Nationwide — Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA participant and billionaire businessman, has died at 71 years outdated after a medical emergency. With a web price exceeding $1 billion, he was reportedly the second richest NBA participant after Michael Jordan. He owned and operated greater than 160 Wendy’s eating places and about 120 Chili’s franchises
In accordance with WLKY, Bridgeman collapsed throughout a dwell interview at a scouting occasion at The Galt Home in Louisville. He was rushed to the hospital, the place he later died.
Born in East Chicago, Indiana, Bridgeman performed school basketball on the College of Louisville from 1972 to 1975, main his workforce to 2 Ultimate 4 appearances. He then spent over a decade within the NBA, largely with the Milwaukee Bucks, and had a brief stint with the LA Clippers.
Throughout his NBA profession, Bridgeman invested in Wendy’s eating places, later increasing his firm, Bridgeman Meals Inc., to over 450 areas. He bought most of them in 2016 and ventured into Coca-Cola bottling and media, buying Ebony and Jet magazines. In 2023, he grew to become a minority proprietor of the Bucks.
His enterprise success earned him a spot on Forbes’ checklist of billionaire athletes. He additionally served on varied boards, together with these of the College of Louisville and Simmons Faculty.
Bridgeman is survived by his spouse, Doris, and their three youngsters, Eden, Justin, and Ryan.
