NBA legend Paul Pierce claims he is "drowning financially" as mounting expenses and a bitter legal battle threaten to drain what's left of his once-massive fortune, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
The 49-year-old Boston Celtics icon alleges he is now "tapped out" after losing his lucrative television job at Fox Sports.
Pierce, who previously raked in approximately $119,000 per month from the network, claims his regular salary has evaporated, leaving him with no steady paycheck. The former NBA star reported earning just $23,000 from business ventures in September.
The Basketball Hall of Famer claims he has just $300,000 left in the bank and approximately $3 million in property holdings, despite reportedly raking in $195 million over his 19-season NBA career.
The court filings also offer a glimpse into Pierce's lavish spending habits.
The former Celtics superstar reportedly spends a whopping $7,000 per month dining out, $5,000 on groceries, $8,000 on childcare, $3,500 on entertainment, $3,200 on utilities and another $1,000 on clothing.
The expenses come on top of approximately $28,000 in monthly child support and $20,000 in spousal support, pushing his reported monthly financial obligations toward $75,700.
The financial revelations surfaced amid an ongoing legal battle with Pierce's former girlfriend, Princess Santiago, with whom he shares a son born earlier this year. Santiago is asking for about $30,000 a month in child support; Pierce has argued for about $4,145. In September, a court document showed a temporary order for Pierce to pay $8,508 a month in support, $100,000 toward her legal fees and $10,000 for a forensic accountant.
Santiago is seeking an additional $40,000 in attorney fees and says Pierce has not paid the $10,000 he was ordered to pay so she could hire a forensic accountant to scrutinize his finances. In her latest motion, she alleges he has withheld records on his cannabis company and Fox Sports income and did not disclose an interest in a commercial property. The filings do not establish that he hid assets.
"I believe in growth, accountability and healthy co-parenting. Paul has finally made an effort to see King and I appreciate that," Santiago told People. "At this time, I am focused on maintaining stability and consistent, healthy decision-making for our son while he continues building a positive father-son relationship moving forward."