Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches, have finally reached a financial divorce settlement but only after Funches took to the streets of Chicago in an unusual protest that made a mockery of the hardships and challenges of being homeless.
The financial battle between Wade and his former wife have continued for six years now, and only justified why the NBA star was awarded full custody of his two kids with Siohvaughn after the divorce.
The settlement is a generous offer from Wade, who will pay his ex-wife $5 million. The settlement also includes a non-disparage agreement that is especially important considering that the pair still has two children to raise together.
A non-disparage clause forbids either of the two parties from criticizing or slandering each other. In other words, Funches is going to have to play nice from now on.
Not too surprisingly, however, Funches voiced her anger with the non-disparage clause during a small protest in Chicago where she sat on the streets and claimed she was made homeless because of Wade.
Before the settlement had been reached, Wade’s ex-wife talked to reporters during her protest. She claimed that she didn’t see any justice in being told she can’t tell her children what happened during her marriage to the Miami Heat player.
“Dwyane Wade is offering to pay only some of what he owes me if I sign an agreement never again to discuss what happened in our marriage or with our children,” Funches said. “I refuse. I finally told [the presiding judge] I just wanted to end the case and keep my freedom and my voice. I told him I didn’t want anything from Dwyane. The judge demanded the trial continue. I couldn’t believe it.”
As for the homeless protest, Wade’s ex-wife sat on the outside of Chicago’s Daley Center on July 19 with a sign that read, “NBA Miami Heat star, mother of his children on the streets.”
“Ms. Funches has made a mockery of homelessness which is a serious and personal issue for Mr. Wade as his mother was homeless for a period of time when he was a child,” said James Pritikin, Wade’s attorney.
The homeless protest comes as a serious shock considering Wade was still forced to pay Funches $25,000 a month in financial support and he also was paying her mortgage, taxes, and attorney fees.
Even if Funches didn’t have a lavish home that her ex-husband was paying for, she still wouldn’t be on the streets considering she also still owns four cars that Wade has also been paying for.
Quite frankly, she had a sweet deal and probably would have been able to keep it going had she not demanded more money from Wade and his sponsors.
Her actions may cost her more than just some extra money too. After seeing her unusual behavior, the courts will have to decide whether or not Funches will still have any visitation rights.
“The safety and well-being of his children are [Wade’s] main priority,” Pritikin said in a public statement. “Due to Funches’ current unstable mental state, her visitation will be determined by the court. Mr. Wade continues to hope that one day he will have a civil relationship with this ex-wife for the sake of their sons.”
