Professional sports bring out lots of scandals. It isn’t easy being a professional athlete, having to spend more than half a year with the same people over and over again.
In fact, sometimes teammates don’t get along and fight. Other athletes remain unloyal by breaking boundaries and sleeping with a teammate’s significant other.
Believe it or not, it has happened. Here are 15 athletes who allegedly slept with a teammate’s wife.
15. Pavel Bure/ Sergei Fedorov
8 Aug 1997: Anna Kournikova of Russia chats with Sergei Fedorov during the Acura Classic Tournament at the Manhattan Beach Club in Manhattan Beach, California.
This one is hard to tell. The two greatest Russian hockey players of all time had far too many similarities.
The strangest one? They were both dating tennis star Anna Kournikova. Fedorov claimed to have married her, which she denied. She was seen with both men on different occasions, and no one knows for sure what happened.
FORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 01: Oklahoma Running Backs Coach DeMarco Murray talks to a player on the sideline during the second half Oklahoma’s road game against TCU at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Emil Lippe/Getty Images)
Former Oklahoma running back teammates DeMarco Murray and Brennan Clay had a story that’s too hard to think about.
Clay went to Twitter in 2014 and went on a rant, claiming that Murray had slept with his wife. Weirdly enough, she deactivated her Twitter account following the incident.
It’s safe to say Murray fumbled the football of teammate loyalty.
13. Karl Malone
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: (FILES) This 14 June, 2004, file photo shows Los Angeles Lakers’ Karl Malone answering questions during a news conference at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Malone is to retire from basketball, the Utah Jazz team reported on 11 February, 2005. Malone, 41, played 18 seasons with Utah before moving to the Los Angeles Lakers last season. The NBA’s second-highest all-time scorer, Malone suffered a knee injury in the 2004 NBA Finals, which the Lakers lost to Detroit, and that injury prevented him from signing with any team at the start of this season. AFP PHOTO/Robyn BECK/FILES (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
This one doesn’t have a whole ton of evidence, but it is rumoured that Legendary basketball player Karl Malone slept with Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa.
Back in 2004, The Black Mamba accused Malone of making “a pass” at Vanessa, making several disgusting comments towards her.
Bryant was bothered when hearing this news, and some can’t help but think Malone did the unthinkable, even though the Mailman claimed he wouldn’t be part of another Bryant soap opera.
12. Jason Richardson/Leandro Barbosa
Jason Richardson (Images Credit: Getty Images)
Steve Nash divorced his wife shortly after the birth of their third child, who many speculate looked like it was mixed race and belonged to either that of teammate Jason Richardson or Leandro Barbosa.
It has since been deemed that the rumor isn’t true. However, folks speculate an affair because Richardson was traded just days later, and the LA Lakers wouldn’t take him in a package deal when they landed Nash in 2012.
11. Brendan Shanahan
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 31: Brendan Shanahan #14 of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at BMO Field on December 31, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
One of the most prolific goal scorers in NHL history was also possibly one of the best at remaining unloyal to a teammate.
Shanahan wound up marrying Catherine Janney in 1998. She had been previously married to Craig Janney, Shanahan’s teammate in St. Louis.
It’s widely believed there was an affair, but considering all of the locker room drama, and the fact that both men had been traded shortly after the rumors surfaced; it only adds to the belief that Shanahan took a penalty for bad morals.
10. Jimmy Jackson
SACRAMENTO – 1996: Jim Jackson #24 and Jason Kidd #5 of the Dallas Mavericks stand against the Sacramento Kings circa 1997 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Jimmy Jackson, teammate of Jason Kidd, acted like a little kid by being spoiled rotten on his decision to allegedly cross the line.
Kidd had been dating popular singer Toni Braxton while both men played for the Dallas Mavericks in the 1990s.
You may know the rest: Braxton left Kidd for Jackson, there was plenty of drama that was well-documented in the locker room, and both men were traded.
Kidd, in a way, got the last laugh when he returned to Dallas in 2011 and won the NBA Championship.
9. Mike Comrie
EDMONTON – APRIL 13: Jere Lehtinen #26 of the Dallas Stars tries to put the puck past goaltender Tommy Salo #35 of the Edmonton Oilers as Mike Comrie #89 helps defend during the first round of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs at Skyreach Centre on April 13, 2003 in Edmonton, Canada. Edmonton defeated Dallas 3-2 to take a 2-1 series lead. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images/NHLI)
Comrie and goaltender Tommy Salo were two cornerstone players for the Edmonton Oilers in the early 2000s.
Sadly, rumors surfaced that Comrie was unfaithful to his teammate and had an affair with his goalie’s wife.
Comrie was bothered by the rumors and regretted not shutting them down right away, which is rather sketchy.
Hard to believe Comrie did it, considering he ended up with dream gal Hillary Duff for five years of marriage.
8. Paul Terry
YEOVIL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: Yeovil Town first team coach Paul Terry looks on during the pre match warm up prior to the Sky Bet League Two match between Yevoil Town and Northampton Town at Huish Park on December 22, 2018 in Yeovil, United Kingdom. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
This wasn’t only a major affair scandal, but one of the biggest tragedies in sports history. English goalkeeper Dale Roberts allegedly hung himself after hearing his fiancee had an affair with Paul Terry, brother to legendary defender John.
The two split up after the rumors came out, and Roberts wasn’t able to bear the truth. Indeed, a very awful ending to an awful story committed by awful acts.
7. John Terry
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 08: John Terry, Leicester City first team coach inspects the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Leicester City at Craven Cottage on May 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Yes, hard to believe, but the two Terry brothers may just be unfaithful teammates after all.
The married Terry had an affair with model Vanessa Perroncel. The double whammy here was that it was his wife’s best friend and girlfriend of Chelsea teammate Wayne Bridge.
This occurred back in 2010, and Terry was booed and received harsh chants from soccer fans anytime he touched the ball. You can’t say it wasn’t deserved.
6. Ryan Kesler
ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 29: Cory Schneider #35 and Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on December 29, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Despite being an all-time great at two-way hockey, Kesler’s name is linked to allegations of remaining unfaithful to his wife.
Several beliefs in Vancouver occur that teammate Cory Schneider was traded due to off-the-ice stuff Kesler was doing with his teammate’s wife.
No one knows for sure if this happened, but it became a huge story after Schneider was traded. We’ll never know the truth.
5. John Harkes
25 Mar 2000: John Harkes #6 of the New England Revolution moves with the ball during the game against the Tampa Bay Mutiny at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. The Mutiny defeated the Revolution 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
Harkes, a stand-out soccer player from America was to play for them at the 1998 World Cup, but it didn’t happen.
That’s because it’s believed he slept with teammate Eric Wynalda’s wife, Amy. Coach Steve Sampson said he dropped Harkes because of the allegations against Harkes.
Did Harkes commit a red card? We’ll never know for sure.
4. Tony Parker
SAN ANTONIO – JUNE 17: Tony Parker #9 (L) and Brent Barry #17 of the San Antonio Spurs waves to the fans during the NBA championship parade down the San Antonio River walk June 17, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
If this is true, then one of the biggest questions ever shall remain why Tony Parker didn’t remain faithful to his gorgeous Hollywood wife, Eva Longoria.
It’s believed that Parker cheated on his wife by having an affair with teammate Brent Barry’s wife. Unsurprisingly, neither marriage lasted and Barry left the San Antonio Spurs in 2008 after the allegations.
Don’t miss that shot, Tony.
3. Wayne Carry
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – 1996: (L-R) Wayne Carey and Anthony Stevens of the Kangaroos celebrate victory after the AFL Grand Final match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground 1996, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images)
Wayne Carry was one of the finest Australian footballers of all time who also had an extramarital affair.
His North Melbourne teammate, Anthony Stevens, happened to be his best friend and was married to Kelli, whom Carry had slept with.
Carry left the team, in embarrassment after it came out with the media. Cheating never pays, kids. So don’t do it.
2. Rick Manning
23 May 2015: Indians great and current broadcaster Rick Manning throws out the first pitch as he is honored on the 40th anniversary of his major league debut prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Cincinnati 2-1. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It was well-known that Manning had an affair with the wife of Hall of Fame teammate pitcher, Dennis Eckersley.
Eckersley divorced his first wife, Denice, who left him for Manning. Luckily for Eckersley, he’s in the Baseball Hall of Fame while Manning never accounted for much.
Looks like Eckersley struck out Manning well.
1. Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich
New York Yankee pitcher Fritz Peterson (’72 filer) is shown in snapshot with wife Marilyn Peterson (right) and Mrs. Susan Kekich (L) wife of fellow hurler Mike Kekich. Fritz Peterson announced he was divorcing his wife to marry Kekich’s wife
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the biggest cheater on his wife of them all?! While it’s New York Yankee teammates Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich.
The two men literally swapped wives and children with one another in the most bizarre affair scandal in sports history.
Peterson and Kekich’s wife ended up staying together, while Kekich and Mrs. Peterson did not last long at all.
This may have been the biggest lopsided trade in sports history that you didn’t know about.
