[Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors online in the US on Fubo]

One of the NBA’s must-watch games this weekend adds another chapter to a historic rivalry, as the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers meet with playoff positioning at stake and Stephen Curry and LeBron James headlining the showdown.

Golden State come in off a critical win over Phoenix Suns to boost its top-six hopes, while the Lakers carry a two-game winning streak as they look to keep climbing the Western Conference standings behind LeBron’s leadership.

When will the Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors match be played?

Los Angeles Lakers take on Golden State Warriors this Saturday, February 7, in a 2025/2026 NBA regular season game. The game will start at 8:30 PM (ET).

Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:30 PM
CT: 7:30 PM
MT: 6:30 PM
PT: 5:30 PM

How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors in the USA

Catch this 2025/2026 NBA regular season matchup between Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in the USA on Fubo. Other options: NBA League Pass, ABC.

[Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs online in the US on Fubo]

One of the Western Conference’s most anticipated showdowns is on deck as two rivals clash for early-season supremacy. The Los Angeles Lakers, riding a four-game winning streak and boasting a 6-2 record, look to keep their momentum alive behind LeBron and Bronny James.

Standing in their way are the San Antonio Spurs, who sit at 5-1 after suffering their first regular-season defeat and are eager to respond with a statement performance. This high-stakes battle could have major implications for the top of the standings.

When will the Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs match be played?

Los Angeles Lakers play against San Antonio Spurs this Wednesday, November 5, in a 2025/2026 NBA regular season game. The game will start at 10:00 PM (ET).

Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs: Time by State in the USA

ET: 10:00 PM
CT: 9:00 PM
MT: 8:00 PM
PT: 7:00 PM

How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs in the USA

Catch this 2025/2026 NBA regular season matchup between Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs in the USA on Fubo. Other options: ESPN.

Needless to say, the Dallas Mavericks getting the first-overall pick — and with it, Cooper Flagg — was the talk of the hour, but it wasn’t the only storyline worth following.

If anything, Flagg won’t be the only Duke star about to enter the league. And according to a report by HoopsHype, an unnamed executive believes that Kon Knueppel can also be a top-five selection.

Executive says Kon Knueppel could be a top-five pick

“Kon Knueppel could also go Top 5 if it’s a team that does need to win right away,” the exec said. “He’s an offense-first version. Like a better shooting De’Andre Hunter, but with a little less defense. Hunter’s much longer than Knueppel. But the whole point is the role versatility. You’re betting on IQ, shooting, and fit.”

As things stand now, Knueppel is projected to fall just outside of the top five. But if this prediction comes to fruition, he could go to the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, or Utah Jazz.

Needless to say, he will have his work cut out for him to climb his way to the top five, and the first-overall pick is an open secret at this point, but we’ve seen crazier things happen.

As of now, three former first-overall picks (Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, and Anthony Davis) are still in the league, and we have other former Duke stars like Jayson Tatum, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Jalen Johnson, and Dereck Lively II also going strong.

Even so, the Blue Devils might take things even further in the NBA next season. As reported by Derek Parker of Sports Illustrated, Cooper Flagg will headline a class of three potential lottery picks from Jon Scheyer’s team.

The Blue Devils could have three lottery picks in 2025

“The combo forward will undoubtedly go No. 1, it’s only now a matter of where,” Parker wrote. “Additionally, Duke will see two other likely lottery picks in sharpshooter Kon Knueppel and 7-foot center Khaman Malauach. Both have a range as high as No. 4 per most experts, and are rarely, if ever, left out of the lottery entirely.”

If that wasn’t enough for the renowned program, fellow Blue Devils Tyrese Proctor and Isaiah Evans are also firmly expected to be taken at some point during the event.

All in all, it’s crazy to see that such a talented team fell short of the ultimate goal after being that close, but that’s just the beauty of college hoops, and it’s called March Madness for a reason.

[Watch Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks live in the USA on Fubo]

Friday’s NBA showdown promises to be one of the most compelling matchups of the season, featuring two powerhouses eyeing deep playoff runs. The reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum, are firmly in the hunt for the Eastern Conference‘s top seed and aim to extend their winning streak.

On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks, fighting to solidify their position in the playoff picture, recognize the importance of securing a victory to remain within the coveted top six. This clash between title contenders is set to deliver high-stakes drama and postseason intensity.

When will the Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks match be played?

Boston Celtics take on Milwaukee Bucks this Friday, December 6, in a 2024 NBA regular season game. The game will start at 7:30 PM (ET).

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:30 PM

CT: 6:30 PM

MT: 5:30 PM

PT: 4:30 PM

How to watch Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks in the USA

Catch the 2024 NBA regular season matchup between Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the USA on Fubo. Other options: ESPN, NBC Sports Boston.

Yet, there are many examples of athletes who crossed that line and had an affair (sometimes allegedly) with the wife or girlfriend of one of their teammates. Let’s take a closer look at some of these instances and the potential fallout of each.

Honorable Mention: Delonte West

If it’s an unwritten rule that teammates should mess around with one another’s wives and girlfriends, it’s beyond unwritten that the same principle applies to other family members, including mothers. Apparently, nobody told West, allegedly. In 2010, there was a rumor that West had a relationship with LeBron James’ mom Gloria. As the rumor started to spread, both James and West denied that it was true. Nevertheless, it’s the kind of rumor that’s hard to ignore, whether it was true or not.

Amidst the rumors, LeBron didn’t look like himself in the playoffs. As a result, the Cavs lost in the conference semifinals in Cleveland’s last chance to win a title before LeBron went to Miami. In 2012, West set the record straight by saying that no such affair happened. However, it was surely one of the craziest rumors to ever hit the NBA.

DeMarco Murray

Unlike a lot of the athletes on this list, Murray was a young and stupid college kid when he made his transgression. During his college career at Oklahoma, Murray had an affair with the wife of Brennan Clay, who was also a running back at Oklahoma. Clay didn’t have a standout career the way Murray did, although he did serve as a mentor to Murray while they were in college.

Apparently, Murray repaid his mentor by sleeping with his wife. For a little while, the two were able to cover up their affair. However, Clay was looking at one of his wife’s old cell phones and came across some incriminating text messages. That’s when he found out that his old college teammate had fooled around with his wife.

Tony Parker

In the early days of Parker’s relationship with actress Eva Longoria, the two seemed like the perfect couple. Frankly, who among us didn’t have fantasies of being married to Longoria back then? But their marriage ended after five years amidst reports of Parker’s infidelity. Imagine, having the audacity to cheat on someone like Longoria.

The kicker is that Parker had an affair with Erin Barry, who was the wife of Brent Barry. Parker and Barry were teammates with the Spurs from 2004 to 2008, winning two NBA championships together. However, Parker had no problem crossing that line, ending both marriages and forcing Barry to opt out of his contract with the Spurs so he wouldn’t have to play with Parker.

Pavel Bure

While there isn’t a full, unbiased account of these proceedings, it seems as if Bure and Russian teammate Sergei Fedorov were involved in a bit of a love triangle for a few years with tennis star Anna Kournikova. It might be worth noting that back when this happened, Kournikova was still a teenager with both Bure and Fedorov a least a decade older than her.

As it allegedly happened, Bure and Kournikova met in 1999 when she had already been romantically linked to Fedorov. In 2000, a scandalous photograph of Bure and Kournikova led to reports that they were engaged, which both denied. Yet, somehow Kournikova and Fedorov got married in 2001, only to divorce in 2003. Only the three of them know the exact timeline, but it seems reasonable that there was some cheating or suspicious behavior going on with this triangle of stars.

John Terry

If you take away his off-field issues, Terry is one of the most decorated English soccer players of all time. However, his legacy is tarnished by legal problems, instances of racial abuse, and an infamous affair with model Vanessa Perroncel, who was the girlfriend of Wayne Bridge, a teammate of Terry’s with both his club team Chelsea and the English national team.

While Terry and Perroncel both deny it happened, the affair allegedly lasted four months, and for a brief time, a court in England prevented the media from reporting it because of a super-injunction. However, the details eventually came to light and Terry was briefly stripped of his captaincy of the national team. Bridge then left Chelsea and took himself out of the national team picture for the 2010 World Cup because Terry was still on the team. When the two played each other for the first time following the affair, Bridge dissed Terry in the pre-game handshake line.

Paul Terry

Perhaps John Terry can blame the affair with his teammate’s girlfriend on the example set by his older brother Paul. While he played mostly in the lower divisions in England and never reached the level of his younger brother, Paul Terry was a professional soccer player. He also had a hard time staying away from his teammate’s spouses.

One year before John’s affair with Bridge’s girlfriend, Paul had an affair with the fiancé of Dale Roberts. The two played together for one season with the club Rushden & Diamonds. After finding out about his fiancé cheating on him with a teammate, Roberts died by suicide.

Derek Fisher

It’s certainly off-limits to have a relationship with the wife or girlfriend of a teammate. But there’s also a blurry line when it comes to the ex of a teammate. That was the situation with Fisher and Matt Barnes, who played together with the Lakers for a couple of seasons. During that time, Barnes was married to Gloria Govan. They didn’t have a perfect marriage, although they did have a pair of twins together.

A few years after Fisher and Barnes were teammates (after Barnes and Govan had gotten divorced) the two ex-teammates were involved in a physical altercation, not so coincidentally, at Govan’s house. Barnes didn’t like that Fisher and Govan had been seeing each other prior to Barnes and Govan getting divorced. But for what it’s worth, Fisher and Govan ended up getting married in 2021.

Colin Kaepernick

Long before the NFL more or less banished Kaepernick because he had the audacity to take a stance on social issues, he created problems in the San Francisco locker room by allegedly having a relationship with a teammate’s girlfriend. That teammate was linebacker Aldon Smith, who previously had a relationship with radio and MTV host named Nessa Diab.

Kaepernick and Nessa dated after she broke up with Smith. But there were rumors that the two started seeing each other while Nessa was still dating Smith and while Kaepernick and Smith were still teammates with the 49ers. To be fair, Kaepernick and Nessa have stayed together, welcoming a child in 2022. But the start of their relationship definitely falls into a gray area.

Rafael Palmeiro

Despite collecting over 500 home runs and 3,000 hits, Palmeiro is not in the Hall of Fame because of his connection to steroids. But using performance-enhancing drugs wasn’t the only instance of cheating during his career. Throughout his career, there were rumors of Palmeiro sleeping with the wives or girlfriends of several teammates, almost as if the significant others of teammates were his type.

The most famous affair came during the 1988 season when he was playing with the Cubs. This was early in Palmeiro’s career and the first time he was named an all-star. While largely unconfirmed, there were rumors during the season that Palmeiro was having an affair with the wife of longtime Chicago second baseman Ryne Sandberg. The hostility in the clubhouse became too much, essentially forcing the Cubs to trade Palmeiro the following offseason.

Avisail Garcia

While he later became an all-star with the White Sox, many fans forget that Garcia first got to the majors with the Tigers in 2012. However, during the midway point of the 2013 season when Garcia was still a young player, the Tigers were able to involve Garcia in a three-team that sent him to the White Sox. Given the rumors of Garcia having an affair with the wife of teammate Prince Fielder, the timing of the trade might not be a coincidence.

It must be mentioned that these rumors have never been confirmed. However, Fielder and his wife filed for divorce in May 2013, less than two months before the Tigers traded Garcia. While they reconciled the following year, there were also rumors of a clubhouse fight between Fielder and Garcia. The 2013 season was also one of the worst of Fielder’s career, adding to the circumstantial evidence surrounding this affair.

Golden Tate

Tate spent the first four seasons of his career in Seattle and looked to have a promising career with the Seahawks. He was even part of their Super Bowl-winning team during the 2013 season. But after winning the Super Bowl, the Seahawks decided not to re-sign Tate. That allegedly happened because quarterback Russell Wilson told the Seahawks he didn’t want Tate around.

Why did Wilson want Tate out of Seattle? Apparently, Wilson found out that Tate and his wife Ashton Meem were having an affair. Tate has always denied this, claiming that his girlfriend was best friends with Meem. But the timing of Wilson’s divorce of his high school sweetheart in April 2014 is certainly suspicious. Of course, nowadays, Tate is married, Wilson is part of a power couple with Ciara, and Meem is out of the public spotlight.

Fritz Peterson & Mike Kekich

This might be the weirdest story of teammates getting involved with one another’s wives. During spring training in 1973, Peterson announced that he had left his wife and family for a new family. That family happened to be Kekich’s wife and daughters. Peterson and Kekich had been teammates with the Yankees since 1969 and somehow Peterson had replaced Kekich in his own family.

But in the twist of the century, Kekich soon announced that he was now living with Peterson’s wife and his sons. While the two pitchers declined to use the term wife swap, that is essentially what happened. Somehow, the swap was made without any hurt feelings. Unfortunately, while Peterson and Kekich’s former wife Susanne stayed married and lived happily ever after, Kekich and Peterson’s former wife Marilyn broke up not long after the two couples swapped partners. Did you get all of that straight?

Brendan Shanahan

Shanahan is a Hall of Famer who won a few Stanley Cups with the Red Wings. But before he got to Detroit, Shanahan spent a few seasons in St. Louis. But during the lockout-shortened season in the mid-90s, he found himself with a little extra time on his hands. How did Shanahan spend that time during the 1994-95 season?

Well, it turns out he had an affair with the wife of teammate Craig Janney. When the team found out what was happening, the Blues decided to trade Janney with Shanahan being traded not long after either. In the end, Janney and his wife split up and she later married Shanahan, so something good came out of this betrayal.

Thibaut Courtois

European soccer stars typically have no problem attracting women. That’s why there seems to be no need to get involved with the girlfriend of a teammate (and perhaps a friend). However, Courtois had no problem getting together with Caroline Lijnen, who was the girlfriend of Kevin De Bruyne, a longtime teammate of Courtois with the Belgium National Team. As the story goes, De Bruyne cheated on Lijnen, so her way of getting even was to cheat on him with one of his teammates.

Of course, if he knew that Lijnen was just trying to hurt De Bruyne, Courtois didn’t have to go along with it. Nevertheless, the affair happened in 2012 and became public in 2014. Yet, Courtois and De Bruyne have managed to remain teammates on the national team for more than a decade with De Bruyne writing in his autobiography: “Although I still cannot believe what Courtois has done, we continue to work together professionally.”

John Harkes

The U.S. was literally the worst team at the 1998 World Cup. Among the problems that the team faced in that tournament was playing without Harkes, who was previously named Captain for Life, only to be cut from the team just a couple of months before the World Cup. At the time, it seemed like a crazy decision and had no rhyme or reason other than claims that Harkes and leadership issues.

More than a decade later, the public learned that Harkes had an affair with the wife of teammate Eric Wynalda. Oddly enough, Harkes later claimed that he wanted Harkes on the World Cup team because it deprived the U.S. of one of its best players. However, that doesn’t mean that Wynalda doesn’t still feel animosity toward his former teammate.

Dave Martinez

As we know, Rafael Palmeiro had a problem when it came to not having affairs with the wives of his teammates, including the wife of Ryne Sandberg. But Sandberg’s wife isn’t an innocent party. In fact, there were unconfirmed rumors that she had multiple affairs with her husband’s teammates over the years, including Martinez.

Martinez actually played with the Cubs at the same time Pelmeiro did. Both made their debut during the second half of the 1986 season but would have short tenures on the North Side of Chicago. While the Cubs traded Palmeiro after the 1988 season, Martinez was traded in the middle of the 1988 season. According to the rumors, Sandberg’s wife must have had an affair with both of them sometime between the end of the 1986 season and the middle of the 1988 season.

Mauro Icardi

It’s one thing to have an affair with the wife or girlfriend of a teammate, but it’s even worse to break up a family. Yet, that’s what Icardi did to Maxi Lopez. The two Argentines became teammates at Italian club Sampdoria in 2012 when Lopez was married to Wanda Nara. The couple even had three kids together. But that didn’t stop Nara and Icardi from getting together, especially since Nara also accused Lopez of infidelity.

After Lopez and Nara officially called it quits after the affair, she married Icardi and they had two kids together, giving Nara five kids from two fathers who are both pro soccer players. Unfortunately, Nara and Icardi divorced in 2022, one year after Nara implied Icardi had been unfaithful. While Lopez is now retired, he and Icardi always refused to shake hands whenever their teams played one another.

Jordan Ayew

Since 2012, Ayew and Afriyie Acquah have played together for the Ghana national team. The two even played in the 2014 World Cup together. But that bond apparently meant nothing to Ayew. In the summer of 2015, a tape leaked that let the world know about an affair between Ayew and Acquah’s wife Amanda.

Apparently, the affair lasted for four years. Keep in mind that Ayew was already married to his wife Denise Acquah, who coincidentally has the same last name as Ayew’s scorned teammate. Ayew is still married to Denise and the couple has two kids. Also, while Afriye Acquah is not a prominent member of the Ghana national team the way Ayew is, the two have continued to be teammates despite Ayew’s transgression.

Shannon Brown

Not only were Gasol and Brown teammates for a few seasons but they also won back-to-back NBA championships with the Lakers. That should have bonded the two forever in a positive way. However, around this time Gasol broke off his engagement with fiancée Silvia Lopez Castro amidst rumors that one of Gasol’s teammates contributed to the end of the relationship.

It was later uncovered that Brown had an affair with Castro during the 2010-11 season. Not so coincidentally, Gasol had terrible numbers during the playoffs that season, preventing the Lakers from winning three in a row. After the season, the Lakers declined Brown’s option and made no effort to re-sign him after learning of his affair with Gasol’s fiancé. Oddly enough, this happened early in Brown’s relationship with R&B singer Monica. Brown and Monica eventually married but divorced in 2019.

Corey Fisher

Right around the time of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, the Villanova Wildcats endured a rumor that Fisher, one of the team’s stars, impregnated the girlfriend of Scottie Reynolds, another one of their stars. While it’s been difficult to confirm whether this is true or the exact details, the animosity allegedly boiled over into a physical fight between the two on the eve of the Big Dance.

Again, we don’t know for sure, but the circumstantial evidence is impressive. In mid-February, the Wildcats were 22-2. However, they lost five of their last seven games, albeit with three of those losses coming against ranked teams. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Fisher and Reynolds were removed from the starting lineup and came off the bench-presumably following their fight. Villanova needed overtime to beat no. 15 seed Robert Morris and then lost in the second round to St. Mary’s. Surely, there’s a reason for the team’s late-season collapse.

Deshaun Williams

A few years before Villanova’s implosion, the Syracuse Orange experienced a similar situation late in the 2002 season. As the story goes, Williams, the team’s second-leading scorer that year, impregnated the girlfriend of Preston Shumpert, the team’s leading scorer. More than two decades later, there are players on that team who say they don’t know the full story. However, Williams and Shumpert could barely look at each other late in the season, much less play together.

In mid-January, Syracuse was 16-2 and a top-10 team. However, they went 4-9 down the stretch and missed the NCAA Tournament. While they reached the NIT semifinals, it was a small consolation after a once-promising season. After the season, Shumpert graduated while Williams transferred, keeping the details of that vicious rumor to themselves. However, it worked out for Jim Boeheim and company, as Syracuse reloaded the following season behind Carmelo Anthony and won the national championship.

Shaquille O’Neal

Technically, Shaq was never teammates with Gilbert Arenas. However, NBA players tend to have a brotherhood with one another that should prevent any player from interfering with the personal life of someone else in the league. But if there was any code in place among NBA players, it was broken in 2011 when he had an affair with Laura Govan, who had a longtime relationship with Arenas from 2002 to 2014.

As most fans know, Shaq has had plenty of relationships over the years, so it’s not a huge surprise that he would fool around with someone else’s girlfriend. The public found out about Shaq and Govan after some inappropriate emails were discovered. Govan tried to claim they were fake emails, but nobody was buying it. Shaq’s wife, in particular, wasn’t buying it because she filed for divorce right around the time these rumors started popping up.

Michael Ballack

Ballack is one of the leading scorers and most celebrated players in the history of German soccer. Objectively, he’s a good-looking guy and never had much of a problem with the ladies. But that got Ballack into a little bit of trouble in 2007, not long after he left German club Bayern Munich for English club Chelsea.

Keep in mind that in 2007, Ballack and his longtime girlfriend Simone Lambe had three kids together. However, Christian Lell, a teammate of Ballack’s at Bayern Munich, accused him of having an affair with his girlfriend Daniella Aumann. Ballack initially survived the rumors, although he and Lambe divorced in 2012. Regarding the accusations, Lell said of the former German captain: “Ballack enters into other people’s private lives and ruins them without further thought.”

Mesut Ozil

As if it wasn’t bad enough having Michael Ballack sleep with your girlfriend, Christian Lell had the same problem years later with Ozil, another decorated member of the German national team. Ozil represented Germany in three World Cups, including the 2014 World Cup, which the Germans won.

A few months after Germany’s triumph in that World Cup, Lell accused Ozil of having an affair with his girlfriend Melanie Rickinger. Lell claimed that his relationship with Rickinger ended because of her affair with Ozil. He went so far as to leak text messages that Rickinger and Ozil exchanged. Rickinger responded by suing Lell for theft of data, making a messy situation even messier.

Joe Horn

Some fans will remember Horn for a touchdown celebration that involved pulling a cell phone from underneath the uprights. While slightly humorous, that celebration does point to Horn being a me-first player. There’s even more evidence of that in the form of rumors that he was involved with the wife of teammate Willie Roaf.

Following the 2000 season, there were rampant rumors that Horn had an affair with teammate Roaf’s wife. On top of that, there were rumors that Horn was the biological father of one of Roaf’s kids as a result of the affair. Roaf has publicly denied the second part of that. But it remains to be disproven that Horn and Roaf’s wife had an affair.

Jason Richardson

Richardson spent parts of three seasons with the Suns during the time that Nash was the face of the franchise. On the court, Richardson provided an excellent complementary player. But off the court, Richardson allegedly had an affair with Nash’s wife. Sadly, the story is even worse than an athlete having an affair with a teammate’s wife.

The rumors of Richardson hooking up with Nash’s wife were largely substantiated by Nash and his wife separating a few months before the birth of their third child. When the child was born, Nash had reason to believe that Richardson was the father and not him. While that’s never been proven to be the case, Nash still filed for divorce that same day. Meanwhile, the Suns were quick to trade Richardson to the Magic rather than force him and Nash to continue to share the court.

With that in mind, we have rounded up some of the top NBA couples that are dominating life both on and off the court. Now let’s check out the most powerful duos in the NBA!

Joel Embiid and Anne de Paula

Despite some injury struggles early in his career, Joel Embiid has blossomed into a perennial all-star and a double-double machine. When healthy, the 76ers are a serious threat for any team in the league. On top of his on-court success, things have been going well for Philadelphia’s big man off the court as well.

Since 2018, Embiid has been in a relationship with Anne de Paula. The basketball star met the Brazilian model through mutual friends and found chemistry quickly, with both loving soccer and family while also speaking French.

In just a few years, the pair seem to have already traveled the world together. Embiid revealed in an interview that he had done a background check on de Paula before they started officially dating. Fortunately, everything worked out perfectly.

Trae Young and Shelby Miller

Young has become the best thing that happened to the Hawks in years,as he turned them into aplayoff teamalmost all on his own.Though opposing fans don’t have a lot of love for him, Trae is beloved in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, longtime partner Shelby Miller is happy to have him too. A former cheerleader at Oklahoma during Young’s one and only year in college, Miller is certainly proud of his man’s progress. Or at least that’s what her Instagram feed suggests. As a couple, their future looks as promising as Young’s future on the court, since they tied the knotlate in 2022.

Jaylen Brown and Jacqueline Hawileh

It took him a while, but Jaylen Brown is finally proving his doubters why he was the third overall draft pick in 2016. An already two-time NBA All-Star, he played a pivotal role in helping the Celtics become a powerhouse in the East again.

Off the court, Brown has been seen with the gorgeous Jacqueline Hawileh,a Louisiana native who attended Northwestern State. Nowadays, she is anInstagram model and influencer.

Al Horford and Amelia Vega

Al Horford’s best days may be far behind him but he can still be helpful when veteran presence is needed in the locker room. More than a decade into his career, the five-time All-Star still helps get the job done.

Horford also seems to have found stability off the court a long time ago. Al Horford and Amelia Vega tied the knot onChristmas Eve in 2011 and welcomed their first of five kids four years later.

Vega is renowned forwinning the Miss Universe crown in 2003, becoming the first Dominican woman to win the prize. Nowadays, shecontinues to do some modeling and acting whilehelping to support his husbandand raise their children.

Luka Doncic and Anamaria Goltes

Luka Doncic had a strong start to his NBA career, winning theRookie of the Year award in 2019. Far from slowing down, the Slovenian star proved he’s destined to be a future MVP. Off the court, everything has been a slam dunk for the Mavs star as well.

He has been dating Slovenian lingerie model Anamaria Goltes since 2016, before he even entered the league. She grew up in a small town in Slovenia and was a competitive dancer for many years. She and Doncic have known each other since they were 12, so it looks like they’re meant to be together.

Zach LaVine and Hunter Mar

Zach LaVine didn’t immediately shine in the NBA, but he eventually became a star. After a few good years in Minnesota early in his career,things really took off for him when he wastraded to the Bulls.

A two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion, LaVine is now one of Chicago’s stars. Away from the court, LaVine is also doing great, as he’s stayed with Hunter Mar since high school. Curiously, they didn’t even attend the same high school.

However, they made it work and continued to do sowhenLaVine went to UCLA and Mar played college soccer at Seattle University. LaVine and Mar tied the knotin 2020, while spending the quarantinetogether during the pandemic.

Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry

Ayesha isn’t nearly as famous as her husband Stephen Curry, who has already made a strong case to be consideredthe best shooter in NBA history. But she’s had a few ventures into show business herself.

After attending a performing arts high school, Ayeshaappeared in several independent films and modeled as well. She met Stephat a youth church group when they were teenagers, and the couple got engagedwhile stillin college. She now has her own cooking show called “Cooking with the Currys”.

James Harden and Olla Naber

The Beard is one of the best players in the league and his career will be unforgettable. A three-time scoring champion and a former MVP,Harden is expected to enter the Hall of Fame in the future.

Away from the court, Harden has been linked to multiple celebrities throughout the years, including singer Ashanti and Khloe Kardashian. More recently, he has been seen with Instagram model Olla Naber, who is a social media personality and Instagram model with millions of followers.

Julius Randle and Kendra Shaw

For some time, Julius Randle struggled tolive up to the expectations of a top-10 draft pick.It only took him amove to the New York Knicks to get his career back on track, after working on his game during his entire NBA career. The two-time All Star, meanwhile,owes his love life to the one year he spent in college at the University of Kentucky.

He met Kendra Shaw at a college party and the couple hasbeen together ever since, tying the knotin 2017 after welcoming a child into the world in the same year. Apart frombeing a wife and mother, Shaw is a fashion designer and entrepreneur with her own fashion line called Kalore.

Jrue Holiday and Lauren Holiday

Jrue Holiday has played for three different NBA teams and he’s been a beloved member of the local community everywhere he’s been. Not only did he make the All Star on two occasions, but he also helped the Bucks win a long awaited championship in 2021.

His personal life has long beenin order as well. He married Lauren Cheney in 2013,havingmet her during his only year at UCLA. Cheney played college soccer and later represented the USWNT, winning two Olympic gold medals and aWorld Cup title. Together, Jrue and Lauren have two children and an unbreakablebond with Drue taking time away from the sport in 2017 when Lauren needed surgery to remove a brain tumor. She has since recovered and theyare still going strong.

Nikola Jokic and Natalija Macesic

In less than 10 years in theNBA, The Joker is already among the top 10 players of all time in triple-doubles. He has postedsome fantastic numbers throughout his career, winningback-to-back MVP awards in 2021 and 2022. Jokic has helped to make the Nuggets strong in the Westand is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Off the court, Jokic is in a long-term relationship withNatalija Macesic, whom he met as a teenager in Serbia. When Jokic came to the US, his longtime girlfriend followed him. The couple tied the knotin 2020 and welcomed their first child the following year. They also value their privacy with Macesic staying out of the spotlightwhile working as a psychologist.

Donovan Mitchell and Tinara Westbrook

After blossoming into a star in Utahand capturing the league’s attentionby winning the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest, Donovan Mitchell has continued to be a star in Cleveland. Not even thechange of city and conferencestopped Mitchell from being a perennial all-star.

When he’s not dominating on the court, Mitchell is mostly next to hisgirlfriend Tinara Westbrook. The two made public their relationship shortly after Spida was traded to the Cavaliers. Westbrook,founder and CEO of a wig and hair extensions company called Anna Santana Hair Company, isalso a social media star with over 150,000 followers on Instagram.

Chris Paul and Jada Paul

Some say Father Time has caught up to Chris Paul, but he still managed to make the All-Star Team for the 12th time in 2022. Besides, heled the NBA in assists for the fifth time in 2021-22. He took the Suns to an NBA Finals, even if his team lost it was a great feat.

Either way, Paul has had a tremendous career. He’s also had his wife Jada Paul along for the ride. They met in high school, tied the knot in 2011, and have two children together. Chris and Jada are known as one of the most fashionable couples in pro sports in addition to running a foundation in their home state of North Carolina.

Blake Griffin and Francesca Aiello

Griffin has gonefrom being astarto a supporting cast player. After a few injury-plagued seasons, he got things back on track in Brooklynbefore moving to Boston. Even so, he’s still a former Rookie of the Year and a six-time all-star.

Off the court, Griffin has also had to reset his personal life once or twice. After some failed relationships, he’s trying again with his new girlfriend Francesca Aiello,a model whoventured into the business world with her own swimwear line. Griffin and Aiello first started datingin 2018 and after a brief break-up, got back together.

Kyle Lowry and Ayahna Lowry

Kyle Lowry defied the odds by suceeding in the NBA, becoming a legend in Toronto after helping the Raptors win the NBA championship in 2019. Even if his best days are behind him, Lowry should be proud of his career andenjoy life with his wife.

Lowry met Ayahna Cornish at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philly. Both stayed close to home for college with Lowry going to Villanova and Cornish playing basketball at St. Joe’s, where she was a dynamic scorer. The couple eventually tied the knot in 2012 and now has two children.

Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai

Jayson Tatum struggled at first, but now he’s certainly living up to the hype around him in college.Drafted third overall in 2017 out of Duke, Tatum has been a perennial all-star since 2020. He’s become Boston’s primary star, leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022 and winning the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award.

Away from the court, Tatum has had some controversialissues in his dating life. He was lit up on social media by his ex when he left her for his baby mama. In 2019, he moved on from the mother of his child in favor of singer Ella Mai. But now it looks like Tatum has finally found some stability with Mai.

Khris Middleton and Samantha Dutton

Khris Middletonhas quite an interesting story, having become a star after years of being seen as a role player. A pivotal member of the championship-winning team of the Bucs in 2021, now he’s one of the biggest names in Milwaukee.

Off the court, Middleton has been with longtime girlfriend Samantha Dutton for a long time. Though they aren’t married andDutton keeps her social media profiles private, the couple has two kids together. She also works as a school teacher and has spent most of her professional life as an educator.

Mike Conley Jr. and Mary Peluso

Mike Conley has gone unnoticed for much of his career, but his game finally got some recognition when he was named for the All Star in 2021. Now he’s part of an ambitious Timberwolves team after being traded by the Jazz.

Conley is happily married to his college sweetheart Mary Peluso. They’ve been togethersince the days the two of them called themselves “Buckeyes” at Ohio State. They tied the knotin 2014 and now have three sons. Apart from her role as wife and mother, Mary maintains an active Instagram account with over 37K followers, largely devoted to fitness and her family life.

Draymond Green and Hazel Renee

Though one couldn’t imagine it because of the image he gives on the court, Draymond Green is quite theromantic. He popped the question to his wife Hazel Renee with a $300,000, 6-carat diamond ring in January 2019. The CEO of Jason of Beverly Hills, where he bought the ring, told TMZ that Draymond was very involved in the design process. In fact, the proposal reportedly included a helicopter and a yacht.

Renee was a model and has also appeared on several reality TV shows, including Basketball Wives. She and Green metat Michigan State, where she was on the track team. But theymet while enrolled in the same theater class. The couple tied the knot in 2022, two years after having their first child.

Anthony Davis and Marlen P.

Anthony Davis was a star as soon as he got into the league, and after somefrustrating seasons in New Orleans with a lackluster supporting cast around him,he finally got his big move to Los Angeles, where he carries the Lakers’ expectations next to LeBron James.

Not much is known about Anthony Davis’ personal life, but the public has finally caught up with him and his longtime partner Malen P. But since all of her social media accounts are private, we don’tknow much about her. However, we do knowthey started to go out in 2016 and tied the knot in 2021. They also have a daughter named Nala.

Russell Westbrook and Nina Earl

A former MVP, there was no better point guard than Russell Westbrook back in the day. But despite all of his personal accomplishments, Westbrook is yet to win an NBA title and now is running out of time.

Fortunately, his private life couldn’t be better. In 2015, he married Nina Earl, who he met while at UCLA. Nina played on the women’s basketball team at UCLA, so the two matched perfectly. Today, she is a licensed therapist, a businesswoman, and the mother of the couple’s three kids.

DeAndre Ayton and Anissa Evans

DeAndre Ayton has averaged a double-double since enteringthe league and helped get Phoenixto the NBA Finals in 2021. Even if he hasn’t quite lived up to the hype of the No.1 overall pick, he’s played a key role for the Suns.

While born in the Bahamas, Ayton attended high school in California, which is where he met his longtimepartner Anissa Evans,also born in the Bahamas before coming to America. She now works as a model and influencer and has over 21,000 followers on Instagram. While not married, Ayton and Evans have been together for a long time and welcomed their first child in 2021.

Charles Barkley and Maureen Blumhardt

When Charles Barkley isn’ton TV, he’s a family man. He and his wife Maureen Blumhardt have been married since 1989 when Barkley was stillwith the 76ers. Blumhardt, who attended college in Philadelphia at Villanova, met Chucky in the City of Brotherly Love.

While she’s had several jobs in her life, Blumhardt has long been a philanthropist and activist, spending much of her life fightingfor women’s rights. Together, the coupleraised a daughter named Christiana, who was bornjust 10 months after Barkley and Blumhardt tied the knot.

Shaquille O’Neal and Annie Ilonzeh

Shaquille O’Nealhasn’t had much luck in long-term relationships. He was married to Shaunie Nelson, an executive producer of reality shows like Basketball Wives LA and Baller Wives, for seven years. The two had four children together and each had a child in a previous relationship.

The couple tied the knotin 2002 but filed for divorce seven years later. Since then, Shaq has had countless girlfriends, including reality TV star Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander, model Laticia Rolle, and author Karrine Steffans.

Jordan Poole and Kim Cruz

Though it took time, Jordan Poole eventually turned himself into a key player for Golden Stateafter being their first round draft pick in 2019. Off the court, he is apparently datingInstagram modelKim Cruz. By the time the Warriors achievedthe 2022 NBA title, giving Poole his firstring, word came outthat they have been dating for a few months.

The evidence came from Cruz donning one of Poole’s shirts before it became available to the general public. Her Instagram page, which has over 423,000 followers, also includes pictures and videos from a Warriors-Lakers game from early in the 2021-22 campaign.

Andrew Wiggins and Mychal Johnson

Despite being traded from Minnesotato Golden Statein 2020, Andrew Wiggins has been in a stable relationship withMychal Johnson for his entire career. The couple has been together since 2013, a year before Wiggins became the No.1 overall pick.

Johnson is a former basketball player herself, having played college ball at Notre Dame. While they have yet to formally tie the knot, the couple has two daughters.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger

Giannis Antetokounmpo made a strong case to be considered the biggest NBA star right now. The Greek Freak has already delivered a ring in Milwaukee, but we can expect him to continue doing so.

Off the court, Giannis has been next to Mariah Riddlesprigger for many years. They’re notmarried, buthave two children together. Apart from being a mother and a supportive girlfriend, Mariah is a former college volleyball player who also founded a clothing line and does a lot of philanthropic work.

Steve Kerr and Margot Kerr

Steve Kerr has had a long and healthy marriage with his wife Margot. The two are college sweethearts who met at the University of Arizona, first being set up on a blind date by Bruce Fraser. The rest, of course, is history.

Theytied the knotin 1990, some yearsinto Kerr’splaying NBA career. They have three kids: Nick, Maddy, and Matthew. Fraser,who introduced them, has remained in their lives. He’s been on Golden State’s coaching staff since Kerr washired by the Dubs in 2014.

Bradley Beal and Kamiah Adams

With John Wall gone, BradleyBeal has thrived as the biggest starin Washington. Even if the Wizards aren’t a powerhousein the East, Beal is now a three-time all-star. Off the court, Beal also has a steady love life with his wife Kamiah Adams. Curiously, Adams met Beal because she was friends with Wall. The guardhelped to introduce Beal and Adams, who tied the knot in 2020 and have two kids.

Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow

Kuzma struggledwith the Lakers during his firstseasons in the league. All he needed was a change of scenery as his game has significantly improved since being traded to the Wizards in 2021.

Away from the court, Kuzma has also had some ups and downs in his personal life. He and his girlfriend Winnie Harlow began dating in May 2020 but broke up a year later. Fortunately, they patched things up after a few months and now are still together. Harlow rose to fame while appearing on America’s Next Top Model and is renowned for beinga famous model while living with the skin condition vitiligo.

Ja Morant and Kadre Dixon

Before he made all the headlines for the wrong reasons, Ja Morant hadlit up the NBA in short time. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2020 and then made the All-Star Team for the first time in 2022.

It remains to be seen if Morant canfigureout things off the court though. He and his girlfriend Kadre Dixon first got together in 2017 when they were in college. There has been speculation that the two have broken up, but that remains unclear. The one thing we know is that Morant and Dixon had a child together in 2019, so they are forever linked.

Kawhi Leonard and Kishele Shipley

Even though injuries have caught up to him, Kawhi Leonard is still the owner of two championship rings with two different teams and took home NBA Finals MVP honors on both occasions. Whenhealthy, the five-time all-star is surely one of the best.

Despite being one of the most eccentric players in the league, Leonard has found lasting love with his girlfriend. Kishele Shipley. The two met at San Diego State with Shipley graduating one year after Leonard left school to go to the NBA. They’ve been together a long time and keptthings as private as possible. However, we do know they have two kids and own several homes in Southern California.

Paul George and Daniela Rajic

Just like his career, Paul George has had a long and long-lasting relationship with his girlfriend Daniela Rajic. On the court, George is an eight-time all-star and has been one of the best defensive players in the league for most of his career.

Away from the court, he met Rajic in 2013at a nightclub called Tootsie’s Club in Miami. George was dating someone else at the time, but it turns out the two were impossible to keep apart. George and Rajic overcame many obstacles and now arehappy together withtwo kids.

C.J. McCollum and Elise Esposito

After coming out of nowhere – or Lehigh University to be more specific – McCollum has turned into one of the NBA’s best sidekicks. Oncethe league’s Most Improved Player and Damian Lillard’s former partner in Portland, now he plays the role of a veteranfor the Pelicans.

Despite all of his fame, McCollum remained next to his college sweetheart Elisa Esposito. They had to endure many years of a long-distance relationship while McCollum was in Portland and Esposito was studying to become a dentist, but they were finally able to tie the knotin 2020. Nowadays, Esposito is a dentist, McCollum is still in the NBA, and the two have a child together, so life is good all around.

Kyrie Irving and Marlene Wilkerson

One of the most misunderstood and enigmatic talents in the NBA, Irving’sromantic life alongside his wife Marlene Wilkerson is a little more settled. The two first got together in 2018 and she’s stood by him throughout all the controversial moments around Kyrie both on and off the court. Wilkerson identifies as an Instagram model and Youtuber, amassing over 400,000 Instagram followers.

Damian Lillard and Kay’La Hanson

The only thing missing in Damian Lillard’s brilliant career isplayoff success, as the Trail Blazers have been unable to have a deep run so far. But that aside, Lillard can’t have too many complaints, let alone in his personal life.

Dame met his longtime partner Kay’La Hanson when the two were students at Weber State. The couple welcomed their first child in 2018 and then had a set of twins in 2021. Three kids later, the college sweethearts finally got married in the fall of 2021.

LeBron James and Savannah James

A man that needs no introduction, LeBron James has made a strong case to be considered one of, if not the best player in NBA history. And his wife Savannah is clearly proud of her man, whom she met inhigh school. The couple tied the knotin San Diego in 2013, and now has3 children, including the oldest Bronny, who LeBron has mentioned he’d like to play with. James has often gushed about Savannah’s role as his partner, not to mention someone who helps with his business and philanthropic ventures.

Demar Derozan and Kiara Morrison

He may have needed more time than expected to adjust to the league, but Demar DeRozan eventuallyturned into one of the league’s most prolific scorers and a six-time all-star. He’s also had the courage to addresshis mental health struggles, becoming an advocate for others to speak out as well.

Away from the court, DeRozan is very much committed to his wife Kiara Morrison. The couple met at USC with Morrison playing on the women’s basketball team and DeRozan the star of the men’s team. Despite separating for a little while, the two got back together and appear committed to each other and their kids.

Lonzo Ball and Denise Garcia

Marred by injuries and trades, Lonzo Ball hasn’t quite lived up to his full potential, but he’s still young enough to get there if he can stay healthy. Likewise, Ball has had a rollercoaster relationship with his longtime partner Denis Garcia. Their relationship is typical of what you’d expect from a couple of kids in their young 20s.

The two have been off and on a lot, although they have a kid together, which complicates things further. Garcia appeared frequently on the reality show Ball in the Family. They separated again in 2022 with Ball hoping he can focus on basketball.

Klay Thompson and Laura Harrier

Thompson has forged a reputation for being not onlya great player but alsoa cool guy with a greatpersonality. He was tough enough to battle through injuries for a few years and then return to help the Warriors win another title in 2022. Unlike his career, in which he stuck to Golden State, Thompson dated many different women including actress Hannah Stocking, basketball player Tiffany Suarez, and model Abigail Ratchford, among others.

He’s also been linked with actress Eiza Gonzalez, although Thompson was most recently serious with actress Laura Harrier, who is best known for her role in Spider-Man: Homecoming. The two were reportedly together from 2018 until early 2020. There have been rumors that they’ve gotten back together, but when it comes to Thompson’s personal life, it’s a guessing game.

Jamal Murray and Harper Hempel

Jamal Murray managed to lead the Nuggets on a couple of deep playoff runs in 2020 and 2021 beforean ACL tearcaused him to miss more than a full season. Fortunately, Murray returned from injury for the 2022-23 season and immediately went back to making Denvera heavyweightin the West.

Away from the court,Murray has enjoyed a rather stable personal life next toHarper Hempel. They met incollege when Murray was a basketball star at the University of Kentucky and Hempel was on the volleyball team. But sheis more than just an NBA player’s girlfriend, working as a social media consultant and also having her own photography business.

Kevin Durant and Cassandra Anderson

Kevin Durant is really something special.He has the height of a big guy but the shooting ability of a guard. It explains why he wonMVPin 2014 and has been to 13 All-Star Games so far.

However, Durant has struggled to maintain a stable personal life. He’s had a few different girlfriends throughout his career, not that there’s anything wrong with that, and was even engaged to WNBA player Monica Wright at one point.

That didn’t work out, but maybethings will be different with his current girlfriend Cassandra Anderson. The two have reportedly been together since 2017 when Durant was still in the Bay area.Anderson played volleyball at the University of Florida and has worked in real estate since graduating.

Kerr’s playing career spanned 15 seasons in the NBA, during which he played for several teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Chicago Bulls. He is best remembered for his time with the Bulls, where he was part of a dynasty that won three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998. Known for his exceptional three-point shooting, Kerr still ranks among the league’s all-time leaders in three-point field goal percentage. His clutch shooting, particularly during the 1997 NBA Finals, where he hit the game-winning shot in Game 5 against the Utah Jazz, solidified his reputation as a key contributor to championship teams.

After retiring as a player in 2003, Kerr transitioned into broadcasting and analysis, working as a commentator for NBA games. His insights and understanding of the game made him a respected voice in basketball media. However, Kerr’s ambition to return to the sidelines was evident, and in 2014, he was appointed head coach of the Golden State Warriors. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career, where he would quickly establish himself as one of the top coaches in the league.

Steve Kerr the coach

Under Kerr’s leadership, the Warriors transformed into one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. He implemented a fast-paced, ball-movement-centric style of play that revolutionized modern basketball. In his first season, the Warriors won an NBA-record 73 games during the 2015-16 regular season and captured the championship in 2015.

Kerr has led the Warriors to multiple championships, including three titles in five years (2015, 2017, and 2018), further cementing his legacy as a coach.

Beyond his success on the court, Kerr is also known for his advocacy for social issues, using his platform to speak out on topics such as gun control and racial equality. His ability to connect with players and foster a strong team culture has contributed to the Warriors’ sustained success.

Today, Steve Kerr is recognized not only as a brilliant tactician and leader but also as a significant figure in the landscape of professional basketball, embodying the values of sportsmanship and social responsibility.

Achievements of Steve Kerr as a Player

• 5× NBA Champion (1996- 99, 2003) with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs
• 1997 NBA Three-Point Contest winner
• Career 3-point field goal percentage (.454)

Achievements of Steve Kerr as a Coach

• 4× NBA Champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) with the Golden State Warriors
• NBA Coach of the Year (2016)
• Fastest Coach to Reach 300 Wins in NBA history (in 359 games)
• Led Warriors to an NBA-record 73 wins in the 2015-16 regular season
• Developed a modern, up-tempo offensive style that transformed the game
• Mentored several players who have gone on to become stars in the league, including Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson

Durant did not mince words when asked about his least favorite NFL team during an appearance on Kay Adams’ “Up and Adams Show” on Friday, September 6. The Phoenix Suns player made it clear which team he would relegate if given the choice: the Dallas Cowboys.

When Adams asked which NFL team he would demote, NBA star Durant answered quickly and decisively. “Cowboys, easy,” the former Brooklyn Nets replied without pause. “I just don’t like them.”

Durant added, “The Cowboys are just the one team that I don’t like. I think it’s because a lot of people where I’m from in D.C. have become Cowboys fans.”, and then he completed, “I just hate that they don’t stay loyal to the crib.”

The gold medalist in basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympics didn’t hide his disdain for the Cowboys. As he hinted, his dissatisfaction with the Dallas team is a specific and regional matter.

Which NFL team is Kevin Durant a fan of?

Durant is a big fan of the Washington Commanders, the team from the city where the Phoenix Suns superstar grew up.

His disdain for the Cowboys is rooted in his fandom for the Commanders, as Washington and Dallas have a heated rivalry. Despite attending the University of Texas in college, Durant hasn’t forgotten his hometown loyalty and maintains his feelings firmly.

The Rivalry Between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders

The Commanders–Cowboys rivalry is one of the greatest and most traditional rivalries in sports history. Many fans even claim it is the biggest in the NFL. In this context, even though the cities are not close, Kevin Durant has made his allegiance clear and supports Washington.

Since 1992, when NBA players were first allowed to compete in the Olympics, Team USA has consistently fielded star-studded rosters, often referred to as “Dream Teams.”

The Paris 2024 Olympics are no exception. Led by LeBron James and Stephen Curry, Team USA has reached yet another final, aiming for their fifth consecutive gold medal in this prestigious tournament.

Who will Team USA face for the Gold Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics?

After a thrilling game against Serbia, Team USA secured a hard-fought victory with a final score of 95-91. The Stars and Stripes mounted a comeback to defeat a team led by Nikola Jokic.

With this result, Team USA will face France in the grand final. The host nation also had a close win in the semifinals, defeating Germany 73-69, setting up a repeat of the Gold Medal match from Tokyo 2020.

When will Team USA play against France for the Gold Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics?

The Gold Medal match between Team USA and France is set for Saturday, August 20, at 3:30 PM ET. In their previous Olympic encounter at Tokyo 2020, the United States edged out Les Bleus with an 87-82 victory.

But if they make a financial error, it ends up costing them millions. In fact, there is a surprisingly long list of former NFL and NBA players who lost millions of dollars and sometimes lost everything after retiring. Some of these stories are crazy to think about and hard to believe, but let’s check out some of the most famous NFL and NBA players who experienced serious financial problems after their playing days were over.

Delonte West

West, once a promising NBA player known for his versatility and tenacity on the court, faced a stark reversal of fortune after retiring from professional basketball. Despite earning millions during his career, West’s financial woes emerged as a distressing reality post-retirement. Battling with mental health issues and substance abuse, West struggled to manage his finances effectively, leading to a rapid depletion of his wealth. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges athletes often face in transitioning from the spotlight of professional sports to the uncertainties of life after retirement.

As news of West’s financial struggles surfaced, it sparked discussions about the importance of financial literacy and mental health support for athletes transitioning out of sports. While his journey embodies the pitfalls that can accompany sudden wealth and fame, it also highlights the need for greater awareness and resources to assist athletes in navigating life beyond their playing days. Despite the setbacks, there remains hope for West’s future as he seeks to rebuild his life and inspire others with his resilience in overcoming adversity.

Chris Andersen

Andersen, affectionately known as the “Birdman” during his NBA career, experienced a tumultuous journey post-retirement that saw him facing significant financial challenges. Despite earning millions during his time in professional basketball, Andersen found himself grappling with financial instability after retiring from the sport. Poor financial management, coupled with unexpected expenses and investments gone awry, contributed to Andersen’s financial downfall, highlighting the importance of financial literacy and planning for athletes transitioning out of their playing careers.

Andersen’s story serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the harsh realities that many athletes face once the cheers fade and the paychecks stop coming. His experience underscores the need for comprehensive support systems and education programs to help athletes navigate the complexities of managing their finances and planning for life after retirement. As Andersen works to rebuild his financial standing and forge a new path forward, his journey serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience and seeking assistance when facing financial challenges.

Vince Young

It took just seven years for Young to go from the third overall pick in the NFL Draft to filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. His financial advisor blames it on Young spending money faster than he was making it. That says a lot for a guy whose rookie contract was worth nearly $26 million in guaranteed money.

For what it’s worth, spending tens of millions of dollars isn’t easy, although Young made it look easy. He would buy expensive cars and just about anything else with a high price tag. Yet, when he filed for Chapter 11, Young’s assets were worth less than $1 million and he owed upwards of $10 million. He also lasted just six years in the NFL, so Young didn’t have a good way to get out of debt quickly.

Chris McAlister

After being a top-10 pick, McAlister spent a decade playing for the Ravens. He was a three-time Pro Bowler in Baltimore and won a Super Bowl ring when the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. At one point, he signed a seven-year, $55 million contract, so money shouldn’t have been a problem for him, even though McAlister declined swiftly and ended up being cut by the Saints midway through what would become his final season in the NFL.

McAlister last played in 2009, but by 2011, he was already in a bad place financially. We don’t know where the money went, but in 2011, McAlister asked a court to reduce his monthly child support payments. McAlister has a daughter despite only being married for three months. On his application for reduced childcare payments, he claimed that he was living with his parents, who were covering his living costs. In other words, he fell a long way in a short period of time.

Ray Williams

Williams played in the NBA for different teams over his nine-year career, earning roughly $2.5 million. He was at his best during the 1980s, averaging at least 19 points per game over three straight seasons for the Knicks and Nets. Even though he never made the All-Star Team, there were times when he was a bucket waiting to happen. However, soon after his retirement in 1987, things fell apart.

Williams applied for his NBA pension soon after retiring due to financial difficulties. After declaring bankruptcy in 1994, received his $200,000 NBA pension. But then he moved to Florida with that money and became the victim of a real estate scam. That money disappeared quickly and Williams ended up living in his car before some of his former teammates rallied to help get him back on his feet. Sadly, Williams passed away from colon cancer in 2013 at the age of 58.

Kenny Anderson

The best years of Anderson’s 14-year NBA career came during his early days with the Nets. That’s when he made the All-Star Team in 1994 when he scored a career-high 18.8 points per game. While he declined during the second half of his career, Anderson was able to play in the league for a long time. For his career, Anderson averaged 12.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He also took home over $63 million in salary before retiring.

Despite making tons of money, Anderson found himself in a difficult financial situation during his retirement due to a variety of reasons. He had multiple DUI charges and also fathered seven kids with five different women, so child support payments and divorce settlements drained his savings in a big way. Anderson also battled psychological and emotional problems in addition to financial hardships. However, Anderson was able to pull himself out of financial trouble with his journey being documented in the 2017 documentary Mr. Chibbs.

Andre Rison

Rison had something of a rollercoaster career despite being one of the most talented wide receivers of his generation. He was a five-time Pro Bowler who spent his best years with the Falcons and also won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Packers. The guy with the nickname Bad Moon finished his career with over 10,000 receiving yards and 84 touchdowns. He later played in the CFL and won a Grey Cup.

Off the field, Rison had some issues. He had a turbulent relationship with Lisa Lopes of the group TLC, a relationship that included Lopes being charged with arson. Rison also led an extravagant lifestyle, frequently paying the tab for an entire group of friends while at clubs and reportedly spending $1 million on jewels. Naturally, the money ran out, forcing Rison to file for bankruptcy in 2007 when he had trouble with childcare payments. Later, Rison became a high school coach but surely had to adopt a more modest lifestyle with that kind of salary.

Sidney Moncrief

Currently, there are no records of Moncrief’s earnings during his 11-year NBA career, although his estimated earnings are around $7.2 million. His most notable years came with the Bucks with Moncrief being a five-time all-star. But perhaps his biggest claim to fame is being the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year honors twice, making him one of the best two-way guards in NBA history.

However, the millions he made as a player disappeared quickly. After retiring, Moncrief started a car business in his native Arkansas and worked as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks. From there, we’re not sure what happened, but Moncrief declared bankruptcy in 2005 with several car dealerships and even a local newspaper on his list of debtors. While trying to sort out his financial woes, Moncrief worked as a coach for the Fort Worth Flyers in the NBA G-League and a sports analyst for Fox Sports.

Travis Henry

Being a parent can be expensive. Just fathering kids can also be expensive. The latter is part of what got Henry into financial trouble. The former NFL running back has fathered at least 11 children with 10 different mothers. That’s a lot of child support payments that have to go to a lot of different people.

Not surprisingly, Henry had trouble keeping up and he was arrested in 2009 for failing to pay child support. His lawyer said that Henry had to pay around $170,000 per year in child support. Keep in mind his immaturity and drug use caused the Broncos to dump Henry one year into a five-year, $22.5 million contract that ended his career. With other legal problems on top of his child support payments, Henry ended up going broke.

Adrian Peterson

Peterson’s career was filled with both highs and lows. He’s likely to be remembered as one of the best running backs of all time. Peterson won MVP honors in 2012 when he rushed for over 2,000 yards and still owns the record for most rushing yards in a single game. He was also a seven-time Pro Bowler and had a career that was far longer than the average running back, helping him to earn well over $100 million in salary.

Unfortunately, Peterson has had several legal problems along the way. He also made several bad investments and then had to take out loans to cover up those investments. Ultimately, he owed several million dollars to multiple creditors with courts forcing him to multiple settlements after he defaulted on loans. In fact, one reason why Peterson’s career lasted so long is he had to keep playing so he could pay back what he owed.

Rick Mahorn

When you consider that Mahorn made less in 18 seasons than some players in his identical capacity today make in a single season, it makes his financial problems a little more believable. For his career, Mahorn took home an estimated $8.5 million in salary. While he never filled up the stat sheet, he was a key part of the Pistons during their 1989 title run. He eventually retired averaging 6.9 points per game for his career.

It was about 10 years that Mahorn was hit by financial difficulties. Despite having both an NBA pension and a healthy salary as a WNBA coach, Mahorn declared bankruptcy in 2009. After defaulting on his mortgage, he owed the IRS $200,000. Fortunately, serving as a broadcaster for the Pistons and serving as a coach in rapper Ice Cube’s Big3 league helped to get Mahorn out of the red financially.

Johnny Unitas

If only Unitas was as good at making investments as he was at playing quarterback. In 1984, he invested a huge percentage of his life savings in a company that quickly flamed out. By the early 90s, he and his wife were in serious financial trouble and declared bankruptcy after falling $3.2 million in debt.

In addition to financial ruin, Unitas suffered many physical consequences from his long career in football. His knees were bad and his right hand was quite limited. Sadly, Unitas had to live with those physical shortcomings and financial difficulties during the latter years of his life.

Erick Strickland

Strickland played nine NBA seasons with six different teams. His career stats were nothing special, averaging just 7.5 points per game. But those nine seasons in the league earned him around $13 million. However, most of that money would end up being lost thanks to someone who Strickland thought he could trust. Strickland was approached by a buddy with what he thought was a great real estate investment. Even Strickland’s father researched it for his son and found that it appeared to be a fruitful opportunity.

Strickland made an investment with the intention of selling the property for a significant profit. It turned out that the person he believed to be a friend had taken advantage of the Stricklands because the investment property wasn’t even worth half of what they had anticipated. Strickland and his friend had a falling out and the nest egg he built from his playing days was gone.

Michael Vick

At the peak of his career around 2006, Vick was one of the highest-earning athletes in the U.S. However, a slew of legal problems spelled disaster for his finances. He made bad investments and saw his former agents file a $45 million lawsuit against him. Amidst his dogfighting charges the following year, Vick was temporarily out of the NFL and lost endorsement deals.

In 2008, Vick had no choice but to file for bankruptcy after his finances continued to be managed poorly and money was thrown away while he was in prison. It was a complicated process, to say the least, as Vick had to sell several homes to help settle the debts. The silver lining is Vick was able to return to the NFL for seven more seasons, getting himself out of debt and rebuilding part of his fortune before retiring.

Derrick Coleman

Coleman may not be the best player to be drafted first overall, but he did parlay an exceptional college career at Syracuse into a solid NBA career. Coleman won Rookie of the Year honors in 1991 and was also an all-star in 1994. He played for four different teams, including two stints with the 76ers, over 15 seasons, averaging 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during his career. Even if he never became a perennial all-star, Coleman was able to earn over $91 million during his career.

But just a few years after retiring in 2005, Coleman declared bankruptcy in 2010. Most of the blame for his money woes comes from excessive drinking and an extravagant lifestyle. However, Coleman eventually started making better decisions. He returned to school to get his degree and now serves as a spokesperson for Syracuse University while also working with at-risk kids. Coleman has also helped to campaign for clean water in his hometown of Flint, Michigan. He may not be living a rich and flashy lifestyle anymore, but Coleman is doing a lot of good in the world.

Raghib “Rocket” Ismail

Blessed with great speed, Ismail had a great college career at Notre Dame and then spent a couple of years as a star in the CFL before carving out a long career in the NFL. He was even the MVP of the Grey Cup in 1991. Ismail never reached Pro Bowl status in the NFL, although he had a pair of 1,000-yard seasons, which allowed him to earn enough money to be set for the rest of his life.

Of course, that’s not what happened with Ismail. He took his NFL nest egg and invested in several businesses, including a line of cosmetic surgery supplies, a rock-and-roll-themed restaurant, a calligraphy company, and a machine that was supposed to dispense prepaid phone cards. Each and every one of them failed, costing Ismail his fortune and essentially forcing him to work as a sports analyst and a Slamball coach in his retirement to make ends meet.

Randy Brown

An NBA journeyman, Brown is most remembered for his time spent with the Bulls from 1995 to 2000. During the majority of his career, Brown played off the bench and never averaged more than nine points or 3.5 rebounds per game. However, he had a strong defensive presence and was a frequent contributor off the bench during Chicago’s second three-peat. For his hard work, Brown took home a little over $15 million during this NBA career.

After retiring, Brown made the decision to go into business for himself, investing heavily in a number of restaurants and real estate ventures. Unfortunately Brown is another player who was misled by someone he considered a friend. After Brown’s investments failed, the Bulls hired him as their director of player development and eventually assistant GM to help save him from financial ruin.

Mark Brunell

After making roughly $50 million during his NFL career, Brunell ended up filing for bankruptcy in 2010 with just $5 million worth of assets and over $25 million in liabilities. After his playing days, Brunell was involved in some bad real estate investments and didn’t seem to have much of a knack for business.

Part of his business investment was purchasing a stake in nearly a dozen Whataburger locations, mostly in the Jacksonville area. But nearly half of those locations ended up failing and having to close. To help stabilize his finances, Brunell returned to the NFL in 2021 as quarterbacks coach of the Lions.

Mark Ingram Sr.

Before his son was a Heisman winner who had a long NFL career, Mark Ingram St. was a first-round pick who made a lot of money playing football. While his stats are a little underwhelming, the older Ingram spent 10 seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Giants. But after he retired in 1996, his financial problems began. Ingram attempted to deceive the IRS while engaging in money laundering. He was caught and given a seven-year prison term, as well as some heavy fines.

Also, he failed to turn himself into authorities as required, which added many months to his sentence. After courts determined that he had broken the terms of his supervised release by having a firearm, failing to make a $500 monthly reparation payment, and failing to notify his probation officer of a change of address, he was sent back to jail in 2018, which was also costly financially. But perhaps his son can take care of him with the money he’s made from his NFL career.

Dan Issel

Issel is one of the best players in Nuggets’ history. He was a six-time All-ABA player, a seven-time NBA All-Star, and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He played in the ABA with the Kentucky Colonels and then 10 seasons with the Nuggets. For his career, he averaged 22.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game before returning to Denver with two stints as the head coach of the Nuggets. However, Issel had other interests besides basketball that would prove to be his downfall.

When Issel tried his hand in the business world, things went wrong, ultimately forcing him to declare bankruptcy in 2009. Issel reportedly had 34 different creditors and owed them a combined $4.5 million despite Issel taking home $18 million during his playing career. Some of the memorabilia from his career had to be auctioned off to pay off his debt, although Issel has been able to restore his good standing with the IRS.

Warren Sapp

Officially, Sapp made over $82 million as an NFL player. Even as an analyst, he was making $45,000 per month, which is a salary most people would take. However, Sapp found a way to lose it all and bungle his finances. Ultimately, he had no choice but to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a total of $826 in his bank account.

With Sapp, financial problems likely came about because of careless spending. For instance, he spent $1,2000 on a lion-skin rug. Sapp owned an extensive shoe collection that included a pair of Jordan sneakers that cost $6,000. Eventually, all of his prized possessions were auctioned off, but even that wasn’t enough to pay off his debts, forcing Sapp to sell a 10,000-square-foot Florida home in 2012 to pay off everything he owed.

Dennis Rodman

In addition to being one of the most notable players in NBA history because of his antics and appearance, Rodman made over $25 million during his career as one of the top rebounders and defenders in the league. Unfortunately, he loved spending money even more than he loved rebounding. To his credit, Rodman has been described as a generous person who didn’t always spend money on himself.

Nevertheless, his spending habits got him into trouble, causing Rodman to go broke. He ended up owing $800,000 in child support and $50,000 in spousal support. A host of other legal issues over the years have also played a role in draining Rodman’s life savings. Of course, his tattoos serve as daily reminders of the money he spent on things that he can’t sell to get some of his money back.

Charlie Batch

Detroit. To his credit, he made for a decent backup in Pittsburgh for many years, winning two Super Bowls as a member of the Steelers. Even though he was a backup for most of his career, Batch was in the NFL from 1998 to 2012, which should have earned him enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Backups don’t exactly make chump change, after all. However, late in his career, Batch had to file for bankruptcy. He did so in 2011, nearly losing his Super Bowl rings to pay off his debts.

Batch apparently owned 25 properties and made some bad real estate investments. When he filed for bankruptcy, Batch claimed that he was $8.3 million in debt. But while backup quarterbacks make a decent salary compared to the average person, his salary wasn’t enough to pay back his debts. While he’s not exactly living on Easy Street, Batch has gotten his act together, working as a broadcaster and doing work with the NFLPA.

Shawn Kemp

Kemp rose to fame In the early 1990s as a member of the SuperSonics. He and Gary Payton teamed up to lead the rise of basketball in Seattle. Kemp was an explosive and powerful big man who went to six straight All-Star Games during the peak of his career and nearly led the SuperSonics to the NBA title in 1996 before falling short against the Bulls. For his career, Kemp averaged 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game and was paid more than $91 million over 14 seasons.

Unfortunately, in 2022, it was reported that Kemp’s net worth was almost zero. After retiring, he had some legal issues that were accompanied by hefty legal bills. It was also reported that Kemp was making monthly child support payments to six different families. In 2020, Kemp’s name was attached to a cannabis dispensary in Seattle that he started to help him to start making money again. However, Kemp’s legal woes have continued, as have his financial hardships.

Antoine Walker

Over his entire NBA career, Walker’s earnings are north of $100 million. That’s the kind of money you get after 13 seasons in the league, especially as a three-time all-star. But even an estimated $108 million isn’t an infinite amount, especially when you refuse to wear the same suit twice and support 70 friends and family members at various times, both of which Walker did.

Walker first got himself into trouble by writing checks to casinos for over $1 million. That foolish decision was just a precursor to Walker filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010, claiming he had over $12 million in debts and assets of a mere $4.3 million. His college teammate Nazr Mohammed had to chip in for half of his attorney’s fees during the bankruptcy proceedings. Walker was out of debt by 2013 but only after selling his NBA championship ring.

Lawrence Taylor

Part of Taylor’s problem is that elite defensive players during his era didn’t make the kind of money a player of his stature would today. But his other problem is that he liked to spend money on things that he didn’t actually need, especially drugs. Taylor had a drug problem, which is a good way to lose a lot of money quickly and put yourself into debt.

In fact, Taylor once admitted to spending $1,000 per day on a combination of drugs and escorts. There was also a series of bad investments and legal issues that drained his bank account. Taylor compounded the issue by giving the IRS a false tax return. By 1998, he had to file for bankruptcy while later getting charged with failure to pay child support and tax evasion.

Mookie Blaylock

Blaylock will long be remembered as one of the finest point guards in Hawks history, at least before Trae Young showed up in Atlanta. During his time in Atlanta, he led the league in steals in back-to-back seasons and holds the franchise record for most steals. Blaylock was one of the best defensive players of his era, averring 2.3 steals per game during his career. But he also knew how to put the ball in the basket, averaging 13.5 points and 6.7 assists per game during his career, helping to earn him over $31 million in salary.

Unfortunately, Blaylock battled alcoholism and substance abuse during the latter stages of his career and his life after retirement. Much of his money was either devoured by the condition he had or went toward trying to defend himself in court. In 2013, Blaylock was the driver in a fatal car accident that claimed a woman’s life and almost his own. After pleading guilty, Blaylock served three years followed by eight years of probation, losing most of his money in the process.

Terrell Owens

Between his salary and his endorsement deals, Owens made around $80 million during his time in the NFL. But it turns out Owens spent too much time coming up with elaborate touchdown celebrations, creating controversy, and doing sit-ups in his driveway to manage his finances properly. At one point, Owens had hit net worth down to roughly half a million dollars. He was paying about $45,000 per month in child support, which can make any fortune shrink in a hurry.

Owens actually lapsed on those payments for a while and nearly ended up going to jail because he either couldn’t or wouldn’t pay them. If you’re wondering why Owens spent time playing in the CFL and Fan Controlled Football, it’s more so because he needed the money rather than the love of the game.

Glen Rice

As a former top-five pick, Rice didn’t have the most memorable career, but he was an accomplished scorer and a three-time all-star. In six of his 15 seasons, Rice averaged over 20 points per game. He also contributed to the Lakers during their 2000 championship, starting almost every game of the season. His career ended with over $68 million worth of salary in his pocket and 18.3 points per game.

But a combination of poor business decisions and regular child support payments led to Rice’s post-basketball financial problems. Rice even asked a judge to reduce his monthly support payments so that he could live independently. To make ends meet, he started to rely on memorabilia sales, public appearances, and fees for signing autographs. But even that wasn’t enough to cover his expenses. In 2022, a judge finally agreed to reduce Rice’s monthly payments, which appears to have eased his financial trouble.

Latrell Sprewell

Sprewell is most infamous for his violent incident with coach P.J. Carleismo. That voided the contract he had with the Warriors, although Sprewell later sign a lucrative deal with the Knicks and make plenty of money. He also made some unusual comments in 2004 when he claimed that the three-year, $21 million contract the Timberwolves offered him wasn’t enough to feed his family, leading him to decline the offer.

In retrospect, perhaps Sprewell should have taken the $21 million and done his best to get by. A few years after his days in the NBA were over, he was sued by his former partner for $200 million, as she claimed that Sprewell promised to support her and their four kids. That lawsuit led to money problems that caused Sprewell to have his yacht and two homes foreclosed over the next couple of years. A few years after that, the state of Wisconsin claimed that Sprewell was $3.5 million behind in his taxes, putting him in even deeper financial turmoil.

Tiki Barber

On the field, Barber had a career that would make most running backs proud. He played all 10 of his seasons with the Giants, racking up over 10,000 rushing yards and going to the Pro Bowl three times. While outspoken at times, Barber appeared to be smart enough to avoid financial ruin during his retirement. In fact, he retired rather than sign a two-year, $50 million contract with the Giants, so he must have been in good shape financially.

Surprisingly, that didn’t turn out to be the case. Barber had issues with his personal life, as his 11-year marriage ended after he cheated on his wife with an NBC intern. That affair also cost him his job because he violated a “morality clause” in his NBC contract while working as a broadcaster. It turns out, Barber wasn’t that responsible off the field with money or his personal life. Fortunately, he’s found other broadcasting jobs and began hosting a daily radio show on WFAN in New York in 2022.

Eric Williams

Williams had a prosperous 12-year NBA career. Early in his career, he averaged 15 points per game over two seasons with the Celtics. After getting hurt during his third season in the league, Williams was never the same again. However, he was able to hang around the NBA for 12 seasons, making close to $40 million while averaging 8.6 points per game during those 12 seasons.

Unfortunately, about 10 years after his NBA career came to an end, Williams found himself without a home and seriously in debt. His situation worsened when he received a citation alleging that he was over $24,000 behind on child support payments. In recent years, Williams has managed to dig himself out of that financial hole, although he shouldn’t be particularly proud of blowing a nearly $40 million nest egg.

Deuce McCallister

As an NFL quarterback, McCallister banked around $70 million in salary. At one time, he was among the highest-paid running backs in the league. But within three years of retiring, virtually all of that money was gone. The biggest culprit was McCallister buying a Nissan dealership in Mississippi, which seemed like a good idea at the time.

However, McCallister was built to be a running back, not a businessman. Nissan ended up suing him for owing more than $6.6 million, plus interest, causing McCallister to file for bankruptcy on behalf of the dealership. Even after a settlement was ordered, McCallister failed to pay, forcing Nissan to sue him again. Along the way, McCallister saw his home auctioned off with his net worth down to about $50,000.

Allen Iverson

If you just looked at Iverson’s contracts, not to mention the expensive way he would dress, you’d probably think that he was just fine financially during his NBA career. Even for a big spender, it’d take a lot to lose all of his cash. Keep in mind that he made over $20 million in salary some years.

However, when his wife filed for divorce in 2008, there were reports that Iverson was in debt. He apparently spent freely, to the point that he reportedly bought new clothes everywhere he went rather than carry luggage (or hire someone to carry the luggage for him). When the divorce proceedings went to court, Iverson allegedly yelled at his former wife: “I don’t even have money for a cheeseburger!” However, publicly, he kept up the appearance that he had plenty of money, so perhaps the truth is somewhere in between.

Dan Marino

Fortunately, Marino is better known for being the best quarterback to never win a Super Bowl than he is for his financial errors. Ideally, he’d rather be remembered as a former NFL and a nine-time Pro Bowler, not to mention leading the NFL in completions six times, which remains a record the Hall of Famer who spent his entire career with the Dolphins owns.

In any event, Marino followed up a spectacular career with some financial missteps after he retired. He backed a company called Digital Domain Media Group that worked on Apollo 13 and Titanic. However, when that company went bankrupt, Marino’s 1.6 million shares became worthless and he lost a reported $14 million. Despite taking a heavy loss on that investment, Marino is still able to get by thanks to his broadcasting gig on CBS.

William Perry

It should sadden to hear all NFL fans, especially Chicago fans, that the great William Refrigerator Perry fell on hard times after he retired. He was such a legendary figure for the Bears, especially when they won Super Bowl XX and he scored a touchdown. He made millions during his career and also made plenty of celebrity appearances both before and after he retired.

Unfortunately, a series of health issues, including diabetes, alcoholism, and Guillain-Barré syndrome have had a negative impact on his life and his finances. Things got so bad that had to sell his Super Bowl ring for $20,000 at an auction. In 2016, Perry reportedly had to move into a retirement home and is living off disability payments from the NFL and social security to support himself, a sad ending for a larger-than-life figure.

Clifford Robinson

During his playing career, Robinson was affectionately known as Uncle Cliffy. He wasn’t a bonafide superstar, earning just one all-star selection. But he was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1993 and was one of the better defensive players of his era. But with tens of millions in the bank, Robinson filed for bankruptcy just two seasons after his retirement. According to the claim, he had assets worth $7.1 million but $12.4 worth of debt, putting him more than $5 million in the red.

To his credit, he ventured into the cannabis industry with a line of Uncle Cliffy products to help him get out of debt and get his finances back on track. Sadly, a stroke in 2017 left him partially paralyzed with Robinson passing away of lymphoma in 2020 at the age of 53.

Clinton Portis

Believe it or not, Portis was once the highest-paid running back in NFL history. It’s surprising because he only went to the Pro Bowl twice. While he was still early in his career, Portis signed an eight-year, $50.5 million contract that should have had him set for life. But after signing that contract, injuries got in the way of his career and poor financial decisions followed.

About five years after his last NFL game, Portis filed for bankruptcy. He claimed his financial advisors forced him to make bad investments and took more than $3 million out of his account. He later claimed that he didn’t fully understand what his advisors were telling him. A few years after filing for bankruptcy, he was one of a dozen former players accused of defrauding the NFL’s health program. Those players made a few million dollars worth of false claims with Portis eventually being sentenced to six months in jail.

Darius Miles

Miles was one of the more successful players to jump from high school to the pros, at least early in his career. He was one of the top rookies in the league during his first season and carved out a respectable career. Despite a knee injury ending his career prematurely, Miles played eight seasons in the NBA and made $62 million in addition to having a couple of movie roles.

But perhaps Miles skipped college entirely, he didn’t do a good job of managing his finances. He had an extravagant lifestyle and spent as if the money would never run out. But the money did run out, especially after several unsuccessful investments. About seven years after he retired, Miles was forced to declare bankruptcy.

Luther Elliss

Fans of the Lions will probably remember Ellis more than most NFL fans. He played 10 seasons in the NFL, mostly in Detroit. Elliss went to two Pro Bowls and made well over $10 million during his career, which means he should have been set for life. AT least that would have been the case if Elliss had been more responsible with his money.

It turns out Elliss spent too much money on cars and jewelry in addition to making some bad investments. Within five years of retiring, he was $1.6 million in debt on his mortgage and didn’t have enough to pay it off, forcing him into bankruptcy. Elliss reemerged in the football world as a college coach in 2017, ultimately joining the staff of his alma mater Utah in 2022.

Joe Smith

After being the first overall pick in the draft, Smith had something of a journeyman career, playing for 12 teams in 16 seasons. Despite failing to find a permanent home or ever being an all-star, Smith’s longevity helped him amass over $60 million in career earnings. When all was said and done, Smith averaged 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Ironically, it was his constant movement between homes that ended up costing him. Smith claims that he purchased a brand-new home in each state where he competed, and by 2018, he was completely bankrupt. Perhaps he forgot that you’re supposed to sell homes when you move away. When Smith was in dire straights financially, it was Alex Rodriguez who saved him. A-Rod set up Smith with a financial counselor who assisted Smith in getting back on his feet and paying off his debts.

Bernie Kosar

There were high hopes for Kosar when the Browns drafted him out of Miami. That year, he signed a $6 million contract, and that was just at the start of a 12-year career. Kosar tried to focus on football while letting his father manage his money. But that turned out to be a bad decision.

Kosar’s father quickly spent the signing bonus he got from the Browns on cars and his mortgage. Between loans and general mismanagement, Kosar’s father ended helped to lose $15 million. Despite graduating from Miami’s business school and getting involved in some successful businesses, Kosar had to declare bankruptcy in 2009 when his business had just $9 million in assets and over $18 million in debt.

Christian Laettner

In addition to becoming the most despised player in college basketball history, Laettner had a successful NBA career that earned him more than $60 million. He played for six different teams over 13 seasons. While Laettner was only an all-star once, he played well enough in the pros to keep getting contracts, eventually averaging 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds over his entire career.

After retiring, Laettner experienced financial hardship. He found himself on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of several poor business and real estate decisions. He not only owed $14 million to North Carolina creditors but he also conned one of his former teammates. Laettner partnered with Scottie Pippen in an effort to buy the Memphis Grizzlies. But the deal never came to fruition, and when Pippen didn’t get a return on his investment, he sued Laettner, his former Dream Team teammate, winning $2.5 million.

Larry Johnson

Johnson is one of the best power forwards in NBA history and a Hall of Famer. Even with chronic back problems slowing him down late in his career and forcing him into early retirement, Johnson put together an impressive career. He won Rookie of the Year honors after an incredible college career at UNLV and was an all-star in the NBA twice. Over his five years with the Hornets and five years with the Knicks, Grandmama averaged 16.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while collecting over $83 million, all by age 31.

Alas, Johnson’s early retirement was not exactly a blessing. His back problems necessitated costly medical procedures in order for him to function properly. Johnson filed for bankruptcy in 2015 when it was discovered he owed a colossal sum in child support. He owed one woman $890,000 in delinquent child support. Offering the woman his home in California was the only way he knew how to settle his obligation. The woman accepted the offer, which settled the matter, although it probably doesn’t leave Johnson with much money left to live too comfortably.

Dermontti Dawson

Few players are as revered by Steelers fans as Dawson. He spent his entire NFL career playing center for the Steelers, going to seven straight Pro Bowls and ultimately earning a place in the Hall of Fame. Naturally, he made a decent living, only to end up in financial turmoil, filing for bankruptcy a decade after his retirement.

After retiring, Dawson became a real estate developer. But he had a minority stake in a lot of ventures, so he didn’t have a lot of control over decisions being made. He ended up owning his partners close to $70 million while having just $1.4 million in assets. Dawson now makes a living as a sales rep but does still have part ownership in an independent baseball team.

Vin Baker

To date, Baker is one of the most popular players in Bucks’ history. He began his career in Milwaukee, where he made the all-star team in three straight seasons before becoming an all-star again after being traded to Seattle in 1997. Baker also played for the Celtics, Knicks, Rockets, and Clippers during his 13-year career. He eventually retired after making more than $97 million, averaging 15 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Unfortunately, Baker’s financial difficulties after his playing days ended have been well-documented. He battled alcoholism and addiction during his career, and those issues continued after he retired, putting a strain on his finances in the process. But after promising to get clean, Baker was able to turn things around. For a while, he was managing a Starbucks while trying to get on the right path. In 2018, Baker returned to the Bucks as an assistant coach, relying on the franchise that drafted him to help him stay on the straight and narrow.

John Elway

While Elway went to Stanford and had a Hall of Fame career with the Broncos, winning two Super Bowls, he’s not always made the best decisions off the field. When he was running the front office for the Broncos, he failed on multiple occasions to draft a viable quarterback. In 2010, he was also the victim of a Ponzi scheme, which you wouldn’t think would happen to a Stanford graduate.

Elway reportedly lost $15 million when he and his business partner invested in a hedge fund that turned out to be not such a good idea. On the bright side, Elway made other investments that have gone better and prevented him from wasting his money. For instance, late in his career, he sold five auto dealerships with his name for $82.5 million. He also owns four Denver-area steakhouses called Elway’s, so he had some good investments and never needs to worry about where to go for a good meal.

O.J. Simpson

Simpson’s legal troubles are well-documented, and hiring several high-priced lawyers to help get him acquitted of double-murder charges didn’t exactly come cheap. On top of that, Simpson lost a civil suit two years later that ordered him to pay $33.5 million to the families of the victims in his double-murder case. Any money that Simpson made after losing his civil case the Goldman family did its best to collect.

Most people don’t know that a tax lien was filed against Simpson in 1999, and by 2007, the state of California claimed he owed the state $1.44 million in unpaid taxes. Simpson’s financial situation didn’t improve after he was convicted of armed robbery and served nine years in prison before being given parole in 2017. He died on April 11, 2024 in Las Vegas due to prostate cancer.