t hint at the future success he would find. His passion for basketball led him to the University of Louisville, where he earned All-American honors and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975. However, it was his trade to the Milwaukee Bucks that not only defined his basketball career but also set the stage for his future business endeavors.

Bridgeman wasn’t a superstar on the court, but his steady performance as a reliable sixth man earned him respect. With nine consecutive seasons of double-digit scoring, he became a key player for the Bucks. Yet, it was off the court where his true fortune lay. After retiring from basketball, he turned his attention to business, where he found success in fast food, beverages, and even acquiring a stake in the Bucks—the very team he had played for.

Early cable investment laid foundation

His first major business move came in the mid-1980s when he invested $150,000 in a cable company, encouraged by former Bucks owner and mentor Jim Fitzgerald. When the company was sold, he walked away with $700,000—more than double his NBA salary. This was just the beginning of a series of savvy investments, including his entry into the fast food industry.

In 1987, Bridgeman purchased a Wendy’s franchise in Brooklyn, New York. Despite setbacks, including a fire that destroyed the restaurant, he pressed on. Rebuilding the business from the ground up, he even worked as a crew member to learn the ropes.

By 1989, he sold the Brooklyn location and reinvested the proceeds into five struggling Wendy’s franchises in Milwaukee. With a hands-on approach, he turned the businesses around, focusing on local marketing and employee development. Within a few years, he had turned a handful of underperforming franchises into a booming empire.

By the mid-1990s, Bridgeman had grown his restaurant empire to more than 500 franchises, generating $500 million in annual revenue. His portfolio included brands like Wendy’s, Chili’s, and Pizza Hut. In 2016, after decades of managing these businesses, he sold most of his holdings for $250 million. Rather than retiring, he pivoted to the beverage industry, acquiring a Coca-Cola distribution business and growing it into a nearly $1 billion operation.

In the final decade of his life, Bridgeman’s business ventures continued to flourish. In 2024, he made headlines by acquiring a 10 percent stake in the Milwaukee Bucks, valuing the team at $4 billion. At the time, his net worth was estimated at $600 million, but this deal pushed it to new heights. By the time of his death, Bridgeman’s fortune had reached an estimated $1.4 billion, making him one of the few athletes to achieve billionaire status after retiring from sports.

Junior Bridgeman reaches billionaire status

In February 2025, the true extent of Bridgeman’s wealth was officially recognized when his net worth surpassed $1.4 billion, earning him a place among the world’s Black billionaires. But his legacy wasn’t just about financial success. He was known for his quiet philanthropy, especially in Louisville, where he had lived for most of his life. Bridgeman supported a range of causes, focusing on job creation and education, offering opportunities to those in need.

When Bridgeman passed away at the age of 71 after a heart attack in Louisville, it sent shockwaves through both the sports and business communities. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg hailed him as a “legend,” praising his humble yet powerful philanthropic impact. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembered him as the “ultimate entrepreneur,” recognizing the grace and dignity with which he represented the league.

Junior Bridgeman’s journey from NBA role player to billionaire businessman and philanthropist is a testament to the power of reinvention and perseverance. Though he never won an NBA championship, his post-basketball success stands as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through smart investments and hard work. His influence will continue to inspire athletes, entrepreneurs, and dreamers for generations to come.