LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year for the University of Louisville men’s basketball team in the 1970s, and a former first-round NBA draft pick, passed away Tuesday at the age of 71. After retiring from basketball, he became one of the wealthiest former athletes in the world through his successful business ventures.
Bridgeman was speaking at the 45th Annual Leadership Luncheon on Scouting, benefiting the Lincoln Heritage Council of Scouting America, at the Galt House when he suffered a medical emergency. During a public interview, he reportedly stated that he believed he was having a heart attack and was promptly taken to the hospital in an ambulance, according to WLKY.
“Junior Bridgeman was a remarkable family man, a community leader, and an exceptional business executive who was a true ambassador and advocate for the University of Louisville,” said Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird in a statement. “Above all, he exemplified kindness and humanity, using his success in business and sports to make a positive difference in the world. His legacy is deeply intertwined with the history of our University as a player, a leader, and a generous supporter of Louisville Athletics. We are profoundly grateful for all he did for our student-athletes, campus, and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and former teammates during this sorrowful time.”
A native of East Chicago, Indiana, Bridgeman played three seasons for Louisville under head coach Denny Crum from 1972-75, earning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors in his final two seasons. He was also named a Second-Team All-American in 1975 and helped lead Louisville to its third Final Four appearance.
In the 1975 NBA Draft, Bridgeman was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 8th overall pick. However, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks shortly after as part of the trade for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bridgeman spent the first nine years of his career with the Bucks, followed by two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. He finished his NBA career in 1987 with the Bucks. Despite serving mainly as a sixth man, he played in 849 games and averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. The Bucks later retired his No. 2 jersey.
After retiring from basketball, Bridgeman transitioned into a thriving business career, creating Bridgeman Foods Inc. and amassing over 450 franchise locations of Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants. In 2016, he sold these locations and became a Coca-Cola distributor. Bridgeman went on to acquire Ebony and Jet magazines in 2020 and bought a 10 percent stake in the Bucks in 2023. His net worth surpassed $600 million, and in 2016, Forbes ranked him as the fourth wealthiest retired athlete, behind only Michael Jordan, David Beckham, and Arnold Palmer.
Bridgeman was also deeply involved in various organizations, serving as president of the NBPA, as a board member for the PGA, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and Churchill Downs, and as a trustee for both the University of Louisville and Simmons College of Kentucky. He was inducted into the Hall of Fames of Wisconsin Athletics, the Missouri Valley Conference, and Kentucky Entrepreneurs.
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