Find out about Erik Spoelstra’s age, ex-wife, kids, parents, net worth, salary, and contracts in this post.
Erik John Spoelstra, also known as ‘Coach Spo’, is the current head coach of the Miami Heat. Spoelstra, who was the assistant coach for the Miami Heat, became the head coach in 2008. Regarded as one of the best coaches in the NBA, Spoelstra has led his team to 11 playoffs and five finals.
Besides a successful career as the Miami Heat coach, Erik also had a joyous marriage life with his wife, Nikki Sapp. Sadly, the couple, who parent three kids together, is no longer together.
Not long after his divorce from his wife Nikki, Erik signed a staggering contract with the Heat, making him the highest-paid NBA coach ever.
Erik Spoelstra is the Highest-Paid NBA coach in 2024
With his new $120 million contract with the Miami Heat, Erik becomes the highest-paid NBA coach ever. Nicknamed ‘Coach Spo’, Erik signed a new eight-year extension deal with Miami, which will pay him $120 million. His latest contract was finalized in January 2024.
With this new contract, Erik outshines other high-paid NBA coaches like Mony Williams from Detroit Pistons ($100 million/ 8 years) and Steve Kerr from Golden State Warriors ($9.5 million/ a year).
Spoelstra is currently in his 16th season as Miami’s head coach and overall 29th season with the franchise. His next contract, which will be effective from the 2024-25 NBA season, will keep him at the Miami Heat until the 2031-32 NBA season.
Spoelstra Coaching Record
He started as the head coach of the Miami Heat on April 28, 2008. Currently in his 16th season as the head coach of the franchise, Spoelstra has led Miami to the NBA playoffs 11 times, making it to the five NBA Finals. He led Miami to four straight NBA playoffs from 2010-11 to 2013-14.
Spoelstra has a record of four 50+ win seasons, including his franchise-best 66 wins during the 2012-13 season.
His Ex-Wife, Nikki Sapp
Erik Spoelstra and his ex-wife, Nikki Sapp, were married for seven years. Erik and Nikki announced their divorce in November 2023. As per the former couple, the decision is amicable. They share three children.
The Miami head coach met his ex-wife Nikki through his profession. Before her marriage to Erik, Nikki was a dancer for the Miami Heat.
The former couple dated for a brief time before getting engaged on September 17, 2015. Nearly a year into their engagement, Erik and Nikki decided to get married. Their marriage took place in July 2006.
Their Kids
Erik Spoelstra has three kids with his former wife, Nikki Sapp. Their first kid, a son named Santiago, is five years old now. While Santiago was four, he was diagnosed with cancer and is now fully recovered.
The former couple welcomed their second child, a son named Dante, just two years after Santiago’s birth.
In September 2022, they welcomed their third child, their only daughter named Ruby.
Kids Cancer
Spolestra’s kid Santiago was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Right after the day of his fourth birthday, Santiago underwent intestinal surgery. Later, he was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a fast-growing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
His kid was treated at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. After months of chemotherapy at the hospital, Santiago was declared cancer-free.
His Parents
Erik Spoelstra was born in Evanston, Illinois, to father Jon Spoelstra and mother Elisa Celino. His father, Jon, is an author and a former NBA executive. His mother, Elisa, is originally from San Pablo, Philippines.
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Erik Spoelstra’s Net Worth
Spoelstra has an estimated net worth of $14 million in 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His new contract with the Miami Heat, worth $120 million, will see his net worth grow by leaps and bounds.
His Investments, House & Cars
Erik has several investments to his name, mainly real estate. He has invested in multiple properties in Florida, where he currently lives with his three kids.
In 2016, Erik purchased a 5400-square-foot house in Coconut Grove, Florida, worth $2.6 million. The property features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a guest cottage, an outdoor patio, a three-car garage, and a swimming pool.
In 2017, he acquired another house for $4,395,000. He bought his six-bedroom house in Coral Gables, Florida. The main feature of his Coral Gables property is it boasts a waterfront location.
The same year, in 2017, Spoelstra sold his Coconut Groves house. It is reported he incurred a heavy loss selling this property, which he acquired for $2.6 million.
Erik Spoelstra’s Salary in 2024
Spolestra’s new contract, effective from the 2024-25 season, will earn him a hefty salary of $15 million per year. In addition to this salary per season, Spoelstra will make more than $15 million a year through add-ons and title wins in 2024.
Over the years, this Miami head coach has seen his salary grow exponentially. During the 2013-14 season, Erik had a $6 million contract with Miami, with an average salary cap of $2,875,000.
His NBA Contract Details
Erik has been a professional coach since 1997. From 1997 to 2008, he was an assistant coach for the Miami team. As an assistant coach, he won his first NBA championship in 2006, defeating the Dallas Mavericks.
During his tenure as an assistant coach, Erik was credited for improving Dwyane Wade’s jump shot and balancing the 2006 NBA finals.
In April 2008, Erik was promoted to Miami Heat’s head coach, succeeding Pat Riley. In December 2011, Spoelstra signed a major NBA contract worth $6 million. The contract expired during the 2013-14 NBA season.
He inked his new contract with Miami in November 2023. This contract will keep him with the team for the next eight NBA seasons.
Erik Spoelstra’s Age
Spoelstra is 53 years old now. He was born on November 1, 1970. His birth sign is Scorpio.
Spoelstra’s Ethnicity
He is of mixed ethnicity, including Dutch, Irish, and Filipino. His father is an American national of Dutch and Irish descent. His mother, Elisa Celino, is of Filipino descent. Erik’s ex-wife, Nikki Sapp, is of white ethnicity.
His Height & Weight
Spoelstra stands 6 feet and 2 inches (1.88 m) tall. His tall height befits his NBA career so well. His body weight is 82 kg (180 lb).
This 53 year-old NBA coach is 10 inches taller than his ex-wife, Nikki Sapp. Nikki is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs around 70 kg.
Does Erik Spoelstra have an Instagram account?
Erik is active on Instagram. He joined the social media in December 2023. His Instagram account boasts 20.4k followers and has only three posts.
Trivia:
Erik Spoelstra was only a few yards away from Hank Gathers when the latter died of a heart condition. During a 1990 West Coast Conference (WCC) basketball tournament, Erik’s team was up against Gathers when Gathers died on the court. Hank Gathers (1967 – 1990) was an American college basketball player who played for the Loyola Marymount in WCC.
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