How an NBA journeyman built a $600M empire

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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…