Key Takeaways
- Paul Pierce told a California court his monthly income has fallen to zero after his final Fox Sports check landed in August, down from an average of $119,000.
- Paul Pierce's attorney says he is "drowning financially" and faces roughly $48,000 a month in bills, including $8,000 for childcare and $7,000 on eating out.
- Princess Santiago, the mother of Pierce's son King, is asking the court for an additional $40,000 in attorney fees and $10,000 for a forensic accountant, alleging he withheld financial records.
- A judge ruled on Sept. 2 that Pierce must pay $8,508 a month in temporary child support plus $100,000 toward Santiago's legal fees, and has not yet ruled on her new requests.
Paul Pierce says he's struggling financially after his income reportedly dropped to zero following the end of his payments from Fox Sports.
According to TMZ, the Boston Celtics legend revealed the state of his financial situation in new California court documents as he continues a legal dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Princess Santiago, over child support and legal fees.
Pierce claims he received his final payment from Fox Sports in August, bringing his monthly income down from an average of $119,000 to nothing. His attorney described the former NBA star as "tapped out" and "drowning financially" while having "great difficulty" keeping up with his financial obligations.
However, the court documents reveal that Pierce still has substantial assets and expenses. The Hall of Famer reportedly listed approximately $48,000 in monthly expenses, including $8,000 for childcare, $7,000 for dining out, $5,000 for groceries, $3,500 for entertainment, $3,200 for utilities and $1,000 for clothing.
Despite claiming his monthly income has disappeared, Pierce reported earned approximately $23,000 last month through business partnerships. He also listed $300,000 in bank accounts and $3 million in property.
Pierce says he's currently paying approximately $28,000 per month in child support and another $20,000 in spousal support.
The financial disclosures come as Santiago, who shares a son named King with Pierce, is seeking additional money to cover legal expenses.
Santiago has requested $40,000 in attorney fees and another $10,000 to hire a forensic accountant, arguing that Pierce hasn't provided a complete picture of his finances.
According to her filings, Pierce allegedly failed to disclose information regarding a cannabis business, his Fox Sports earnings, ownership in commercial real estate, bank records, and trust distributions.
Pierce is asking the court to reject both requests.
The legal battle began in January when Santiago filed a paternity case while pregnant with their son, claiming that efforts to resolve the situation privately had been unsuccessful.
"This isn't about drama or attention, it's about accountability and doing what's right for my child," Santiago said at the time.
On Sept. 2, a judge ordered Pierce to pay $8,508 in temporary monthly child support and contribute $100,000 toward Santiago's legal fees. She had originally requested nearly $30,000 per month, while Pierce proposed approximately $4,145.
Earlier financial records showed Pierce earning an average of $128,000 per month in 2025, with that figure increasing to approximately $165,000 during the first half of 2026.
The financial troubles are particularly notable considering Pierce earned more than $195 million in NBA salaries throughout his 20-year career.
