Erik Spoelstra's ex-wife hits back at trolls who taunted her divorce after his massive new $120m contract

Nikki Spoelstra has dismissed allegations that she is a 'gold digger' and insists 'no one really knows' what happened with her divorce from NBA coach Erik Spoelstra.

The couple announced they were separating in late 2023, just weeks before the Miami Heat coach signed a record eight-year, $120million extension with the franchise.

Nikki, a former Heat dancer, faced ridicule after the deal was announced, with trolls claiming she 'fumbled the bag'.

Now she has spoken out about the divorce from Spoelstra, with whom she shares three children: Santiago, 6, Dante, 4, as well as daughter Ruby, 2.

'People are very quick to label women gold diggers. Like: "Oh, if she is with a successful person, she must be in it for the money,"' the 37-year-old told the Miami Herald.

'Do you really think that’s all a husband brings to the table? In the end, no one really knows what happened.'

At the time of the divorce, they said in a statement: 'We have made the difficult yet amicable decision to jointly file to formally end our marriage... we are both grateful for our relationship and remain fully committed to co-parenting our children.'

She and Spoelstra were married for seven years but before they began dating, Nikki was arrested for DUI.

'That mugshot was like my coming out in Miami society, and I remember feeling so much shame and embarrassment,' Nikki said. 

'This is a cruel, cruel world I’m walking into,' she added, revealing she went for treatment for her drinking around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

'I was like: "OK, I’m deeply ashamed of my history with alcohol and the way I’ve disappointed myself and others". So instead of allowing this to be hung over my head, I’m gonna start talking about it,' Nikki continued.

She revealed how she was inspired by the film '8 Mile', which stars rap legend Eminem.