Celtics legend and Hall of Fame swingman Paul Pierce expressed some of his views on marriage on the latest episode of his “The Truth After Dark” podcast.
Speaking on the topic of nuptials with his audience, the ’07-’08 NBA Finals MVP claimed that getting married has zero benefit to a man and works out best for “old people” and “poor people.”
I feel like every relationship shouldn’t be based off sex. But every relationship is based off of that. 100%. You can’t tell me nothing different. This is what I feel. And that’s why I’ll never be in another relationship, because it’s always based off of that.
Because it’s going to be based off the sex. Once that wears down, you’re going to go find somebody else that’s better…. This is the thing. And listen carefully. Listen carefully.
Paul Pierce says marriage is for poor people and old people, and explains why it offers no advantage for a man.
(🎥 The Truth After Dark/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/Wiqujr4Y0C
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) May 4, 2025
The 10-time All-Star went on to explain who and what he believes marriage is truly for.
Marriage is for old people and poor people. Because when you broke, our parents, like my moms and all them, they married on a merit of like, OK, we’re gonna put our incomes together, have all these kids … so they can work and bring income.
So, you poor, so you marry for that. And now, when you get old, somebody’s gotta be at your side to take care of you. My mom never been married in my lifetime. She got married when she was 70. It was perfect. She had somebody by her side the whole way through.
That’s when Pierce revealed that he feels marriage can only hurt a man when things go wrong and he won’t consider it again until he’s in his golden years.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Outside of that, there’s no advantage to a man. What does it do for a man when things go south? Like, we gonna have to give up half our this, pay child support, pay… It’s only advantageous to a woman. Like, real talk.
… I’m 47 right now. Until I turn 70, that’s the only realistic part. It’s because we both old. We ain’t out in the streets, we at home watching TV. You go take me to the hospital, I’m gonna take you to the hospital. That’s it. But right now, I’m too cracking right now.
The four-time All-NBA forward also pushed back on the idea that a woman can bring peace to a man’s life. He divorced his ex-wife, Julie Landrum, in 2023 after a decade of marriage and raising three children together.
Related: Sports Fans Not Happy With Molly Qerim’s Replacement On ‘First Take’