Bucks Legend, Part Owner Junior Bridgeman Passes Away
March 11th, 2025 at 5:57pm CST • By Dana GauruderBucks legend and minority owner Junior Bridgemandied after suffering a medical emergency in Louisville on Tuesday, WHAS11.com reports.
Bridgeman, 71, was speaking during an event at the Galt House in downtown Louisville when he collapsed. He was heard telling someone he thought he was having a heart attack.
Bridgeman was a collegiate star at Louisville, leading the Cardinals to the 1975 national championship game. He had a lengthy NBA career, spanning from 1975-87. The Lakers selected him with the eighth overall pick of the draft but he was traded weeks later in the deal that brought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Los Angeles.
A sixth man most of his career, Bridgeman averaged 13.6 points in 849 games. Bridgeman spent most of his career with Milwaukee but also had a two-year stint with the Clippers.
Bridgeman became an extremely successful businessman after his playing career, amassing a reported net worth of over $600MM. Bridgeman purchased a 10% stake in the Bucks franchise last September. Bridgeman paid approximately $340MM for his minority share.
The Bucks organization issued a statement which read, “The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman. Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Forum, serving as a constant remembrance of his outstanding play on the court and his impact on the Bucks’ success. 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. His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization. We are heartbroken by Junior’s passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Doris, his children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan, his entire family and all those close to him.”
Hoops Rumors sends its condolences to the Bridgeman family.
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for his accomplishments. 
