Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Nikki Sapp Spoelstra announced their divorce Wednesday after seven years of marriage.
The statement was made in the Miami Herald in an announcement to the public.
Heat's Erik Spoelstra, wife announce divorce after 7 years of marriage https://t.co/6eilIZeEmE
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 29, 2023
"We have made the difficult yet amicable decision to jointly file to formally end our marriage," they said in a statement. "We are both grateful for our relationship and remain fully committed to co-parenting our children and continuing to make them our shared priority.
"We appreciate everyone’s support as we move to the next stage of our lives and thank you for respecting our family’s privacy," they added.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, wife file for divorce https://t.co/iNcoByl5wF
— WPTV (@WPTV) November 29, 2023
"Erik Spoelstra married the former Miami Heat dancer in 2016. They have three children together," WPTV reported.
"This is Erik Spoelstra's 16th season as the Heat's head coach. His 1,205 wins are the most in franchise history," it continued.
After seven years of marriage, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and wife Nikki have announced their divorce. https://t.co/HXK8oGCgIn
— CBS News Miami (@CBSMiami) November 29, 2023
"They also said the decision was difficult but amicable, and they jointly filed to formally end their marriage," CBS News reported.
"Erik and Nikki married in the summer of 2016 and have three children; five-year-old Santiago, three-year-old Dante, and one-year-old Ruby," it noted.
The Miami Heat (10-8) are off to a solid start this season, though two stars, Jimmy Butler and Haywood Highsmith, are questionable for the team's next game.
Butler was reported with a right ankle sprain, while Highsmith has a lower back issue that could keep him out of the matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Injuries have continued to be a major concern so far this season for the Heat, with most lost coming when starters have been unable to play.
The health issues for the team are now compounded by the coach's own personal concerns involving the high-profile divorce that has become a major headline for the Heat and the city of Miami. Under Spoelstra's leadership, the team made the NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 and played in the finals last season.
He has been named among the top 15 coaches in the league's history, with many expecting him to continue for several more seasons as he seeks additional championships with the team he has led for 16 years..
