Miami Heat‘s head coach Erik Spoelstra is one of the most successful coaches in the NBA, boasting the most wins (1,205) in franchise history. He entered the league as a video coordinator for the Heat and then later became an assistant coach/director of scouting in 2001 before being hired as the team’s coach in 2008. Now, through grit and a strong work ethic, he has solidified his place as the best in business. With 16 seasons under his belt, he has led the franchise to six NBA finals appearances and two championships in 2012 and 2013. And when we say it all started for him in Miami, we mean everything.

Erik met his now ex-wife, Nikki Sapp, when she was part of the Heat cheerleading squad. After spending seven beautiful years together, the couple has decided to call it quits in a joint statement.

Erik Spoelstra and his wife Nikki announce their divorce

Nikki (36) and Erik (53) first met during her stint as a cheerleader when she was 18. They both then got engaged in 2017 before tying the knot on July 22, 2016, at Villa Vizcaya in Miami Lakes, Florida. They share two boys, Santiago (5) and Dante (3) and a daughter, Ruby (1). However, the couple announced their separation in a joint statement to the Miami Herald.

In the statement, Erik said, “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 and continuing to make them our shared priority. We appreciate everyone’s support as we move to the next stage of our lives and thank you for respecting our family’s privacy.” This statement was co-signed by “Erik Spoelstra & Nichole Spoelstra.”

Who is Nikki Spoelstra?

Nikki Sapp was born on March 22, 1987, in Florida and is half Puerto Rican by descent. She started cheerleading for the Heat in 2005 and then went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in art history from Florida International University in 2010. After graduation, she pursued a career in the art industry and worked as a gallery director at Guy Hepner Contemporary Art Gallery from 2011 to 2013.

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She simultaneously worked as a language arts and dance teacher and dance program director at Sports Leadership & Management Charter School in Little Havana for five years. In 2019, she decided to venture into the creative industry as a creative director at Art Angels. She also has her own podcast, The Know with Nikki Spo podcast, through which she strives to help women by sharing unique stories and perspectives.

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