Paul Pierce Ordered to Pay More Than $8,000 a Month in Child Support, Social Media Cringes
The former NBA star must also pay $100,000 in legal fees after his child’s mother sought $30,000 a month for their son.
Black News 
Paul Pierce is going to have to dig a little deeper into his pockets when it comes to supporting his youngest child.
The former NBA superstar has been ordered to pay $8,508 a month in temporary child support to Princess Santiago, the mother of his son, King Rafael Santiago Pierce.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, a judge issued the temporary order while the child-support case continues. That means the amount isn’t necessarily set in stone and could be changed as the court reviews the case.
Pierce will also be responsible for $100,000 of Santiago’s legal fees, along with another $10,000 so she can retain a forensic accountant. Those accountants are often used in financial disputes to examine income, assets, and other financial records when there are questions about how much money someone actually has or earns.
Santiago had reportedly sought significantly more money. According to TMZ, she claimed Pierce earned nearly $200 million during his NBA career and argued that his financial resources could support monthly child-support payments of approximately $30,000.
Pierce pushed back, arguing that his NBA playing career is over and that his current income doesn’t justify the amount Santiago requested. He reportedly suggested that roughly $4,000 a month would be more appropriate, pointing to Santiago’s own successful career and income.
Instead, the judge landed somewhere in the middle—for now.
Pierce spent 19 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Boston Celtics, and became one of the franchise’s biggest stars. He won an NBA championship with Boston in 2008 and was named Finals MVP.
Now retired from basketball, Pierce has remained in the public eye through media appearances, business ventures, and his often outspoken social-media presence.
