Junior Bridgeman was more than just an NBA player — he built a business empire that few can rival.
Known for his time with the Milwaukee Bucks – which spanned 10 seasons from 1977 to 1987 – Bridgeman transitioned from basketball stardom to billionaire status, proving that success off the court can be just as impressive as on it.
Despite a solid basketball career, where he reportedly never earned more than $350,000 per season, Bridgeman wisely planned for his future after the NBA. According to Forbes, his first big break came through a cable company investment, where he committed to investing $150,000 over the following five years. When the owner later sold the company, Bridgeman’s return was more than twice what he typically earned during his NBA seasons in the ‘80s.
In 1987, the athlete-turned-businessman used that money to transition into the restaurant industry by investing in Wendy’s. Though his initial location in Brooklyn struggled, he learned the ropes and soon turned failing franchises into successful ventures. Over time, he expanded his portfolio to include more than 500 restaurants, generating massive revenue eventually leading him to billionaire status.
Bridgeman’s next major move came in 2016 when he sold most of his restaurant holdings for $250 million and shifted focus to the beverage industry, purchasing Heartland Coca-Cola. His bottling empire grew to nearly $1 billion in revenue by 2023, and by 2024, Forbes estimated his net worth at $1.4 billion. He remained dedicated to giving back, investing in his community, and supporting iconic Black media brands like Ebony and Jet, and even became a minority owner of the Bucks in 2024.
Sadly, Bridgeman passed away on Tuesday, March 11 at the age of 71 at an event after revealing to a news anchor that he believed he was having a heart attack.
