In 1988, a curious incident at a Wendy’s in South Milwaukee highlighted the surprising post-NBA lifetime of Junior Bridgeman, a former skilled basketball participant who had a profitable profession with the Milwaukee Bucks and briefly with the Los Angeles Clippers.
A lady, after being served by Bridgeman on the counter, mistakenly believed he was working an everyday job post-retirement, lamenting on an area radio station in regards to the presumed monetary struggles of former NBA gamers.
The scene completely encapsulated the general public’s misconceptions in regards to the monetary stability {of professional} athletes after retirement. Bridgeman, nonetheless, was not simply an worker however the proprietor of that Wendy’s franchise — one of many many he owned throughout town, experiences ESPN.
Regardless of his modest NBA earnings, which totalled about $2.95 million over 12 seasons, Bridgeman efficiently transitioned to a savvy businessman, constructing a fast-food empire of over 450 eating places at its peak.
His enterprise acumen didn’t cease there. He expanded into changing into a Coca-Cola bottling distributor and buying outstanding publications corresponding to Ebony and Jet magazines.
His internet price, practically $600 million, ranks him among the many wealthiest NBA gamers, trailing solely behind icons like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James.
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Bridgeman’s journey from basketball to enterprise isn’t just a narrative of economic success but in addition considered one of mentorship and neighborhood contribution.
From his early days, he was aware of the monetary pitfalls that many athletes face, which is why he has devoted a big a part of his post-NBA life to educating present gamers about monetary accountability. His efforts embody formal and casual talks with NBA rookies and veterans, emphasizing the significance of economic literacy, particularly with the league’s wage cap anticipated to extend considerably resulting from a brand new $76.4 billion media rights deal.
Regardless of by no means being a marquee NBA star, Bridgeman’s legacy may be equally important off the court docket, demonstrating the potential for athletes to realize monetary stability and impression past their sports activities careers.
His story is a testomony to the ability of schooling, savvy funding, and the pursuit of alternatives past the athletic discipline.
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