Paul Pierce‘s custody battle with Princess Santiago reveals deeper truths!
The former couple is currently slugging it out in court with the best evidence they have, including a series of conversations that indicate the extent of the former NBA player’s involvement in his newborn’s life.
Paul Pierce and Princess Santiago largely kept their relationship out of the public eye until she filed a paternity suit in January 2026 and demanded child support, legal fees, and sole legal and physical custody.
5Santiago has now provided new evidence in the ongoing lawsuit, confirming that there was allegedly a series of conversations between her and Pierce from the moment she welcomed their son.
In one of the texts on February 6, Pierce had informed Santiago that their son had arrived and that if he would like to see him the next day, she would be willing to receive him. Unfortunately, Santiago did not issue a response to the message till Pierce sent another on February 15, which read:
“I gave you so many chances to do the right thing and not have to go down this path … you’re letting history repeat itself, acting just like your father. My son will not be ignored or treated like the black sheep.”
The former NBA star eventually sent a text on April 13, noting that he had just officially found out that the son was his, which meant he could finally see him. Santiago responded to the text, congratulating Pierce on his discovery and duly informing him that she had paid for the test, although the former athlete could have done so from the jump.
She slammed him for ignoring her throughout the pregnancy, choosing to go on vacation with his other love interests and prioritizing other things over his son. Santiago appreciated Pierce for stepping forward after a long time away, although she never kept their son from him.
As shared by TMZ, by April 30, Pierce, seemingly frustrated, emphasized that she would no longer ask Pierce to step up to his role, and that the ball was now solely in his court.
The NBA Alum Claims Ex Targeted Him And His Girlfriend Amid Child Support Battle
5Pierce, in his response to Santiago’s demand for a $30,000 monthly child support payment, argued that his existing financial commitments already strained his finances. As reported by The Blast, he also included complaints about his ex-girlfriend allegedly circulating false stories about his lifestyle.
Pierce explained that he does not have a drinking problem nor was he the man she painted him to be, while adding that she often spammed him with lengthy texts about topics unrelated to their child.
The NBA alum affirmed that he has been living a quiet, modest life with his girlfriend, and that her actions are beginning to look like public harassment, which he does not stand for. As for the payment, he explained that he quit playing basketball in 2017, which also affected his earnings.
While he augmented his savings with salary from his time at Fox Sports 1, his employment ended in 2021, and residuals from the network will stop completely in September 2026.
Paul Pierce Pushed For Joint Custody While Challenging Princess Santiago Child Support Bid
5The retired NBA player requested a price slash in monthly child support from $30,000 to $4,145, explaining that he already pays over $40,000 in monthly child support for his other children. Pierce has welcomed four children from two previous relationships, making King Rafael Santiago Pierce his fifth child.
Pierce argued that his former girlfriend could live without his financial support, as he was paying her $5,000 per month in child support even though she earned about $400,000 annually. On this basis, he countered her request for sole custody, arguing that joint legal and physical custody would work best for them.
The former NBA player finalized his divorce from his ex-wife, Julie Landrum, in 2023, after which he later said in an interview that he would not consider marriage until his seventies. According to Pierce, marriage is for older people and poor people, adding that his past relationships got strained due to constant lack of respect.
The 48-Year-Old’s Marijuana Business Once Faced A Six-Figure Lien
5Pierce’s claim of financial strain comes with a history of the basketballer’s money-related legal disputes. The Blast shared that in 2019, a creditor filed a $162,273.59 lien against the retired NBA star after alleging he failed to repay a business loan.
The lien reportedly targeted both Pierce’s marijuana business near San Bernardino, California, and his Los Angeles home. At the time, the lender’s attorney accused Pierce of failing to meet his financial obligations despite the trust placed in him for the loan.
Years later, the NBA alum faced another financial dispute after JPMorgan Chase Bank accused him of defaulting on payments for a 2019 Range Rover. According to the bank, the athlete stopped making payments in late 2022, leaving an unpaid balance of $91,459.55 under a vehicle lease agreement.
Chase sought possession of the SUV, alleging that Pierce had failed to return it despite repeated demands, while clarifying that the lawsuit was aimed solely at recovering the vehicle rather than pursuing him personally for the debt.
Paul Pierce Blamed Gridlock Fatigue For Incident That Led To DUI Arrest
5Last year, the NBA alum broke his silence on his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, insisting that exhaustion was the culprit, not recklessness. Pierce claimed he had been stuck in standstill traffic for about 45 minutes before he eventually fell asleep behind the wheel, adding that age and fatigue caught up with him.
He assured his followers that he was okay and thanked them for their support. His explanation came days after the California Highway Patrol arrested the NBA Hall of Famer.
According to authorities, officers responding to an unrelated freeway crash found a lone Range Rover stopped in the roadway after traffic had cleared, and discovered Pierce asleep in the driver’s seat. Officers also shared that they noticed signs of possible intoxication before they began a field sobriety test that culminated in his arrest.
