Erik Spoelstra's ex-wife responds to jab after his $120M extension

Publish date: 2024-06-05

Explore More

Erik Spoelstra’s ex-wife is laughing over criticism that she “fumbled the bag” after the Miami Heat head coach agreed to a record eight-year contract extension on Tuesday worth more than $120 million.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Nikki Spoelstra re-shared the troll’s “way to fumble the bag” comment before elaborating on how years of “harassment” in the public eye has impacted her emotional health.

“Lol. I’m going to address this comment NOT as it pertains to my personal life choices but as it relates to a general thought process that I believe a lot of people have and that a lot of people have harassed me with over the years,” Nikki stated.

“According to crass, ignorant, uninformed society at large, women can’t ‘win.’

Nikki Spoelstra addresses a comment that she “fumbled the bag” after her ex-husband, Erik Spoelstra agreed to a record eight-year contract extension with the Miami Heat worth more than $120 million on Jan. 9, 2023. Instagram/Nikki Spoelstra

“Women can’t be genuinely in love with someone successful. No, they’re pretending and they’re in it for the money. And if a woman chooses to not be with a successful partner, apparently she’s an idiot.

“And no, I won’t ignore it. IgNoRiNg iT (harassment) for years messed with my emotional health and people need to have a better understanding of how their words can affect other people. Not just me. But people. In general. Be nicer.”

Nikki’s remarks came nearly two months after she and Spoelstra, 53, finalized their divorce after seven years of marriage.

Erik Spoelstra and Nikki Spoelstra in October 2021. Instagram/Nikki Spoelstra
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra looks over during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Jan. 1, 2024 in Los Angeles. AP

Spoelstra and Nikki, 36, a former Heat dancer and host of the “The Know with Nikki Spo” podcast, confirmed their split in November.

“We have made the difficult yet amicable decision to jointly file to formally end our marriage,” the ex-couple said in a joint statement to the Miami Herald. “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.”

Erik Spoelstra and Nikki Spoelstra with their kids at NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland, Ohio in February 2022. Instagram/Nikki Spoelstra

They had separated in recent months prior to the release of their statement, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Spoelstra and Nikki shared three children together: Santiago, 5, Dante, 3, and 1-year-old Ruby.

The coach proposed in the summer of 2015 and they tied the knot in Miami the following year.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, left, chats with team president Pat Riley as they watch players practice for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 3, 2023, in Denver. AP

Spoelstra’s new deal makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

In 16 seasons as head coach of the Heat, Spoelstra has won two championships and reached the NBA Finals six times.

Miami is currently tied with the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-15.

The Heat host the Oklahoma City Thunder (24-11) on Wednesday night.

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3V7j2pmamhfqL2wvtOsZp6qmaB6tLzOnqOsrKKWwG6x12auop6VYr%2Bmv8%2BopZ2rXam8brbAm2SanqSav260yKxkampgonqmxNOepayhn6N8