Now a ‘Single’ Mom of 3, Erik Spoelstra’s Ex-Wife Nikki Divulges the Harsh Challenges of Parenting: “(Kids) Lose Their Sh*t…”

The Miami Heat have been one of the most consistent franchises in the league for the past two decades. They have become a textbook definition of a well-run franchise, and head coach Erik Spoelstra has played a big role in making that happen. However, the 2x NBA title-winning coach has even bigger responsibilities other than coaching the Heat. He is a father of three kids with his ex-wife, Nikki Sapp.

In a recent conversation, Nikki provided honest insights into parenthood. The ‘single’ mother to three also talked about certain challenges that come with parenting.

Nikki Sapp gets honest about parenting

In the latest episode of her podcast, The Know with Nikki Spo, Sapp talked about the challenges that come with being a single parent. During a conversation with guest Monica Del Valle, Nikki said, “It’s hard to balance all of it like working, having a business and being a single mom, sharing your children… I ask my kids all the time when they start to freak out and like lose their sh*t, I’m like guys ‘how many mommies is mommy. They’re like ‘one’, and I am like ‘exactly’. I always feel like someone’s getting the short end of the stick.” 

After seven years of marriage, Nikki and Erik decided to part ways in November 2023. In a joint statement issued to the Miami Herald, the couple said, “We have made the difficult yet amicable decision to jointly file to formally end our marriage. We remain fully committed to co-parenting our children and continuing to make them our shared priority.” They have three kids together: a 5-year-old son named Santiago, a 4-year-old daughter named Gia Alessandra, and a 2-year-old son named Dante Nicholas.

Who is Nikki Sapp?

Nikki Sapp, born on March 22, 1987, is a popular podcast host as well as a business owner. Her relationship with Erik Spoelstra brought her into the public eye, and their paths initially crossed through basketball. Nikki served as a cheerleader for the Heat from 2006 to 2011, but their romantic relationship began after her departure from the Heat organization.

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While working for the Heat organization, Sapp also juggled a teaching job. She taught language arts to middle school students in a school in South Florida. Spoelstra and Nikki exchanged vows in a private ceremony held in September 2016 at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, with only close family and friends in attendance.

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