Money

A bunch of bogus Cavs, Spurs, Warriors and Bulls championship rings have been seized in a recent customs bust at LAX ... and officials say the crooks could have moved the pieces for around $560k!!!

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say they intercepted a wooden box full of 28 title rings that was heading from China with a final destination in Arizona. Officials believe the fake rings were going to be sold as a collection.

The rings look pretty cool, but when compared to the real thing -- you can tell they're duds.

The collection included 28 rings -- and had they been genuine, the estimated value of the lot is somewhere close to $560k.

“Scammers take advantage of collectors and pro-basketball fans desiring to obtain a piece of sports history," Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in L.A. says.

“This seizure illustrates how CBP officers and import specialists protect not only trademarks, but most importantly, the American consumer.”

This ain't the first time customs has stopped a bunch of crooks from stealing bogus championship rings -- they seized $12 MILLION worth of fake rings earlier this year.

Kim Kardashian still has the Midas touch ... because her SKIMS Solutionwear raked in millions of dollars only minutes after going on sale.

Sources connected to the launch tell TMZ ... SKIMS pushed $2 million in product within the first few minutes of Kim's campaign going live Tuesday, and nearly every piece of inventory sold out in lightning speed.

Our sources say the first-day sales numbers are unprecedented for shapewear and undergarment brands. How's this for context ... in its first YEAR on the market, Spanx made $4 million in profits ... and SKIMS made half that amount in only a couple hundred seconds.

In a scene straight outta Black Friday, there was a mad dash to scoop up Kim's newest release ... there was so much traffic on the website before the products even went on sale, the site crashed and SKIMS had to delay the launch for an hour.

We're told SKIMS had thousands of items up for sale Tuesday. Nothing was priced north of $100 ... and after selling out the inventory, Kim's team began working feverishly to restock and produce more products to get to consumers ASAP.

The goal for Kim and SKIMS ... for everything to be readily accessible for everyone to wear.

Kim launched a massive social media ad campaign for the rollout, even bringing in Alice Marie Johnson, the woman KKW helped free from prison, to push and model the product.

Wyclef Jean says Michael Jordan's $1 million donation to Hurricane Dorian relief is "100% a big deal" ... but tells TMZ Sports it's important to make sure that huge contribution isn't lining the wrong person's pockets.

The Haiti native knows what he's talking about -- his massively successful Yéle Haiti charity campaign raised more than $16 million for the 2010 Haiti earthquake, only to close down after an investigation determined a large portion of the funds were misused.

So, when we asked Wyclef about MJ's massive donation, the musician praises His Airness for the gesture ... but calls for organizers to not take advantage of people in need.

"The most important thing for me is that the money is really allocated right and we really don't use distractions, don't use people for patsies, don't distract the crowd, have them looking another way," Wyclef says.

"It constantly happens because another man's disaster is another man's gain."

Wyclef says he's praying for the Bahamas and hopes everyone does the right thing.

Jeremy Renner's ex-wife has filed legal docs to strip him of all child custody ... and even require a monitor for visits.

Sonni Pacheco filed legal docs seeking to change their previous agreement, which gives them joint custody over 6-year-old Ava. Pacheco does not say what triggered her move, but the 2 have had a long, difficult history.

Sonni has claimed in the past Jeremy's gun collection put their daughter at risk. She said one of the weapons was out in the open, behind a bar. Jeremy claimed at the time the guns were always under lock and key.

The "Dream Team" is the most DOMINANT squad ever assembled ... and you could own the game-worn jersey Magic Johnson donned as Team USA steamrolled their way to a gold medal in 1992 ... IF ya got a few hundred thousand bucks.

TMZ Sports has learned the historic jersey is hitting the SCP Auctions block on Wednesday ... and it's expected to rake in a ton of money.

The '92 Summer Olympic USA basketball team is legendary -- they're literally the GREATEST basketball team of all-time -- and featured HOF'ers Magic, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen and David Robinson.

The jersey on the auction block was worn by Magic -- the squads co-captain -- during the Dream Team's August 4, 1992 quarterfinal 115-77 blowout win against Puerto Rico.

Johnson scored 13 points, and had 7 assists.

SCP tells us they had the Champion-brand jersey -- which was previously in the possession of a private collector in Los Angeles -- authenticated using photo matching ... ensuring it was the actual jersey worn by MJ.

The number 15 jersey -- size 44 -- has a tag that reads "USA Basketball" and "designed and tailored exclusively for 1992 Summer Olympics Games."

The auction house says Team USA jerseys are super rare ... and they say Johnson's jersey is the first and only photo matched Dream Team jersey in existence.

So, a piece of sports history can be yours ... if you're bank account's big enough.

The auction goes from September 11 to the 28.

Good luck!!!

Michael Jordan is pledging $1 MILLION to hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas -- saying he's "devastated" after seeing the destruction the storm has caused.

"I am devastated to see the destruction that Hurricane Dorian has brought to the Bahamas, where I own property and visit frequently," MJ said.

"My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering and to those who have lost loved ones."

Jordan, through his rep, Estee Portnoy, adds ... "As the recovery and relief efforts continue, I will be tracking the situation closely and working to identify non-profit agencies where the funds will have the most impact."

"The Bahamian people are strong and resilient and I hope that my donation will be of help as they work to recover from this catastrophic storm."

So far, officials say at least 50 people are confirmed dead -- but THOUSANDS of people are still unaccounted for.

Tons of stars are opening their wallets to help out ... from Tyler Perry to Luke Walton, Buddy Hield, Ludacris and more.

Odell Beckham Jr. doesn't give a damn about the NFL's jewelry policy ... 'cause the Cleveland Browns superstar says he's gonna keep wearing his flashy $350k watch during games.

Aside from the Brownies getting rocked by the Titans on Sunday, the biggest story coming out of Cleveland was OBJ rocking a bougie Richard Mille watch during the game.

Of course ... the league has a rule against wearing "hard objects"... which means Beckham's wrist drip is NOT allowed.

But, OBJ told Cleveland.com on Tuesday he's DETERMINED to rock the watch on the field again -- claiming people are blowing the situation way out of proportion for 2 reasons ...

1. The price of the watch. OBJ says if he was wearing a cheap $20 timepiece no one would care (wrong BTW, we'd care even MORE).
2. Odell says it's all about him -- people make a big deal out of ANYTHING he does.

The NFL reportedly planned on speaking with Odell about the watch situation -- but clearly, his mind is already made up.

There's a $20k education fund to help the children of the woman killed in the fatal Kevin O'Leary boat crash, and the campaign was set up by the son of the other victim killed in the incident.

Alex Poltash, whose father Gary died in the tragedy, is the man behind the GoFundMe for Suzana Brito's three children -- 12-year-old Liam, 11-year-old Ruby and 9-year-old Cash. Alex says the money is going into an education fund for the kids, and it's a way to carry on his dad's legacy.

The way Alex sees it ... his father was a true believer in the power of education, and the crowdfunding effort is an appropriate way to honor his pops, who was friends with Suzana.

We broke the story ... Kevin's boat was involved in a fatal crash last month on Lake Joseph in Ontario, Canada. Two people were killed and 3 others were injured.

Multiple sources with knowledge tell us, police are looking at whether the boat that was hit had its navigation lights on. Kevin insists they were not on, but we're told people on the other boat insist the lights were on, Kevin's boat was going too fast and the driver -- Kevin's wife -- wasn't paying proper attention.

Suzana, a 48-year-old single mother, died in the hospital after suffering horrific injuries in the wreck.

Kanye West's futuristic housing community needs a new home base ... because his dome-shaped structures in Calabasas have been destroyed.

All but one of the housing prototypes were torn down with about a week to spare before the September 15 deadline ... imposed by the L.A. County Dept. of Public Works for violating the building code.

As you can see in these aerial photos taken Monday ... all that's left at the site, where at least 3 of Ye's huge domes once sat, is a bunch of rubble, a dump truck and one small dome-ish tower. We're told that one is also coming down before the deadline.

We broke the story ... Kanye's neighbors were pissed in mid-August over construction crews working on his property all weekend long, including Sundays, which isn't allowed.

Cops were called and put an end to the noise, but the workers have clearly still been busy with the tear-down process.

As we told you ... Kanye's prototypes are part of his vision of an egalitarian community, but he didn't get the proper permits to build them.

MC Lyte hired an artist to work with her on a project, but never paid him for his contributions ... this according to a lawsuit.

In legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Christopher Smith claims he was hired as an artist, animator and writer on a project for MC Lyte's entertainment management and production firm, Sunni Gyrl, but he says he was never paid for his 1,228 hours on the job. He claims he's owed a total of $38,375.

In the docs, Christopher claims after he was let go from the project, MC Lyte and her biz partner Lynn Richardson sent him a check for $11,250 ... but he says it bounced.

Now, Christopher is suing MC Lyte, Richardson and Sunni Gyrl ... and he wants the cash he claims he's owed.

We reached out to MC Lyte for comment ... no word back, so far.

Post Malone is preparing for the apocalypse with a $3 million compound tucked away in Northern Utah ... and the first images of the property prove it's a pretty sweet place to await the end of the world!!!

We did some digging on the compound Post's been quietly living in, since buying it early last year ... and the place is simply amazing.

Post's pad is in a super secluded area outside Salt Lake City, and the property sprawls over 6.75 acres of natural beauty, with breathtaking views of the canyons, mountains and city skyline ... best seen from the expansive pool deck in the backyard, and through the floor to ceiling windows covering the home.

The rapper spared no expense keeping himself occupied as he waits for doomsday ... the 5-bed, 6-bath mansion is 12,702 square feet with a fire pit, basketball court, wine cellar, home gym and hot tub ... and Post is putting in a recording studio and 30 bunk beds for his best buds.

Post says he's adding to the home with a massive underground bunker, which he says will survive the end of days. He says he loves living out in the sticks, where he can do what he calls, "cowboy s***," like shooting guns.

Looks like a pretty sweet place to kick back and smoke his own weed. Hopefully, Post doesn't put the apocalypse bunker to the test any time soon.

Madonna's concert series in New York City should be a great time for fans of the "Material Girl," but anyone trying to sell rip-off materials -- hats, t-shirts, posters, etc. -- better think twice.

Live Nation -- the company promoting Madge's upcoming shows at Brooklyn's Howard Gilman Opera House -- has filed legal docs as a preemptive strike against "bootleggers" attempting to hawk bootleg Madonna merchandise nearby the venue.

According to the docs ... Live Nation wants folks attempting to sell unauthorized concert gear to be banned at all 17 shows scheduled in September and October. This includes apparel, buttons, tour books and anything else that jacks Madonna's trademarks without permission.

Live Nation claims bootleggers cause huge financial losses, and it's asking the court to order them to turn over any rip-off merch for destruction ... and give cops the power to seize unauthorized items found in the area.

Michael Jackson's artsy jungle gym is going on the market ... so you can take home some of the most interesting pieces of art ever displayed at the famed Neverland Ranch.

A collection of bronze sculptures depicting different animals and a huge tree with a special engraving from the King of Pop is now for sale at $1.75 million ... Gary Zimet of Moments in Time tells TMZ.

Michael displayed the artwork at the expansive Neverland Ranch for 11 years, from 1994 to 2005, and it was super popular among kids. MJ hosted lots of terminally ill kids back then, and the tree was hollowed out so they could play inside.

A special plaque was added to the tree sculpture with words from Michael ... "Magical children don't worry how, don't delay - this moment's now."

Check out the gallery ... there's a zebra, gecko, tarantula, snails, salamander, python, mouse, warthog, ostrich, orangutan, hippo, giraffe, tortoise, crocodile, monkey and even a toucan!!!

Lots of items -- all things Michael Jackson -- have been bought and sold over the years, and the value has varied wildly. Some items seem like a bargain ... others seem like the King of Pop's ransom.

Nick Cassavetes is finding that selling your house ASAP requires giving a little to get a little ... and by that we mean taking a little hit to his bottom line.

We broke the story ... "The Notebook" director just put his baller Hollywood Hills home -- a 4,370 square-foot, 5-bed, 4-bath beauty -- on the market in June for nearly $4.8 million.

Now, just 3 months later, he's slashing the asking price by $400k to $4,399,000 and holding an open house to attract potential buyers right away.

As we told you, the mansion sits on a 20,436-square-foot lot in the exclusive Mt. Olympus neighborhood, and offers privacy AND incredible views ... along with a heated pool and spa to boot.

Nick's rep, Linn Renee Sivertsen at The Agency, also put together this awesome vid to give you a better idea of the experience.

OBJ and Olivier Vernon ain't the only shiny new pieces on the Browns this season ... 'cause safety Jermaine Whitehead just copped a new diamond pedant -- worth $75k!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the ex-Auburn star is adding to his growing jewelry collection ... copping a Roman Numeral "II" pendant from Luxe Jewelers in ATL in honor of his favorite number ('cause he's the 2nd son in his family).

We're told the piece is made of 7 carat VVS diamonds and 18k gold and features the years he played ball in high school, college and the NFL on the back.

Of course, Whitehead also had a massive jewelry haul earlier this year ... which added up to $79k, so the dude is clearly a fan of shiny things.

Antonio Brown has gone ballistic again ... this time demanding to be released from his $50 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.

Antonio spelled it out in an Instagram post on Saturday morning, saying "Release me @Raiders #NOMore."

He also posted a pic of a quote ... "You are gonna piss a lot of people off when you start doing what's best for you."

Here's what triggered the craziness. Late Friday night, the Raiders decided to fine Brown $215k for conduct detrimental to the team over an altercation with GM Mike Mayock on Sept. 4. The way the story goes ... Brown exploded on Mayock, allegedly threatening to sock him in the face while calling him a "cracker." Brown's outrage stemmed from a previous $15k fine for missing team workouts.

Brown reached out to reporter Jeff Darlington and complained the $215k fine voids nearly $30 million in guaranteed money from his Raiders' contract. This pissed him off enough to go on social media and ask to be released.

He's certainly drawing a line in the sand, telling Darlington, "No way I play after they took that and made my contract week to week."

The last 24 hours have been wild to say the least -- Brown posted a video Friday night containing pieces of a phone conversation with head coach Jon Gruden. In the video, Gruden essentially tells Brown to cut the crap and get back on the field. Unclear if Gruden knew he was being recorded during the call. Now it seems Brown's career in Oakland is hangin' by a thread -- and the Raiders will likely make a decision in the next few hours.

Stay tuned ...