The custody dispute between NBA star Anthony Edwards and his ex-partner Ayesha Howard has taken a dramatic turn, with new court filings revealing Howard’s demands that go far beyond traditional child support.
According to documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Howard is seeking a $500,000 one-time payment, a public apology across all of Edwards’ social media platforms, and an annual payment of $55,000 for life.
These conditions, Howard claims, are not tied to the custody agreement itself but are instead compensation for what she describes as “substantial financial and reputational damages” suffered during the prolonged legal battle. Edwards, 24, has formally declined custody and visitation rights for their daughter Aubri, born in October 2024, and the court awarded Howard sole legal and physical custody back in May. However, the paperwork finalizing that arrangement remains unsigned, with Edwards alleging Howard is withholding her signature until her demands are met.
Among the most contentious points is the request for a public apology. Howard reportedly wants Edwards to post a statement on all his official social media accounts retracting any “false, defamatory or misleading” comments made during the court proceedings and affirming her integrity as a mother. Edwards’ legal team has called the demands “exorbitant,” arguing that Howard is leveraging the custody paperwork to extract additional compensation.
The dispute has played out across multiple jurisdictions, with Edwards initially filing a paternity suit in Georgia and Howard counterfiling in California, a state known for higher child support awards for high-income earners. The back-and-forth has included allegations of harassment, financial manipulation, and even leaked text messages, one of which allegedly shows Edwards urging Howard to terminate the pregnancy before Aubri’s birth.
Howard, 39, maintains that her requests are rooted in the emotional and reputational toll the litigation has taken on her.
“I want to make it clear that my request for compensation was never tied to agreeing to any custody orders,” she told Us Weekly. “I asked for compensation due to the substantial financial and reputational damages I’ve endured during this prolonged litigation with Anthony Edwards”.
