NBA Players Who Went Broke Because Of Expensive Gold Diggers

NBA Stars Who Lost Millions in Costly Divorces

When it comes to NBA players and their relationships, the scoreboard isn’t the only place where big numbers appear. From fairy tale marriages to bitter splits, some NBA stars have lost millions in divorces that made headlines worldwide. Let’s dive into some of the most expensive and dramatic breakups in NBA history.

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Michael Jordan: The Most Expensive Divorce in Sports History

Michael Jordan, the undisputed GOAT, married Juanita Vanoy in 1989 after meeting her in a Chicago restaurant. Their marriage lasted 17 years but ended in 2006 with a staggering $168 million divorce settlement—one of the largest ever in the celebrity world. Without a prenuptial agreement, Jordan parted with nearly a third of his net worth at the time, including a seven-acre Chicago mansion. Despite the costly split, Jordan’s wealth has since soared to an estimated $3.5 billion in 2025.

Shaquille O’Neal: The Big Diesel’s Turbulent Marriage

Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie Nelson’s marriage was a high-profile NBA relationship filled with glamour and drama. Married in 2002, they had four children but separated by 2009 and finalized their divorce in 2011. Shaunie reportedly received $10,000 monthly in alimony and child support per child, with some sources claiming she got half of Shaq’s $300 million net worth—though a prenuptial agreement limited her claims. Shaq openly admitted to infidelity, calling himself a man with “too many options,” highlighting how personal choices can impact finances.

Kobe Bryant: The Black Mamba’s Controversial Marriage

Kobe Bryant met Vanessa when she was just 17, and they married in 2001. Their relationship was marked by love, scandal, and reconciliation. Vanessa stood by Kobe during his 2003 sexual assault allegations, even receiving a $4 million purple diamond ring as an apology. Despite opposition from Kobe’s family and no prenuptial agreement, Vanessa filed for divorce in 2011 seeking a $75 million settlement. They reconciled in 2013, but the financial and emotional costs of their tumultuous marriage remained until Kobe’s tragic death in 2020.

Dwyane Wade: High School Sweetheart Divorce Drama

Dwyane Wade married his high school sweetheart, Siohvaughn Funches, in 2002. Their relationship spanned Wade’s rise to NBA stardom, but ended in a contentious divorce in 2010. Despite Wade agreeing to pay millions including spousal support, a mansion, and cars, Siohvaughn protested publicly claiming hardship. The drama continued with attempts to reopen the settlement after Wade’s lucrative new contracts, showing how NBA relationships can have long-lasting financial ripples.

Dennis Rodman: The Worm’s Expensive Split

Dennis Rodman’s marriage to Michelle Moyer was unconventional and costly. Married in 2003, they lived apart with Moyer and the kids visiting on weekends. Their divorce finalized in 2012 ordered Rodman to pay nearly $900,000 in child and spousal support. Rodman’s struggles with alcoholism and financial mismanagement made it difficult to meet payments, highlighting how even multi-millionaire athletes can face financial ruin post-divorce.

Chris Humphries: The 72-Day Marriage That Shook the World

Chris Humphries’ brief marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian in 2011 became one of the shortest and most publicized NBA relationships. The $10 million wedding was filmed for television, but the marriage lasted just 72 days before Kardashian filed for divorce. Humphries sought annulment citing fraud, and the expensive engagement ring became a point of contention. Though he avoided major financial loss, the marriage’s publicity impacted his career and reputation.

Iman Shumpert: Luxury Homes and Lavish Settlements

Iman Shumpert’s marriage to singer Tayana Taylor ended in 2024 with Taylor keeping four luxury homes valued over $10 million, a Maybach, a Mercedes Sprinter, a tour bus, and more. Shumpert was ordered to pay $8,000 monthly in child support and cover private schooling. Court documents revealed Shumpert’s extravagant spending, suggesting financial strain. Their divorce highlighted the complexity of modern NBA asset divisions beyond traditional alimony.

Scottie Pippen: Two Decades of Drama and Divorce

Scottie Pippen and Larsa Younan’s marriage lasted over 20 years before ending in a high-profile divorce finalized in 2021. Larsa’s lavish lifestyle, showcased on Real Housewives of Miami and connections with the Kardashian family, fueled speculation about financial motivations. The divorce reportedly cost Pippen a significant portion of his assets, dropping his net worth to $20 million after settlements and child support.

Gilbert Arenas: Engagement Rings and Legal Battles

Gilbert Arenas’ relationship with Laura Govan was filled with public drama, including a notorious incident where Arenas allegedly swapped Govan’s $400,000 engagement ring for a fake one. After their 2014 split, Arenas initially paid $20,000 monthly for child support, later reduced to $7,100. Attempts to evict Govan and their children from a $16,000/month home added fuel to their contentious breakup.

Jason Kidd: A Marriage Marked by Control and Conflict

Jason Kidd’s marriage to Jumanna Kidd ended in a bitter 2007 divorce filled with accusations of cruelty, manipulation, and abuse on both sides. Jumanna was said to have installed tracking devices and used their son to spy on Kidd, while also pursuing a media career tied to her status as his wife. The public battle revealed the dark side of NBA relationships behind the glamour.

Antoine Walker: From Millions to Bankruptcy

Antoine Walker earned over $110 million during his NBA career but filed for bankruptcy in 2010 due to lavish spending and gambling debts. His decade-long relationship with Evelyn Lozada ended amid financial ruin, with allegations she benefited from his fortune and a lawsuit claiming Walker transferred $560,000 to her while insolvent. Walker’s story is a cautionary tale about how fortunes can vanish despite millions earned.

Tim Duncan: The Private Divorce with a Costly Price

Tim Duncan’s 12-year marriage to Amy Sherrill ended in a secretive 2013 divorce rumored to involve a payout as high as $100 million. A prenuptial agreement existed, but allegations of infidelity and timing during the NBA playoffs made the split especially dramatic. The secrecy underscored the financial risks even the most private NBA stars face.

Dwight Howard: A Secret Marriage and Public Split

Dwight Howard’s brief and secret marriage to WNBA player Tee Cooper lasted about a year. Their split in 2021 was marked by contradictory statements about their marital status, with Cooper denying the marriage amid Howard’s legal issues. Howard’s complex personal life and multiple children with different women have fueled media scrutiny and financial speculation.

Tony Parker and Eva Longoria: An International Power Couple’s Split

Tony Parker, a four-time NBA champion, married actress Eva Longoria in a lavish 2007 Paris wedding. Despite Longoria’s own success, their marriage ended in 2010 amid infidelity rumors. Their high-profile lifestyle and Parker’s NBA fame made their divorce a global story, highlighting the challenges of relationships between sports stars and entertainment royalty.

Carmelo Anthony and La La Anthony: High-Profile and High-Stakes

Carmelo Anthony’s marriage to TV personality La La Anthony was a glamorous union marked by wealth and fame. Married in 2010, they separated in 2017 amid reports of Carmelo fathering a child outside the marriage. Their 2021 divorce carried significant financial implications, with La La maintaining a $30 million net worth and ongoing business ventures. Their story shows how combined celebrity status can escalate the stakes in NBA relationships.

These stories reveal that behind the fame and fortune, NBA players’ personal lives can be just as challenging and costly as their careers are spectacular. From lavish weddings to bitter divorces, the price of love and loss in the NBA is often measured in millions.

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