Junior Bridgeman is a well-known American businessman and former pro basketball player. During his NBA career, he played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and other clubs. He is famously known as the President and the head CEO of Bridgeman Foods.
| Life & Career |
Junior Bridgeman was born in East Chicago, Indiana, on 17 September 1953. He’s been a basketball fan since he was a kid, and he used to play on his school’s team.
His younger brother, Sam, went on to become a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played basketball for the East Chicago Washington High School Senators, who won the Indiana state high school title in 1971.
Bridgeman was a member of the University of Louisville basketball team, where he was coached by Denny Crum. In 1974 and 1975, he was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year for two years in a row. He stands 1.96 metres tall and weighs 85 kg.
Bridgeman began his professional basketball career in 1975, when he was picked in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers. Later, along with David Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks. In 1975-76, he averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while playing for Larry Costello.
His coach was sacked the next year, and Don Nelson was named the new head coach of Milwaukee. Nelson used his skills to put up a strong squad that won multiple division titles. Bridgeman was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers after nine years with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bridgeman completed two seasons with the Clippers before returning to Milwaukee for one season before retiring in 1987. For the Milwaukee Bucks, he played in more than 711 games, the most in team history. Bridgeman appeared in 849 NBA games and averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
Bridgeman studied the Wendy’s fast-food restaurant franchise business strategy after retiring from professional basketball. He then became the owner of over 100 Wendy’s and Chili’s locations throughout the world after investing in the business. In 2017, he was named President and CEO of Bridgeman Foods Inc, as well as a Coca-Cola bottler.
He was named to the PGA of America’s board of directors in 2008. Bridgeman was appointed to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s board of governors. In 2012, he was named to the board of directors of Churchill Downs Inc, as well as the Board of Trustees of the University of Louisville. Bridgeman also serves on the Board of Trustees of Simmons College of Kentucky and the Louisville megachurch Southeast Christian Church.
| Personal Life & Relationships |
Doris Griffith, Bridgeman’s wife, is his life partner. Eden Bridgeman, Justin Bridgeman, and Ryan Bridgeman are the couple’s three children. He has managed to keep his personal life out of the spotlight and live blissfully in Chicago with his family.
| Net Worth |
Junior Bridgeman’s net worth is reported to be in the billions of dollars. Through his great career as a professional basketball player and businessman, he has amassed a vast wealth. Bridgeman made millions of dollars as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers, among other NBA clubs.
He had more than 100 eateries after retirement, which he sold in 2016. He also makes a significant portion of his fortune by serving on the boards of multiple multibillion-dollar businesses.