Paul Pierce Faces New Legal Battle Over Child Support Payments
NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce is challenging a request for nearly $30,000 in monthly child support, citing a shift in his financial reality.
A high-stakes battle over child support is putting the finances of NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce under the microscope. The basketball legend is currently arguing that his present income no longer supports the nearly $30,000 a month his ex-partner is seeking for their young son. New court filings obtained by Complex reveal that Pierce is actively opposing Princess Santiago’s request for $29,811 in monthly child support for their son, King. Instead, he is petitioning the court to set payments at approximately $4,145 per month, asserting that this lower figure more accurately reflects his current financial circumstances.
Santiago is also pursuing $100,000 in attorney’s fees, alongside nearly $20,000 to cover pregnancy, childbirth, and post-birth expenses. Her legal team has pointed to comments Pierce previously made during an appearance on Club Shay Shay, where he suggested his endorsement earnings were substantial enough that he never needed to rely on his NBA salary. They are using these statements as evidence that he possesses the capacity to afford the higher support amount. Pierce, however, maintains that such a depiction of his wealth is outdated and no longer reflects his reality.
Read More: Paul Pierce Admits Paternity, Seeks Joint Custody In Ongoing Legal Dispute
Declining Finances
According to the court filings, Pierce earned approximately $1.5 million in 2025. However, he contends that this figure is expected to decline significantly once residual payments connected to his former role at Fox Sports 1 conclude in September. Furthermore, he noted that he is already obligated to pay $44,000 each month in combined spousal and child support for four other children.
The filing also claims that Santiago earns more than $400,000 annually, a point used to challenge the argument that she lacks sufficient financial resources. Addressing his personal life, Pierce wrote, “I live a quiet and stable life with my girlfriend. I do not drink to excess,” pushing back against characterizations presented in the case.
The dispute extends beyond monetary concerns. Pierce is seeking joint legal and physical custody of King, while Santiago is pushing for sole custody. Their legal conflict began earlier this year when Santiago filed a paternity petition after publicly stating that she had unsuccessfully attempted to resolve the matter privately. Pierce has since acknowledged he is King’s father, and court records indicate he had been voluntarily paying $5,000 per month prior to the current escalation of the support dispute.