Former Bucks player Junior Bridgeman acquires stake in franchise

MILWAUKEE – Junior Bridgeman played for the Milwaukee Bucks long enough to retire and was his team's best player in terms of games played. His performance was so good that his jersey hangs in the rafters of the Fiserv Forum.

Now the basketball player turned entrepreneur has acquired a share in the team.

The Bucks announced Bridgeman's purchase in a press conference attended by co-owner Jimmy Haslam, coach Doc Rivers, general manager Jon Horst and most of the team's current players. Bridgeman said after the press conference that he owns a 10% stake in the team.

“When this opportunity presented itself, it was a natural move for me to have the chance to be a part of the organization not only with my heart but also physically,” said Bridgeman.

Bridgeman, 71, played for the Bucks from 1975 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1987. With 711 games played for Milwaukee, he ranks third in franchise history, behind only current Bucks players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.

He also ranks seventh in Bucks history in field goals made (4,142), ninth in points (9,892) and tenth in minutes played (18,054). His number 2 jersey was retired by the Bucks in 1988.

After his playing career, Bridgeman began investing in restaurants and eventually became the owner and CEO of Bridgeman Foods, which operated more than 450 Wendy's and Chili's restaurants in 20 states by 2016. He was also an independent bottler for Coca-Cola. His family owns Ebony and Jet magazines.

He now joins a Bucks ownership group that also includes Haslam, Wesley Edens, Jamie Dinan and Mike Fascitelli.