Being famous and keeping eyes away from personal matters is a task very few have mastered. The case becomes even more difficult when a celebrity couple is having problems. It escalates even further when divorce settlements are involved. Just ask Michael Jordan, who ranks number 1 for paying the richest settlement amount. Let’s not forget his ranking at the top is not only for NBA players but even if consider all sports and all athletes.

Tom Brady and his divorce with Gisele Bündchen, proved a rare case where the settlement was amicable. Because both parties had a strong prenup agreement to safeguard their financial interest. But in most cases, one has to pay a significant amount. So let’s look at those settlements of the NBA players starting with Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan and the Expensive Divorce Tale

MJ met his first wife around the time when he was first drafted into the league. The couple exchanged their vows in 1989. One of the reasons why the 6x NBA champion married early was because of the stability he wanted. The experience of being a husband and a father provided a balance and a focus away from basketball. However, because of irreconcilable differences, they split in 2006. As per reports, Juanita Vanoy received the largest sum of settlement, which is $168 million.

Apart from the money, Vanoy also received a seven-acre mansion in Chicago. If the amount is adjusted for inflation, it comes to  $257,014,166. Thus, a difference of $89,014,166 which is half of what Michael Jordan paid back in the day. Although the amount sounds surprising, the Bulls icon profits still yet more from his royalty deal with Nike.

As per 2024 reports, the Jordan brand crossed $7 Billion in revenue, and the 5% deal pockets MJ and reported $350 million. Interestingly, his career earnings fall way short with only $94 million in total. The rest of the settlements moving forward won’t even come close to the exuberant amount.

Allen Iverson and his $61 court divorce highlight

The 76ers legend and his high school sweetheart met when they were 16 years old. Before marrying in 2001, Tawanna Turner and Allen Iverson were parents to two. Later they had 3 more kids before divorcing in 2010. During their long divorce settlement, in one of the hearings, AI stated he was broke and had no money to buy “a cheeseburger.”

As per the Washington Post, Turner walked up to her ex-husband and gave her $61 in cash. Some reports state that the settlement amount was more than $30 million. While Allen Iverson only paid a sum of only $3 million but agreed to an unknown percentage of his Reebok endorsement deals. Third on the list is another #3.

Dwyane Wade and his ugly battle with his ex-wife

The Heat legend met Siohvaughn Funches-Wade when he was just 9 years old and when she was in fifth grade at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn. Like Allen Iverson, even he started dating at the age of 16 and welcomed their firstborn at the age of 20. Dwyane Wade played for Marquette University at the time, and during his final year, they tied the knot.

In 2007, the couple welcomed their second child, Zaya, and a few months after that there were reports of them being in a rocky relationship. Their divorce settlement took 6 years to be finalized. The divorce was finally settled in 2013 after a lengthy and messy battle. Dwyane Wade had to pay his ex-wife $5 million plus lawyer fees up to $10 million. Apart from $25000 monthly support for Funches.

Iman Shumpert and his 7-digit settlement

The former NBA champion star met his ex-wife Teyana Taylor in 2011. 4 years later, they welcomed their first child, and one month after that Iman Shumpert popped the question. The couple got married in a private ceremony and announced it publicly in 2016. Later, they even starred in their reality series. But in 2023, Taylor announced the separation.

Their divorce proceedings were meant to be private but TMZ leaked the news. As per the reports, the divorce was filed 9 months before the announcement. Iman Shumpert wanted his child support reduced from $8,000. Meanwhile, Teyana Taylor accused her ex-husband of taking out 4 million from their joint account and not paying a $200,000 home renovation bill. The divorce settlement amount was never revealed, but it is reportedly in the 7-figure range.

Scottie Pippen and Larsa

Michael Jordan’s former running mate is also a part of this list. The Bulls icon and Larsa Pippen married in 1997 and were together for 21 years. At first, it was Scottie Pippen, who asked for the divorce. However, they reconciled shortly after, but that didn’t last too long either. In 2018, the RHOM star filed for divorce, and this time for good.

The reported alimony amount and settlement amount were never revealed. After the divorce was finalized, the mother of 4 was eligible for half of Pippen’s money from his 401k account until 2016, which was estimated at around $470,000. Plus, other players like Shaquille O’Neal divorced but even their settlement claims are not revealed.