National Basketball Association

Pierce's NYC landlords: We're suing because apartment was left a mess

Published Mar. 24, 2015 11:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

We already know that it's not a good idea to sit courtside with your little girl when Paul Pierce is playing. Now, it appears you also don't want to be his landlord.

The owners of the four-bedroom loft in Manhattan that Pierce rented while playing for the Brooklyn Nets are suing Pierce and his wife, Julie, for damages and back rent, totaling $425,000, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

Anuragini Pandey and Rajeev Tewari, who rented the apartment to the Pierces and their three children for $30,000 per month, claim the property was left in a "shambles" and "horrendous condition."

The lawsuit alleges that the Pierces replaced wooden floors with pink carpet, removed a stone fireplace hearth and damaged radiator covers, kitchen tiles, halogen lights and a shower head.

Though Pierce's lease allowed for his having to move because he changed teams, the landlords — who apparently didn't follow NBA free agency — say the NBA star didn't let them know he was leaving, instead just moving out. Pierce had a two-year lease, but he signed with the Washington Wizards before this season after being traded to the Nets in a multi-player deal between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn in July 2013.

The Pierces did not respond to the Post's calls for comment.