Michael Jordan’s wife files for divorce

Michael Jordan's wife, Juanita, left, says any attempts to reconcile their marriage would be 'impractical.'

Now he is confronting a more private and personal situation in his life. Juanita Jordan, his wife of 12 years, has filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

“When you have personal issues, sometimes work is a great avenue to deal with it and move on,” Michael said Tuesday after a practice for the Washington Wizards’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers. “Things will work out in the long run.”

Juanita is seeking custody of their three children; possession of their “marital residence,” a large gated house in suburban Highland Park; an “equitable” share of their marital property; and a “fair and reasonable sum” for temporary and permanent maintenance. Michael would be granted visitation rights with his children.

“It is our hope that the media and the public will understand and respect our family’s desire and need for privacy during this difficult period in our lives,” the couple said in a joint statement released Tuesday by a publicist in agent David Falk’s office in Washington.

“We have kids, obviously, and we want to make sure that’s the focus,” Michael said.

“As we know the circumstances today, there is no impact,” Bob Williams of Burns Sports and Celebrities, a sports marketing company in suburban Evanston said. “Divorce has become, unfortunately, a regular occurrence in our society. It doesn't carry the stigma it once did.”

The six-page divorce petition, filed Friday, said past attempts at reconciliation have failed and future ones “would be impractical and not in the best interests of the family.”

The couple met at a Chicago restaurant during Michael’s second season with the Bulls and were married Sept. 2, 1989, in Las Vegas. Their children are Jeffrey, 13, Marcus, 11, and Jasmine, 9.

Michael is a “well and able-bodied man who is capable of making suitable provisions for the support” of Juanita and for the “support and education of the partie” children in a style commensurate” with that enjoyed during the marriage, according to the petition.

Juanita lacks the income and assets to support herself and the children, according to the petition

Michael cited a desire to spend more time with his family when he retired from the Bulls the first time and again in January 1999, seven months after he led Chicago to its sixth NBA title.

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