Anthony Edwards accuses ex Ayesha Howard of using their baby daughter for profit amid escalating custody feud
NBA Star’s Bitter Custody Battle Spills Online
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony “Ant” Edwards, 24, has launched new legal claims against ex-girlfriend Ayesha Howard, 39. He is alleging she’s been using their one-year-old daughter, Aubri’ Summers Howard, as a “revenue-generating asset.”
According to court filings obtained by Us Weekly and shared by The Neighborhood Talk, Edwards’ team accuses Howard — who already shares a son with rapper Lil Baby — of turning their ongoing custody fight into a social media storyline. Thus, using the child in sponsored content and brand deals. The latest twist adds fuel to this feud. One that’s stretched across two states and nearly a full year of back-and-forth legal drama.
Inside the Messy Timeline
Aubri’ was born in October 2024, following what both sides describe as a brief and tumultuous relationship. Early text messages submitted in court show Edwards initially denying paternity and urging Howard to terminate the pregnancy, writing, “I won’t be in a child life I don’t want.” DNA testing later confirmed him as the father, prompting a cross-country court fight.
Howard, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur who runs a trucking business and influencer brand, was granted full custody in California, while Edwards filed counteractions in Georgia seeking to reduce support. Over the following months, filings, leaks, and social media rants turned a private dispute into public spectacle.
New Claims: “Revenue-generating asset” and social media misuse
Edwards’ latest motion was filed in early October, just this week. The motion accuses Howard of forcing their infant daughter to appear in promotional videos and posts “even when tired.” As a result, allegedly captioning one video, “My baby is over content for the day, but momma gotta get back to work.”
His attorneys further claim Howard has “aired private court proceedings for engagement” and secured new influencer brand deals off the back of the custody storyline. One clause proposed by Edwards’ team reportedly sought to prohibit either parent from publicly disparaging the other. This includes a “no trash talk” rule that Howard’s side reportedly rejected.
Howard has publicly dismissed the allegations, calling the “baby exploitation” narrative fabricated and insisting she’s only documenting her motherhood journey.
The $500K Demand and Apology Dispute
In August, reports surfaced that Howard demanded $500,000, a public apology, and a lifetime stipend of $55,000 per year in exchange for signing off on Edwards’ custody paperwork. Edwards’ lawyers labeled the proposal “extortionate,” while Howard’s camp claimed the reports exaggerated private settlement negotiations.
Howard maintains she only sought “closure” after Edwards’ public denial of their child. In response, Edwards’ legal team accused her of “weaponizing reputation” — turning the paternity ordeal into a public redemption arc through curated content and calculated interviews.
Social Media Backlash and Polarized Fan Reactions
The scandal exploded across social platforms, trending under #TeamAnt and #AyeshaHoward. Engagement across X and Instagram has surpassed 50 million views, splitting audiences into warring camps.
Pro-Edwards fans see the 16-year age gap as proof of manipulation, calling Howard a “serial opportunist” for previously having a child with Lil Baby. “She’s 39 chasing bags with a 23-year-old’s baby? Embarrassing. Let Ant live,” one top comment read.
Pro-Howard voices, though smaller in number, argue Edwards’ leaked abortion texts were abusive. “He told her to kill the baby, now he’s crying exploitation? Please,” another user wrote. Others defended her as a “businesswoman capitalizing on survival.”
Meme culture found a middle ground — remixing Howard’s videos into edits captioned “Influencing and Custody: The Remix.”
Ayesha Howard’s Growing Platform
Since the story broke, Howard has gained 50,000+ followers on Instagram, promoting her trucking company and lifestyle content. Critics accuse her of “leveraging the drama,” while supporters praise her for transparency. In one post, she mocked fans for believing rumors of a $1 million payout, writing, “Y’all will believe anything. Use common sense.”
Industry watchers note that her follower spike could translate into major influencer earnings, especially as brands chase viral moments. Still, the optics of posting branded reels featuring her baby amid court filings about “exploitation” have intensified public scrutiny.
Impact on Edwards’ image
Edwards — one of the NBA’s brightest young stars and a face of the Timberwolves franchise — now faces his first serious off-court controversy. Known for his charisma and competitiveness, he’s been positioned as a potential “face of the league” post-LeBron.
But PR analysts say the ongoing dispute could dent that image. Veteran analyst Gilbert Arenas even weighed in, urging Edwards to pay a lump sum and move on, warning, “This is how reputations get stained. LeBron, Curry — they clean their stuff fast.”
For now, Edwards has chosen silence, focusing on preseason training. His team’s only statement so far calls the claims “deeply personal and sensitive.”
Legal Outlook
Currently, Howard retains full custody, and Edwards has not pursued visitation. California courts have jurisdiction over future child support adjustments — a decision that could significantly increase his payments, given his $40+ million annual salary.
While neither side has filed for criminal action, Edwards’ legal team may push for a social media clause limiting Aubri’s appearance in monetized content. Howard’s representatives say such a clause would be “control disguised as concern.”
No next hearing date has been confirmed, though filings are expected to continue through late October.
The Takeaway: A Modern Celebrity Custody Cautionary Tale
This saga isn’t just celebrity gossip — it’s a study in how social media reshapes family law battles. Between leaked texts, influencer branding, and livestreamed grievances, the line between private custody and public entertainment has evaporated.
All of this comes as Edwards is preparing for his sixth year in the league. During the preseason press conference, Edwards was asked what has to happen for his team to win. After back-to-back losses in the Western Conference Finals, the Wolves hope to reach the NBA Finals. As a result, Edwards said his goal is to win the league MVP and the scoring title, this upcoming season.
For Edwards, the fight risks overshadowing his on-court rise. For Howard, it’s a test of how far influencer authenticity can stretch before it looks like exploitation. And for their daughter Aubri’, it’s a digital legacy already shaped by headlines before she can walk.