Why These Sports Stars Couldn't Stay Married
The following article includes allegations of domestic abuse and addiction.
NBA star LeBron James and his wife Savannah have a marriage that most would envy, especially since so many athletes have received a bad rap for being unfaithful. The couple's relationship goes back to when they both were in high school, and though his future wife had no idea how successful LeBron would be, she supported him on the court. LeBron recalled to The Hollywood Reporter, "Savannah was with me shooting in the gym when I [had] absolutely nothing. ... You wouldn't be talking to me right now if it weren't for her." They tied the knot in 2013 and have been together ever since.
While a blissful story like LeBron and Savannah James' fairytale romance is something that is cherished, unfortunately, there have been way too many broken marriages, scandals, and divorces in the sports world. Sorry to say, but stories of juicy love affairs and betrayal between famous athletes and their significant others seem to get the most attention nowadays. From NBA players to celebrated English soccer stars, many of the athletes below were caught in the act, and some have even opened up about the reasoning behind what led to the end of their marriages. Sit tight because some of these stories aren't pretty. Here's why these sports stars couldn't stay married.
Tony Parker
NBA fans recognize Tony Parker as a former point guard for the San Antonio Spurs, where he won four NBA championships, but fans of "Desperate Housewives" know Parker as actor Eva Longoria's ex-husband.
Before they called it quits in 2010, love was definitely in the air for these two stars. When Longoria celebrated Parker's 2007 NBA championship win, photos showed the actor planting a huge kiss on her then-fiancé, per TMZ. Parker and Longoria had a fairytale wedding soon after on July 7, 2007, when they wed at Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, a stunning church near Paris, France, that's fit for a king and queen. Several of the couple's famous friends were in attendance, including Longoria's "Desperate Housewives" castmates Nicolette Sheridan and Teri Hatcher, as well as Mario Lopez, Jessica Alba, and Parker's former coach Gregg Popovich, per CBS News. However, rumors of infidelity plagued the couple, including reports that Parker was cheating on Longoria with NBA player and close friend Brent Berry's wife, Erin Berry, per ABC News.
In 2010, Longoria tweeted that she and Parker were getting divorced after finding out that Parker had sent hundreds of texts to a woman believed to be Berry, per the New York Post. Addressing her marriage on "The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet," Longoria said, "It wasn't about who he chose. ... I mean, I had moments of, 'Okay, I'm not sexy enough. I'm not pretty enough. Am I not smart enough?'" Parker went on to marry French journalist Axelle Francine in 2014, but the couple separated in 2020.
Andre Agassi
Tennis professional Andre Agassi has been married to his wife Steffi Graf since 2001, but most fans of this former world No.1 tennis star may not know that his first marriage was to actor and model Brooke Shields. Their short-lived marriage in the '90s had its fair share of challenges, with Shields discovering a huge secret about Agassi before their divorce.
Shields and Agassi wed in 1997, but their marriage quickly fell apart just two years later. In Shields' memoir, "There Was a Little Girl," she shared that it was their strenuous work schedules that caused a rift in their marriage. "I knew I had made a mistake. ... For the next two years Andre and I saw very little of one another," she wrote. "I was working so hard on ["Suddenly Susan"] and he was working really hard playing at various tennis tournaments. He alienated me when he lost and was on to the next tournament after he won. ... I had no idea we were really drifting apart."
Shields later found out that Agassi had been struggling with an addiction to crystal meth early in their relationship. "I was so unbelievably clueless," she told People in 2014. "To this day, I think to myself 'My God, Brooke. All you've seen in your life and you couldn't pick this up?'" Agassi also discussed his crystal meth use while playing tennis in his autobiography, "Open." Agassi would go on to marry fellow tennis player Graf two years after his divorce from Shields, which was the same year the actor married screenwriter Chris Henchy.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Jason Kidd
Former New Jersey Nets basketball player and head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Jason Kidd, had a 10-year marriage that didn't end pretty. While the sports star cited "extreme cruelty" as the reason behind his 2007 divorce from his wife Joumana Kidd, she would retaliate and accuse him of infidelity.
According to the Associated Press (via ESPN), Kidd portrayed his soon-to-be ex-wife in a disturbing light in the dissolution of marriage papers. The documents said her "extreme and unwarranted jealousy and rage" had the former basketball player "concerned about her emotional stability." It was alleged that Joumana had abused Kidd mentally and physically, thrown objects at him while at home, installed tracking devices on his vehicles, and directed their young son to grab Kidd's phone for her by sneaking into his locker room, which resulted in Joumana yelling at her then-husband courtside during a game.
However, Joumana had a different story to tell. According to CBS News, she filed a petition alleging that she was a victim of "recurring physical abuse and serial infidelity," accusing Kidd of having numerous affairs with women across the U.S. during their 10-year marriage. Kidd spoke about his divorce before a game, stating (via The New York Times), "She has a right to say what she wants. For me, what's done is done. We're going to move forward to try to solve the situation." In 2011, Kidd married longtime girlfriend Porschla Coleman, and the two are still together as of this writing.
Carmelo Anthony
A few years apart couldn't repair NBA star Carmelo Anthony's marriage to La La Anthony — the couple officially filed for divorce in 2021 after being separated in 2017. Despite not being able to work out their marriage, the couple remains friends for the sake of their son, Kiyan.
The star-studded couple tied the knot in 2010, and their ceremony was filmed for their short-lived VH1 series "La La's Full Court Wedding." However, it was announced that they were separating in 2017. When no follow-up divorce reports emerged, La La was asked for a relationship update on "The Wendy Williams Show." "You know marriages are tough, and you know that. We all know that," she said. "It's filled with ups and downs. We are just going through a time right now." While she didn't elaborate further, rumors circulated that Anthony had been unfaithful and had even impregnated a woman, the latter of which a source denied, per Page Six. The couple tried to salvage their marriage in 2018 when Us Weekly reported that they were "back together." However, TMZ reported in June 2021 that La La had filed for divorce.
Opening up about her divorce on "The Angie Martinez Show," La La explained that she and her ex-husband "still have that friendship" that they forged before they got married. As for their son, she shared that it's been a "transition" for him, but he was "used to it," as the couple has been separated for quite some time.
Chipper Jones
Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer Chipper Jones came clean about his extramarital affairs to his wife Karin Luise and the rest of the world in the late '90s, but the most shocking part of it all was that an affair with a woman in Michigan produced a child.
Jones recalled the day he had to tell his wife about his cheating ways in his book, "Ballplayer," writing (via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution), "I decided not to beat around the bush. I would get it all out, and whatever happened after that, happened. It would probably get violent, and she'd probably never want to see my face again." Despite his affairs, Jones and Luise reconciled their marriage, with Luise later sharing that with the help of therapy, the couple "started laughing together again." However, she did express sadness over learning that Jones was going to be a father after struggling to have a child of her own. "I went to a place of deep grief, totally lost who I was, and silenced my pain," she said. Then it all came crashing down on Luise when a man called her in 1998 and said that his wife and Jones were having an extramarital affair.
The couple divorced in 1999, and a year later, Jones married a woman named Sharon Loginov. That marriage also ended in divorce in 2012, per the New York Post. But in no time, Jones was with a Playboy model named Taylor Higgins, whom he married in 2015.
Hank Baskett
Hank Baskett's marriage to "The Girls Next Door" star Kendra Wilkinson was rocked by a sex scandal when the former NFL star admitted to having an affair with a model while his wife was pregnant with their second child.
The model, Ava Sabrina London, recounted the 2014 affair in a very explicit National Enquirer interview and even added that Baskett paid her $500 when it was over. A year later, both Baskett and Wilkinson appeared to still be together and spoke with People. Baskett admitted that he had "messed up" and "brought pain upon [his] family," and after he confessed to cheating on Wilkinson, she shared that she went "ballistic" but stayed by his side, adding, "Hank was very naive and gullible." Baskett denied London's allegations about what exactly happened that day, and he and Wilkinson sought therapy and even appeared on WE tv's "Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars" in hopes of saving their marriage. However, Baskett and Wilkinson divorced in 2018 after nine years of marriage and now share joint custody of their two children, Hank Baskett IV and Alijah, per Us Weekly.
Moving forward with her life, Wilkinson told People that there was no bad blood between her and her ex. "We both are not perfect humans. Maybe we were just too young. And that's okay. I still love Hank. He's such a good person. But sometimes it just comes to an end."
Shaquille O'Neal
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal may have raised some eyebrows when he detailed his infidelities in his 2011 memoir "Shaq Uncut: My Story." The basketball star was married to his ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal from 2002 to 2009 and claimed that he never cheated on his wife "disrespectfully."
His memoir states, "At one time my ex-wife Shaunie and I were happy, but I admit it — I was a guy. I was a guy with too many options. Choosing to be with some of those women, well, that's on me. In my mind, I never did it disrespectfully, but obviously, I shouldn't have done it at all." According to the Miami Herald (via People), Shaq filed for divorce from his ex-wife in 2007, describing their marriage as "irretrievably broken" in legal documents. He also claimed that Shaunie was "secretive about her assets." Shaq was making no less than $20 million a year at the time, which didn't even include his endorsement deals.
However, the couple didn't split until 2009, when TMZ reported that Shaunie had filed for legal separation and listed "irreconcilable differences" as the reason. Though they are no longer together, the two are on good terms. In 2021, Shaunie discussed their relationship on the "Tamron Hall Show," saying, "I think we both support each other. I used to tease him and be like, 'Could you please hurry up and get a wife? And then you could stop randomly FaceTiming me and talking about your day? Like ... get a girlfriend or something.'"
Joe DiMaggio
Famed Yankee player Joe DiMaggio and iconic actor Marilyn Monroe's marriage in 1954 was the talk of the town and rightfully so, as these two stars were very much respected in their respective crafts. However, it was anything but marital bliss for the famous couple, who divorced just nine months after saying "I do."
Though they appeared to have a real connection and admiration for one another, DiMaggio and Monroe seemed to be on opposite pages when it came to their careers and married life. The baseball player wanted a stay-at-home wife, but Monroe's career was flourishing, per PBS. Monroe's friend, fellow actor Brad Dexter, even recalled a phone conversation with the star, who said, "I'm extremely unhappy. I married Joe with love. I thought I was going to have a good life ... And I discovered that the man is absolutely obsessed with jealousy and possessiveness."
Their marriage fell apart during the filming of "The Seven Year Itch." In a famous scene, air from a subway vent makes Monroe's white dress fly up, exposing her legs. This infuriated DiMaggio, and he reportedly abused the movie star. Monroe filed for divorce, citing "mental cruelty," and photos showed her stepping out of DiMaggio's Beverly Hills home with tears flowing down her face. She went on to marry playwright Arthur Miller, and after they divorced, DiMaggio was there by her side until her tragic death. DiMaggio never remarried, with his attorney telling Vanity Fair that his last words on his deathbed in 1999 were, "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Oscar De La Hoya
Former professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya made headlines in 2007 when photos showed the athlete wearing fishnet stockings and high heels and hanging out with a woman named Milana Dravnel while he was married to his wife, Millie Corretjer. Despite initially stating that the photos were fake, the boxer came clean in 2011 and revealed other heavy details that included being unfaithful to his wife.
During an interview with Spanish network Univision (via New York Post), De La Hoya admitted that it was him in the photos while also confessing to abusing drugs and alcohol. He revealed that he even thought about ending his life, saying, "I was already feeling like I had nothing. And what is going through your mind are your children, your wife, the people who love you.'" Though he shared that he was no longer abusing drugs and alcohol (per Daily Mail), he also stated that he was cheating on his wife during those dark times. "We are obviously not talking a Tiger Woods here, but I was unfaithful."
De La Hoya's wife appeared to stick by her husband's side throughout this difficult period of his life. However, rumors of a split emerged in 2016 when a video showed the boxer at a Los Angeles nightclub telling the people around him that he was single, per Life & Style, and in 2021, TMZ reported that he was dating former Golf Channel host Holly Sonders. Before marrying Corretjer, De La Hoya was previously engaged to Shanna Moakler, the ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United fans all know of the name Ryan Giggs and his celebrated success with the English football club. Ryan is considered one of the best players to come out of United, but as his career highs were continually mentioned in the media, so was a shocking affair.
Ryan and his wife, Stacey, were married in 2007, but things changed for the couple when "Big Brother" star Imogen Thomas revealed that she and Ryan had an affair, which he wanted to keep a secret. It wasn't the only scandal he would fail to keep under wraps. According to The Sun (via Daily Mail), his brother Rhodri Giggs' wife, Natasha, admitted to having an eight-year affair with Ryan in 2011. The scandal resulted in the divorce of Rhodri and Natasha in 2013, while Ryan and his wife stayed together until 2017 when the BBC reported that she had filed for divorce.
After learning that Ryan had become manager of the Welsh national team, His father, famed rugby player Danny Wilson, told The Sun that he was "ashamed" of his son's past actions. He shared, "I should be the proudest dad in the world, as happy as a lark by what he's achieved — but I am ashamed of him." He added, "I can't even bring myself to use his name — I refer to him as the ex-footballer." However, it appeared that Ryan was trying to make amends with his brother when Daily Mail reported seeing the men together in 2015.
Mike Comrie
Former Canadian hockey player Mike Comrie and Disney star Hilary Duff ended their four-year marriage on good terms in 2015, even though the athlete's wild behavior the night before Duff filed for divorce was unsettling.
USA Today reported that the couple separated in early 2014, however, the paparazzi photographed the exes together several times later that year, including at a Halloween party in Los Angeles where they were spotted holding hands, per TMZ. With the couple having one son, Luca, it appeared that reconciliation was on the horizon, but Comrie's wild night out in 2015 seemed to be the breaking point for Duff. Daily Mail reported that the retired NHL player was seen drunkenly offering a woman money for sex and flirting with a waitress at a Los Angeles restaurant. The very next day, TMZ learned that Duff had filed for divorce.
Despite ending their marriage during a rough patch, Duff and Comrie's divorce was amicable. Duff told Cosmopolitan, "It wasn't working well enough to stay together, but there was still a lot of love involved. It was just a slow set-in of us not being the match that we used to be. I'm lucky for the person he is and I am, and how we decided to handle this." Duff went on to marry singer Matthew Koma in 2019 and have two more children, daughters Banks and Mae. She and Comrie were spotted hanging out with their son Luca in 2020 at a park in Los Angeles and seemed to be on good terms.
Ashley Cole
English soccer star Ashley Cole became embroiled in scandal when as many as five women confessed to having affairs with the married athlete. In 2006, Cole married singer Cheryl Tweedy, but two years into their marriage, the sports star was accused of cheating on the pop star with hairdresser Aimee Walton, per the Daily Star. Unfortunately, this wouldn't be the last report about his infidelity.
According to The Guardian, not only was it confirmed that Cole had cheated on his wife with Walton in 2008, but in 2010, it was also revealed that he had sent photos of himself to a model and that he had slept with a third woman who turned out to be a secretary at Premier League club, Liverpool. A fourth woman later claimed she too had an affair with the soccer player and then came a fifth, Alexandra Taylor, who told the Mirror, "But I didn't know anything about him and Cheryl — he certainly never mentioned her while we were talking. And later that night we went back to his place for sex."
In 2010, Reuters reported that Tweedy had filed for divorce from the soccer star, citing "unreasonable behavior." It appeared that Cole was done fooling around when he began dating model Sharon Canu. The couple shares two children, and Cole told The Telegraph in 2019, "It's a different me, I'm more of a family man now. You won't see me in nightclubs anymore, you'll see me at a park pushing my kids."
Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong's career as a professional cyclist hasn't been a smooth ride, and, unfortunately, neither was his marriage to his first wife Kristin Richard. The pair were married from 1999 to 2003 and share three children, but in an article for Glamour, Richard painted a less-than-perfect portrait of the once-celebrated athlete that had her questioning marriage and its sacrifices.
After calling marriage a "conspiracy," Richard went on to state, "Marriage has the potential to erode the very fiber of your identity. If you aren't careful, it can tempt you to become a 'yes woman' for the sake of salvaging your romantic dream. It can lure you into a pattern of pleasing that will turn you into someone you'll hardly recognize and probably won't like." Richard would later tell Oprah Winfrey (via People) that she had felt "smothered" in her marriage, but admitted her relationship with Armstrong was "good."
Ten years after the couple's divorce, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven consecutive Tour de France titles and an Olympic bronze medal after admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs in 2013. Now, years later, Armstrong appears to be doing well, with Hello! reporting that he keeps busy with his bicycle shop and coffee shop in Austin, Texas, and continues to ride for fun. He also got engaged to a yoga instructor named Anna Hansen, with whom he shares two children, per People.
Chad Johnson
Ex-NFL player Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and reality star Evelyn Lozado were set to share their love story and their preparations for their July 2012 wedding on a new reality series for VH1 called "Ev & Ocho," but it was quickly pulled after the couple was involved in a serious altercation and Johnson was arrested for domestic battery, per ET.
Johnson and Lozada were only married for about a month when TMZ learned about the incident. The couple was arguing when Johnson allegedly got violent, headbutting his wife so hard that it caused a "laceration on her forehead." After the NFL star's arrest, Lozado filed for divorce, and it was finalized in September 2012, per People. According to ESPN, Johnson was cut from the Miami Dolphins and said on Showtime's "Inside the NFL," "I lost two of the things that really meant the most to me. That someone completed my world, completed me, period. But I just hadn't made that transition to where I needed to be the best man that I could or best husband that I could."
In 2020, Johnson brought up the incident with his ex-wife when he tweeted, "I lost my temper for once in life for 3 seconds & it cost me lifetimes of work." However, this quickly prompted Lozado to post a tearful reaction in which she revealed that Johnson's violent assault "wasn't the first time," per TMZ. As of this writing, Johnson is engaged to "Selling Tampa" star Sharelle Rosado, who gave birth to the couple's daughter in January 2022, per People.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.