He became an entrepreneur during a solid career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He later bought hundreds of fast-food outlets, a Coca-Cola bottling business and Ebony and Jet magazines.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Junior Bridgeman, a basketball standout who led Louisville to a Final Four, played 12 seasons in the NBA and then launched an even more successful career as a businessman with stakes in publishing, restaurants and the Milwaukee Bucks, died Tuesday. He was 71.

Junior Bridgeman, one of the great players in Milwaukee Bucks history and accomplished billionaire businessman, has died. He was 71.

Bridgeman, who played 12 NBA seasons, died Tuesday at 71. He became an astute businessman, fast-food franchise owner, 10 percent owner of the Bucks, and finally a billionaire.

Former Bucks star Junior Bridgeman, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 71, built an empire spanning restaurants, publishing, and more.