MIAMI (AFP) — National Basketball Association superstar Shaquille O'Neal has filed for divorce from his wife of five years, the Miami Herald reported on Wednesday.
According to the newspaper, a petition filed by O'Neal's lawyer on Tuesday described the marriage as "irretrievably broken."
The couple has been married since 2002 and have four children together, ranging in age from 1 to 7 years.
Additionally, O'Neal has a daughter and Shaunie O'Neal has a son from prior relationships.
The petition indicated that the two have a "cohabitation/prenuptial agreement" and that copy of the agreement will be filed under seal, if the court allows.
It is recommended in the petition that Shaunie O'Neal should retain custody of the children and that Shaquille O'Neal should be given "liberal rights of visitation."
The family lives on an 18.8 million dollar estate on Miami Beach's exclusive Star Island, a property referred to in the petition as "the former marital home."
The 7ft 1in O'Neal was traded to Miami from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004.
Heading into his 16th season in the NBA this fall, the 14-time All-Star has three years left on a five-year contract worth 100 million dollars.
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