Desperate to Survive, Shaquille O’Neal’s Ex-Wife Shaunie Sought the Last Resort Despite Backlash

2011 was a dramatic time for Shaquille O’Neal. He was on a farewell tour during his final NBA season, finalizing his divorce, and his ex-wife was making her reality TV debut. Basketball Wives premiered in 2010, having been filmed the year before. Shaunie Henderson was the creator and executive producer of it. But contrary to what the title would imply, it wasn’t about the NBA WAG life. The first season premiered fresh after Shaq and Shaunie’s divorce filings. The highly publicized breakdown of their marriage was only the start of the criticism this show would face.

Despite the negative perception surrounding this genre of reality TV, Shaunie told xoNecole why she went this route. “We just tend to tear our own people up for whatever reason. When I started Basketball Wives, it was really a matter of survival for me. I was in desperation mode. I needed the show to be successful because I had to figure out how I was going to live and provide a life for my children.” Unlike the Pippen divorce, Shaunie didn’t make away with half of Shaq’s empire.

O’Neal agreed to pay her about $10,000 in spousal support and $10,000 for each of their four children (Shaq adopted Shaunie’s eldest, Myles). Her divorce settlement was estimated at $33 million. Once a Hollywood promoter in LA, Shaunie had not been employed during her marriage with Shaq. She, however, had experience with a few of Shaq’s past reality stints and her former life as a film marketer. Delving into that world was a no-brainer, and she’s proud of what she’s created.

“Basketball Wives is a platform and it is a space for women to have the freedom to be and say and do what represents them. And what that is, is their decision, right? I just provided the platform for it to happen,” she noted. Royce Reed, who appeared in the first season, once revealed that Shaunie contacted her to film a sizzle reel and sell the show to promoters. Vh1 picked it up and the show premiered in April 2010. Today it’s 11 seasons in with several cast changes. But Shaunie, and mostly her best friend Evelyn Lozada, remain the main stars of the show.

Divorce from Shaq inspired Shaunie

Separating from Shaquille O’Neal put Shaunie in the spotlight more than their marriage. Both were subjected to media scrutiny and handled the buzz in different ways. O’Neal also reflected on his marriage in his book and took responsibility for their divorce, while Shaunie managed it through her show. The first episode premiered with Shaunie returning to Miami—the place she says in her 2024 book she heard rumors of Shaq’s infidelity—after separating from Shaq. Her girlfriends band together to cheer her up and get over her divorce.

“I knew that I had lost my voice before, and I wanted to provide a space to ensure that other women didn’t lose theirs. Again, what they decided to do with the camera time and who they decided to show up as is on them, but here’s the platform, and I think for many women, it has been just that. It’s boosted them into a space in their life where they’re able to make money and branch out into other opportunities that they may not have had otherwise,” she said.

Today, she calls herself a media mogul, is a motivational speaker, and has helped her husband, Keion Henderson, build his YouTube show. Say what you want about Basketball Wives, but its continuity is proof of Shaunie’s work. What do you think of the show? Let us know in the comments, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video below.