Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty owners Clara Wu Tsai and Joseph Tsai are ending their nearly 30-year marriage.
A spokesperson for the prominent couple told Page Six in an exclusive statement, “Clara Wu Tsai and Joe Tsai have decided to end their marriage, a decision they came to mutually and with great respect for one another.
“Over the years, their relationship evolved into more of a partnership, one of running their businesses and raising their children together. While they have grown apart, their divorce is amicable and their relationship remains a strong, professional partnership.”
The statement also touched on the future of their many business ventures, explaining, “Their decision will not affect the business operations of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, the Brooklyn Nets or the New York Liberty.
“Joe will remain Chairman and Clara will remain Vice Chair of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment. Joe will remain Governor of the Brooklyn Nets and Clara will remain Governor of the New York Liberty. They will continue to own and be stewards of the teams with professional management in place as they always have.
“In the long run, they also plan to involve their children,” the statement added, referring to their three grown children.
As for technology company Alibaba, the statement read, “There are no plans to sell any Alibaba shares and Joe’s role as Alibaba Chairman is not affected by this development.”
The statement concluded, “Joe and Clara remain deeply committed to continuing their existing philanthropic and community work. They are both driven by the best interests of their family, businesses, and communities, and are dedicated to continue working together as true partners.”
Joe, 62, and Clara, 60, married in October 1996 in New York City. He currently resides in Hong Kong, while she lives in the United States.
During the course of their almost three-decade marriage, the two have accomplished impressive business and philanthropic feats.
Joe co-founded Alibaba Group in 1999 and is the company’s chairman today.
Clara and Joe acquired full ownership of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty in 2019 for $2.35 billion — a deal that became the most expensive purchase of an American sports franchise at the time. They first obtained a 49 percent stake in 2018.
Clara’s involvement led to the WNBA team NY Liberty relocating to Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Joe said in a statement at the time of the deal regarding the NBA team and the arena, “With full ownership of the Nets and Barclays Center, we will continue to bring our exciting brand of basketball to our fans. We’ve made a strong commitment to Brooklyn and it will be a privilege to present the best of Barclays Center with its great entertainment to our community.”
As for their philanthropic accomplishments, the couple launched the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation in 2014, an organization focusing on arts, science and social justice.
In 2020, they created the Social Justice Fund — pledging $50 million — to aid economic mobility in Brooklyn.
Clara, who is a Stanford University and Harvard Business School alum, is also a founding partner for REFORM Alliance to help reform criminal justice.
Joe and Clara were last seen speaking at The Asian American Foundation Heritage Month Summit and Celebration in May 2026.
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