Former NBA player-turned billionaire businessman Junior Bridgeman has died at the age of 71 after suffering a medical emergency at a public event on Tuesday, according to reports.
Bridgeman, 71, was being interviewed at a benefit luncheon for the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America, in front of hundreds of attendees when he expressed that he thought he was having a heart attack.
After people jumped into action to help, the ex-Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers star was subsequently taken away in an ambulance.
Later on Tuesday evening, Louisville television station WLKY was first to announce that Bridgeman has tragically pᴀssed away following the medical emergency.
He leaves behind wife Doris and their three children; Eden, Justin and Ryan.
Junior, whose real name is Ulysses, enjoyed more than a decade in the NBA, with the majority of his career spent in Milwaukee.
After bowing out from basketball, he went on to become one of Louisville’s most prominent business leaders and philanthropists, with Forbes recently valuing his net worth at a staggering $1.4billion.
Bridgeman invested what remained from his savings in fast-food chain Wendy’s and American diner Chili’s, owning over 100 restaurants before selling up in 2016.
Former NBA player Junior Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency at a public event Tuesday
The 71-year-old spent the majority of his decade-long NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks
Read More Michael Jordan sends fans wild as he is spotted out for dinner with superstar NFL quarterback 
That same year, the former small forward was ranked as the fourth-wealthiest retired athlete on the planet behind Michael Jordan, David Beckham and Arnold Palmer.
Bridgeman has his own restaurant franchise company, Bridgeman Foods Inc, which invested in the Coca-Cola bottling system in 2017.
He also owns sports media firm Bridgeman Sports and Media, while he co-founded investment firm Manna Capital Partners.
Last year Bridgeman even bought a 10 percent stake in his beloved former team the Bucks, who are valued at a whopping $4bn.
To go along with his several other business ventures, the ex-Louisville college star is also a co-owner of the famous Valhalla Golf Club and has sat on many of the city’s boards.
Bridgeman made 711 appearances across two stints with Milwaukee, who selected him with the eighth overall pick at the 1975 NBA Draft.
He first enjoyed nine seasons with the Bucks before being traded to the Clippers in 1984, only to head back to his first team two years later.
The Indiana-born player spent another year in Milwaukee and then brought the curtain down on his basketball career.
After doing so, the Bucks retired Bridgeman’s famous No.2 jersey in his honor.
Bridgeman, pictured with pop icon Usher last year, has a $1.4bn net worth, according to Forbes
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the pᴀssing of Milwaukee Bucks minority owner, NBA Africa investor and former NBA player Junior Bridgeman. pic.twitter.com/BvPjODKah8
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2025
We are shocked and saddened by the tragic pᴀssing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman. We send our deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/XakoTcDeF5
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 11, 2025
Tributes have poured in for the Milwaukee icon, including from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
‘I am devastated to learn of the sudden pᴀssing of Junior Bridgeman,’ Silver said in a statement. ‘Junior was the ultimate entrepreneur who built on his impactful 12-year NBA playing career by becoming a highly respected and successful business leader.
‘He served as a mentor to generations of NBA players and athletes across sports who were eager to learn from him about what it takes to thrive in the business world.
‘Junior was a dedicated member of the NBA family for 50 years – most recently as minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, an investor in NBA Africa and as a player who set the standard for representing the league and our game with class and dignity.’
The Bucks also said in their own tribute: ‘The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic pᴀssing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman. 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.
‘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.
‘We are heartbroken by Junior’s pᴀssing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Doris, his children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan, his entire family and all those close to him.’
