Sheryl Swoopes Net Worth, Bio, Salary, and Professional Career

Sheryl Swoopes played a pivotal role in the WNBA's beginnings. Swoopes was signed by the Houston Comets during the inaugural season of the WNBA in 1997. Her presence was later determined as crucial for establishing a solid foundation for the league, as she became one of the legendary WNBA champion.

Sheryl Swoopes also won the three-time WNBA MVP crown and four WNBA Championships. Furthermore, she experienced many minor ups and downs, but still held a significant market presence.

Sheryl Swoopes Early Life

Born on March 25, 1971, in Brownfield, Texas, Sheryl Denise Swoopes' early years were shaped by her small-town upbringing and a home managed by her mother, Louise Swoopes. Sheryl Swoopes' parents separated shortly after her birth. With two older brothers, basketball quickly became a constant in her life. Sheryl started playing in a local children's league, ‘Little Dribblers’, at age seven, often joining her brothers in pickup games. Let's take a deeper dive into the WNBA legend's life.

Sheryl Swoopes Personal Information

Collecting all the data and combining it in one box regarding Sheryl can be very difficult, so we have made a sneak peek into some of Sheryl Swoopes' milestones. These include Sheryl Swoopes' husband, Sheryl Swoopes' stats, and much more:

Sheryl Swoopes Personal Life

Sheryl Swoop's personal life includes her son, Jordan Eric Jackson, from her first marriage, and later she identified herself as a lesbian. She has also remarried to Chris Unclesho, with their wedding taking place on July 21, 2017. She maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where she occasionally shares insights on basketball.

Beyond her roles as a broadcaster and analyst, Swoopes remains engaged in the basketball community, recently inspiring a college team and partnering with RadNet for breast cancer screening awareness, a cause close to her heart. Reportedly, Swoopes owns a primary residence in Texas, where she resides with her family, but there is no definitive proof of that.

Sheryl Swoopes Husband

Sheryl Swoopes is presently married to Chris Unclesho, with whom she exchanged vows on July 21, 2017, following their engagement in 2011. The couple had known each other for many years before their relationship turned romantic. Earlier in her life, Swoopes was married to her high school sweetheart, Eric Jackson, from 1995 to 1999.

Their son, Jordan Eric Jackson, was born in 1997. After her divorce from Eric Jackson, Swoopes was in a relationship with Alisa Scott, an assistant coach for the Houston Comets. However, even though she had ups and downs in her love life, now it seems to be at a pleasant pace.

Sheryl Swoopes Parents

Sheryl Swoopes was primarily raised by her mother, Louise Swoopes. Her father, Billy Ray Swoopes, left the family shortly after Sheryl's birth in March 1971. Her mother worked multiple jobs to support Sheryl and her two older brothers, making their early years challenging.

Sheryl often played basketball with her brothers, which helped develop her aggressive and unique playing style. Sheryl and her father reconnected in 2003 after she discovered he had been attending her professional games.

Sheryl Swoopes Kids

Sheryl Swoopes' son's name is Jordan Eric Jackson. Jordan was born in June 1997, notably, his birth occurred during the WNBA's inaugural season, leading to Swoopes' delayed debut for the Houston Comets that year. Despite becoming a new mother, she quickly returned to play, showcasing her balance to both her family and her basketball career.

Jordan has followed in his mother's footsteps, playing basketball through high school and college. Mirroring his mother, Jordan has often worn the number 22 jersey, a nod to a family tradition. Jordan has also shown interest in a master's degree in mass communication and a potential career in broadcasting.

Sheryl Swoopes Contract

Sheryl Swoopes' career with the WNBA began with the Houston Comets in 1997, though the specifics of her initial contract are not public. Over her nine seasons with the Comets, it's likely she signed several short-term deals due to the nascent stage of the league and its limited advertising opportunities. Her most lucrative contract reportedly came in the early 2000s, coinciding with her peak success with the franchise.

Beyond her base salary, Swoopes' impressive career, which included multiple MVP awards and championships, likely earned her various performance bonuses. While she may have faced financial challenges at times, she later transitioned into stable roles as a head coach and analyst for several institutions, providing consistent income since her playing days.

Sheryl Swoopes Salary

Sheryl Swoopes is currently a broadcaster, analyst, and commentator for Bally Sports Southwest, covering the Dallas Wings. While her exact earnings in this role aren't publicly disclosed, her annual income is estimated to be around $90,000. During her playing career with the Houston Comets, Swoopes was the highest-paid WNBA player, though her salary was less than $100,000 per year. This was considered a significant sum for her era, even though it's considerably lower than what top WNBA players today, like Jackie Young, earn.

Sheryl Swoopes Net Worth

Sheryl Swoopes' net worth is estimated to be $300,000 as per Celebrity Net Worth data. This figure reflects the significantly lower salaries in the WNBA during her playing career compared to the NBA and the initial lack of a robust market for women's basketball. Despite these hurdles, Swoopes did take over the basketball world with her skills.

On a personal front, Swoopes faced considerable financial difficulties. In 2004, she filed for bankruptcy with debts exceeding $700,000, including a substantial $275,000 owed to the IRS. Her financial state was so precarious that she reportedly couldn't afford rent after she departed from the Seattle Storm in 2009. Her circumstances improved when she accepted the role of head coach at Loyola University Chicago.

Sheryl Swoopes Career

Sheryl's awards include four WNBA championships, three Olympic gold medals, and multiple MVP honors. Swoopes had a difficult childhood and now she is thriving because of the struggles she passed and made a name for herself in the WNBA. She had a remarkably high school career, a college run that broke records and ended with an NCAA Championship, and a pioneering professional journey.

As the WNBA's first signed player and the inaugural female athlete with a Nike signature shoe, Swoopes made an indelible impact. Let's take a look at Sheryl Swoopes stats in high school, college, and professional career in detail.

Sheryl Swoopes High School Career

At Brownfield High School in her Texas hometown, Sheryl Swoopes led her team to impressive accomplishments. As a junior, she was recognized as the Texas Player of the Year. As a senior, Swoopes scored an impressive average of 26.7 points and 13 rebounds per game, earning a Class 3A All-State selection. Her initial years with strong dedication towards the game paved her path to her college and professional success.

Sheryl Swoopes College Career

Sheryl Swoopes' collegiate tenure is legendary, especially her years at Texas Tech University. Following an initial period at South Plains College, she moved to Texas Tech and rapidly became a national sensation. In 1993, she set a record with 47 points in the final against Ohio State and won a NCAA championship for the Lady Raiders. After that, she earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award and solidified her recognition as the Naismith College Player of the Year. Her command at Texas Tech cemented her legacy as one of the top collegiate players in women's basketball history.

Sheryl Swoopes Professional Career

Sheryl Swoopes' professional journey commenced with a bang. Swoopes was the inaugural player signed by the WNBA. Teaming with Cynthia Cooper and Tina Thompson, she helped form a formidable ‘Big Three’ that guided the Comets to an unparalleled four consecutive WNBA Championships from 1997 to 2000. On a personal level, Swoopes collected three WNBA MVP awards (in 2000, 2002, and 2005) and three Defensive Player of the Year honors (2000, 2002, 2003), underscoring her complete mastery of the game. Outside the WNBA, she played a pivotal role for the USA Women's Olympic Basketball team, securing three consecutive gold medals in 1996, 2000, and 2004. Her professional tenure firmly established her as both a pioneer and a genuine icon of the sport. The table below categorizes her WNBA records:

Sheryl Swoopes Awards and Achievements

Sheryl Swoopes stands as one of basketball's most well-known athletes. Her career is highlighted by many individual awards, team championships, and groundbreaking achievements. She was a foundational player for the league, being the first player ever signed to a WNBA contract in 1996. She has won WNBA Championships with the Houston Comets for four consecutive years from 1997 to 2000. Below is a breakdown of her major awards and recognitions as per the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sheryl Swoopes Jersey

Sheryl Swoopes is most famously identified with the number 22 jersey. Texas Tech University retired this number in February 1994, honoring her outstanding collegiate career, where she guided the Lady Raiders to an NCAA Championship in 1993.

During her remarkable WNBA tenure with the Houston Comets, she consistently wore number 22. This jersey became a part of her four consecutive WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000. She also wore number 22 while playing for the Seattle Storm and Tulsa Shock. When representing Team USA in the Olympics, she typically wore number 7.

Sheryl Swoopes Shoes

Sheryl Swoopes made history as the first female athlete to have a signature shoe with Nike, her iconic line, the Nike Air Swoopes, launched in 1995. The Air Swoopes II, released in 1997, is particularly memorable for its unique lacing system and vertical Swoosh. Its lasting impact was recognized when Nike re-released the Air Swoopes II in 2018.

Swoopes actively participated in the design, crafting a basketball shoe engineered specifically for women. Key aspects addressed in the shoe included a lightweight build and essential ankle support. Nike ultimately launched seven distinct iterations of the Air Swoopes, establishing it as the most extensive signature line for female athletes.