‘Basketball Wives’ Meeka Claxton Talks Business, Independence & Reality TV Drama
In season three of VH1′s hit reality series Basketall Wives viewers were introduced to the much- maligned Meeka Claxton, wife of retired NBA star Speedy Claxton and focal point of more than a few disagreements and altercations with her fellow cast members. But beyond the drama we saw on the small screen Mrs. Claxton is an accomplished businesswoman and loving mother and wife. BE Next spoke to Claxton about her thriving real estate business, being an independent woman and her portrayal on the show.
BE Next: You’re more than just a basketball wife you’re also a businesswoman, tell us about your real estate company.
Meeka Claxton: Allure Realty Group is the brainchild of myself and my partner, Shiwana Scott-Reed. Before I’d even met her I was giving real estate advice to younger players, and at the time we were maybe 25 and these guys were 19 coming in buying $5 million dollar homes on $2 million dollar contracts. And as much as you want to live a certain lifestyle and be “the ballplayer” you can do that [but with] lower means. You can still watch your pennies. So I’d been giving free advice, and when I moved to Atlanta I really fell in love with Atlanta real estate, got licensed there, worked with Shiwana, who’s a broker, and she and I came up with this. I had a niche because I know the players, so what we came up with was this luxury red carpet relocation service. We’re a global relocation network. A lot of people think we’re just a real estate company and ask “well, how are you doing things globally and you’ve only got one office?” No, we’ve got two offices, which are more like call centers. We have a network all over the U.S. and also in certain countries, too, because we’ve worked with a couple of European player—so it’s growing.
Besides helping to buy and sell properties what services does your company provide?
What we do is travel for and with players during their off-season time or during the season when they may want to build or buy an off-season home and their wife or girlfriend doesn’t wanna miss a game. Or if they’re single, they can’t miss a game or practice, so we make things happen [for them]. We also have tools to present virtual tours and things like that to them. Everything we do is for their convenience. I know what it’s like to have to move mid-season and within a day and have kids and I knew that these guys needed help and that they would appreciate a service that would provide X, Y, and Z. We do so much—even stock the refrigerator and pantry of the home with the favorite items of the family before they even walk in the house.
So there’s the real estate aspect of the business and then there’s a luxury service that comes along with it?
Yeah, the service is more of our concierge service—you can call us for anything. Our very first client from five years ago is a multi-platinum producer out of Atlanta, and he still to this day calls me for everything. We do provide concierge service to all our clients at no additional cost.
When did you realize that you had this entrepreneurial spirit?
I realized that a long time ago, and it’s funny that I didn’t major in business in college because from early on I was about making my own money and never wanting to work for anybody. I was definitely the kid in Queens tryin’ to put together the lemonade stand, and they were like “No! What are you doing?” A memory that comes to mind is being with my husband when he was just my boyfriend, and we had just moved in together because he was playing and I said to myself, I refuse to be here just comfortable because I know at any moment anything can happen. We were not engaged or anything so I knew that I had to do something on my own. When we got engaged, I started the real estate company.
Unlike some wives and girlfriends of pro athletes it seems like you always wanted to make sure that you were independent with your own money. Where did those values come from?
I get that from my mom. My mom taught me early on to be an independent woman. I don’t think she knew when I was seven or eight that I’d grow up to marry a multi-millionaire, but she was married to my dad who was a stockbroker at the time and making good money, yet she was a working mom by choice. She always said you have to have your emergency money, your own account. She always instilled that in me, so I always had it in the back of my head that I need to have my own emergency funds and checking account—something that no one could touch.
Being with my husband I meet a lot of these girls you’re talking about, about 85-90% of the girls in the league are like that, and I found myself talking to some of the younger girls telling them that it would behoove them to build something for themselves outside of these guys because sometimes they’re not even engaged. And even if you’re married nothing is guaranteed. I’m definitely blessed that I have a good husband and father to my kids, but still, I’m good if he’s gone.
That’s one of the main reasons I decided to say yes and do Basketball Wives because I wanted to show that we’re not all at home eating Bon Bons on the couch with three nannies to take care of our one kid. I have two kids and no nanny, although we do have someone who can help babysit if we need because of the schedule now, but honestly both my husband and I are both hands on.
Let’s talk about the show, why did you decide to join the cast? Was it because you wanted more attention for your business and personal brand?
There was only one intention of mine when I decided to do the show. A mutual friend of Shaunie’s and myself said I should do the show and show the world and kind of represent for the ones who’re still together [with their men] because we weren’t really being represented. I said “You know what? I’ll do it.” And I thought it’d be a great chance to show a wife who’s not just sitting at home but building something outside of my husband, while at the same time we support each other one hundred percent. The dynamic is really cool between my husband and myself and we have a great little family, too—my kids are amazing. My oldest daughter is an actress-model who’s been in two independent films. That was my only intention. It had nothing to do with my brand. As far as the real estate company, we just recently got a Web site when we decided to open the doors to the military. Before then we’d been operating fine just through word of mouth. I wanted to show that we’re out here doing stuff; not just out here spending money—we do that, too—but we’re not only doing that.
Has the show had a negative effect on your brand or business?
It definitely has not affected my marriage or my business. Those are my number one concerns. But I’m a viewer, too, and I see how I was portrayed. Like I tell everyone, you’re getting the tiniest most miniscule snippet of what happened over three months. You’re not getting all of me, so you really need to get to know me. Follow me on Twitter, read more interviews with me, and to get to know the other 99%, because I’m a lot more than what people are saying [I am].
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Im Very PROUD Of YOU Meeka!
You didnt deserve the abuse you suffered at the hands of tami AND shaunie.
You were the Bigger person, without doubt. You shown real womanly restraint and wisdom.
You should SUE,the network, tami and shaunie for punitive damages.
Wishing You More Success and Happiness!
BRAVO!
I think Meeka is wonderful and beautiful. I had no idea she had a great marriage and is a successful businesswoman to boot! I was very proud of the way she politely held her own, being mindful of the bigger picture i.e. responsible behavior she, her children and clients could be proud of once the cameras stopped rolling.
I abhor violence, name-calling and undue aggression – just not used to it, cannot and don’t want to and she (and Jennifer and Shaunie) represent calm and reason on the show, hence I like their characters. I think it is ridiculous for one woman (forgotten her name) to dictate how everyone must act e.g. that everyone must make all comments about her to her face (spoken like a true confrontational person), which I fundamentally disagree with anyway, as sometimes you say things just to let off steam and don’t really mean or may even voice it to solicit opinion as to the reasonableness of your point of view (or not) and get more balance or perspective. I do believe it is wrong for everyone to tow her line simply because she is the runaway horse they cannot bridle or bulldog they cannot muzzle. Even her children know she is a battleaxe and for that reason, though they obviously love her, emphatically declined to have her as their manager (otherwise face drama at every recording session – complete with eye-popping, neck jerking and finger-wagging and snapping).
I applaud, admire and congratulate Shaunie for taking charge of her personal life this way (“way to go” as they say), but m’dear, introduce a little balance so that it is not all about cattiness and divorces. I was particularly disappointed that having missed the opportunity all along to give Meeka any support and show that she did not misrepresent what the battleaxe said about the other women being “phony,” she failed again to clarify it at the reunion and John Sally (sp?) failed even to run a clip so that we could all see for ourselves and shame that lady into a public apology. I found John to be a bit of a weak moderator who did not want to ask the hard questions, nor even give audience members an opportunity to help him do so, unless it was simply edited that way.
The weakest lady of all with the lisp (Susan?) also disappoints me greatly. It is clear she throws whomever she needs to under the bus to curry favor with the powers that be, but she needs to get a backbone and some integrity. Case in point, at the reunion, the only person she could curse at was Meeka, riding the tide created by the others, obviously to please them. I like that she tries to be a peacemaker, but she undoes all her good work by sabotaging people for brownie points.
I hope I do not tune in next season as I take great umbrage to such blatant gratuitous violence as hitting someone as polite and reserved as Meeka in the face (different if an equally aggressive person like Evelyn). If my perception is attributable to the editing and is unrepresentative of what actually happened, show a better balance including business pursuits in the future (more than just Evelyn in a shop!).
Ciao!
I totally agree with everything that you said. I think that Tammi is tried of being broke and as long as she will start drama on that show they will continue to pay her. I hope that her girls act nothing like her, because these days there aren’t too many people out there that you can put your hands on and get away with it. And to Mrs.Claxton stay classy, that was not the show for you maybe you can do your own thing with a group of REAL LADIES!!!!!!
I must say this is a refreshing article to read when it comes to family, marital stability and business for a beautiful, African American woman. I am saddened by the fact that the drama is what is being portrayed on BBW and that it’s so acceptable by society. I can tell you that I did watch every episode and was truly wondering what else was going on other than the catfights, shopping and eating out. We need role models for our African American women in a positive light and our young ladies need to see that they should do more than inspire to hit the “jackpot” by any means necessary, particularly using their bodies as collateral.
Did’t Meeka know what she was getting into? I’m sure that she have seen episodes. If she wanted to show the mother,wife and business side, well the chance was there. I don’t like the fighting, but Meeka came in with the mouth and sidestepping lies. She decided that Royce wasn’t worth her while and NEVER met her. I can say this Royce the youngest and real one. Go Royce don’t sell yourself to the devil. Shaunie keeps proclaiming that she’s not an backbitter, but who remembers her telling Tami something that Evelyn said last season? Stop calling Evelyn a ho. Because from what I can see if she’s your friend I think she’s loyal to a fault. Tami too but heck I would be afraid to be her friend. LOL, but she seems to have a good heart that has been stomped on. Jen am a little confused, but season 3 looks like she standing on her on. Suzie I ( laughing ) tell people what you have on your mind. Not to the cameras and YOU ARE NO FRIEND TO Royce. With all that said I’m sure Shanie thanks you. LOL
Meeka was a troublemaker. She clearly came on the show knowing she wanted to be in the circle and was ready to shit on those out like Tammie and Royce. Yes, Tammi is a bully, but she did nothing before the show. Royce is a dancer and yes can be “the enemie” but either give her a chance or leave her alone. You talking about her like high school to the girls in the circle, then trying to be her friend. Meeka you are right it is TV you can’t judge from what the producers show and give everyonr their own share. I would not use your real estate service because you mouth leaks, you would talk my business to others and not realize it. Confidentiality. I like that you wanted to show a real wife, but at the end of the day “imma boss” “I pop bottles, that shows you are just as much as a hood rat as Tammi. WHy didn’t you say anything about you interview with racist Fox who showed you as just another materialistic black person. The producers edited the show and showed you in a negative way, but you still gave them the footage to you. You are who you are.
All that is shown on the show is nonstop fighting about ridiculous nonsense. It’s too bad
I’m a man and we need more black women like Meeka this is the way to represent keep doing it sista.
Tami is a low-life and that is her only claim to fame…How do you marry someone and get nothing for your children..if she was so smart that would have nevr happen..What was her motive..you get what you give and she is a mess..I hated what they did. And i hope yopu don’t go back. And for the spine-less one..it was easy for her to give you up so that she wouldn’t be the target..But they don’t like her anymore than they first did.