VH1 Presents Basketball Wives

LOS ANGELES: The lives of the wives and girlfriends of some of the most elite basketball players in the NBA are put into the spotlight in the new VH1 original series Basketball Wives.

The 8×30-minute series heads into production this month, slated for a debut on March 15, 2010. Basketball Wives will give a behind-the-scenes look into the life of the wives, girlfriends and a few ex-wives of some of the best basketball players in the NBA. The cast includes Jennifer Williams (wife of Eric Williams), Evelyn Lozada (ex-fiance of Antoine Walker), Mesha O’Neal (wife of Jermaine O’Neal), Royce Reed, Faith Rain (Udonis Haslem’s girlfriend) and Shaunie O’Neal (wife of Shaquille O’Neal), who will also serve as executive producer on the series. Shed Media is producing the series.

"The public has an obvious fascination with the wives of star athletes," said Jeff Olde, the executive VP of original programming and production at VH1. "This series will show viewers not only the glamorous side of being a celebrity wife but also the challenges and hard work that go with it. The wives of star athletes form one of the most unique and exclusive groups of women in the world. You only have to look as far as the nearest headlines to see what sort of pressure they are up against to keep their relationships and their families together. These women truly have a strength formed by fire. We are thrilled that they are allowing us into their lives to see things through their lens and understand why their friendships and bonds make them a force to be reckoned with."

Shaunie O’Neal commented, "Having been around these remarkable women for several years, I have always recognized that behind every NBA star is a strong, exceptional woman, one who must deal with the unique challenges of being married to the game as well as the player. I am happy to be teaming with Shed Media and VH1 in bringing this entertaining and enlightening world to television."