Junior Bridgeman was a familiar face for the Milwaukee Bucks throughout the late 70s and early 80s as one of its best players back then. Decades after, though, the former NBA star has come back as one of the franchise’s new minority owners.
Bridgeman is a notable figure in both sports and business. He had a successful 12-year career in the NBA, primarily with the Bucks, where he played from 1975 to 1984 and again in 1986–1987. The big man was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1975 NBA Draft but was traded to Milwaukee shortly after. Throughout his career, he was recognized for his scoring ability, averaging 13.6 points per game, and was a key player on strong Bucks teams that secured multiple division titles.
After retiring from basketball, Bridgeman transitioned into entrepreneurship. He capitalized on his off-season experiences by investing in Wendy’s franchises, ultimately owning over 100 restaurants, including Chili’s. By 2016, he was listed as one of the wealthiest retired athletes, with an estimated net worth exceeding $600 million. His business ventures continued to expand as he became a bottler for Coca-Cola and acquired the iconic magazines Ebony and Jet in 2020 after they faced bankruptcy.
Bridgeman’s entrepreneurial spirit is further exemplified by his involvement in Manna Capital Partners, which focuses on beverage production and aluminum recycling. His journey from professional athlete to successful businessman highlights his versatility and determination, making him a prominent figure in both the sports and business worlds.
NBA Legend Junior Bridgeman Purchases 10 Percent of Milwaukee Bucks’ Stake
Just recently, news broke out that Bridgeman has thrown his name into the hat when it comes to a stake of the Bucks franchise. Eben Novy-Williams and Brendan Coffey detailed more in an article for Sportico.
“Basketball veteran and entrepreneur Junior Bridgeman is buying part of the team he played for, reaching an agreement to acquire a 10% ownership stake of the Milwaukee Bucks, according to a person familiar with the transaction who asked not to be named because the move has yet to be approved by the NBA.”
Bridgeman is acquiring a 10% stake in the club, valued at $3.4 billion, according to sources. While specific terms of the deal remain undisclosed, limited partner sales usually occur at a discount. Last year, a quarter of the club was sold to Dee and Jimmy Haslam for $3.2 billion, with the average NBA franchise now worth $4 billion.
It remains to be seen if the league will approve this sale or not. If it succeeds, having one of the franchise’s greats as an owner will be good for the Bucks and the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led roster.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow us on Twitter at @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
