(Image Source: KCNC)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s wife of 10 years, Vanessa, has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. But what does that really mean? Talk of Bryant’s alleged cheating and his rape charges scandal years ago may be coming to the court again.

33-year-old Bryant and 29-year-old Vanessa announced that she had filed for divorce late Friday night. She is seeking spousal support, and both parties are seeking joint custody of their daughters -- aged 8 and 5. They married in 2001, when Bryant was just 22 and Vanessa was just 18 -- and as KCNC recalls -- until now, their marriage had weathered quite the storm.

KOBE BRYANT: “I’m innocent.”
ANCHOR: “You might remember that. Vanessa Bryant stood by her husband, or sat by her husband, when he was charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Vale back in 2003. Those charges were later dropped.”

Though the charges were dropped, Bryant did admit to having an affair with the accuser -- and not long after, Vanessa was spotted wearing a $4 million, 8-karat, purple diamond ring, which many called an “I’m sorry” gift. But according to TMZ, even a diamond isn’t going to cut it anymore.

The site says “irreconcilable differences” really means “cheating.”

“Vanessa … decided to end the marriage because she believes Kobe has been unfaithful ... again. As one source puts it, ‘She's been dealing with these incidents for a long time and has been a faithful wife, but she's finally had enough.’”

So, if cheating is at the center of the break-up, will the split see a bitter court battle? The New York Daily News says -- surprisingly -- no.

“The splitting spouses released a joint statement saying they had resolved all issues privately and expected a full divorce sometime next year. … Bryant filed his answer to the divorce petition within minutes of his wife, signaling a coordinated effort between the two legal camps.”

That means this divorce will never see a courtroom, and the question on every gossip hound’s mind becomes -- was there a pre-nup? HLN reports.

JOE CARTER: “Kobe has already moved out of the mansion permanently because in the divorce settlement Vanessa gets the estate. The couple did not have a prenup, which means Vanessa is entitled to half of every dollar Kobe made since the two were married 10 years ago, and everybody knows that man’s made a lot of money.”

How much, exactly? Forbes did the math.

“He has banked $200 million in salary from the Lakers during his career and another $250 million from endorsements ... Bryant’s net worth is likely in the neighborhood of $300 million after the tax man, his agent and others have taken their cut.”

And all sports fans want to know -- how will this affect Kobe? With the NBA lockout and the loss of his pal Lamar Odom from the Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks, the former MVP is facing a rough season. But Yahoo!Sports says, don’t bench the baller yet.

“If there is one thing Lakers fans have learned watching Kobe Bryant grow up it is that he thrives when the chips are down. … Count on Bryant becoming more focused and developing the younger Lakers to work their way into the lineup.”