Paul Pierce’s income has become a central issue in his ongoing child-support dispute with Princess Santiago, the mother of his infant son.
Court documents obtained by TMZ show that the Basketball Hall of Famer reported average monthly income of approximately $128,000 in 2025.
That average increased to approximately $165,000 during the first six months of 2026, although Pierce argues that a major source of his earnings will end in September.
The figures do not establish how much support he will ultimately be ordered to pay.
The $165,000 Figure Covers Only Six Months
Pierce’s reported 2026 average was calculated from income received between January and June. His reported average for 2025 was approximately $128,000 per month. In separate filings, Pierce said his total income for that year was approximately $1.5 million and argued that his current earnings no longer resemble the salaries he collected during his 19-season NBA career.
Pierce earned more than $200 million in NBA salary before retiring in 2017. Those career earnings may provide context for his finances, but they are not the same as his present income or available monthly cash flow.
Fox-Related Payments Accounted for a Large Share
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According to TMZ, Pierce reported receiving approximately $1.5 million from Fox in 2025 and another $713,000 connected to a program he had on the network. The outlet identified the program as the show Pierce cohosted with Joy Taylor, which was canceled in mid-2025 after Taylor left the network.
Pierce previously said his employment with Fox Sports 1 ended in 2021 but that payments connected to the network would continue through September 2026. He claims the end of that income stream will reduce his overall earnings by nearly half. The filings reportedly listed an additional $350,000 in commissions during 2025 and $386,000 during the first half of 2026.
Other reported 2025 income included approximately $92,000 in DraftKings royalties, $60,000 from Fanatics, $29,000 from NBA Properties and $10,000 from YouTube. Pierce also listed approximately $281,000 connected to No Fouls Given, the YouTube sports show he hosts.
The Filing Detailed His Recent Expenses
Pierce disclosed several expenses from the first six months of 2026, including approximately $121,000 in legal fees, $12,000 in travel costs, $9,000 for meals and $1,000 for security. TMZ said the documents also identified various additional bills that were not individually detailed in its report.
In an earlier filing, Pierce described what he called “substantial ongoing financial obligations.” He said he supports four other children and pays $20,000 per month in spousal support and another $24,000 per month in child support.
The Parents Remain More Than $25,000 Apart
Santiago has requested $29,811 per month in support for their son, King Rafael Santiago Pierce, who was born on February 6. She has also asked Pierce to provide health insurance, reimburse half of her pregnancy, birth and post-birth medical expenses, and contribute $100,000 toward her attorney fees.
Pierce has proposed paying approximately $4,145 per month, leaving a difference of $25,666 between the parents’ requested amounts. He said he has voluntarily paid $5,000 per month and remains willing to support King. Pierce has also claimed that Santiago earns more than $400,000 annually.
Santiago initially filed a parentage petition requesting genetic testing, sole legal and physical custody, and visitation for Pierce. Pierce later acknowledged that he is King’s biological father and requested joint legal and physical custody.