Money

If you've ever had the dream of buying a tainted World Series ring, now's your shot ... 'cause a 2017 Houston Astros ring is hitting the auction block ... and it ain't gonna come cheat cheap!!!

Goldin Auctions says the 10k ring belonged to team scout David Brito ... who's the first person to present a 2017 Astros ring for auction.

No word on if the decision to part ways is a conscience thing ... considering the championship was at the heart of the sign-stealing scandal that's left manager A.J. Hinch, then-bench coach Alex Cora and player Carlos Beltran out of the job.

Speaking of ... not only is the ring decked out in orange and blue sapphires ... it also features one of the most ironic phrases for this particular ring, "Earned History."

The L.A. Dodgers might have an issue with the word "earned," there.

We're told this ring -- despite all the surrounding drama -- could fetch anywhere from $20k-$60k.

So ... the next question is -- who's gonna buy it?? A die-hard fan? A pissed off baseball nut who wants to destroy it? A Dodgers player who thinks they deserve it?

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry aren't moving to California just yet, despite reports they snapped up one of Mel Gibson's cribs, but from the looks of the place ... they might wanna reconsider.

There were reports last week the Sussexes bought Mel's $14.5 million mansion in Malibu. As you can see ... it's freakin' spectacular. However, our real estate sources have confirmed there's been no such deal.

The 5-bedroom beast of a home that has all the bells and whistles of prime real estate in L.A. ... plus access to a private beach club. The house has gone on and off the market several times over the years.

An L.A.-area real estate agent reportedly posted last week on social media that Harry and Megs sealed the deal, but then deleted that post. Seems someone got a little ahead of themselves, or it was just wishful thinking.

It wouldn't be a shocker if Harry and Meghan do buy something soon in the L.A.-area -- they both have deep ties in show biz these days. As we reported, Meghan just did the narration for Disney's new elephant documentary ... and Harry is producing a docuseries with Oprah Winfrey for Apple TV+.

The Playboy Mansion's massive facelift is already running 7-figures ... and this is only the tip of the iceberg.

TMZ's obtained a score of building permits from the City of L.A.'s Department of Building and Safety which show the extraordinary undertaking going down at the historic crib. For example, the staff area/garage alone is getting nearly $401,000 in renovations.

According to the permits, that's how much it'll cost to expand an "accessory living quarter" which is described as the guard/staff house that includes a basement. They're also adding a 4-car garage.

The revised basement will cost a cool $125k and that includes expanding the theater and golf simulator area, remodeling the kitchen, family and powder rooms.

Crews are adding "structural steel mesh" to the grotto pool and replacing the spa walls -- that'll cost $10k. For $20k, the infamous grotto pool is getting lights and skimmers to manage floating debris ... those will come in handy!!!

Over in the staff quarters, a whopping $70k will be needed to remodel the interior.

All in all, since billionaire Daren Metropoulos started filing permits for his new playground in July 2019 ... total construction cost has been $1.06 million.

Walt Disney World employees are taking it on the chin, hard -- the theme park is about to furlough 43,000 workers as it remains closed due to the coronavirus.

Orlando's Magic Kingdom, which has been shut down since March 16, reached agreements with its workers' unions, and will make the layoffs effective April 19 ... according to Forbes. Most of the employees are security guards and other workers involved in operating the facilities.

The Mouse House says the laid-off workers will keep their health benefits up to one year -- and Disney has agreed to pay for coronavirus testing for any employees who need it.

Of course, it's still unclear when Disney will reopen gates at its parks around the world. The massive park will now be staffed by only 200 people with "essential duties."

Forbes says Disney World is the largest single-site employer in the country ... and the massive layoffs are expected to have a domino effect on the Central Florida economy ... where so many other industries depend on Disney being open to stay in business.

Drew Brees will be heading toward a TV near you after his Saints playing days are over ... inking a deal with NBC that will reportedly pay him roughly $6 mil a year!

NBC Sports confirmed the New Orleans Saints QB will be a TV analyst for the network after he retires from football -- they're clearly trying to find the next Tony Romo.

The New York Post claims ESPN made a serious run at the future Hall of Famer with a deal that would pay around $6 MILLION to join their 'MNF' broadcast ... but Brees turned that down for a similar deal with NBC.

41-year-old Brees will reportedly be groomed to be Cris Collinsworth's replacement on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcast ... and will start out calling Notre Dame games on Saturdays and analyzing NFL games on Sundays.

"Like all NFL fans, we look forward to watching Drew continue his Hall of Fame career this fall, and we are confident his post-playing career will be just as successful," a rep for NBC Sports told The Post.

Brees inked a 2-year, $50 MILLION contract with the Saints this offseason ... but it's very possible he begins his NBC contract next year -- as both Drew and head coach Sean Payton have hinted this could be the final season of his NFL career.

Drew has made a ton of headlines this offseason -- most recently for pledging $5 MILLION to the coronavirus relief efforts in Louisiana.

Floyd Mayweather is taking his talents to the other side of the mitts -- TBE says he's decided to become a boxing trainer ... and he's gunning to be the BEST.

Money sent out a heartfelt message on his new endeavor on Friday ... saying he's been inspired to help others find greatness through the sport in wake of his Uncle Roger's passing.

Of course, Roger was a legendary trainer ... and is credited for turning Floyd into the 50-0 boxing megastar he is today.

Floyd says he's going to use the downtime created by the coronavirus pandemic to help others fall in love with the sport the same way he did.

"In a time where we must distance ourselves from others, it has allowed me to reflect on how I want to make a difference in people lives and help them achieve their goals."

Floyd's first clients?? His oldest son, Koraun, and his nephew, Chris ... who could someday carry on the family legacy.

"It has become a goal of mine to help others reach the best versions of themselves and walk with it in confidence."

Floyd continued ... "I want to do my part on this Earth and allow people to see the potential in themselves so that they can share it with the world."

Floyd makes his ambitions clear -- this isn't just a hobby ... he wants to go down as a legendary boxing trainer, just like his uncle.

"But I promise you, I will be one of the best trainers in the world."

Floyd's entire explanation is powerful ... and you can read it below.

One of LeBron James' very first game-worn NBA jerseys is hitting the auction block ... and the piece of history could fetch more than $630k!!!

Goldin Auctions tells TMZ Sports ... the jersey was worn during King James' 5th and 8th games of his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers ... including his first-ever matchup against his best friend, Dwyane Wade, and Miami Heat on November 12, 2003.

The other game was against the Indiana Pacers, when 18-year-old Bron scored 23 points on November 7.

The jersey -- which was certified legit by Resolution Photomatching -- is the earliest jersey of James' NBA career to hit the market ... and could possibly end up being the most expensive jersey in modern history.

“LeBron James memorabilia is some of the most sought-after memorabilia currently,” Ken Goldin tells us.

"After setting the record earlier this year for the sale of a LeBron James card for $900,000.00, we are hoping this jersey will set the record for the highest price paid for a basketball jersey which is $630,300.00."

Remember, the King also holds that record ... when his 2020 All-Star Game jersey went up for auction earlier this year.

The infamous pics Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli took of their daughters on rowing machines -- allegedly to get them into USC through a side door -- have finally been revealed.

Federal prosecutors dropped the photos Thursday in their response to Lori and Mossimo's motion to dismiss the case. Olivia Jade and her sister, Bella, are seen doing their best rowing on ERG machines. Prosecutors blurred their faces in the pics -- which we've heard about since the college admissions scandal broke more than a year ago -- but the documents make it clear it's them.

According to prosecutors, on Sept. 7, 2016 ... Mossimo sent Rick Singer -- the college admissions scandal mastermind -- an email with Olivia's rowing pic attached. The feds say that email and pic were in response to Singer requesting the pic in an August email, saying ... "It would probably help to get a picture with her on an ERG in workout clothes like a real athlete too."

Bella's rowing photo was attached to an email Mossimo sent to Singer on July 28, 2017, and Lori is cc'd on that email.

Prosecutors have pointed out neither of the Giannulli sisters were really on crew teams ... and the rowing pics were just part of the scheme to get them into USC -- along with checks of $50k to USC's athletic program and $200k to Singer's foundation.

Mossimo and Lori have said the checks were merely donations, and not bribes to get their daughters into the school.

In their response, prosecutors acknowledge they should've turned over Singer's notes earlier, but say it was "simply a mistake," and not a bad faith attempt to sandbag Lori and Mossimo. The feds also say the notes don't exonerate the couple because their alleged criminal intent started long before Singer turned into an informant for the government.

LaVar Ball tells TMZ Sports ... LaMelo WILL BE the owner of his Australian hoops team -- and the Big Baller says the plan is to deck out the squad in BBB gear head to toe once it's official!

Papa Ball spoke with us this week about his youngest son's plan to buy the NBL's Illawarra Hawks ... and says despite some snags with the deal last week -- the purchase is still going down.

In fact, LaVar says he's SUPER proud of his 18-year-old boy for the move ... saying Melo's ownership will help out American basketball players in Australia going forward.

"It's a lot of guys that come out of high school and they'll get over there in the NBL and guess what? You're not going to shine like that," LaVar says ... "And, Melo might see it differently."

"Like, 'Dang, you get to Melo's team, you're going to get to play. That might be different because it's American over there now.' So, Melo's looking at it like, 'Shoot, they let me do my thing and I got a chance, I'm going to give the next guy a chance.'"

Melo is reportedly working with ex-NBA player Jermaine Jackson to complete the purchase of the team ... and it seems LaVar expects the deal to become official soon.

As for when Melo is finally wearing the ownership cap ... LaVar says the team WILL BE sponsored by the BBB in every way.

"That's like a no-brainer," LaVar says.

But, sadly, LaVar tells us he ain't renaming the team to the Big Baller Hawks ... saying, "That'd be a little bit crazy."