Get to know Junior Bridgeman, an ex-NBA player who made a transition from the basketball court to the boardroom. While many remember him as a reliable sixth man during his 12-year NBA career, Bridgeman’s true legacy lies in his success as an entrepreneur, which has made him one of the wealthiest former athletes in the world.
Today, the former NBA star cum businessman has a net worth exceeding $1 billion, according to Forbes. Born Ulysses Lee Bridgeman in East Chicago, Indiana, Bridgeman was a standout basketball player at the University of Louisville before being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975.
He was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent the majority of his career. Known for his consistency and work ethic, Bridgeman became one of the league’s most reliable sixth men, averaging double-digit points off the bench and earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike.
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But even during his playing days, Bridgeman was thinking of life after retirement. Unlike many athletes who focus solely on their sport, he understood the importance of planning for life after basketball, as per Forbes.
He spent his off-seasons attending business seminars, reading books on entrepreneurship, and exploring potential investment opportunities. This forward-thinking mindset laid the foundation for his post-NBA success.
According to Forbes, Bridgeman’s first major business venture came in the 1980s when he invested in Wendy’s franchises. Starting with just one restaurant, he quickly expanded his portfolio by acquiring more locations and learning every aspect of the business, from operations to customer service. His hands-on approach and commitment to excellence paid off, and by the early 1990s, he owned over 100 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants, making him one of the largest franchise operators in the country.
While fast-food franchises were the cornerstone of Bridgeman’s business success, he didn’t stop there. Over the years, he diversified his investments into various industries, including media, manufacturing, and beverage distribution, according to Forbes.
In 2016 when he sold most of his restaurants for an estimated $250 million, he used the proceeds to become a Coca-Cola distributor. Forbes noted that over the last eight years, Bridgeman has grown his bottling business’ revenue almost threefold to almost $1 billion in 2023.
He acquired Ebony and Jet magazines in 2020, preserving their legacy as iconic publications for the Black community. Additionally, his company, Bridgeman Foods, became a major player in the food industry, further solidifying his status as a savvy entrepreneur.
Today, Bridgeman is celebrated not only for his contributions to basketball but also for his extraordinary achievements in business. By leveraging his platform as an NBA player and applying the lessons he learned on the court, Bridgeman has built a legacy that extends far beyond sports.
He is now one of only four players to become billionaires—Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James are the other three.
