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VH1's hottest new reality series, 'Basketball Wives,' showcases five women who thought they had met their modern-day princes – aka superstar athletes – and the dramedy that they endure to clinch "wifey status" (many of them were never legally married).
It's easy to see why these women would seek love and financial security in one seemingly pretty package. But this dream, even if fulfilled, also has fiscal and emotional pitfalls. Here are seven reasons why the grass isn't always greener on the ballin' side.
7. It May Not Be As Long As You Think – His Money, That Is
Yes, yes. So you've scored a balla. Is it time to tear the mall up? Think again. According to Yahoo! Sports, 80 percent of NFL players file for bankruptcy two years after retirement and 60 percent of NBA players are in the same predicament five years after they stop shooting hoops. The reason is simple: Too many homes, hoes and Hummers. Many athletes also invest in business deals that go awry due to poor financial planning. Wifey may want to stash her shopping cash.
6. You'll Spend Many Nights Alone – He May Not
NBA teams have 82 games per season and half are away. That means players will log almost half of their time away from their significant others. The companions of many professional athletes have spoken out about the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship when only one party is expected to consistently be monogamous.
5. You Have to Split Your Allowance With "Groupies"
While the main woman gets most of the financial boon, groupies hang around for a reason. The other chicks who "entertain" or "befriend"' athletes are also reaping financial benefits. Karinne Steffans, aka Superhead, one of the most infamous mistresses of this era, detailed the booty her sexy swagger helped her attain in her best-selling book, 'Confessions of a Video Vixen.'
4. You May Have to Finance Your Own Ventures
Some well-to-do men are generous all around – others are not. So don't think just because a baller is willing to drop $100,000 at the mall that he's just as likely to finance your business or co-sign on a loan. You may have to simply be content sitting pretty – or doing it yourself.
3. You Have to Compete With the Joneses
Yes, you'll get to hang out with Hollywood's hottest – but you'll also have to keep up with them. Since playing the role of the dutiful significant other means looking the part, too, expect to log just as many hours in the gym as you do in the mall.
2. You Have to Give Up the Right to Free Speech
Have you noticed how few of the women on 'Basketball Wives' have gone into detail or even said who they have dated? That's because some athletes and celebrities make their significant others sign contracts that prohibit what they can say or do as a condition of being in the relationship.
1. Money and Happiness Aren't Mutually Inclusive
Despite all of the fame, financial boons and fun, you still may not be happy. Yes, having more money eliminates certain challenges in life, but it's not worth giving up the hunt for someone who genuinely and selflessly loves, respects and honors you. That is priceless.
Comments: (36)
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By: ooozzzzz on 5/18/2010 2:06PM
And exactly how are these 7 reasons going to stop these pre-meditated, prediatory women from going forward and doing it anyway?
The way I see it, you advice only assists and helps these gold digger further hatch, devise and improve a better plan and avoiding the pitfalls in trapping that young rich ball playing brother.
You think that they are going to have a "light bulb" or a "moment of clarity" moment, just say no revelation and they not persue the issue at hand when they are determined to take care of themselves and use all their God given resources to mentally, physically and sexually infiltrate and capture the heart, mind & wallet(s) of a immature, unaware, millionaire baller in order to obtain and live a certain lifestyle when the exact opposite is to chase down (with the same several babies) a regular 9 to 5 or professional career guy and themselves play "stay-at-home" mom or work at McDonalds or emptying trash cans for a janitorial service?
You just gave these current gold diggers and others inspiring to be one a better enhancement and more specified blueprint for gold digging achievement & success.
Just follow the "7 Reasons Not to Become a Basketball Wife, Girlfriend or Baby Mama and just plan & reverse the process to become one.
What that old saying: "it is better to have tried and fail than to not have tried at all"?
No matter how you may frame your topic to help women and avoid this millionaire lifestyle, just remember, no matter how much you try and deflect women away from something (or anyone male or female for that matter), some "young girl" will still be gold digging for dollars, stripping on a pole for dollars, shaking that azz for dollars, throwin' sex or dollars, having babies for dollars and prostituting in the streets for said dollars.
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By: bed5d0e on 5/19/2010 8:52AM
Don't you have to be married before you are a wife? These ladies are no more then well-made-up trash.
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By: ucpprod3 on 5/18/2010 3:42PM
Your article cracks me up with laughter. Very few of the women that become the girlfriend or wife of a wealthy athelete have any concern about any pitfalls associated with their quest. Many of them have lived privileged lives as a young child because of their appearance. Typically they have more narrow noses, lighter skin color, longer more manageble hair, uncommon curves and a sexual openess that outstrips most of their counterparts. Many have been schooled by their friends on how to "be" at the place that the atheletes will be, whether that is a bar, arena entrance, hotel or night club and they always have on their "working clothes and make-up". You know the ones. The tight fitting jeans, or short skirt or plunging neckline blouse. Whichever shows the body part that they want to flaunt. Look at the pictures of the ladies in your article. Two of them are sitting un-naturally to try to highlight their body parts. The tragedy occurs when they believe the magic body part will keep their mates faithful when equally talented prospects present themselves to their mates. But in the end the female comes out on top because much of what sends the athelete into the realm of bankruptcy is paying the divorce settlement to his newly ex-wife. Just look at former NY Knick player, Kenny Anderson. He finally got his bachelors after being broke/bankrupt and his ex-wife is financing films. Just what was her free throw percentage and scoring average anyway? Oh that's right, I guess she could take it to the hole after all.
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By: Mancha de Platano on 5/18/2010 5:07PM
Asimmulation vs. being a whole person with a soul to match.
Not in America there isn't. I don't acare what color you are. KARMA is going to hit hard on this corupt insane country. no I'm not religious.
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By: elviraj54 on 5/18/2010 5:15PM
One thing all women should realize is that beauty and bootie runs out. The only sure person that will never leave or forsake you is JESUS.
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By: No1'sname on 5/18/2010 7:35PM
The ballers are players & the trollups get what they deserve!
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By: LarryL on 5/19/2010 8:26AM
Look if you don't have alot of money, aint famous for playing sports your not getting any of those women. They want you money !!!You could be charcoal black ugly as hell and they would still get with you cuzz you got money .Get a life ladies you are just some basketball ratts who used to be broke .
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By: Larryl on 5/19/2010 8:36AM
THEY ARE A BUNCH OF UNDERCOVERS FREAKS IN THE BEDROOM, GOT A LITTLE MONEY CHASING ATHLETES, NOW THEY ARE STUCK UP THEY THEY SHIT DON'T STINK. NOW THEY DONE GOT DONE DIRTY AND FEEL BITTER BECAUSE OF IT. GET YOUR HAND OUT OF SOMEONE ELSES POCKET .CAN ANYONE SAY BUJIE ASS GOLD DIGGERS .
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By: darwin on 5/19/2010 9:40AM
You don't become a basketball wife by taking advice from these lame women. If you take in the lifestyle of being a wife to anyone whether basketball or regular you need to learn the fact that you make your own destiny. Stop letting others influence your actions. If you're not ready to get married, DON'T DO IT. Don't let money make up your mind. Don't have a baby just to get a large paycheck each month, because the baby will at a lost in this situation. Be a woman and make the correct decisions in your life.
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By: Cecilia on 5/19/2010 9:51AM
LOL just because you end up with an athlete does not make you a gold digger people get a grip. My fiance is an athlete and I am far from a gold digger. I just graduated from medical school and will be pursing my career as a doctor of cardiology. I cant help who I fell in love with nor can I help his occupation. Sounds like a bunch of bitter women that wish they had the "goods" to pull a successful man or athlete. Also... these 7 reasons tend to apply to most men with money... doctors, lawyers, actors, CEO's.....and what woman doesn't want a man with a successful career? And just because a woman wants a successful man does not make her a gold digger.. You people are sad..
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