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Baxter Holmes, ESPN Senior WriterJul 24, 2024, 08:23 AM
ONE DAY IN 1988, a woman approached the counter of a Wendy's fast food restaurant in South Milwaukee. "Here's your food," a tall man said, pushing a tray toward her. Puzzled, she peered up at the man, whom she recognized as an NBA player, then down at her food, then back at him. Later that week, the woman called into a local radio station.
As the woman spoke, Junior Bridgeman was driving to his downtown Milwaukee office.
"I just think it's a shame," Bridgeman recalled her saying.
"What are you talking about?" one of the hosts responded.
"I stopped at a Wendy's the other day," she continued, "and these NBA basketball players make all this money and, when their career is over, they still have to work at Wendy's."
Bridgeman looked at his car's speakers. "Oh my god," he told himself. He was the ex-player who had served her. She was talking about him.
Bridgeman, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks from 1975 to 1984, laughed. What the woman didn't know was that the recently retired Bridgeman wasn't merely working at that Wendy's location. The 6-foot-5 former wing owned it -- and others across the city.
But Bridgeman understood her point. Salaries for players then weren't that high by today's standards. In Bridgeman's 12-season career, which included a stint with the LA Clippers, he made about $2.95 million and never more than $350,000 in a season.
After his career, he built a fast-food empire that, at its peak, totaled more than 450 restaurants nationwide. He became a Coca-Cola bottling distributor with territory across three states and into Canada. He bought Ebony and Jet magazines. His estimated net worth soared to nearly $600 million, behind just Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James, among NBA players.
But unlike those household names, Bridgeman was never an NBA star; his post-NBA fortune came without rich endorsement deals or the ability to cash in on global fame.
I'm not a big fan of how the NBA game is played now. However I do enjoy watching a good shooter. Curry is probably the best pure shooter I've seen. Some of those shot he made at the end of the game against France were head shaking.
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I hear you. I grew up watching the nba mid to late 70's, started with the Trail Blazers beating Dr J and the Sixers in the '77 finals and was hooked for life. Loved seeing him finally win one in '83.It was pure magic watching through the 80's and 90's, and the great Spurs dynasty etc. Still think Brent Musburger was the best announcer imho.
I was a Bulls fan before MJ entered the league, so nothing can come close to those days for me, the Last Dance brought it all back again, and the Raptors title run was pure drama and very exhilarating I must admit :)
I still watch the Raptors games. Tuesdays game against the Magic was a great game considering both teams are trying to tank, but their young guns just wouldn't die. I have a soft spot for the underdogs, the Matt McClungs of the world.
This is a good example of the excitement back in the day.
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I was always more of a college BB fan. Then when they would go pro I would be more likely to follow the player than the team. Watch MJ, Magic, and Bird in college. For a long time my favorite pro was James Worthy. And back then you didn't get near as many games on broadcast or cable. Also agree on Musbuger whether he did BB or football. When you say jazz lover I assume you mean the music and not the team. LoL.
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" And back then you didn't get near as many games on broadcast or cable."
Agreed, and possibly why the games aren't so precious anymore imho it's so easy to catch any game your little heart desires. It used to be a real event watching a bball game, and especially the All Star game and the playoffs to be able to see the storied Lakers and the rest of the west teams, what a treat it was.
Yep the music, although I like pretty much anything :) although I did watch the Jazz play my team the Raptors last night. Not quite the same team as the Stockton/Malone duo back in the day. Wow they were sure a pair back then.
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