Former UofL all-star, philanthropist Junior Bridgeman dies after suffering medical emergency (2025)

Published: Mar. 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM EDT|Updated: Mar. 12, 2025 at 9:08 PM EDT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) -Louisville philanthropist and billionaire businessman Junior Bridgeman has died after suffering a medical emergency while attending an event in downtown Louisville.

A WAVE News employee who was at the event on March 11 at the Galt House said Bridgeman, 71, grabbed his chest and said he thought he was having a heart attack. Medical personnel were called to the scene and the room was cleared.

Al J. Schneider Company, which represents the Galt House, confirmed his passing and expressed their sympathies for the loss of the Louisville icon.

“Junior Bridgeman was an integral part of our community. From his athletic impact to his philanthropic efforts, he will be deeply missed,” said Lance George, Chief Marketing Officer. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bridgeman family during this time.”

Bridgeman played basketball for the University of Louisville from 1972-1975 under legendary coach Danny Crum. He went on to join the Milwaukee Bucks from 1975 to 1984.

After retiring from the NBA, Bridgeman returned to Louisville and invested in the fast-food franchise. He eventually owned 500 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants across the country. Bridgeman has served on several of Louisville’s board chairs and is also a co-owner of Valhalla Golf Club.

In 2016, Forbes ranked Bridgeman the fourth-wealthiest retired athlete in the world, behind Arnold Palmer, David Beckham and Michael Jordan.

Condolences have poured in across Louisville and the sports community following the announcement of Bridgeman’s death.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg

“Today, we lost a kind, generous and groundbreaking legend. He was an All-American at UofL, an NBA All-Star, and a self-made billionaire. Yet, I will most remember Junior Bridgeman for his quiet, impactful assistance to others in need, his love for Doris and his entire family, and his never-ending support for our community. Junior made us all better people and Louisville a better city. Rachel and I send our love and prayers to the Bridgeman family. May Junior’s memory be a blessing.”

University of Louisville President Kim Schatzel

“While his play on the court was exceptional, it was as a leader in the business community that Junior truly excelled. He was a longtime franchisee for Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants, at one time operating more than 450 locations in 20 states. He became a bottler for The Coca-Cola Co. and bought Ebony and Jet magazines.

Last year, Junior bought a 10-percent stake in the Milwaukee Bucks. He was one of a group of four members who own Valhalla Golf Club.

This past spring, Forbes magazine recognized and celebrated Mr. Bridgeman’s achievement as a former athlete who built a highly successful business enterprise that eclipsed his tremendous success on the court.

I have gotten to know Junior during my two years here at UofL. What stood out to me was his incredible grace, humility and his deep love for his family, his adopted Louisville home and his alma mater. He mentored and touched many throughout his life and always had time for those who asked for his counsel or support.

I know you all join Trevor and I as we offer our deepest sympathies to Junior’s family, wife Doris, sons Ryan and Justin, and daughter Eden. He is a Louisville legend who will be deeply missed by our entire community.”

University of Louisville Men’s Basketball

“Junior Bridgeman was an incredible family man, community leader, business executive and tremendous representative and supporter of the University of Louisville,” UofL Vice-President/Director of Athletics Josh Heird said. “But more than that, he embodied the kindness and humanity that we should all seek in ourselves. Junior used his immense talents and successes in both business and sport to ensure that his life had a positive impact. He cared deeply about making the world a better place for all of us. His life is woven into the fabric of the University of Louisville’s history and story, as a player, as a leader and as a generous supporter of Louisville Athletics and the University. We will be forever indebted to him for all that he did for our student-athletes, our campus, and most importantly, the Louisville community. Words cannot fully express our enormous sense of loss today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family, friends, colleagues, and former teammates during this difficult time.”

University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Coach Pat Kelsey

“Heartbroken by the passing of Louisville legend Junior Bridgeman. So much more than a basketball player. A brilliant businessman who will undoubtedly be remembered as one of Louisville’s all-time greatest citizens. His amazing philanthropy publicly pales in comparison to the THOUSANDS of ‘anonymous’ acts of kindness and generosity for those in need. My prayers go out to Junior’s beloved family.”

Junior Bridgeman’s Daughter Eden Bridgeman Sklenar

“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of my father’s passing. During this time, my family and I respectfully request privacy as we grieve the loss of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and extraordinary family patriarch - a man whose strength, wisdom, and love touched so many lives.

“Above all, my father was a man of deep faith, and his unwavering belief in God guided every aspect of his life. He instilled in me the importance of faith, integrity, and service, demonstrating what it truly means to lead with purpose and compassion. As both a daughter and business leader, I am forever grateful for his mentorship, guidance, and the powerful example he set in both family life and professional excellence. He showed me what it meant to lead with integrity, to balance entrepreneurship with parenthood, and to create lasting positive change in our community.

“His guiding presence and inspirational spirit will be forever missed. we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and care extended to our family from his NBA family, the Louisville community, and beyond.”

Milwaukee Bucks

WAVE News Anchor Dawne Gee

“You will be missed. You will be remembered. The legacy you’ve left will be honored. Thank you Junior Bridgeman for all the things you’ve done that we know about and all the wonderful ways you changed our community and our world that you kept to yourself deep in your heart. I pray for your family and all who loved you.”

Magic Johnson

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my friend Junior Bridgeman. I had the privilege of playing against him, and I’ll never forget how he had one of the sweetest jump shots in the NBA. But it was his character, his kindness, and his gentle soul that truly left a lasting impression on me. He was one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. What people don’t realize is Junior didn’t make a fortune as a player, but he turned what he earned into something extraordinary, becoming a billionaire African American businessman in this country. His business portfolio included owning 450 Wendy’s and Chili’s franchises in 20 states, Coca-Cola bottling operations in the US and Canada, Ebony and Jet magazines, Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, and he was a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. Junior also served on the boards of PGA of America, Churchill Downs Inc, Fifth Third Bank, Jackson Hewitt, Governors Scholar Program, Crusade for Children Foundation, University of Louisville’s Board of Trustees, Louisville Arena Authority, and more. He is the blueprint to so many current and former athletes across sports that success doesn’t end when you’re done playing. Beyond business, Junior and his wife Doris made a lasting impact by opening doors for African Americans at the Kentucky Derby. Through their annual pre-Derby party and fundraising efforts, they gave access to so many, including myself, to experience this iconic event - something that had historically been out of reach for many in our community. Thank you, Junior, for being an inspiration on how to be a man, a husband, a father, and a businessman. You spent so much of your post-playing career mentoring and educating athletes and I always reference your journey when I speak to young athletes about transitioning from the court or field to the boardroom. Your legacy will transcend beyond your financial success to the doors you opened for so many and inspiring generations to come. Rest in peace, my friend. Cookie and I will be praying for his wife Doris, kids Eden, Justin, and Ryan, and the entire Bridgeman family”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver

“I am devastated to learn of the sudden passing of Junior Bridgeman. Junior was the ultimate entrepreneur who built on his impactful 12-year NBA playing career by becoming a highly respected and successful business leader. He served as a mentor to generations of NBA players and athletes across sports who were eager to learn from him about what it takes to thrive in the business world. Junior was a dedicated member of the NBA family for 50 years-most recently as a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, an investor in NBA Africa and as a player who set the standard for representing the league and our game with class and dignity. We express our heartfelt condolences to Junior’s wife, Doris, their children, Eden, Justin and Ryan, the Bucks organization, and his many friends and admirers in the basketball community.”

Shaquille O’Neal

Russ Smith

“The news of JR Bridgeman hurts me big time. May he rest in peace & it was truly amazing to meet him & pick his mind. RIP to a true great & prayers all around.”

Muhammad Ali Center

“Much like Muhammad Ali, Junior’s success in sports- both in the NBA and with the University of Louisville- only served as a platform to advance his life and philanthropy,” the organization wrote. “He will be missed by all who knew him. The thoughts and prayers of all at the Ali Center are with his wife Doris, his three children, friends, and the Louisville community who loved him.”

Bridgeman was a member of the Churchill Downs Incorporated Board of Directors since 2012. Their CEO, Bill Carstanjen, wrote about his impact on Louisville, saying he embodied the spirit of the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs

“Junior was not just an esteemed member of the CDI Board of Directors, but a one-of-a-kind figure who embodied the spirit of the Kentucky Derby and whose entrepreneurial vision and commitment were instrumental in shaping our company. His insights and leadership were invaluable, steadily advising us through opportunities and challenges with grace, calm and wisdom.

Over the course of a lifetime, you can count yourself lucky if you meet one person like Junior Bridgeman. His kindness and humility masked a life of extraordinary accomplishment and profound impact that extends far beyond our organization; he has indelibly shaped the fabric of Louisville, inspiring countless individuals with his sage leadership and generosity. All of us at Churchill Downs are devastated by his passing.

We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to his wife, Doris and his children Eden, Justin and Ryan, and we join his family and countless friends in mourning the loss of this great man and dear friend.”

The University of Louisville reflected on Bridgeman’s time as a basketball player for the Cardinals. He is a top-30 career scorer for the team and his jersey, number 10, is one of the 20 UofL has honored throughout its basketball history.

OneWest

“Our board of directors and staff are heartbroken by the passing of Junior Bridgeman,” said Evon Smith, President & CEO of OneWest. “Junior was a towering figure and a steadfast champion of our organization’s mission to uplift the West End and our entire city. He was incredibly generous—with his time, sharp business acumen, and financial support. When Junior believed in a cause, he gave it his all, inspiring others to follow his lead. His legacy of leadership and generosity will endure. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Doris, and their children, Justin, Ryan, and Eden.”

Congressman Morgan McGarvey

“He leaves behind an immeasurable legacy, on and off the court — as a basketball legend, businessman, philanthropist, and so much more,” McGarvey said.

Senator Mitch McConnell

“Elaine and I were saddened to hear about the passing of our friend, Junior Bridgeman. Not only was he a proud Louisville Cardinal, he was a successful businessman and philanthropist who loved the University and the City he called home. Elaine and I send our condolences to his wife, Doris, his three children and all those who knew and loved him. He will be missed.”

Former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer

“Junior’s family, athletic, community and business journey from Gary, Indiana, through Louisville and beyond is the stuff of legends. He never thought of himself as a big deal, though he was – and that humility only added to his model of what is possible when you put others above self. Whatever the cause, he was always ready to help with joy and steadfast purpose – especially when it involved supporting his adopted hometown. We have lost a giant, but Junior would be the first to tell us to carry on, working toward greater heights. We are blessed to have his spirit with us.”

This story may be updated.

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