Los Angeles Chargers To Garnish Antonio Gates' Paychecks For Back Child Support

NFL star Antonio Gates owes child support to his estranged wife Sasha Gates amid their contentious divorce.

According to court documents, obtained by The Blast, Sasha, filed a request to have his income withheld by the Los Angeles Chargers until the entire amount is paid.

In the filing, Sasha alleged that the football tight-end owes more than 12 weeks arrears in child support payments for their children, Ayla Lee Gates, 9, and Aven Tone Gates, 8.

At this point, Gate's ex-wife is asking that the Chargers garnish her estranged husband's wages, deducting $20,000 per month to cater to current child support payments and $5,000 monthly for past-due child support. In total, she wants the football team to deduct $25,00o monthly.

The Court found that he owed $60,000 in child support arrears for the period of June 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023, and ordered the team to pay the sum of $60,000 to Sasah at the rate of $5,000 per month, which shall be due on the 1st of every month commencing September 1, 2023, until he has paid the arrears balance of $60,000 to her in full," the document reads.

In the situation that Antonio doesn't receive his salary monthly, she wants $12,500 to be deducted semimonthly. The deducted money will be paid to the California State Disbursement Unit.

Inside the "withholding order" was the "WAGS" star's request for legal and physical custody of their two children. Antonio will only have visitation with the minor children.

The Blast broke the news in February that Sasha filed to end their marriage of 11 years. She filed for dissolution of marriage in Los Angeles County Courts.

Antonio has earned the title of one of the greatest football players of all time, appearing in 8 Pro Bowls (an NFL record). He is arguably the greatest tight end to ever play the game, but in 2020 he retired from the Chargers after 16 years.

During their marriage, Sasha was a known reality star appearing in the E! reality show ‘WAGS’ (Wives and Girlfriends of Professional Athletes.)

She is also an aspiring singer and works in the fashion industry after getting a degree in fashion merchandising. In addition, Sasha runs a non-profit called 'The Dolling Foundation' which provides wigs to women suffering from hair loss due to illness.

Prior to the divorce, Antonio opened up about the struggles of marriage and raising children while playing a professional sport claiming "It's very difficult because of the demands of this profession."

He continued, "It makes it tough. But, I'm a firm believer in having to find a way to balance it all out. That's what good dads do.  But it's very tough.  It's one thing to be on a team, but it's another when you’re trying to be the pinnacle of what you do.  It presents a whole different dynamic and challenge."

The 'Real Dirty Dancing' competitor explained that he works hard to find a balance between work and family. "You have to find ways to make time for your family when the time presents itself.  I structure it.  To me, the structure is a form in my opinion that works," he stated. "In anything you do or in any relationship you have (it works). On certain nights we'll do things with the kids. Friday nights are movie nights. But for the most part, one day of the week we have dinner night and movie night.  If we're tired, we'll do something else. We have to carve out one day at a time."