Former Bucks player and billionaire businessman, Junior Bridgeman dies at 71

Bridgeman had a net worth of over $600 million, making him one of the richest former athletes in the world.

Former NBA player-turned-billionaire businessman Junior Bridgeman has died at the age of 71. The basketball legend suffered a medical emergency Tuesday during the 45th Annual Leadership Luncheon on Scouting.

Bridgeman told WLKY’s Kent Taylor, who was interviewing him as part of the program, that he was having a heart attack. As per reports, the former Bucks player was being interviewed at Galt House Hotel, and he grabbed his chest before a heart attack.

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Emergency medical services arrived immediately, and he was taken away in an ambulance. Later, it was reported that Junior Bridgeman was no more. The Al J. Schneider Company, which owns the Galt house, confirmed his demise.

We are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing 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

Junior Bridgeman remains one of the greatest stories ever

Junior Bridgeman was drafted eighth overall by the Lakers and then traded to the Bucks a few years later. Before joining the NBA, he played for three years at Louisville, averaging 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 87 collegiate games.

Bridgeman remains the Milwaukee legend as he spent nine seasons with the Bucks. He moved to the Clippers for the next two seasons and came back to the Bucks for one more season. The 2-time MVC player of the year retired after the 1986-87 season. He died as a Milwaukee Bucks minority owner.

Bridgeman was regarded as one of the best reserves in the league. He averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists during his NBA career.

Later, he turned into a businessman and owned Ebony and Jet magazines. He had a net worth of over $600 million, making him one of the richest former athletes in the world. In 2016, Forbes ranked him the fourth-richest retired athlete in the world behind only Michael Jordan, David Beckham, and Arnold Palmer.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Milwaukee Bucks minority owner, NBA Africa investor and former NBA player Junior Bridgeman. pic.twitter.com/BvPjODKah8
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2025

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also shared his thoughts on Milwaukee Bucks minority owner, and former NBA player Junior Bridgeman.

Junior “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 a 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.”

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Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.