Are NBA players immune to the divorce blues? Despite extravagant lifestyles, highly-paid sports stars often face financial loss and psychological distress during a split. In this article, we look at some of the most expensive divorces of basketball stars, including Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade, and how they navigated the tricky negotiations with their former partners.
While some couples called it quits within months, others managed to remain hitched for decades before ending the marriage—only to be hit with expensive divorce settlements in the aftermath. We’ll uncover the famous divorces, examine their financial and emotional impacts on these sports figures and delve into what caused them to finally call it quits.
Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy
Let’s dive into one of the NBA’s heftiest divorce settlements. We’re talking about none other than basketball legend Michael Jordan and his former spouse, Juanita Vanoy. Their marriage was quite the headline-grabber back in the ’90s. The pair tied the knot in 1989, and over their 17 years together, they welcomed three children and stood as a staple couple in the NBA community.
Their relationship wasn’t always picture-perfect, though. The couple first filed for divorce in 2002 but managed to patch things up before finally deciding to split in 2006. Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. Given Jordan’s impressive earnings, both from his iconic NBA career and lucrative endorsement deals, it was expected that the divorce settlement would be a substantial one. And indeed, it was.
The numbers were jaw-dropping. Juanita reportedly walked away with a whopping $168 million settlement, one of the largest in sports history at the time. In addition to this staggering amount, she also got their seven-acre Chicago estate and full custody of their three kids.
While this was undoubtedly a personal low for MJ, it didn’t stop him from rebounding in his career and personal life. But even after all these years, the Jordan-Vanoy fallout still holds the record as one of the most expensive divorce settlements in NBA history. It serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved when celebrity, wealth, and marriage mix.
Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie O’Neal
It took them a good four years to wrap up their divorce. Shaquille O’Neal had to cough up $50,000 for Shaunie in the divorce settlement. A prenuptial agreement was crucial for Shaq and Shaunie’s divorce settlement as without it, if Shaq hadn’t had a prenup and the divorce was filed in California, he could have been on the hook for a whopping $200 million.
The couple have two children, two sons together and have been divorced since 2011. Despite their divorce, the two have managed to stay amicable. Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most successful and legendary players in NBA history, having played for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns. He has also been compared to fellow NBA star, Michael Jordan, and had a long-standing rivalry with fellow NBA player, Dwyane Wade. O’Neal has also married again, this time to former reality television star, Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander in 2012.
Aside from being an NBA player, O’Neal has also been a successful businessman. He has endorsed a range of products and services, and even has a stake in the professional golf world, having invested in the company of golfer, Greg Norman.
Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches
D Wade filed for divorce from Siohvaughn Funches in 2007 and it was finalized in 2013. As part of the settlement of their divorce, Wade had to shell out a hefty price tag: a cool five million dollars. On top of this, the couple also had to battle over the custody of their two sons, Zaire and Zion. Ultimately, Wade was granted full custody of his two sons.
The divorce was a tough pill to swallow for Dwyane Wade, leaving him with a hefty $15 million bill, including $10 million in legal fees. But, in the end, he was granted full custody of his children. With his quiet NBA career, Wade was able to find solace in being a father to his children and being able to provide for them. His sons are now a part of his legacy, and Wade has said that he’s thankful for them every day.
As one of the highest-profile divorces in the history of the NBA, the Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches split set a precedent for the cost of a divorce for a high-profile NBA player, and the impact it can have on the player’s life.
Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian
After a brief 72-day marriage, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kris Humphries in October 2011, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the breakup. Kris Humphries was looking for a $7 million payout and legal fees from Kim K’s family, but nah, Kris didn’t get a dime and both sides had to foot the bill for their lawyers.
The details of the divorce settlement were kept under wraps, but it looks like Kris didn’t get the $7 million he was asking for. It took ’til 2013 for the divorce to be finalized after a lengthy 1.5 year legal battle.
The divorce of Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian was one of the most high profile divorces in recent years. The couple’s brief marriage received a lot of media attention and speculation. It was also seen by many as a cautionary tale to NBA players, as the high profile divorce had a significant impact on Kris Humphries career and reputation. The divorce also put the Kardashian family in the spotlight, as it was one of the most expensive celebrity divorces in recent years.
The divorce of Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian serves as an example to other NBA players, showing that high profile divorces can have a significant impact on both parties.
Allen Iverson and Tawanna Turner
They filed for divorce in 2011 and it was all wrapped up by 2013. Turner walked away with a cool $32 million from Iverson as alimony, while Iverson had to cough up a hefty $3 million lump sum, plus other assets and a cut of his future Reebok endorsement money.
Iverson was hit hard in the wallet, having to shell out a hefty $3 million lump sum, plus other assets and a portion of his future endorsement earnings. Not to mention, he had to pay child support too. The divorce took a toll on Iverson’s bank account, and it also put a strain on his career. He struggled to stay focused on his game, and eventually his career declined.
This divorce was one of the most expensive ones for an NBA player, showing the cost of a failed marriage.
Impact of Divorce on Players
Divorce can be a real burden on NBA players, taking a toll on their wallets, lifestyle, and mental health. It can cause financial losses for NBA players, with assets, property, income, alimony, and child support potentially on the line. Furthermore, NBA players may have to get used to a new living situation, custody agreement, and social circle.
Lastly, the psychological effects of divorce can be damaging to NBA players, leading to depression, anxiety, stress, and decreased self-confidence. These effects can also extend onto the court, impacting the player’s on-court performance.
Divorce can be an expensive and emotionally trying ordeal for NBA players, and it’s not something to take lightly. Fans of the NBA should be aware of the impact that a divorce can have on a player, both financially and emotionally. They should also be aware of the potential for domestic abuse that can arise from high profile divorces.
With this in mind, it’s important to remember that NBA players are human, and that divorce can have a lasting impact on them.
Summary
Divorce among NBA players is not uncommon and the financial impact of divorce can be severely detrimental for certain couples. The ten divorces highlighted in this article are some of the most well-known cases, from Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie O’Neal to Harold and Sue Ann Hamm, with each member walking away with a very different aftermath as a result of the immense costs and settlements paid out when the spouse protection laws facilitated by high income levels were put into place.
It serves as a reminder and warning to other active and retired NBA stars that divorce could cost them millions and lead to emotional turmoil and credibility issues if they aren’t careful. It’s certainly not something to be taken lightly, considering the hefty bills and the risk of losing almost everything during the divorce process. Whether it’s paying child support or divvying up assets and homes, divorce proceedings can take a huge toll on anybody, but particularly on NBA players who may have built up considerable wealth since joining the league.
The examples in this article demonstrate the repercussions of getting a divorce, so it’s a strong reminder to those involved to think twice before settling down, be it a celebrity or a regular person. Divorce, especially among NBA players, is expensive and disruptive, but with proper legal advice, some couples may come out relatively unscathed compared to others.
At the end of the day, however, the wrong move can be an expensive one and it is important to keep that in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest athlete divorce settlement?
The biggest athlete divorce settlement is undoubtedly the one between NBA superstar Michael Jordan and his former model wife Juanita Vanoy. In 2006, the Chicago Bulls star paid Vanoy an astonishing $168 million to officially end their 17-year marriage, plus $2.1 million in legal fees. It seems that when it comes to athlete divorces, the richer you are, the pricier things can get!
Who has the most expensive divorce settlement?
Jeff Bezos has the highest paid divorce settlement with MacKenzie Scott. The Amazon founder and CEO agreed to a whopping $38.3 billion settlement in 2019 after his 25-year marriage came to an end.
This settlement is the largest of its kind in history, and it highlights the importance of having a prenuptial agreement in place before entering into a marriage.
Sources
1. sportskeeda.com – 5 NBA stars who had the most expensive divorce settlements
2. cheatsheet.com – The 5 Most Expensive Divorces in NBA History
3. manofmany.com – 10 Most Expensive Divorce Settlements in History
4. cnbc.com – 11 Costly Sports Divorces
