Ron Artest is officially a Los Angeles Laker -- this according to a verbal commitment he made with a TMZ photographer outside of a club at 1 AM this morning.
It's reported the Lakers have offered Ron $18.7 million for three years or $33.5 million for five years -- so we'll gladly take our 20% fee once ink hits paper.
You're welcome, L.A.
1. I don't think TMZ has a leg to stand on. He can claim he was drunk or kidding. As Harvey always says on the Peoples Court, "Get it in writing."
Posted at 11:52AM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Linda Mott
2. For bouncing a ball around a court? What do our police, firefighters and military make? Hmmm....
Posted at 12:01PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by #1
3. Why would the Lakers ruin a good team and acquire this piece of human trash? I guess greed always gets the best of everyone.
Posted at 12:23PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by tired of it all
4. It is true.. we lost Trevor Ariza n now we got Ron Artest's punk azz.. BOOOOOOOO!!!!
Posted at 2:26PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Dom
5. This was announced early last night that the Lakers signed Artest.. how is it TMZ is claimning responsibility for breaking this story?? just because they have Artest saying it. Yahoo sports had Lakers GM MItch Kupchak saying this at 10pm last night.
Posted at 12:48PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by ReK
6. If you morons would watch ESPN you would have seen at 9pm last night (not 1am) that he had signed his contract. Unfortunately you guys have your heads up your butts with the Jackson case and you guys think that you're gods when really you're the biggest scum on this planet. Don't worry Harvey, would have your date with desitiny just like Perez will.
Posted at 1:01PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by infamous
7. No wonder California is going down the tubes!!
Posted at 1:11PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by can't stand what's happening to this country
8. Hell yeah! We finally got Artest. Cant wait to see him in a Lakers jersey. This is what the Lakers needed to repeat. Go Lakers!!
And you losers need to chill out. Of course TMZ isnt taking credit. Its a joke you wierdos. Alot of freaks on this site. Go read up on MJ.
Posted at 2:58PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by KHRIS
9. hate to break it to you tmz but he was already on sportscenter earlier that night and said he signed with the lakers...he was wearing the same outfit too...but he is going to the Lakers holla!
Posted at 2:56PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Nick Nino
10. I don't know why everyone would be so excited to have this jerk on their team?? All he did was cause trouble when he was a Pacer. (Hello, the whole Detroit Pistons mess!!) Then he went to Sacramento, then Houston, and now L.A.??? I don't think he is worth all those millions!! Especially when CA is in a big budget crisis!! Not very smart!!
Posted at 3:31PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Old Indy Chick
11. Ron should be ashamed of himself. He signed up to sponsor a student at La Salle Academy (the high school Ron attended), paid only 1 month of tuition and left the kid stranded. What a classy guy...if you ask me he should be paid $1,000 dollars for the entire year instead of millions. I rather give a reckless bum with an ounce of dignity, a million dollars, than give Ron Artest anything. Truly a scumbag that blows his own sack in the off-season.
Posted at 3:09PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Artestisabum
12. 8. I don't know why everyone would be so excited to have this jerk on their team?? All he did was cause trouble when he was a Pacer. (Hello, the whole Detroit Pistons mess!!) Then he went to Sacramento, then Houston, and now L.A.??? I don't think he is worth all those millions!! Especially when CA is in a big budget crisis!! Not very smart!!
Posted at 2:34PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Old Indy Chick
How stupid are you to think California Citizens pay the Lakers salaries. The damn owner pays their salaries and we get the state taxes from them.
WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR EDUCATION...AT A CRACK HOUSE?
Posted at 3:36PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Ms.Rita
13. I'm not a fan of Artest infact I kind of hate the guy, but for all of you hating on him saying why does he get paid millions and the police only get paid thousands? Or saying why would we pay him so much if CA is in a finacial crisis.....
You guys are morons, athletes are not paid by the tax payers they are paid by the fans just like actors. Athletes who generate millions deserve to be paid millions especially when the average career of an athlete is 7 years. Movie stars can make more in one yeah than an athlete in his entire career and nobody says anything.
Posted at 7:37PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by mega
14. glad he didnt come to cleveland, he is a busta
Posted at 9:16PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by waldo
15. He did seal the deal!!!
Posted at 12:45AM on Jul 4th 2009 by Jenna
