Paul Pierce Claims He’s “Drowning Financially” Amid Support Battle
Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce claims he is “drowning financially” as mounting expenses and an ongoing legal battle threaten what remains of his fortune, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
The 49-year-old Basketball Hall of Famer claims he is now “tapped out” after losing his lucrative television job at Fox Sports. Pierce reportedly earned about $119,000 per month from the network, but he claims that regular income has disappeared. He reported earning only $23,000 from business ventures in September.
The financial pressure is notable because Pierce reportedly earned approximately $195 million during his 19-season NBA career. The court filings say he now has about $300,000 in the bank and approximately $3 million in property holdings.
The documents also provide a detailed look at Pierce’s reported monthly spending. He lists approximately $7,000 for dining out, $5,000 for groceries, $8,000 for childcare, $3,500 for entertainment, $3,200 for utilities, and another $1,000 for clothing.
Those expenses come alongside reported monthly obligations of about $28,000 in child support and $20,000 in spousal support. Together, the listed expenses and support obligations approach $75,700 per month.
The disclosures surfaced during a legal dispute involving Pierce and his former girlfriend, Princess Santiago. The pair share a son who was born earlier this year. Santiago is seeking approximately $30,000 per month in child support, while Pierce has argued that the amount should be closer to $4,145.
A September court document showed a temporary order requiring Pierce to pay $8,508 per month in support. The order also required him to contribute $100,000 toward Santiago’s legal fees and $10,000 for a forensic accountant.
Santiago is now seeking another $40,000 in attorney fees. She also says Pierce has not paid the $10,000 he was ordered to provide for the forensic accountant, whose job would be to examine his finances.
In her latest motion, Santiago alleges that Pierce withheld records related to his cannabis company and his Fox Sports income. She also claims he failed to disclose an interest in a commercial property. The filings do not establish that he hid assets.
Santiago said she is focused on stability and the relationship between Pierce and their son.
“I believe in growth, accountability and healthy co-parenting. Paul has finally made an effort to see King and I appreciate that,” Santiago told People.
“At this time, I am focused on maintaining stability and consistent, healthy decision-making for our son while he continues building a positive father-son relationship moving forward.”
The case continues to center on Pierce’s income, property, business interests, and spending habits as the parties fight over support and legal costs.
Source: The Liberty Daily