Clara Wu Tsai and Joseph Tsai, the owners of the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty, are divorcing after nearly three decades of marriage. A spokesperson confirmed the decision was made mutually and with respect for one another.
"While they have grown apart, their divorce is amicable and their relationship remains a strong, professional partnership," the statement read. The couple married in October 1996.
The divorce will not impact the operations of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, the Nets, or the Liberty. Joseph Tsai will continue as Chairman and Governor of the Nets, while Clara Wu Tsai will remain Vice Chair and Governor of the Liberty. The statement noted that they plan to involve their children in the businesses in the future.
Beyond their sports ventures, the Tsais are also involved in technology and philanthropy. Joseph Tsai co-founded Alibaba Group in 1999 and remains its chairman. The statement affirmed there are no plans to sell Alibaba shares and his role is unaffected.
The couple jointly acquired full ownership of the Nets and Barclays Center in 2019 for $2.35 billion, a then-record for an American sports franchise. Clara Wu Tsai was instrumental in relocating the WNBA's New York Liberty to Barclays Center.
Philanthropically, they established the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation in 2014, which supports arts, science, and social justice. In 2020, they created the Social Justice Fund with a $50 million pledge to support economic mobility in Brooklyn. Clara Wu Tsai is also a founding partner of REFORM Alliance, focusing on criminal justice reform.
Joseph Tsai, 62, currently resides in Hong Kong, while Clara Wu Tsai, 60, lives in the United States. They are parents to three grown children: Dash, Alex, and Jacob.