It seems Basketball Wives creator and executive producer Shaunie Henderson, formerly O’Neal, and other powers that be are finally bringing the show to an end. Henderson, who was formerly married to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, took to Instagram to confirm the show is done.
She captioned the video “Basketball Wives Update: You heard it here first. Basketball Wives will not be returning. Thank you to BET, VH1, Shed Media and to everyone who supported this chapter from the very beginning. What started as a vision became a platform that amplified voices and opened doors.
“This isn’t an ending, it’s a transition. I’m stepping into a new season with exciting projects ahead that align with where I am personally and professionally. More to come,” the caption continued.
In the video, she tells her followers, “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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Growth requires evolution and knowing when to honor a chapter when preparing for what’s next. 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. Basketball Wives will always be a cherished part of my legacy and a foundation of my career as a producer.”
The series had three franchises: Miami, LA and Orlando, before merging the Miami and LA casts for the main show. A Houston franchise was reportedly in the works for some time.
Central figures on the show over the years include Evelyn Lozada, Tami Roman, Jennifer Williams, Jackie Christie, Malaysia Pargo, Brandi Maxielle, and Royce Reed.
Henderson appeared to distance herself from the show amid controversies regarding conversations of colorism and bullying amongst the cast. She is also now a pastor’s wife, married to Pastor Keion Henderson, where they live and work in ministry in Texas.
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