Millions At Stake As Kobe Bryant's Wife Files For Divorce

Kobe Bryant‘s wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce Friday afternoon with TMZ posting the divorce filings on its website. Vanessa cited “irreconcilable differences” in choosing to end her 10-year union to the Los Angeles Lakers guard. She famously stuck by Kobe after he was charged with sexual assault from an incident in a Colorado hotel in 2003 (charges were later dropped).Na wa oOO

A publicist released the following statement from the couple:

“The Bryants have resolved all issues incident to their divorce privately with the assistance of counsel and a Judgment dissolving their marital status will be entered in 2012. We ask that in the interest of our young children and in light of the upcoming holiday season the public respect our privacy during this most difficult time.”

TMZ reports that the couple does not have a prenup which means hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake. Bryant was the second highest-paid athlete in the world this year with earnings of $53 million. He has banked $200 million in salary from the Lakers during his career and another $250 million from endorsements which currently include Nike, Smart Car, Turkish Airlines and others. Bryant’s net worth is likely in the neighborhood of $300 million after the tax man, his agent and others have taken their cut. Vanessa could be entitled to half of the couple’s assets under California divorce law.

Bryant’s future earnings potential is still strong. He is the NBA’s highest paid player and the Lakers owe Bryant $79 million over the next three seasons under his current contract. At 33-years-old, Bryant still has another playing contract left in him as he chases the NBA’s all-time scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

His annual off-court income is $28 million a year and is not likely to see any dropoff in the next few years. Bryant is by far the most popular NBA player in China where he is revered for his five championship titles and acrobatic play during his 15-year career.