Why Isn't Michael Jordan's Then-Wife In ESPN's 'The Last Dance'?

The Last Dance, the ten-part ESPN docuseries that focuses on Michael Jordan's last year with the Chicago Bulls, has drawn rave reviews from fans and critics alike. (opens in new tab) But one omission keeps coming up: That Jordan's wife at the time, Juanita Vanoy (opens in new tab), is missing from the series (which dropped on Netflix July 19). Director Jason Hehir has made it clear why this is the case, noting that the series deliberately doesn't cover Jordan's personal life, but instead dives into the Bulls' historic 1997-8 season just before it lost its coach and several basketball stars. (The series includes new information about the events and tons of never-before-seen footage.) But the lack of Vanoy has left viewers scratching their heads, since many other friends and fans did contribute with interviews to the series, including family members and former partners.

Director Jason Hehir has explained his reasoning.

"I wasn't interested in the opinion of any wife or kids in this," Hehir told The Athletic's Richard Deitsch (opens in new tab). "We had the storytellers we wanted, and I felt like we had the story covered from every angle."

Jordan has since divorced Vanoy and married Yvette Prieto (opens in new tab), and the couple have two daughters together; Jordan and Vanoy also have three children together. While it makes sense for the kids to not be included in the docuseries—they may have been too young to remember the details—it's likely that Vanoy would have had insight on that time in Jordan's life. Furthermore, Jordan's mom makes an appearance (opens in new tab), so it's not like there are no family members in the documentary.

Vanoy and Jordan's divorce wasn't finalized until 2007.

Technically Vanoy filed in 2002, citing irreconcilable differences, but then withdrew it. Then, in December 2006, it became official. "Michael and Juanita Jordan mutually and amicably decided to end their 17-year marriage," according to the couple's lawyers (opens in new tab). "A judgment for dissolution of their marriage was entered today. There will be no further statements." So the end of their marriage occurred later than the events depicted in the docuseries—but at the same time, she was an important part of his life until then.

Vanoy explained in 2013 that they still have an amicable relationship. "Mostly our conversations are about the children. I don't remember him saying, 'By the way, I'm getting married,' " she laughed. "Divorce was certainly new to me. I had to learn that you have to communicate. That it's not about you or your ex-partner. It's about making sure the children are all right."

But people are super confused about the omission.

I mean, I get it!

Vanoy was a huge part of Jordan's life for a long time. But it's anyone's guess what their divorce agreement entails—Vanoy has given interviews in the past (opens in new tab), but doesn't speak about the relationship often—since it was one of the biggest divorce settlements at the time. (Vanoy received $168 million). Vanoy hasn't weighed in since ESPN aired the documentary in the spring, either.

WATCH 'THE LAST DANCE' ON NETFLIX (opens in new tab)

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