Tributes pour in for former Bucks player and businessman Junior Bridgeman
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Tributes and memories are coming in for Junior Bridgeman. The Milwaukee Bucks legend and businessman passed away Tuesday, March 11, following a medical emergency.
Bridgeman was a trailblazer on and off the basketball court. After he retired in the 1980's, he went on to have a successful business career, becoming a billionaire in 2015. His impact is still felt in the city of Milwaukee. "One of the best basketball players to ever put on a Bucks jersey," said Milwaukee District 5 Alderman Lamont Westmoreland.
Westmoreland says Bridgeman is an inspiration to so many people across the city. "He was a man of integrity. He was a role model. Prior to being in this role and being an entrepreneur myself. just looking up to individuals like him," he said.
Bridgeman played 12 seasons in the NBA. "This was a different era than it is now. He only made $350,000 in his entire NBA career. As an entrepreneur he was able to turn that into a net worth over a billion dollars which is pretty impressive," Westmoreland said.
After his playing career, Bridgeman owned more than 400 Wendy's restaurant locations, and he owned Ebony and Jet Magazines. In 2024, Bridgeman became a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
"Not only was he a remarkable businessperson and individual but he really had sort of that authentic touch around how he treated people," said John Daniels, Wisconsin attorney and business leader.
The Bucks released a statement calling Bridgeman's memory an inspiration.