Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, the former NBA standout who turned a modest basketball fortune into a billion-dollar business empire, has died at 71.

Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency during a fundraising event at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on Tuesday. His sudden passing was confirmed by the hotel’s ownership company, though further details remain unclear.

Best known for his nine-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Bridgeman was an integral part of the franchise, with his No. 2 jersey hanging in the Fiserv Forum rafters.

“His hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the nation’s top business leaders,” the Bucks said in a statement, calling his memory “an inspiration to the organization.” Bridgeman carved out a steady 12-year career, averaging 13.6 points per game before retiring in 1987.

Bridgeman first rose to fame as a star for the Louisville Cardinals, leading them to the 1975 Final Four. His performance earned him a No. 8 pick in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, who traded him to Milwaukee in the blockbuster deal for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

From the NBA to the fast food business

After basketball, he made history in an entirely different arena-business. What started with the purchase of three Wendy’s franchises evolved into a fast-food empire, making him one of the country’s largest restaurant franchise operators.

He later expanded into the beverage industry, owning a Coca-Cola bottling company, and in 2020, he revived Jet and Ebony magazines after purchasing them for $14 million.

In February, Forbes estimated Bridgeman’s net worth at $1.4 billion. He leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only in sports but in business and media. He is survived by his three children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan.