Real Basketball Wives Adjust to NBA Lockout
October 20th, 2011
With the season in question, money is tight
The popular VH1 show Basketball Wiveswould have you believe that spouses of NBA players occupy their time with petty arguments, excessive drinking, partying and shopping sprees. However, a peek into the lives of current NBA wives laboring through the NBA lockout will reveal a different point of view.
With the first two weeks of the regular season canceled, no positive outcome on the horizon and no steady income in the household, wives of current players must make decisions on how their families will survive this financial drought. Here are a few examples of how real basketball wives Samantha Telfair, wife of seven-year NBA veteran Sebastian Telfair (pictured with their children above) and Danielle Gomes, wife of Ryan Gomes (Los Angeles Clippers, Forward) cope and make ends meet during the NBA lockout.
Take Control
When drafted into the NBA, Sebastian Telfair and his family, a product of the Coney Island projects in New York, received more money than they could ever imagine. Telfair also had a team of financial advisors who handled his finances and paid all his bills. However, with the looming lockout the Telfair’s decided it was time to control their financial destiny.
“One day Sebastian woke up and said ‘You know what, we are going to start paying all our bills.’ We started paying all our bills against our financial advisors advice,” says wife Samantha Telfair. “Now we can see what’s going in and out. We were able to cut out a lot of unnecessary costs that way. Oprah said she pays her own bills, so we can do the same.”
According to a Sports Illustrated report, 60% of NBA players are broke five years after they retire. Having financial handlers and not knowing where their money is going is part of the problem. Former NBA player Mark Jackson had a business manager who embezzled $2.6 million from him. The same report stated, according to the NFL Players Association, at least 78 players lost a total of more than $42 million between 1999 and 2002 because they trusted money to financial advisers with questionable backgrounds.
Ball on a Budget
Contrary to what basketball wives on television display, most wives are not splurging on Rodeo Drive for the latest handbags. While they aren’t coupon cutting just yet, they must think in more frugal terms especially under the current NBA lockout.
“Life is not a fashion show for me anymore,” says Danielle Gomes (pictured above with her husband). “I love nice stuff. I love shoes and I love purses but my husband does not play those games. I am not ballin’ out with his money. We normally [give away] a lot of money and buy a lot of things for people. We are generous with family and friends. Like we might help someone out with a utility bill. However, in preparation for the lockout we had to cut back on that. If we’re not getting the checks, we can’t keep giving them out.”
The key to limiting expenses isn’t just cutting down on splurges. It’s cutting down on credit debt. “We have no credit cards and eliminated all credit card debt. If we don’t have it in cash, we aren’t getting it,” says Samantha Telfair. “We also decided to fly coach if a trip is under three hours and we also pay close attention to our sky miles programs for free flights.”
Be Educated
The National Basketball Association Player’s Association, the nation’s oldest player union, protects every player in the NBA but oddly enough some players do not take advantage of it. During the lockout, the players association provides important updates on negotiations and most importantly healthcare. No job means no or more expensive healthcare coverage for all players.
“For healthcare costs, we use the NBA Flex plan, which is where we stashed almost $10,000, just for healthcare costs, over Sebastian’s seven year career,” says Telfair. “This plan is available to all NBA players but if you don’t pay attention to updates from the NBAPA or go to meetings you would never know.”
The Gomes family received all physicals and medical prescriptions before their NBA healthcare plan ceased and decided to pay for their health expenses out of pocket. Unfortunately, their three-year old daughter, Ryelle, woke up with pink eye one day last month and her doctor’s visit hit the family’s wallet. Danielle also recently learned that she is with child.
According to salary listings on HoopsHype.com, the Gomes family is predicated to lose approximately $48,780 per game canceled. However, thorough planning and heeding the advice of the NBAPA has put them in a safe place. So while the NBA lockout is a shock to many NBA fans, NBA families like the Telfair’s and Gomes’ are well-prepared for the lockout and feel their family’s will come out on top.
Adena is a contributor for espnW.com who has worked for ESPN the Magazine, Nike and NBA.com. You can follow her on Twitter@adena_andrews.
Amar’e Stoudemire Dunks on Blake Griffin at ESPN
October 13th, 2011
The last time we may see Amar’e dunk, for a long time. *No, I’m not gon cry, I’m not gon cry…(Mary J. Blige sway)
Taiwanese Cartoon Breaks Down NBA Lockout
October 13th, 2011
I promise this will explain the NBA Lockout to those of you who are confused.
Serena Williams Goes H.A.M at US Open
October 13th, 2011
My initial reaction to Serena’s 2011 US Open tirade was similar to the masses, “There she goes again.” But after taking a deeper look into her words and body language toward the umpire, I realized Williams was quite poised and respectful in the interaction. She didn’t swear or use overly threatening language. A closer look will reveal this whole snafu was just a big misunderstanding.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at this line-by-line interpretation of what Serena Williams was really trying to say that day at the US Open.
What she said: “Come on!”(at her ball before it had reached Stosur)
What she meant: Obviously, she was trying to cheer on her opponent in an effort to have the most competitive match possible.
What she said: “Are you the one who screwed me over last time? Yeah, you are.”
What she meant: This is where the problem begins. This is obviously a case of mistaken identity and the umpire could have saved us some trouble if she just explained who she was.
What she said: “If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way.”
What she meant: Serena could have merely been warning the umpire to watch her step down the hallway, which could get crowded with paparazzi in her presence. When did a friendly warning become a threat?
What she said: “You’re totally out of control; you’re a hater.”
What she meant: Have you ever heard the saying, “Let your haters be your motivators”? Clearly, Williams was thanking the umpire for motivating her to be better in this match. Maybe, the umpire should have been more of a hater in order to motivate Serena to a win.
What she said: “You’re unattractive inside.”
What she meant: Williams said the judge was unattractive on the inside but she didn’t say anything about the outside. Outer beauty is all that matters in society anyway, right?
What she said: “Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow. What a loser… We’re in America last I checked. Can I get a water, or am I gonna get violated for a water?”
What she meant: Williams was just exercising her first amendment right on Sept. 11, a day when patriotism was at an all-time high.
What she said: “Really, don’t even look at me! I promise you, don’t look at me, ’cause I am not the one. Don’t look my way.”
What she meant: This is a no brainer. Williams was shy and embarrassed after tanking such an important match.
So you see, Serena Williams isn’t the monster the USTA is making her out to be. I vote for her $2,000 fine to be rescinded and for a solid apology to be given to Williams, who has livined up the otherwise boring world of tennis…Compton style.
Nominated for SHAPE Best Blogger Awards:
October 12th, 2011
SHAPE MAGAZINE nominated AdenaAndrews.com as one of the BEST BLOGS FOR SPORTS NUTS. 
