Dwight Howard Criticizes NBA Child Support Payments

2025-03-01

Dwight Howard, the former NBA star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, recently made headlines for his comments on child support payments in the league. During a podcast, Howard expressed disbelief over the $55,000 monthly child support payment Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler is reportedly paying to his ex-partner, Kaitlin Nowak. Howard, who has faced his own legal battles over child support with his ex-girlfriend Royce Reed, called the amount “absurd” and criticized the court system for what he perceives as unfair treatment of NBA players. Howard revealed he paid $13,000 monthly for his son until he turned 18, contrasting it with Butler’s situation, which includes an additional $10,000 monthly demand for a nanny.

Howard’s remarks come amid his own history of legal disputes with Reed, including a $500 million lawsuit he filed against her for allegedly violating a gag order from their 2009 settlement. The case was eventually settled outside of court, with Reed agreeing to pay $500,000. Howard, now married to Amy Luciani, has moved on from the legal drama, focusing on his personal life and career. His comments highlight the ongoing challenges NBA players face in navigating high-profile child support cases.