The Basketball Wives are leaving the court.
Shaunie Henderson, creator, star and executive producer of the reality TV franchise, recently announced on Instagram that the series has come to an end.
“I wanted to jump on here real quick before the news got out and people try to be messy and make this something that it’s not,” Henderson said in a video statement. “This is just called growth, and you know, moving forward. I’m announcing today that Basketball Wives will not be returning.”
“Since its launch in 2010, this franchise has been a defining part of my professional journey,” she continued. “What began as a vision to tell my story and stories of women like me grew into a cultural movement that created opportunity, sparked conversation, and honestly amplified voices that deserved to be heard.”
Basketball Wives premiered in 2010. Following its initial run in Miami from 2010 to 2013, VH1 expanded the franchise with Basketball Wives LA in 2011. The Los Angeles-based spinoff aired until 2016. In 2017, casts from both shows were combined into a revamped version of Basketball Wives, which continued airing from Los Angeles.
The series followed the lives of women connected to professional basketball players, including wives, ex-wives, and girlfriends, and became known for its drama-filled social events and on-screen feuds.
Over the years, the central cast included Jackie Christie, Evelyn Lozada, Tami Roman, Jennifer Williams, Malaysia Pargo, Brandi Maxiell, Royce Reed, Brittany Renner, Gloria Govan, and Ogom Chijindu.
The cancellation follows one of the most explosive seasons in the show’s history, which made ratings soar. Season 12 drew criticism after a physical altercation between longtime cast member Jackie Christie and her daughter, Chantel Christie-Jeffries.
Tensions between the two were building all season and escalated on a group trip to Hawaii. During a confrontation in Jackie’s hotel room, Chantel pushed her mom and Jackie responded by taking a swing at her.
Fans flooded social media to ask why Chantel was added to the cast, since Shaunie knew her relationship with Jackie was strained. There was no season 12 reunion, leading to speculation that the series would end.
The ex-wife of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Henderson is now married to Pastor Keion Henderson and lives in Texas, where the couple works in ministry.
She did not give a specific reason as to why the show is ending.
“I’m so grateful to VH1, Truly Original, Shed Media, and BET for their partnership and belief in a show that left a long-lasting mark in entertainment,” Henderson said. “Most importantly, I’m thankful to the women that trusted me with their stories. And the creatives in front of and behind the camera who helped bring this vision to life season after season.”
“While this journey is concluding, I’m actively developing new projects that align with my personal and professional purpose, continuing to create meaningful opportunities for women across media and business,” she added.
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