Pro sports wives are a rare group of women, typically living lavish, affluent but private and guarded lifestyles. There are many stereotypical beliefs about athletes’ wives such as they are spoiled & pampered, just “eye candy” or “gold diggers,” or that they are unintelligent and weak. In many cases the truth is just the opposite. Athletes’ wives are in many cases very strong and resilient due to the unique challenges they face, especially when it comes to their marriages.

Even if their husband hasn’t cheated, many pro sports wives deal with the fear that he might. Steven Ortiz, professor of sociology has coined the term “culture of adultery” to describe the marital dynamics of many sport marriages. This culture of adultery in professional sports refers to the unspoken rules and expectations the players live by when it comes to committing adultery. There is a secrecy among the players and athletes’ wives themselves to withhold adulterous behavior from other athletes’ wives. The high-profile husband is at high risk due to his status, being on the road most of the time and the unlimited availability of “groupies.”

Mental health consequences of athletes’ wives living in this “culture of adultery” can be very damaging. They include: low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and irrational normalizing of their situation. Individual, couple and/or family therapy is recommended to minimize such symptoms.

Porsha Williams, LAMFT

Pwilliams@ GROWcounseling.com