Ben Simmons has sent ex-fiance May Jama a $1 million USD ($A1.4m) legal demand as their separation begins to get messy.
The Aussie basketballer is demanding the English TV star return the $1 million diamond engagement ring given to her when they celebrated their engagement.
The NBA star got down on one knee to the Love Island host in December 2021 following a whirlwind romance.
But the long-distance relationship hit the rocks last August when Maya decided to focus on her career in the UK — and Brooklyn Nets ace Ben, 26, and Maya, 28, went their separate ways last month.
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A source close to the star said: “Given Ben has never, until now, asked for the ring back, you can appreciate the letter came somewhat as a surprise to Maya.” They added that she intends to hand it back. And a spokesperson for Maya told The Sun: “Maya received a request from Ben’s representatives on Friday afternoon, asking her to return the engagement ring that he gave her as a gift last year. “This was the first time that she has been asked by Ben to return it and, for the avoidance of any doubt, she has never refused to return it. “Maya is making arrangements to return the ring to Ben and wishes him all the best.” A friend of Simmons said: “Ben was really shocked when she left and didn’t give him the ring back. “He was madly in love with her and thought it was forever so was really p***ed she didn’t give it back. It cost around $1million and they were engaged less than a year.” Maya and the US-based NBA star began dating around May 2021 before making it official two months later. The relationship was confirmed when they were snapped kissing at the Wimbledon tennis championships in July that year. Ben popped the question in December 2021 — but Maya confirmed the news of their break-up when speaking to The Times this month, saying: “I’m really, really single right now. Newly single. It’s only been a month but it’s nice.” She had been promoting the new series of Love Island, saying she had been practising her arrival at the villa. A source told The Sun on Sunday at the time: “Maya called it off after things came to a head last month. “She is not going back to New York now. It’s heartbreaking for both of them, especially as they were so committed to each other. “They’re both young and want to focus on their careers. Maya has a bright future ahead of her with job offers coming in from all over and is feeling positive.” They added: “It’s been a difficult time for them. While they both care for each other so much, they truly gave it their all and realise that they just come from two different worlds. “They now understand they don’t have the time they thought to dedicate to this relationship. “After many long nights and hours of heartfelt talks, they realised as much as they love each other, their non-stop careers and endless travel have made it incredibly impossible to make it work.” — This story originally appeared on thesun.co.uk and has been republished with permission
