04/18/24
August 08, 2003
Sports Wives.: The Good(?), The Bad, The Ugly. Aside from the fact that their significant others are rich and famous, what makes these relationships different from anyone elses? [More inside]
The more I learn about the NBA player's lifestyle and just how many fine fine ladies are throwing themselves at them, the more I think that Jackie Christie's obsessiveness is the only rational response if a traditional marriage is an NBA wife's goal. If the NBA wife's goal is a. self-gratification due to close contact with celebrity or b. CEO of Her NBA Player Enterprises, Inc., that's something else entirely. But, me personally, I'd rather make fun of Vanessa Bryant or Joumana Kidd than Jackie Christie.
posted by Justin Slotman at 05:37 PM on August 08, 2003
There was an interesting piece on this on 20/20 tonight. It featured Worthy's wife and Kenny Anderson's wife, Tami as well as a feature with Mr. and Mrs. Christie. With everything in consideration, do you feel that Jackie Christie's actions imply that she doesn't trust her husband?
posted by jerseygirl at 11:42 PM on August 08, 2003
Man ... I don't think that's love. That's obsession. The guy goes on the road and you have to be there and leave your freaking kids with grandma?
posted by wfrazerjr at 06:01 PM on August 09, 2003
I agree with Justin. What else is she going to do? She could trust her husband, and she probably does, but this way she never has to worry about it. And it keeps him happy as well. The simple answer for the athletes, though, is don't get married. Get all that shit out of your system, and settle down in your thirties or later when you're living a lifestyle that's more conducive to a stable relationship. That's what I'm doing, sans millions. Tami Anderson says her husband would give her expensive gifts — including cars — whenever he treated her badly. After they divorced, she traded in the cars and bought herself a Hummer — with a license plate chosen in Kenny's honor. It reads: "HIS CASH." "It's just a tribute to Kenny, because it was his cash," Anderson says. "And I thank you very much. I'm riding in style. Thank you." HMMM. what makes these relationships different from anyone elses? Besides having millions of dollars and hard bodies, I suspect they're all hung like donkeys. Makes it tough for the rest of us to compete for the skeezers.
posted by vito90 at 08:33 AM on August 11, 2003
My favorite unbiased and level-headed quote: Anderson concurs: "That's what I said. Men are dogs." I like how crazy that article makes the women out to be. A leash? Its not a woman's job to keep her man in line, its his duty to stay true. But no choice words for the lovely lobby ladies? Hogwash I say! The blame game is good for a few laughs, but in the end, a relationship is between 2 people, which can both take credit and blame for the success or failure of their relationship. The Christie Experiment is intriguing, but like anything done to the extreme, it probably won't work. If she thinks she can get someone fired now for leaving a single voicemail, what'll she think she can get away with a few years from now?
posted by garfield at 08:40 AM on August 11, 2003
Apparently Halle Berry has the same arrangement with her musician husband--she even goes to the gym with him to watch over.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:21 AM on August 11, 2003
"Besides having millions of dollars and hard bodies, I suspect they're all hung like donkeys. Makes it tough for the rest of us to compete for the skeezers." Vito, are you suggesting that SpoFi members (heh heh) are not up to snuff?!?
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:25 AM on August 11, 2003
And Doug doesn't mind when he hears other guys say things like "he's whipped." I don't think "whipped" really describes Doug Christie. "Neutered," "hobbled," "dominated," or "every-reasonable-man's-nightmare" is more appropriate. She should just get it over with and put a leash on him.
posted by dusted at 11:42 AM on August 11, 2003
Mrs. Christie genuinely seems to love her husband (though this story seems to confirm what many suspect). The ABC piece made me feel queasy. Tawny Kitaen? Ditto. Lately the media at large has fallen to portraying the professional athelete as anything but a loving husband. Considering how many pros there are playing your favorite sport, I think the stats concerning cheating are probably the same as the national average. Atheletes are just given the oppurtunity more often. Would Kobe, Kenny, or Worthy cheated if they weren't high-profile atheletes? Maybe. Would they have been presented with the same proposition? Maybe. I neither condemn or condone any of the behavior of the respective spouses involved in these events. I just wonder what my fellow SpoFites think.
Can a Pro have a happy, healthy, loving marriage? Give us some of your favorite examples... PLEASE!
Where have you goneJoe DiMaggio?