It is with deep sadness that EBONY shares the passing of Ulysses Lee Bridgeman, who died on March 11, 2025. He was 71 years old.
From the basketball court to the boardroom, Ulysses Lee Bridgeman, affectionately known as Junior, followed his own path of determination and self-reliance. Throughout his memorable NBA career, unprecedented success as a restauranteur and Coca-Cola bottler, along with his more recent purchase of EBONY | JET and minority ownership in the Milwaukee Bucks, he led with a servant heart; always putting people first.
Throughout his life, Junior measured his success as an opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of others.
The Early Years
Junior Bridgeman was born on September 17, 1953, in East Chicago, Indiana. His father, Ulysses Sr., was a long-time steel mill worker and his mother, Dolores, was a homemaker. Growing up in East Chicago, he experienced economic struggles during his childhood but did not let socio-economic factors paralyze his goals for the future.
Gifted in basketball, he played for East Chicago Washington High School, leading his team to a 29-0 season and to the Indiana state championship his senior year. His exceptional talent earned him a scholarship to the University of Louisville, where he was an All-American guard for the Cardinals.
Named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975, Bridgeman, standing at 6 ft. 5 in his guard/forward position, led the Louisville Cardinals to the 1974 NCAA Tournament his junior year and the Final Four his senior year.
In 1975, he married his college sweetheart, Doris Payne, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He was later inducted into the University of Louisville College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2007.
On the Court
Drafted eighth overall in the first round of the 1975 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bridgeman was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in an all-star deal that included Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Bridgeman was known as one of the top sixth men in the league during his 12-year NBA tenure. His first nine years were with the Milwaukee Bucks and he played two years with the Los Angeles Clippers before returning to the Bucks to finish his career.
Amongst his accomplishments on the court, Bridgeman scored a career-high 41 points against the Boston Celtics in 1976. He also played more games than any other player in Bucks’ history and is among the team’s all-time leaders in points, minutes, steals and field goals. In honor of these stunning feats, his #2 jersey was retired by the Bucks in 1988.
Always connected to his roots, Bridgeman served as the president of the National Basketball Players Association from 1985 to 1988.
Business Leader and Entrepreneur
During his 12-year sports tenure, Bridgeman spent his time managing and learning the ins and outs of the Wendy’s fast-food restaurant franchise.
Upon his sports retirement in 1987, he invested in his first Wendy’s Restaurant and went on to purchase five additional Wendy’s in the Milwaukee area in 1988. Over the next twenty years he grew multiple brands as a franchisee with a peak of 525 restaurants in 2015 including Wendy’s, Chili’s, Fazoli’s and various other concepts. A man of great faith, his company, Manna, became a symbol of his unwavering belief in God and foundational dedication to integrity, generosity and service.
The entrepreneurial spirit struck again in 2016. Bridgeman sold half his restaurant franchises and acquired Heartland, a Coca-Cola bottling company. He later went to invest in a Canadian Coca-Cola bottling company as well.
The EBONY Years
In January 2021, Bridgeman, via 1145 Holdings, LLC., purchased EBONY and JET. His daughter, Eden Bridgeman, who rose in ranks to serve as CMO of Manna, Inc., took the reigns as CEO of EBONY, reframing it as a digital media brand committed to “Moving Black Forward.”
In the past four years, EBONY has evolved into a digital stronghold which includes curation of impactful digital covers and cultural events such as EBONY Power 100. Under the Bridgemans, EBONY has seen exponential growth, moving from a revered print magazine into a culturally resonant media powerhouse, renewing the publication’s profound legacy into a new age.
“When you look at EBONY, you look at the history not just for Black people, but of the United States,” Junior Bridgeman once shared. “I think it’s something that a generation is missing, and we want to bring that back as much as we can.”
Honored and Giving Back
Bridgeman’s accomplishments were duly recognized throughout his life. In 1999, he was a recipient of the NCAA Honors Committee Silver Anniversary Award, which honors former student-athletes who have distinguished themselves since completing their college athletics careers 25 years prior.
He also received the Coach Wooden Keys to Life Award in 2001, Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame in 2009, Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2014, Greater Louisville Inc. Gold Cup Award in 2019 and in 2023, the Keepers of the Dream Freedom Award from the City of Louisville along with numerous other awards both personal and business-related.
Junior and Doris Bridgeman received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the University of Louisville for their longstanding community service.
Continuing in their tradition of service, the Bridgeman Charitable Group founded the Trifecta Gala, a prestigious, celebrity-studded Kentucky Derby event in Louisville, that honored the contributions of African Americans to Derby history. Throughout the years, this charitable event, donated proceeds to various organizations across the state.
A Life of Faith and Service
Junior was a man of deep Christian faith, which played a significant role throughout his life. He was an active member of Southeast Christian Church, a Louisville megachurch known for its strong community outreach and commitment to the gospel.
His faith influenced his approach to business, leadership, and philanthropy. Bridgeman often spoke about the importance of integrity, humility, and serving others, values that aligned with his Christian beliefs. He was involved in numerous charitable efforts, particularly focusing on youth education and community development.
Even as his business empire grew, Bridgeman remained committed to his church and faith, frequently supporting Christian-based initiatives and emphasizing the role of God’s guidance in his success.
His unwavering faith and dedication to service left an indelible mark on his community, inspiring many through his actions and leadership.
Back to Home Court
In a full circle move, Bridgeman returned to where his career began to purchase a minority owner interest in the Milwaukee Bucks in September 2024. With the deal, he became the sixth professional athlete to be worth $1 billion or more and was named by Forbes as a new American Billionaire.
In Remembrance
Bridgeman is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Doris; his three children, Justin, Ryan and Eden; his six grandchildren; countless nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, loved ones and many other lives he touched.
Junior Bridgeman, undoubtedly, made a difference in thousands of lives through his faith, leadership and compassion. His presence will be missed by his EBONY family and beyond.
