Dwyane Wade To Pay Ex-Wife $5 Million In Divorce Settlement
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Basketball superstar Dwyane Wade will pay his former high school sweetheart, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, $5 million in a divorce settlement that a judge decided was valid on Monday, the Sun-Times is reporting.
The settlement also includes a "non-disparage" agreement in which each party must refrain from making disparaging remarks about the other.
Funches-Wade also will receive the couples' former mansion in South Holland and four cars.
Brian Hurst, an attorney for Funches-Wade, argued that his client never fully agreed to all the provisions in the settlement, including the "non-disparage" provision. But Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Thomas Carr decided both parties did agree on the deal and he found the settlement valid, effectively ending a six-year divorce proceeding that has drawn national attention.
Exactly what will constitute a disparaging remark still needs to be hammered out, but Wade's attorney, James Pritikin, expects violation of the terms would result in a fine. Pritikin said protection from disparaging remarks also would extend to Wade's family members, as well as his girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union.
Outside the courtroom Monday, Funches-Wade expressed her displeasure with the decision. "My voice isn't for sale, my story isn't for sale, no thank you."
Wade did not attend the hearing.
Funches-Wade, who on Friday sat outside the Daley Center with a cardboard sign that read: "NBA Miami Heat star, mother of his children on the streets," has repeatedly said the three-time Miami Heat champion has not kept his obligation to pay $25,000 a month in spousal support.
Pritikin dismissed the assertion and issued a written statement Monday afternoon: "Dwyane Wade has made several requests over the years to settle this matter, despite Ms. Funches having 16 different attorneys and 2 arrests throughout this process. Mr. Wade has provided a very generous settlement to Ms. Funches to continue to live a wonderful lifestyle for the rest of her life. Despite false allegations by Ms. Funches claiming to be 'homeless' and 'destitute,' Dwyane Wade has maintained over the years financial support to his ex-wife by providing her with income over $25,000 on a monthly basis, timely paid for her home mortgage, maintenance and security at the house, 4 cars, insurance, taxes and all of her attorney fees throughout this process.
"Ms. Funches has made a mockery of homelessness which is a serious and personal issue for Mr. Wade as his mother was homeless for a period of time when he was a child. Dwyane Wade was awarded sole custody of their sons by the court in 2011," the statement continued. "The safety and well-being of his children are his main priority. Due to Ms. Funches' current unstable mental state, her visitation will be determined by the court. Mr. Wade continues to hope that one day he will have a civil relationship with his ex-wife for the sake of their sons."
Hurst said he was not happy with the judge's decision and planned to explore his legal options.
The couple married in 2002. They have two sons, Zion and Zaire. Wade filed for divorce in 2007, and the divorce was finalized in 2010. Wade was awarded sole custody of their kids in 2011.
Wade grew up in Robbins and attended Richards High School in Oak Lawn before playing basketball for Marquette University in Milwaukee.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
