Junior Bridgeman has passed away at 71 years old, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

The former NBA Milwaukee Bucks player who became a prominent businessman died on March 11, 2025, following a medical emergency. He had collapsed during a luncheon at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY, for the Lincoln Heritage Council of the Boy Scouts of America, according to WDRB. His exact cause of death has not been confirmed, but various Louisville television stations reported that he was seen holding his chest at a point during the event, per ESPN.

“We express our heartfelt condolences to Junior’s wife, Doris, their children, Eden, Justin and Ryan, the Bucks organization, and his many friends and admirers in the basketball community,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, notes ESPN.

Bridgeman was a well respected figure for his accomplishments on and off the court. In fact, his jersey was retired at Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks’ home arena in Wisconsin, in 1988 to honor his impact on the court. He was drafted into the league by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975 as the eighth overall pick in the first round but was quickly traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, as AFROTECH™  previously reported. He remained with the team for most of his career, though he had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers before returning to the Bucks to retire in 1986. His accolades included being one of the highest-scoring non-starters in NBA history and helping the Bucks reach the playoffs in eight seasons, notes the Courier-Journal.

Bridgeman never earned more than $350,000 in a single season, yet eventually became a billionaire, per AFROTECH™. He achieved this through franchising, owning Wendy’s, Chili’s, and Fazoli’s Italian restaurants. At his peak, he operated nearly 520 locations generating $500 million in revenue and employed over 11,000 people, the Courier-Journal reports. He sold most of his restaurants for an estimated $250 million, but his family retains a controlling stake in 160 locations.

By 2017, Bridgeman became a Coca-Cola distributor. He made a $290 million purchase to secure full ownership of the Heartland Coca-Cola bottling company, whose territories include Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. He also holds a minority stake in Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada. Forbes notes that the company generates $1 billion in annual revenue and is valued at $1 billion after debt.

According to Sandy Douglas, former executive with Coca-Cola North America, when the distribution partnership was announced Bridgeman “was one of the most successful private business families in American business,” per the Courier-Journal.

She added, “As you get to know Junior Bridgeman, you know that he is one of the world’s best operators because he does an amazing job taking care of his people.”

Bridgeman also became the owner of Ebony and Jet magazines in 2020, purchasing them for $14 million after they filed for bankruptcy. Four years later, he made an investment close to home, securing a 10% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks.

“Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Forum, serving as a constant remembrance of his outstanding play on the court and his impact on the Bucks’ success,” the Milwaukee Bucks said in a statement, according to USA Today. “His hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the nation’s top business leaders and, last September, Junior’s professional life came full circle when he returned to the Bucks family as an owner. His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization.”

Philanthropy was also a focus area for Bridgeman. In fact, since 2020 his family has been known for hosting the Kentucky Derby Eve gala. It has raised funding for organizations such as West End School, Dare to Care, The University of Louisville Autism Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana.

Bridegman is survived by his wife, Doris, and their three children Eden, Justin, and Ryan.