An NBA legend is facing serious financial problems
The Fox Sports television network fired Paul Pierce from its team, and the former Boston Celtics player says he is financially struggling.
Paul Pierce is experiencing financial difficulties, as he stated in court during his child support dispute. The former Boston Celtics player claims to be “financially drowning” after stopping his income from Fox Sports while trying to meet his monthly obligations.
According to court documents, Pierce received his last payment from the sports network in August. Until then, his monthly income averaged around $119,000. However, last month he earned only approximately $23,000 from other business ventures.
Paul Pierce's monthly expenses
The former player detailed in court the financial obligations that, he claims, complicate his financial situation. He currently pays about $20,000 per month in spousal support, while his personal and family expenses total around $48,000 a month.
These expenses include $8,000 for childcare, $5,000 for food, $7,000 for restaurants, $3,200 for utilities, $1,000 for clothing, and $3,500 for entertainment.
Pierce also stated that he has approximately $300,000 in cash and owns properties valued at about three million dollars.
The child support dispute
This economic situation occurs amid the legal battle with Princess Santiago, the mother of his son King Rafael Santiago Pierce. Santiago has requested an additional $40,000 to cover her legal fees and $10,000 to hire a forensic accountant to examine the former player's finances.
Pierce has already been ordered to pay temporary child support of $8,508 per month for his son, as well as $100,000 to cover Santiago's legal fees. The amount for child support may be reviewed by the court as the proceedings continue.
From earning 200 million in the NBA to losing income
The financial difficulties that Pierce claims to be facing contrast with the income he accumulated during his 19 seasons in the NBA. According to figures presented in the legal process, the former player earned approximately $200 million in salaries throughout his professional career.
Additionally, in documents previously submitted, Pierce reported average monthly earnings of $128,000 during 2025 and approximately $165,000 per month in the first half of 2026. A significant part of those amounts came from his professional relationship with Fox Sports.
The former player had already warned that payments linked to the sports network would end during this period and would result in a considerable reduction of his income.
With those payments now concluded, Pierce now claims in court that he is struggling to maintain the level of expenses and financial obligations he has to meet. His financial situation has thus become one of the main points of contention in the legal proceedings with Princess Santiago.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Una leyenda de la NBA se encuentra en serios problemas económicos
