Michael Jordan's wife files for divorce
CHICAGO (AP) Michael Jordan's wife has filed for
divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences" with the basketball superstar after
12 years of marriage. Juanita Jordan is seeking custody of their three children,
a 25,000-square-foot house in suburban Highland Park and half of the rest of
the couple's property. Michael Jordan, who now plays for the Washington Wizards,
was paid more than $30 million in his final season with the Chicago Bulls and
is one of the world's richest athletes. Juanita Jordan filed the petition Friday
in suburban Waukegan.
"When you have personal issues, sometimes work is a great
avenue to deal with it and move on," Michael Jordan said after practice for
the Wizards' Tuesday night game against the Los Angeles Clippers. "Things will
work out in the long run."
The Jordans also issued a statement asking for privacy
"during this difficult period in our lives." Donald Schiller, a lawyer for Juanita
Jordan, said the couple hopes "people try to respect" that their problems are
a personal matter.
The six-page petition said attempts at reconciliation "would
be impractical and not in the best interests of the family."
The couple met at a Chicago restaurant during his second
season with the Bulls, and they were married Sept. 2, 1989, in Las Vegas. Their
children are Jeffrey, 13, Marcus, 11, and Jasmine, 9.
Michael Jordan cited a desire to spend more time with his
family when he retired from the Bulls the first time in October 1994 and again
in January 1999.
He maintained his home in the Chicago area when he returned
to basketball as a front-office executive with the Wizards last season, but
his decision to resume his playing career has kept him in Washington full time.
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