Paul Pierce’s child support battle with Princess Santiago takes an unexpected turn for both parties.
The former NBA star has now been ordered to pay a monthly amount for their son, King Rafael Santiago Pierce. Santiago claimed that Pierce’s NBA fortune gave him enough resources to provide more for their child.
Paul Pierce is no stranger to money-related drama, as he had a $162,273.59 lien against him in 2019. He also had a financial dispute over an unpaid payment for a 2019 Range Rover.JPMorgan.
Pierce has been ordered to pay Santiago $8,508 every month in child support for their son. The monthly figure is considerably lower than the $30,000 Santiago requested from the retired basketball star. She claimed Pierce earned nearly $200 million throughout his NBA career and therefore had more than enough money to meet her demand.
Her request also included $100,000 for legal expenses as she continued pursuing support for their son. The NBA star pushed back against the amount Santiago wanted, arguing that his finances are no longer what they were during his NBA career. He asked the court to set his monthly obligation at around $4,000 instead.
The California-born player argued that Santiago has a successful career and earns substantial income herself. The judge made clear that the $8,508 monthly payment is temporary and can still be changed as the proceedings continue. Pierce will also have to pay $100,000 toward Santiago’s legal fees and another $10,000 for her to retain a forensic accountant, per TMZ.
The Former NBA Star Said His Finances Declined After His NBA Career Ended
5The 48-year-old challenged Santiago’s financial claims while responding to her child support request. He said he stopped playing professional basketball in 2017, meaning the earnings he enjoyed during his NBA career had already declined. His employment with Fox Sports 1 also ended in 2021, with payments from the network ending in September 2026.
The Basketball Hall of Famer told the court that he already carries substantial financial obligations involving his other children. He said he pays $20,000 monthly in spousal support and another $24,000 in child support for his other children. The former athlete also said he had already been paying her $5,000 each month in child support despite Santiago earning more than $400,000 annually.
The father of five used that financial picture to argue against her request for sole custody while seeking joint custody. In March, Santiago filed legal documents to establish Pierce as the father of their son. The Blast shared that she requested genetic testing and asked him to cover half of the expenses associated with her pregnancy and childbirth.
More From The Blast
Paul Pierce Allegedly Aired Messages About His Child’s Birth
5Santiago submitted alleged text exchanges involving Pierce from around the time their son was born. On February 6, she allegedly informed Pierce that their son had arrived and said he could see the baby the following day. According to the reported exchange, Pierce did not respond until after Santiago sent another message on February 15.
In that February message, she wrote, “My son will not be ignored or treated like the black sheep.” The Blast reported that Pierce eventually messaged her on April 13, saying he had officially learned that the child was his and could therefore see him. Santiago reportedly responded by saying she had paid for the paternity test although Pierce could have done so himself.
She also accused him of ignoring her throughout the pregnancy while engaging with other love interests. By April 30, Santiago reportedly told Pierce that she would no longer ask him to fulfill his parental role. She said the responsibility was now entirely in his hands. The athlete also accused Santiago of harassing him and his girlfriend, as shared by The Blast.
The NBA Star Had Series Of Legal Battles In The Past
5Pierce’s claims of financial strain come against a backdrop of previous money-related legal disputes. The creditor filed a $162,273.59 lien against him in 2019. The dispute involved allegations that he failed to repay a business loan. The lien reportedly targeted Pierce’s marijuana business near San Bernardino, California, along with his Los Angeles home. The lender’s attorney accused him of failing to meet financial obligations despite the trust placed in him.
Years later, another financial dispute involved a 2019 Range Rover.JPMorgan Chase Bank accused Pierce of stopping payments on the vehicle in late 2022. The bank claimed $91,459.55 remained unpaid under the vehicle lease agreement. Chase sought possession of the SUV after allegedly demanding that Pierce return it.
The 2008 NBA Champion also previously addressed an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. He said exhaustion caused him to fall asleep after sitting in standstill traffic for roughly 45 minutes. Authorities said officers found him asleep inside a Range Rover and noticed possible signs of intoxication.
Paul Pierce Said He Was ‘Betrayed’ By A Woman
5The 10-time All-Star recalled being shocked after seeing a former partner without makeup. He said the experience made him feel misled despite having dated her for some time. Pierce described the experience as feeling “betrayed” and compared it to cheating.
“Dated a girl, and we were dating for a while too, and it was like, ‘D—!’ One day she woke up, and I saw all the makeup off,” Pierce said. He argued that men should know what their partners look like without makeup before trusting appearances. The former NBA champion has also promoted unconventional ideas about testing loyalty in relationships.
On his “The Truth After Dark” podcast, he suggested cheating could reveal whether a woman truly loves her partner. Yahoo Entertainment shared that he argued that someone could test a woman’s love by cheating on her and observing her reaction. “If you really want to know if a girl loves you, you need to go out and cheat on her,” he said
Paul Pierce’s temporary $8,508 child support order still leaves his ex far below the $30,000 she originally demanded.
