Bridgeman, who played 12 NBA seasons, died Tuesday at 71. He became an astute businessman, fast-food franchise owner, 10 percent owner of the Bucks, and finally a billionaire.

Bridgeman, known as well for 12 years as a small forward/shooting with the Milwaukee Bucks, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 71. His death has created a void in both the basketball and the business worlds, where he was widely admired as a self-made success.

He became an entrepreneur during a solid career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He later bought hundreds of fast-food outlets, a Coca-Cola bottling business and Ebony and Jet magazines.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Junior Bridgeman, a basketball standout who led Louisville to a Final Four, played 12 seasons in the NBA and then launched an even more successful career as a businessman with stakes in publishing, restaurants and the Milwaukee Bucks, died Tuesday. He was 71.

Former Bucks star Junior Bridgeman, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 71, built an empire spanning restaurants, publishing, and more.

Junior Bridgeman died Tuesday at 71 after suffering a medical emergency in. Read about the former billionaire and NBA icon.

Bridgeman died after suffering from a heart attack in March 2025, multiple outlets reported. He is survived by his family. Learn more about his marriage here.