Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, a former NBA participant who turned a billionaire enterprise mogul, has died at 71.
Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency Tuesday throughout a profit at a lodge in Louisville, Ky. Throughout an interview in entrance of attendees, he reportedly mentioned he thought he was having a coronary heart assault. Emergency providers arrived and took him away in an ambulance.
Born in East Chicago, Ind., Bridgeman turned an All-American on the College of Louisville earlier than being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and subsequently traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 6-foot-5 ahead/taking pictures guard turned one of many NBA’s greatest sixth males throughout a 12-year profession with Milwaukee — which finally retired his No. 2 jersey — and the L.A. Clippers.
After his taking part in days had been over, Bridgeman discovered success in a variety of companies. As a restauranteur, he turned one of many greatest house owners of Wendy’s and Chili’s franchises. He owned Ebony and Jet magazines and have become a Coca-Cola distributor with a multi-state territory, amongst different endeavors.
In 2016, Forbes listed Bridgeman because the fourth-wealthiest retired athlete on the earth — behind Michael Jordan, David Beckham and Arnold Palmer — with a web price of greater than $1 billion.
Final September, he purchased a ten% stake with the Bucks, the group he’d performed on for 10 seasons.
“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,” the group mentioned in an announcement. “His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization.”
Bridgeman is survived by his spouse, Doris, and three youngsters: Eden, Justin and Ryan.
