OT: Junior Bridgeman (R.I.P.), second wealthiest former player in NBA history

[PiscatawayMike]

Michael Jordan is the only ex-NBA player to amass a larger fortune than Bridgeman.

https://www.wlky.com/article/junior-bridgeman-dies-louisville/64153035

Bridgeman was always a gentleman. I had the pleasure of meeting him and watching him play several times at the RAC when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks in late 70s/early 80s.

Rutgers connection: RU battled Louisville the first time it ever played in the NCAA tournament in 1975. RU managed to lead UL, 46-44, at halftime. However, Bridgeman was just too much in the second half. He finished with 11 rebounds and 36 points while hitting 15-of-18 of his shots. UL advanced to the title game, losing to UCLA.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1975-03-15-louisville.html

R.I.P. Junior

 

[colbert17]

With all the tragic stories we hear about ex pro athletes it's great to hear about a man who was such a success.
He was a key figure in one of the most impactful trades in NBA history being one of the players obtained by the Bucks from the Lakers in exchange for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
R.I.P. #2

 

[Scarlet Shack]

RIP Junior

 

[bethlehemfan]

Michael Jordan is the only ex-NBA player to amass a larger fortune than Bridgeman.

https://www.wlky.com/article/junior-bridgeman-dies-louisville/64153035

Bridgeman was always a gentleman. I had the pleasure of meeting him and watching him play several times at the RAC when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks in late 70s/early 80s.

Rutgers connection: RU battled Louisville the first time it ever played in the NCAA tournament in 1975. RU managed to lead UL, 46-44, at halftime. However, Bridgeman was just too much in the second half. He finished with 11 rebounds and 36 points while hitting 15-of-18 of his shots. UL advanced to the title game, losing to UCLA.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1975-03-15-louisville.html

R.I.P. Junior

Listened to that game on the radio. RU fought but he was too much. RIP.

 

[Loyal_2RU]

Listened to that game on the radio. RU fought but he was too much. RIP.

Watched it on tv.

Rutgers starters were better
Louisville was shocked.
We were faster and quicker than they were and they were supposed to be the fastest team in the country.
We didn't have the depth to beat them.
Lost 77-70 IIRC.
Presaged the great year to come.

RIP Junior.

 

[runrutgersrun]

Our man Phil Sellers with 29 points, but he did not have his usual game on the boards. We got out-rebounded pretty good in the game. Louisville finished 3/4 in NCAA Tournament/AP Poll, losing to champ UCLA. GO KNIGHTS! RIP Junior.

 

[rufeelinit]

Seems like he lead a very admirable life. A self made billionaire who never lost his sense of engagement and desire to give back to the Louisville community. The fact that he died after experiencing chest pains while attending an event honoring local Boy Scout organizations seemed both sad but fitting.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Watched it on tv.

Rutgers starters were better
Louisville was shocked.
We were faster and quicker than they were and they were supposed to be the fastest team in the country.
We didn't have the depth to beat them.
Lost 77-70 IIRC.
Presaged the great year to come.

RIP Junior.

That’s exactly what my dad said. They wore us down.

 

[MADHAT1]

Junior was star Louisville's 1975 Final Four team and a 12 year NBA player mainly remembered for being a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and being drafted ( 1st round #8) by the LA Lakers then being one of the players the Lakers traded to the Bucks for Kareem Abdul Jabbar .
Bridgeman was a sixth man for most of his career and considered one of the greatest 6th man of all times.
Junior went on to a sucessful business career after his playing days were over and Despite never making more than $350,000 a season during his NBA career, Bridgeman had a net worth of more than $1.4 billion , making him one of the wealthiest former athletes in the world
He also bought himself a 10% ownership in the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024

 

[RUPete]

I remember him from his Milwaukee years. Good player. They had some good teams in the late 70s through mid 80s but couldn't get over the hump.

 

[mdk01]

Junior was star Louisville's 1975 Final Four team and a 12 year NBA player mainly remembered for being a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and being drafted ( 1st round #8) by the LA Lakers then being one of the players the Lakers traded to the Bucks for Kareem Abdul Jabbar .
Bridgeman was a sixth man for most of his career and considered one of the greatest 6th man of all times.
Junior went on to a sucessful business career after his playing days were over and Despite never making more than $350,000 a season during his NBA career, Bridgeman had a net worth of more than $1.4 billion , making him one of the wealthiest former athletes in the world
He also bought himself a 10% ownership in the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024

Didn't he buy a bunch of fast food franchises? Not McDonalds but one of the competitors.

RIP

 

[MADHAT1]

Didn't he buy a bunch of fast food franchises? Not McDonalds but one of the competitors.

RIP

Wendy's, around 160 franchises

 

[TRU2RU]

Wendy's, around 160 franchises

Article posted above says he owns 450 Wendy’s franchises

 

[RUPete]

Malcolm Jenkins is going the same route. Has many franchises with his partner group and just opened a Wing Stop in Piscataway.

 

[RUGuitarMan]

RIP, really good player and obviously very successful afterwards. I remember him playing in the NBA and at Louisville. Those UL teams coached by Denny Crum had many talented players in the ‘70s and 80’s.

 

[4IUSox2]

Great player and man!! Played on definitely one of the greatest Indiana HS State championship teams ever, the 1971 undefeated East Chicago Washington Senators. He and 2 HS teammates (Tim Stoddard/NC St and Pete Trgovich/UCLA) would go onto play in a combined five NCAA Final 4’s (would have been seven had freshmen been eligible in ‘72).

His native NW Indiana, Milwaukee and Louisville, all mourn this pillar of the community. He left a great legacy. RIP Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman.