Basketball legend and billionaire businessman Ulysses “Junior: Bridgeman died today in downtown Louisville after suffering a medical emergency. The philanthropist and one of the world’s wealthiest athletes played basketball at the University of Louisville 1972-1975 under Coach Danny Crum. He played for the Milwaukee Bucks from 1975-1984. After retiring from the NBA, Bridgeman returned to Louisville, investing in fast food franchises, buying over 100 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants across the United States.
By 2016, he owned over 450 restaurants under his Bridgeman Foods company. He sold most of his restaurants in 2016 eventually owning Coca-Cola bottling operations. In 2016, Forbes magazine ranked Bridgeman the fourth wealthiest retired athlete in the world behind Arnold Palmer, David Beckham and Michael Jordan. In 2020, Bridgeman bought Ebony/Jet magazine for $14 million. Bridgeman is also a co-owner of the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Last year, Bridgeman became a minority owner in the Milwaukee Bucks organization.
Bridgeman is survived by his wife Doris Griffith, and his three children, Justin, Ryan and Eden. His daughter, Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, is the owner and CEO of Ebony Magazine and Jet Magazine. The trailblazer was 71.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow the Burton Wire IG or Meta at The Burton Wire.
