He was a giant of a man. Not because at 6' 5" he towered over others. Yet instead, it was his mindset, intelligence, disposition, attitude, elegance, compassion and respect for others that earned admiration from the world's top achievers.

Basketball superstar Lebron James declared, "He used resources, outlets, connections to his advantage and built an unbelievable portfolio." Hall of Fame basketball player Isiah Thomas defined him with one praiseworthy word, "Legendary."

David Novak, former CEO of Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut) stated, "He's the greatest man I ever met!"

Who are these luminaries referring to?

Ulysses Lee Bridgeman, Jr., a.k.a. Junior. He was born into a poor family and raised in the 1950s in East Chicago, Indiana. However, as he grew, he developed remarkable basketball talent. Leading his Washington High School Senators team in 1971 to an undefeated season and a state championship.

Junior then starred at the University of Louisville. He led his Cardinals team to the 1974 NCAA Final Four, where they lost the semi-final game 75-74 to eventual tourney champion UCLA.

Bridgeman was then picked eighth in the first round of the 1975 NBA (National Basketball Association) draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for the iconic Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Junior had a very successful professional NBA career. Yet over time, it's not how he amassed his fortune. That's part of the story you'll read today.

In February, 2025, Junior was featured on the cover of the Forbes online magazine.

The headline exclaimed: THE GAME CHANGER

The sub-headline: This Legendary NBA Sixth Man Never Made More Than $350,000 In A Single Season. Now He’s In Rare Air—Alongside Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Lebron James—As The Only Basketball Players To Become Billionaires. 

Over the decades, I've met, spoken on programs with or interviewed on radio and TV lots of high achievers. Yet I never met Junior.

However, our featured "guest interviewee" is my buddy Ken Grossman. And over two-plus decades, Ken spent lots of time with Junior. As a close friend and Junior's Master Custom Clothier & Designer.

When Junior appeared on the Forbes cover, he was wearing a sport coat designed by Ken, a fourth-generation clothier and founder/owner of Executive Image Custom Clothiers in Louisville.

Ken shares unique insights and memorable moments about his treasured times with Junior.

Tragically, Junior died at the age of 71 on March 11, 2025. He suffered a heart attack while speaking at the Annual Leadership fundraising luncheon for Scouting America at the Galt Hotel in downtown Louisville. In the audience that day, Ken Grossman.

Jeff Blackman: How did you and Junior meet and start working together?

Ken Grossman: It was 2000, early in my custom clothing career. I was working with Jimmy, one of Junior's friends. Jimmy introduced me to a friend of his, Thompson, the CEO of a healthcare company. Somewhat together, they introduced me to Junior. I became his executive clothier and friend for 25 years.

JB: Junior became a remarkably successful businessperson, what was he like to work with?

KG: Easy. Always pleasant. Particular, but not  demanding. He never questioned an investment. He simply asked, "How much?" and wrote a check. He was a person of high-integrity. While his primary home was in Louisville, he also had a home in Florida. Which meant I could ship his garments to Florida so he could avoid paying sales tax. Junior balked at that suggestion. Saying, "No. I live in Kentucky, I should pay sales tax for what I buy." That simple act of character told me, "This guy is different!"

JB: What's another memory that reinforced who he was?

KG: I went to see Junior at his office. A humble setting. Not flashy. It was November, before the holidays. His office was filled with toys. {Jeff's note: At that time, Junior had already become Wendy's second biggest franchisee, with almost 300 restaurants.}

When I asked, "Junior, are you planning a really big Christmas celebration?" He smiled and said, "Doris {Junior's wife} and I do this each year. We go to every store. Any employee who has children, we give them gifts to give to their kids." {Jeff's note: Junior continued the same altruistic holiday tradition even when his store-count reached 450 locations!}

Six astounding facts from Jeff about Junior:

1. Over time, Junior's fast-food empire reached 450 fast-food restaurants; including more than 160 Wendy's and 120 Chili's. Junior sold 100 Wendy's and all 120 Chili's in 2016.

2. Following these sales, he started a Coca-Cola bottling and distribution company.

3. In 2016, Forbes ranked Bridgeman the fourth-wealthiest retired athlete in the world. Only behind Michael Jordan, soccer legend David Beckham and golf legend Arnold Palmer.

4. In 2020, Bridgeman Sports and Media bought Ebony and Jet magazines.

5. In 2022, Bridgeman's Manna Capital Partners constructed and operated an aluminum mill in New Mexico.

6. In 2024, the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA team Junior played for, announced that Junior purchased a 10% interest in the team.

JB: Why did Junior name his business Manna?

KG: In reference to the Bible, manna being the miracle food enabling the Israelites to survive during their 40-years of wandering in the desert. While Junior was always a hard-worker, he also viewed life and his successes as miracles of opportunity. Yet no job was too small for Junior. He'd cheerfully enter any store and willingly flip hamburgers, clean toilets or put on a Wendy's shirt and work the drive-thru window.

One more thing tells you who he was...

Junior hired young folks with criminal backgrounds. If they got into trouble, he'd go to court with them to testify on their behalf. He believed in giving others a second (or more) chances or opportunities. He'd say, "Ken, when you go out of your way first for others, they're more willing to work for you and if necessary, go out of their way for you."

JB: Tell us about Junior's style evolution and how his clothes reflected his character?

KG: He invested in all types of clothing; tuxedos, suits and sport coats. Eventually he invested in custom golf attire; trousers, sweaters, shirts.

He was a low-key guy. Yet wanted the world to see his style as a reflection of his qualities; confidence, commitment, focused. The best way to describe how Junior wanted to convey his image is, "Be noticed without striving to be noticed. He personified what elegance was all about."

But he wasn't a peacock! If he saw a color or texture he liked, he knew it was for him. His Forbes cover became iconic. I designed that outfit per Junior's vision.

The gray sport coat he's wearing is an innovative technological bamboo fabric. It blends cotton and actual bamboo treated to create a new fabric that feels like cashmere. Junior bought that sport coat in three colors.

He'd do that often. Once, after visualizing a fabric for a pair of golf pants, he said, "Ken, let's get these in six colors!" Yes, he could afford it. But Junior was much more than his wealth.

JB: How so?

KG: He always stressed, "Ken, people are just people." Once over lunch—he told me about hanging with Presidents of the United States, world-renown businesspeople, A-list celebrities and championship athletes like Michael Jordan. Yet their title, fame or fortune wasn't important. He always emphasized, "Just treat others with respect."

Junior also taught me to believe in me. His faith in me instilled confidence in my expertise and business.

JB: How did Junior get in the golf business?

KG: The Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville was designed by Jack Nicklaus. And over the years it hosted the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. It was actually owned by the PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) of America.

In June, 2022 the club and the PGA of America announced the club was sold to four prominent club members; two Louisville entrepreneurs, former Yum! Brands CEO David Novak and Junior.

Junior told David, "We need to polish this jewel." So they made a series of improvements. Including a new clubhouse dessert, The Junior.

Novak said it was a, "Chocolate ice cream creation influenced by Wendy's Chocolate Frosty!" Initially, Junior didn't like that the dessert was named after him. But eventually thought it was cool. At Junior's funeral, David Novak said, "Junior is the greatest man I ever met!"

JB: Ken, on the day Junior died, he was speaking at a luncheon, what happened, because you were there...

KG: It was a Scouts luncheon, with boys and girls from Louisville. When Junior was young, he couldn't participate in the Scouts. His mom told Junior his family didn't have the $1.25 for him to join. That's why Junior always supported and gave significantly to the Scouts—so local kids could have the experiences he couldn't afford as a child.

Junior, in his humble way—was answering questions from the Master of Ceremonies. And before the MC asked his next question, Junior calmly said, "I'm having a heart attack. This is for real. This is serious."

Junior never made it to the hospital. He died right there. 

Jeff, what I'm grateful for, is I knew him. Can always see his smile. Plus he was the smartest man I ever knew. Also the kindest. Most humble. And of the highest character. Am fortunate to call him a friend.

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To learn more about Ken Grossman and why Junior Bridgeman called him a valued friend and trusted executive clothier, please take a peek at:

KenGrossmanExecutiveImage

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