Money

Backpack Kid can now shine a little more when he busts out the floss ... shine a LOT more, actually.

BK -- government name, Russell Horning -- commissioned the guys over at The Icebox in Atlanta to make him some sick, new bling. The Icebox more than delivered with this stunning gold and diamond backpack (how fitting) pendant. It features 673 round, brilliant-cut diamonds ... which weighs almost 10 freakin' carats!!!

The pendant also features 40 grams of 14 karat yellow gold. It also has a hinge at the bottom, so it opens and closes to reveal Backpack Kid's name engraved on the inside.

And, to further prove how phenomenally successful the kid's become since his dance went viral ... BK dropped around $25k for the new bling and a Miami Cuban link chain.

Not sure what's been more awesome for Backpack Kid ... the pendant, this, this or this.

Swizz Beatz is doing an awesome thing to raise money for the next generation ... auctioning off one of his original paintings to help raise funds for children in need.

The legendary producer has become a major player in the art world -- Jay-Z and Beyonce own a few pieces of Swizz's work -- and he's auctioning off the painting he created alongside our Raquel Harper from tonight's episode of "Raq Rants" on BET ... with all of the proceeds going to charity.

Swizz's painting is a must-have for any hip-hop or art collectors ... and all proceeds will go to Children's Rights, a national watchdog organization fighting for abused and neglected children in the U.S.

You can bid on Swizz's painting here and support a good cause.

The auction winner also receives Raquel's original signed portrait of Swizz and DMX -- yes, that's what she was going for.

LL Cool J and Ice Cube are joining forces -- but it ain't about music, it's about sports TV domination.

TMZ Sports has learned LL is now a part of a powerful group looking to bid on 22 regional sports channels -- including the YES Network -- that Disney is being forced to sell off by the Justice Dept.

Long story short ... Disney got the 22 stations as part of its $71 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox. But, officials believe that since Disney is already the majority owner of ESPN, controlling the 22 sports stations would give them too much power in the sports TV landscape.

The 22 stations involved in the deal include everything from Fox Sports San Diego to Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports Southwest and more.

But, the crown jewel is the YES Network -- based in New York -- they have the rights to broadcast Yankees games. Disney thinks YES alone is worth between $5 and $6 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The deal for all 22 stations is expected to be anywhere from $15 to $25 billion.

Some of the potential bidders that have emerged are real heavy hitters -- from private equity titans like Apollo Global Management and Blackstone Group to the Sinclair Broadcast Group.

But, Ice Cube and LL ain't exactly lightweights either -- and they've got a powerful partner ... billionaire Alex and Ani jewelry founder Carolyn Rafaelian.

Sources tell us the group is also in talks with other sports and cultural icons who are interested in participating in the bid.

Initial bids are due Nov. 8.

Josh Gordon is drippin' in confidence AND diamonds these days -- the Pats wideout just got himself a brand new swagged out "Flash" chain ... and we've got the pics.

Right before Gordon torched the Green Bay Packers for 130 yards and a touchdown, he got a brand new custom piece from Al the Jeweler from Labelle Jewelry in New Jersey.

It's sick as hell ... 600 VS quality diamonds weighing a total of 16 carats spelling out his nickname.

Yeah, no wonder he was extra swaggy on Sunday.

FYI -- Al is the guy behind Stefon Diggs' diamond Starbucks chain ... and has also worked with other huge NFL stars like Jarvis Landry and Robert Griffin III.

Al wouldn't spill on how much Gordon dropped on the piece ... but a chain like this usually runs around $25,000!!

Gordon's not making a ton of cash right now -- only $790k (still not too shabby) -- but if he continues to light up the field this season, he'll get a fat-ass contract in 2019.

What kind of cash are we talking about? Well, Odell Beckham just signed a $95 million contract and Mike Evans has a deal that's worth up to $82.5.

Jason Sudeikis must really want to get on his future mother-in-law's good side, 'cause he slightly one-upped his bae, Olivia Wilde, by donating more to her mom's campaign than she did.

According to campaign finance records, Jason personally donated $5,400 to Leslie Cockburn's congressional campaign in late 2017. Cockburn's running for Congress in Virginia's 5th district -- in addition to the side gig of being Olivia's mama.

Meanwhile, it looks like Olivia only donated $5,000 -- $400 short of Jason's legally-capped max contribution -- to her mom's campaign around the same time. To be fair, per the records, Olivia wasn't far behind ... she dropped $2,500 in September 2017 and another $2,500 in December.

Cockburn can use all the help she can get, because she's up against Republican Denver Riggleman in an area that typically votes red. Donald Trump won her district by 11 points in 2016.

Speaking of assistance ... one of Jason and Olivia's pals, writer Salman Rushdie, chipped in $1,000 toward Cockburn's cause.

The Girl Scouts are firing off a message to the Boy Scouts, and it's ... back off, we're working this corner!!!

Yes, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America is suing the Boy Scouts of America over what was supposed to be new era, more inclusive Boy Scouts programs. If ya missed it ... the BS has a new campaign called "Scout Me In" ... which allows girls to join in on the Scouts fun.

Well, that ain't sitting well with cookie pushers. According to the suit, the Boys are confusing parents of little girls ... because people who want to sign up for Girl Scouts are mistakenly signing up for girls' programs under the Boy Scouts umbrella.

Welcome to 2018.

In the suit, the Girls say the Boys are tarnishing the reputation and goodwill they've built over the years.

Translation: Boys have cooties.

LaMelo Ball's professional hoops career is taking a pause ... because the youngest Ball brother is returning to high school basketball, having been accepted at a super exclusive prep school.

Ball just announced he will enroll at Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio, a school that boasts state-of-the-art facilities also used in training the U.S. Olympic team.

We know what you're thinking -- according to Jake Weingarten, Melo was never paid during his time as a pro, so he never lost his eligibility ... apparently, that makes it okay for Ball to suit up starting November 13.

Theoretically, his college eligibility might still be in play as well.

Melo will be teaming up with fellow H.S. hoops sensation 7'7" Robert Bobroczky ... whose highlights have gone viral for obvious reasons.

It was a controversial move for LaVar Ball to ship his kids over to Lithuania to play professional ball earlier this year ... and with Melo going back to high school, that experiment is officially over.

Melo later played in LaVar's Junior Basketball Association league ... and totally dominated the competition.

"I thank my dad for the JBA Experience and playing overseas," LaMelo says of the move. "I’ve been accepted to attend Spire Prep Academy in Geneva, Ohio where i look forward to earning my highschool diploma and winning with my new team!"

LaMelo's dad appears to be cool with the move as well ... saying, "My youngest son Melo has decided to complete his Senior year of highshool at Spire Prep Academy in Geneva Ohio."

"He will earn his highschool diploma, and help lead his new team to W’s!"

Tekashi69 says the reason he almost came to blows with Slim 400 at ComplexCon all has to do with Benjamins he's making, and Slim isn't.

We got 6ix9ine Monday in L.A. where we asked what went down with Slim Sunday night at ComplexCon in Long Beach. TMZ got video of him being held back from attacking Slim, who was doing some major trash talking while blocking the door.

Tekashi has choice words for Slim, who he calls "dirty" and "broke" ... among other insults. 6ix9ine says they're beefing because only one of 'em is making bank, while the other's stuck in the hood. Ouch!

Sounds like Tekashi is aware of his precarious legal situation right now, telling us there's no way he was about to risk getting thrown in jail over a physical altercation.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will go head-to-head in a full-blown custody trial, which begins early next month ... TMZ has learned.

Angelina and Brad have filed legal docs asking an L.A. Superior Court Judge to give them until next June to hash out their bitter divorce ... with the help of a private judge.

The custody trial is now set to begin December 4, and the 2 parents could not be further apart. Angelina wants sole physical custody of their 6 kids and Brad wants 50/50 joint custody.

We're told the custody trial should take somewhere between 2 and 3 weeks, and then the judge has to sort it all out.

In addition to custody, the private judge needs to handle the property settlement. There is not a prenup ... which is huge, given the bad blood between the two.

George Clooney is doing an awesome thing to raise money for veterans -- giving up one of his prized Harleys -- and it might also happen to make his wife happy ... in other words, it's a win-win for George!

Homes For Our Troops, the non-profit group working with George, tells TMZ ... George and good friend Jake Tapper have been planning the motorcycle donation for a month, and the ride will be auctioned off to raise funds to build homes for severely injured vets.

The eBay auction page makes reference to Amal Clooney wanting to get her husband off motorbikes for good ... ever since George was hospitalized in a scary scooter crash in Italy.

George somehow walked away from the accident with bruises, but no broken bones -- which is crazy, considering he went flying nearly 20 feet into the air.

As for the Hog ... it's one of George's newest, a limited edition 2017 FLHTX with a mere 25 miles and a retail price of about $28k. The auction is already live and the winner gets to pick up the bike in L.A. ... and get it signed by George!

Rich the Kid could be playing with fire, because he's not letting his recent beatdown by armed robbers stop him from shining with tons of ice, and no bodyguards in sight.

We got Rich at LAX Sunday and he was stunting with a $120,000 neck piece and a $78,000 two-tone Cuban link necklace ... and he's basically treating his lack of personal security as a badge of honor.

It's pretty standard for Rich when he's traveling the country ... when we last saw him at LAX, he was flaunting $100k cash in his carry-on!

We broke the story ... Rich was hospitalized after getting the crap beat out of him during a home invasion by masked gunmen who made off with tons of cash and jewels.

Ray J understands better than anyone why Farrah Abraham's refusing to fight in a celebrity boxing match ... 'cause promoters can't keep their word in the money department.

We're told Ray J was all set to referee Farrah's fight with Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander, slated for November 10 in Atlantic City. Ray's team initially wanted $50k plus travel costs and security but the promoter, Damon Feldman, didn't have the cash, so Ray agreed to do it for $25k.

Problem is ... a few weeks ago Feldman and fight investor Samantha Goldberg came back to Ray and asked if he'd ref for less dough 'cause the event wasn't selling. Ray's manager, David Weintraub, wasn't having it ... saying no dice and pulling out of the event altogether.

Sounds like this was the beginning of the end. As we reported ... Farrah, also repped by Weintraub, pulled the plug on the event because she says the same promoter screwed her on the deal.

What do you do after inking a huge, $52 MILLION contract?? You rap about being rich A.F.!!

Boston Celtics star Marcus Smart got PAID this past offseason ... and capped off the life-changing deal by joining his good friend, Trey Davis, and rapper iAmCompton in the booth.

And, it goes in.

“52 mil, that’s a new deal, 13 a year, n***a, look how I live. Penthouse suite, n***a, that’s a new feel," the 24-year-old raps.

Our sources tell us Marcus and Compton have been close friends for years ... and randomly decided to hit the studio in L.A. back in August.

People connected to the track tell us the song and video (which was randomly shot at TAO) was never supposed to see the light of day ... but enough people got wind of it and they decided to drop it to the public.

Les Moonves could be boasting about all the money CBS just made under his leadership, but instead he's insisting he's done with the TV biz ... for good.

We got the ex-CBS honcho and his wife, Julie Chen, Thursday night after their meal at Madeo in Bev Hills ... and it was clear they're gonna play things close to the vest. We asked Les about the great financial news his old network had just announced -- revenues up about 3% in the 3rd quarter ... essentially his final months before getting pushed out over sexual misconduct allegations.

Les was a man of few words, telling us, "I'm retired," and it didn't sound like he's anxious to change that status. As for the ex-'Talk' cohost -- we suggested she get back in the saddle, but watch the video.

The look on Julie's face either says, "not interested"... or "I know something you don't."

Coy ... it's the Moonves family game plan.

When the Boston Red Sox hit an L.A. nightclub to celebrate their World Series title, they bought 169 bottles of champagne and left a $195,000 tip, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

As we previously reported, the Sox hit up the Sunday party at Nightingale Plaza thrown by Made Nightlife where star players like Mookie Betts, Steve Pearce and J.D. Martinez turned it all the way up to celebrate beating the Dodgers.

We knew the total bill was around $300,000 -- but now we've seen the itemized receipt and confirmed it's legit.

The rundown ...

48 bottles of Dom. 43 bottles of Ace of Spades. 60 bottles of Moet. 5 bottles of Veuve. 12 bottles of Perrier-Jouet. And, a bottle of Cristal for good measure.

On top of that, the guys also got bottles of Don Julio, Belvedere vodka, 11 bottles of Jameson and 17 bottles of Jack Daniels.

All of the booze plus the tax and other fees added up to around $300k. The tip was around $195k ... totaling an even $500,000 final bill.

Heather Locklear was vicious, violent and wished death by AIDS on the children of an EMT that was placing her on a gurney during her June arrest ... so says the EMT in a newly filed lawsuit.

Jennifer Hayn-Hiton -- a single mother of 3 -- was working as an EMT on June 24 when she was dispatched to Locklear's L.A. home for a disturbance call. Hayn-Hiton claims Locklear became verbally and physically abusive during the incident, kicking her and causing injury.

According to the docs -- filed Thursday and obtained by TMZ -- Locklear also wished death on the EMT's 3 minor children from AIDS.

Hayn-Hiton says the injuries at the hands and feet of Locklear caused her to miss work and, as a result, her paycheck shrunk.

TMZ broke the story -- Locklear was charged with interfering with law enforcement and battery. She was hospitalized 24 hours after her release from jail for an apparent overdose ... and she's been in rehab ever since.

Hayn-Hiton's attorney, Kevin Flahavan, tells us, "This has taken a tremendous toll on our client and her children. When Ms. Locklear went to rehab, we had hoped that she would learn about making amends to those she had harmed."

He continues, "We have reached out to her and she ignored us time and time again. It became apparent that Ms. Locklear wasn't going to accept responsibility for her actions on her own."

As for the lawsuit ... Hayn-Hiton is asking for unspecified damages to cover medical costs, pain and suffering and lost wages.

We reached out to a rep for Heather ... so far, no word back.