Junior Bridgeman, a former college basketball star who had a long career in the NBA and became a billionaire businessman after playing days, passed away Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency at an event in downtown Louisville.
Multiple outlets reported that 71-year-old Bridgeman had grabbed her chest and believed she had a heart attack at Scouting’s 45th Annual Leadership Luncheon.
The hotel operator confirmed that Bridgeman has issued a statement waving news from Luciville and the city’s mayor Craig Greenberg.
“Today we lost our kind, generous and groundbreaking legend,” Greenberg said. “He was an all-American at UOFL, an NBA All-Star and a homemade billionaire. But I remember Junior Bridgeman most for his quiet and shocking support for others in need, his love for Doris and his whole family, and his never-ending support for our community. Junior has made Louisville a better city with us all. Rachel and I send our love and prayers to the Bridgeman family. May Junior’s memories be blessed.”
The incident occurred in front of people attending the event, with WLKY sports director Kent Taylor interviewing him.
The paramedics were called and he was taken to the ambulance.
Bridgeman spent more than a decade in the NBA after playing college ball at the University of Louisville from 1972-75, earning the Valley Conference Player of the Year in his final two seasons, helping the Cardinals make their appearance in two Final Fours.
He was eighth overall in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Lakers and was traded for $1 a few weeks later, where he spent the first nine years of his professional career. He later went to the Clippers for two seasons before finishing his career in Milwaukee.
Dale Guldan / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA Today Network Imagn Images
During that time he averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
In a statement, the Bucks said he was “shocked and saddened” by his passing Tuesday.
“The junior’s retired No. 2 jersey will appear on the Fiserv Forum and serve as a constant memory of his outstanding play on the court and the impact on the Bucks’ success,” the team said in a statement. “His hard work and perseverance led him to one of the nation’s top business leaders, and last September, junior’s professional life became a complete circle when he returned to the Bucks family as owner.
“His memory is always an inspiration for the Bucks organization. We are heartbroken with the death of Junior and express deep sadness to his wife, Doris, his children, Eden, Justin, Ryan, his whole family, and all those close to him.”
Bridgeman built a fast food empire, eventually owning more than 100 Wendy and Chilean restaurants across the country, and over 450 restaurants through his company Bridgeman Foods Inc.
He had other companies including Coca-Cola Bottling Operations, Ebony Magazines and Jet Magazines, co-owned the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.
According to Forbes, he had estimated a net worth of $1.4 billion.
Bridgeman bought a 10% stake in the Bucks last year.
“Junior Bridgeman was an incredible family man, community leader, executive officer and a tremendous representative and supporter of the University of Louisville,” Vice President Josh Haild, Vice President of Athletics, said in a statement released by the school. “More than that, he embodied the kindness and humanity we all wanted for ourselves. Junior used his immense talent and success in both business and sports to ensure that his life would have a positive impact. He deeply cared about making the world a better place for us all. His life was woven into the fabric of the history and story of the University of Louisville, as a player, as a leader, and as a generous supporter of Louisville’s athletics and college.
“We are forever grateful to him for everything he has done for the student-athlete, the campus and, most importantly, for the Louisville community. Today, words cannot fully express our great sense of loss.”
