When NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie ended their nine-year marriage in 2011, their divorce became tabloid fodder. Their relationship, marked by allegations of infidelity and public disputes- including Shaq’s notorious 2007 accusations against Shaunie of being secretive about her reality TV ventures -seemingly birthed one of VH1’s most successful reality shows, Basketball Wives. However, recent revelations suggest that the show’s origin story might just be as dramatic as its episodes.

If online sources are to be considered then it is Shaunie Henderson who is the executive producer of Basketball Wives. But in a shocking revelation on Carlos King’s podcast, Laura Govan, the former fiancée of NBA player Gilbert Arenas, has unveiled what she claims is the true story behind the creation of Basketball Wives.

“She [Shaunie] didn’t create Basketball Wives LA, that’s not true. She did not. My sister and I started the whole process, the whole entire process. We are the ones that brought the girls to begin with. I remember having breakfast at the Cheesecake Factory trying to bring on Jackie. Like, me and my sister brought Basketball Wives LA to VH1. All the interview were taken at my house in the Bay. This started years ago and she just had Basketball Wives LA, I mean, Miami. We had started Basketball Wives LA, it was a separate entity,“ said Govan during the podcast.

Laura Govan and Shaunie O’Neal’s relationship at the beginning seemed so promising: the two women bonded as the partners of other NBA players. They had shared a close friendship early on, being alongside at NBA functions and private get-togethers. But this camaraderie wouldn’t last long, for it would swiftly disintegrate into an especially ugly and bitter rivalry on and off screen. Such a change can be speculated to be caused by the rumors allegedly spread by Shaunie that Govan was trying to date Shaq.

Govan’s tumultuous relationship with Gilbert Arenas, which ended in 2014, paralleled the drama unfolding behind the scenes. There had been numerous instances of discord between Arenas and Govan, including a prominent accusation that Govan kil*ed Arenas’ sharks by throwing pennies in the water tank as well as a court case where Govan sought more child support. “If you look back at the last couple breakups of any NBA athlete… it’s a format they all go by to get more child support money…This is not ‘Basketball Wives.’…These girls got to stop living a fantasy world,” said Arenas about his divorce. Now coming to Shaq and Shaunie’s divorce, the primary reason for their separation was O’Neal’s infidelity.

Laura’s recent claims have reignited discussions about credit and recognition in reality television. While Shaunie has built an empire around the Basketball Wives franchise, expanding it to multiple cities and spinoffs, the Govan sisters’ alleged role in its creation has remained largely unacknowledged. However during the podcast, Laura has given another important insight.

Laura Govan wants to have a one-on-one conversation with Shaunie

As mentioned earlier, Shaunie and Laura Govan both appeared on Basketball Wives together and had a good relationship until rumors of Govan and O’Neal having an affair went viral. However, now this narrative has got a whole new life.

In the same podcast, Laura Govan clarified her stance on the matter. She expressed a desire to discuss the situation with Shaunie O’Neal directly before addressing the public. “I won’t comment on this until I speak with Shaunie, the person who started these rumors. When she’s ready for a real, woman-to-woman conversation, I’ll set the record straight. Not only will you hear my side of the story, but I’ll also share some truths about Shaunie, okay?” said Laura.

Shortly after the rumors were spread, Govan got divorced to Gilbert Arenas. While the exact details of the alleged affair remain unclear, Laura Govan’s decision to prioritize a private conversation with Shaunie O’Neal reflects her desire to handle the situation with sensitivity and maturity.