Basketball player Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa announced earlier in January their decision to not follow through with divorce proceedings and to give their marriage another chance, but was the decision based on their affections for one another or something else entirely? 

Vanessa and Kobe married in 2000 and have two daughters together - Natalia Diamante and Gianna Maria-Onore.

Vanessa announced on her Instagram account this month that she and Kobe called off their divorce proceedings and will stay married, saying, "We are pleased to announce that we have reconciled. Our divorce action will be dismissed. We are looking forward to our future together."

There have been many rumors as to why the two decided to get back together and in one report, it was noted that the divorce proceedings were stopped allegedly because it was too expensive for Kobe.  

Vanessa filed for divorce from the Lakers player in 2011, citing "irreconcilable differences" and asking for joint custody of the couple's two children, according to iSportsTimes. The news report noted that Vanessa and Kobe never signed a pre-nuptial agreement so in addition to the NBA player having to pay child support of the divorce happened, he would also have to pay spousal support. California laws states that the wealthier party is expected to pay spousal support for half the length of the marriage, and the couple's marriage ran for over 10 years. All property accumulated during the duration of the marriage would also be divided 50/50. 

Based on the fact that Kobe would pay child support roughly around $365,000 and spousal support around $1 million (a monthly amount of $1.36 million in child and spousal payments), calculated by his earning of a divorce would take place, Times suggested, "this is where the term 'It's cheaper to keep her' applies."

"Needless to say, all you need is love but cash rules the world and Kobe knows that," the report stated. "The marriage is back on and they could live happily ever after but just remember ... it's not always as simple as love."

Rapper Drake also talked about the potential financial situation in Kobe's divorce to Vanessa if happened. After Vanessa filed for divorce in 2011, Drake said in his song "Stay Schemin' " that Vanessa did not deserve a large amount of Kobe's fortune because "you wasn't with me shootin' in the gym."

The song went, "Kobe about to lose on hundred and fifty M's, Kobe my n---er hate it to have to be him, b--ch you wans't with me shootin' in the gym."

The $3 million mansion Vanessa and Kobe owned in a gated Newport Beach community sold days before the pair announced their reconciliation and the cancellation of the divorce petition, according to Radar Online. The 6,000 mansion was listed in September for $3.75 million and closed mid-January for $3.22 million. It was one of three homes Vanessa and Kobe jointly owned in the community. 

Tags: Kobe Bryant Vanessa Bryant