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Paul Pierce, a celebrated figure in NBA history, faces a significant child support claim, as reports emerge that he is being asked to provide nearly $30,000 monthly. This request stems from a paternity lawsuit initiated in January by Princess Santiago, an event coordinator based in Los Angeles.
Documents obtained by TMZ reveal that Santiago is seeking not only financial support but also sole custody of the child. Her demands include a substantial $29,811 per month in child support, alongside a request for $100,000 to cover her legal expenses. Additionally, Santiago insists that Pierce undergo a DNA test to confirm paternity.
Beyond monthly support, Santiago is asking the former Boston Celtics star and NBA champion to shoulder half of the ‘reasonable expenses’ associated with the pregnancy, delivery, and post-birth period, which she estimates at $18,846.
In the court filings, Santiago argues that Pierce’s earnings throughout his career should reflect on his ability to meet these financial obligations. She claims he amassed between $195 million and $203 million in NBA salary alone. Furthermore, Santiago references Pierce’s public statements, suggesting he managed his finances in such a way that he didn’t rely on his NBA salary for personal or family expenses, relying instead on his endorsement deals.
In the latest filing, Santiago claims Pierce earned ‘approximately $195million to $203m in total NBA salary’ and that he ‘has publicly stated that during his NBA career he made enough money from endorsements that he did not have to use his NBA salary to pay his expenses or generous expenditures on his family, romantic partners and family.’
Back in January when she made the initial filing, Santiago said in a statement: ‘I filed for paternity papers after multiple attempts to resolve this privately. Paul Pierce is the father of my son, King, and I am simply asking for a paternity test so the truth can be confirmed.’
NBA icon Paul Pierce is reportedly being asked to pay around $30,000-a-month child support
Princess Santiago is asking the court to force 48-year-old Pierce to take a paternity test
She added: ‘This isn’t about drama or attention — it’s about accountability and doing what’s right for my child.’
This is the latest in a string of public embarrassments for Pierce.Â
In October, he was charged with one count of driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of driving with .08 per cent blood alcohol content after he was found asleep at the wheel of his Range Rover SUV in the middle of a traffic-jammed highway.
On the night of his arrest, California Highway Patrol shut down multiple lanes of Highway 101 to investigate a crash. It left Pierce and many other motorists stuck in gridlocked traffic for nearly an hour.
When the highway was re-opened at around 10:30pm local time, Pierce was found sleeping at the wheel just south of the crash.
Pierce posted an image of rows and rows of cars with brake lights on and captioned it: ‘Imagine being stuck in stand still traffic for 45 mins and falling asleep.’
After being taken into custody, Pierce posted on social media that he simply fell asleep for ‘being old and tired.’
‘I took this picture that night because I never been in stand still traffic for this long,’ he said.
‘I’m old, I’m tired, and I fell asleep. I’m good y’all thanks for the love.’
Santiago is an LA-based event coordinator, according to her various online profilesÂ
Former Boston Celtics star Pierce won an NBA championship with the team back in 2008
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The California Highway Patrol claimed that Pierce, who provided officers with a blood test, showed signs of alcohol impairment when they approached his vehicle.
Pierce has pleaded not guilty in the case.
Since retiring in 2017, the 48-year-old California native has worked as an NBA analyst for two sports cable stations, both of which ultimately fired him.
In 2021, Pierce was let go by ESPN after livestreaming himself playing poker with bikini-clad women as the group enjoyed some alcohol and marijuana.
The Truth, as he was known during his playing days, resurfaced at FS1 in 2024, where he served as a regular contributor on Undisputed with Skip Bayless.
That show was later cancelled and Pierce moved to another show, Speak, which was also shut down.