Brent Barry was the ultimate glue guy. A two-time NBA champion, a Slam Dunk Contest winner who famously wore his warm-up jacket while flying through the air, and a respected voice in the locker room. But in 2010, the "Bones" narrative took a sharp, painful turn that had nothing to do with his three-point percentage. It was about his marriage.
The divorce between Brent Barry and his ex-wife, Erin Barry, didn't just end a 12-year marriage. It effectively blew up one of the most successful dynasties in modern sports.
When the news first broke, it felt like a tabloid fever dream. Brent and Erin were high school sweethearts. They were the "stable" couple. They had two sons. They were the people you'd expect to see growing old together on a porch in San Antonio. Then, the name Tony Parker entered the chat in a way nobody expected.
The Scandal That Rocked San Antonio
Honestly, the timeline of the Brent Barry and Erin Barry split is still a bit of a blur for people who weren't refreshing TMZ every five minutes back then. In late 2010, Eva Longoria filed for divorce from Tony Parker. That was the first domino.
The second domino? Longoria reportedly found hundreds of text messages on Parker's phone. They weren't from a random fan. They were from the wife of one of his teammates. Specifically, Brent Barry’s wife.
💡 You might also like: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
It’s hard to overstate how messy this was. Brent and Tony weren't just colleagues; they were friends who had won championships together in 2005 and 2007. The Barrys and the Parkers were close. They went to each other's weddings.
When Brent filed for divorce in October 2010, he used the standard Texas legal jargon: "discord or conflict of personalities." Basically, the marriage was "insupportable." But the court documents didn't mention the "sexting" allegations that were about to go nuclear in the media.
Erin Barry's Side of the Story
While the world was busy painting Erin as the "other woman," she didn't just stay quiet and fade away. In December 2010, she posted a pretty fiery response on her personal website. She was blunt. She was angry.
"I did not have an affair with Tony Parker, nor did I 'pursue' Tony Parker," she wrote.
📖 Related: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
She argued that their friendship was being used as a scapegoat because both couples happened to be divorcing at the exact same time. She called the assumptions "naive, ridiculous, and completely misguided."
Erin wasn't just a "NBA wife." She was a law student. She was an advocate for abused and neglected children. Her defense was basically: I'm too busy raising my kids and studying for finals to be the villain in your soap opera. Despite her denials, the "sexting" label stuck. Sources close to the situation at the time—including those speaking to People and Extra—insisted the messages were real, even if a physical relationship never happened. It was an "emotional affair," which, for many, is just as devastating.
Where is Brent Barry's Ex-Wife Now?
The dust has long since settled. Following the finalization of their divorce in early 2011, Erin Barry largely vanished from the public eye. She didn't chase a reality TV career. She didn't write a "tell-all" book.
She focused on her career and her children. While Brent stayed in the basketball world—moving from TNT broadcasting to the Spurs front office and eventually becoming an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns in 2024—Erin chose a path of privacy.
👉 See also: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
Reports from the mid-2010s suggested she successfully completed her legal education. She has largely maintained a life dedicated to the advocacy work she mentioned during the height of the scandal. It's a rare move in the age of social media, but she seemingly chose to let the 2010 headlines be her final word on the matter.
The Long-Term Fallout for the NBA
This wasn't just a "he said, she said" situation. It changed the locker room dynamics in San Antonio forever. Brent Barry's father, Hall of Famer Rick Barry, was outspoken about how much he hurt for his son. He called the situation "devastating."
If you're looking for the legacy of this split, look at how the NBA handles chemistry now. Teams are hyper-aware of "internal distractions." Brent Barry eventually moved on, found success in the front office, and continues to be a staple in the basketball community, currently working with the Phoenix Suns and joining Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage for the 2025-2026 season.
Key Facts to Remember
- Marriage Duration: Brent and Erin were married for 12 years (1998–2010).
- The Connection: They were high school sweethearts from Northern California.
- The Fallout: The divorce coincided with the high-profile split of Tony Parker and Eva Longoria.
- The Denial: Erin Barry has always categorically denied having a physical affair with Tony Parker.
- Current Status: Both have moved on. Brent is a respected coach and executive; Erin remains private.
The story of Brent Barry’s ex-wife is a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional sports, the most significant losses often happen off the court. It wasn't about a missed shot or a bad trade. It was about the breakdown of trust between friends and partners.
If you are researching the history of the San Antonio Spurs or the personal lives of 2000s-era NBA stars, it's helpful to view this through the lens of personal privacy rather than just tabloid fodder. For more on how Brent Barry transitioned his career from the court to the coaching staff, you can look into his recent roles with the San Antonio Spurs front office and his 2024 move to the Phoenix Suns.