Zoey Deutch Burglars Broke Into Home and Stole $300K in Cash, Jewelry
-
Exclusive
- 40 shares
"Not Okay" star Zoey Deutch is certainly not doing OK, after burglars hit her L.A. Area home.
LAPD sources tell TMZ ... Zoey arrived home earlier this month to discover a door smashed in and her home a mess. Our sources say the culprit(s) made off with over $300,000 in cash and jewelry.
It's not a situation we've seen recently, where a celeb leaves town and lets the world know. She was in L.A. and was just out for a few hours.
Zoey is not the only celebrity victim lately. TMZ broke the story ... Arsenio Hall's house was hit twice in a matter of weeks, both times while he was home, and Rapper Tee Grizzley was recently hit for over a million dollars in jewelry and cash.
As for Zoey's case -- cops are looking at video in Zoey's neighborhood in an effort to identify the crooks, but as of now ... no arrests have been made.
We reached out to Zoey's reps ... so far, no word back.
related articles
50 Cent Estranged Son Offers Him $6,700 To Buy Back a Relationship!!!
50 Cent's oldest son has a solution to mend his relationship with his famous dad ... offering a chunk of his child support money to buy back some father-son QT.
ICYMI, 25-year-old Marquise Jackson has been getting roasted online for an Instagram argument, where he claimed $6,700 wasn't enough cash flow for his mother to take care of him.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Not many people can relate to having an additional $80K per year, but Marquise is adamant it wasn't enough. He's taken it so far, he even flipped his dad's infamous "Broke" IG photo to spell out "Entitled" for all his haters.
He also issued a challenge to Fiddy -- accept $6,700, one month's worth of the child support his mom used to get -- in exchange for 24 hours of one-on-one time with his dad.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
50 and Marquise have been unfortunately trading shots in the public ... so, it seems unlikely the hip hop mogul will take his seed up on the offer.
Amid the latest back and forth, he found time to respond via his alter-ego Kanan, his character from "Power" ... and posted the chilling scene where the character kills his son after a bitter dispute.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Not a good sign for a father, child reunion -- and some cold-blooded parenting, for sure. ❄
related articles
Bronny James Just Did It!!! ... Signs NIL Deal W/ Nike
-
Breaking News
- 555 shares
Bronny James is following in his father's footsteps and joining the Nike family -- the high school hoops star just inked an NIL deal with the shoe giant.
Nike made the announcement just minutes ago ... saying the 18-year-old Sierra Canyon baller is one of five high school prospects who recently signed Name, Image and Likeness endorsements with the Swoosh.
It was a no-brainer to get Bronny on board -- especially considering Nike and LeBron James have been attached at the hip since he was drafted in 2003 ... and collaborated on 20 signature shoes together.
We’re excited to announce the newest student athletes to join our Nike family: Caitlin Clark, Bronny James, Haley Jones, DJ Wagner and Juju Watkins.
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) October 10, 2022 @nikebasketball
Hit that ❤️ to show them some love and welcome them to the Nike Basketball fam. pic.twitter.com/xIPZN2raOS
The other student-athletes getting NIL deals include Caitlin Clark, Haley Jones, Juju Watkins, and DJ Wagner, son of ex-NBAer Dajuan Wagner.
Wagner is considered one of the best hoopers in the class of 2023 -- and is listed #1 on ESPN's Top 100 players.
There's a good chance Bronny takes his talents to Columbus to play at Ohio State next season ... which just so happens to be a Nike school.
No word on how much the contract is worth ... but considering Nike already made a billion-dollar deal with LeBron, we're sure it's a decent amount.
related articles
Byron Allen Snags $100 Million Malibu Mansion Biggest Home Sale Ever for African American
Byron Allen is making a BIG move ... because he just dropped nine figures on an oceanfront home ... and it's in the record books.
The billionaire TV mogul dropped $100 million on an 11,000-square-foot estate in Malibu ... and the place is palatial.
Here's what $100 mil buys in Malibu's exclusive Paradise Cove enclave ... a four-bedroom house with two guest houses and all the bells and whistles, including a home theater, tennis court, gym and yoga studio ... all on a breathtaking, expansive lot.
Byron's new digs sit on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, so the home has sweeping ocean views. The primary suite has its own fireplace, bathroom, custom walk-in closets and private terrace.
There's a winding path down to the beach ... and Byron can hop in a golf cart if he doesn't feel like walking to the coastline. He basically bought his own Malibu resort.
Byron's adding to an already impressive real estate portfolio ... we're told it's now worth $500 million ... he has properties in Aspen, Beverly Hills, Maui and New York.
And, get this ... it's the most money an African American has ever spent on a home in the United States, with Byron toppling the prior record -- $88 million Beyoncé and Jay-Z spent on their Bel-Air mansion.
Byron bought the place from the family who co-founded Public Storage, and his next-door neighbor is WhatsApp cofounder Jan Koum.
Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Realty had the listing, and Byron was repped by Terence Hill of BT Equities.
related articles
Arnold Schwarzenegger My Personal Training Rate is $150K a Sesh!!! ... Benefits School Charity
-
Exclusive
- 2.1K shares
Arnold Schwarzenegger may be the most expensive personal trainer in the land, because Sunday he worked out 2 crews that each plunked down $150,000 ... all for an incredible cause.
Arnold was at Gold's Gym in Venice, which he made world-famous, and made good on a charity auction at his home Saturday night.
Morris Flancbaum from Florida and his fam bid the $150k to get a good pump under Arnold's tutelage. Morris and his sons got pointers from The Terminator as a crowd formed to watch. Another $150k auction winner was there as well, getting fit with Arnold.
The charity -- After-School All-Stars -- is fantastic. Arnold created it 30 years ago to benefit school kids around the country. It provides after-school programs and exercise for 100,000 kids in 60 cities.
This time around folks donated $5.2 million, of which $1.75M came from the auction. In addition to a training session, Arnold auctioned off clothes, humidors, art and a ride in his tank!!!
Guests paid $50k a head to attend the event. Sylvester Stallone, Danny DeVito and Dolph Lundgren, along with the costars of Arnold's new Netflix show, "FUBAR," all showed.
And this part's amazing ... the charity just opened a school program in Uvalde, Texas, at the request of the City. It only took 45 days to get the program up and running.
Congrats Arnold and co. Awesome!!!
related articles
Jennifer Lawrence Done w/ Franchise Blockbusters ... Reflects on Loss of Control
Jennifer Lawrence is getting back to her indie roots -- not so much because she has to, but wants to ... as it appears going mainstream in Hollywood has taken its toll on her.
The A-lister is in London plugging her latest flick, "Causeway," which sees her taking on a very quiet, dramatic role ... playing a U.S. soldier with PTSD and getting acclimated to regular life again. It's drastically different than anything she's done in recent years.
Official Trailer - Causeway
— Apple TV+ (@AppleTVPlus) October 6, 2022 @AppleTVPlus
Two unlikely strangers find solace in newfound friendship as they navigate their journey from grief to healing.
Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry star in #Causeway, in theaters and streaming on Apple TV+ November 4.https://t.co/MmqiuUGmAJ pic.twitter.com/bRuDUlyScL
What we mean, of course, is that this isn't a major blockbuster by any stretch of the imagination -- it's an A24 film, with a way smaller budget and limited release via Apple.
Beyond just that, though, this is territory that JLaw hasn't ventured into in a while. Fact is, she's been one of the industry's highest-paid actresses for quite a while now ... which, of course, is due to her starring in major franchises like "X-Men" and "The Hunger Games."
Jennifer Lawrence: I Felt a Loss of Control After ‘The Hunger Games’ Came Out https://t.co/50JQc6W6Ao
— Variety (@Variety) October 8, 2022 @Variety
Her Academy Award for Best Actress -- for her lead role in "Silver Linings Playbook" -- also shot her into a new stratosphere ... making her one of the most desirable hires in the biz.
As it turns out ... Jen is actually looking back on all that with a fresh perspective -- this on the heels of giving birth to a baby, and getting hitched. During a staged sit-down Saturday, Jen was quoted as feeling a sense of instability after achieving the pinnacle of acting fame.
Jennifer Lawrence says she can't do franchises anymore:
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 8, 2022 @FilmUpdates
“I loved superhero movies. Franchise is art and they’re so fun; I could never do one now because I’m too old & brittle. I love them too. This generation understandably likes a world to escape to, and I can relate to that.” pic.twitter.com/6Ukaruzlso
Per Variety, she said ... "I think I lost a sense of control. Between "The Hunger Games" coming out and winning the Oscar, I became such a commodity that I felt like every decision was a big, big group decision. When I reflect now, I can’t think of those following years, [because there was] just a loss of control."
There's another quote floating around that's being attributed to JL -- and it touches on her future in movies ... which seems to swear off doing anymore big-time popcorn films.
#LFF #LFF2022 #JenniferLawrence pic.twitter.com/KcLifzOLLD
— Archie Wingate (@wingate_archie) October 8, 2022 @wingate_archie
Jen reportedly said during this same chat, "I loved superhero movies. Franchise is art and they’re so fun; I could never do one now because I’m too old and brittle. I love them too. This generation understandably likes a world to escape to, and I can relate to that."
That's pretty interesting. It sounds like she's going to be far more selective with the projects she signs onto going forward -- which could mean more Oscar-bait-y flicks like "Causeway."
The wild part ... JLaw is only 32 years old! At this young age, she's already been to the mountaintop and seems kinda over it. Jen says her next chapter will also include producing ... not to mention starting her own production company. Going the way of Brad Pitt, eh?
related articles
Victor Wembanyama Blows Sonny Vaccaro Away He Could Get 'Blank Check' Shoe Deal!!!
-
Exclusive
- 266 shares
Sonny Vaccaro -- the man who famously helped Nike sign Michael Jordan back in the day -- says if he were still in the shoe brand industry ... he could see Victor Wembanyama getting an unprecedented sneaker deal that could include "a blank check."
Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 center from France, blew the doors off the American basketball world this week ... putting on a clinic in two nationally televised, showcase games in Nevada -- and Vaccaro was left nearly speechless by it all.
7’4” 18-year-old Victor Wembanyama
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 5, 2022 @Ballislife
37 Points
11/20 Shooting
7/11 Threes
5 Blocks
4 Rebounds
pic.twitter.com/U5TLOxRJi7
Sonny, who's seen all of the top prospects in basketball for decades, tells TMZ Sports he's never seen anything quite like what Victor showed on Tuesday and Thursday.
"He's so young, he's so articulate. He's handsome," Vaccaro said. "All of the things. I am knocked off my feet."
LeBron James was impressed too. The Lakers superstar called Victor -- the surefire No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft -- "an alien."
"Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, but he’s more like an alien. No one has ever seen anyone as tall but as fluid & graceful on the floor as he is… He’s for sure a generational talent."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 6, 2022 @ClutchPointsApp
LeBron talks about Victor Wembanyama.pic.twitter.com/XaWWRX76I3
And, Sonny says all of it would lead him to hand over a king's ransom in order to sign the player to a sneaker deal ... if he were still a part of that world.
"He's worth a blank check," Vaccaro said.
Vaccaro's starting offer for Wembanyama would include money in the $15 million per year range ... and it would also come with a percentage of Wembanyama's shoe sales for the budding superstar -- something he says no prospect EVER gets.
Wembanyama is DANGEROUS.😤 pic.twitter.com/kKKalTGWNH
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) October 6, 2022 @nbagleague
"There's going to be pro teams that lose 82 games next year to draft him," Vaccaro tells us. "That's the same value I'm trying to say. He's this valuable. He's this good."
Sonny added if he were Wembanyama, he'd request a clothing line in addition to a sneaker pact -- and if he were representing the shoe giant on the other end of the negotiations, he'd happily give it.
"His game is beautiful," Vaccaro said. "It's beautiful."
related articles
'Bling Empire' Premiere Party With Bougie Claw Machine ... Full Of Diamond Jewelry!!!
-
Exclusive
- 166 shares
Talk about kickin' a simple claw machine up a notch ... the premiere party for "Bling Empire" had a real, eye-turning game that you'd be a fool not to press your luck on!
Folks at the shindig tell TMZ ... Christine Chiu, one of the cast members on the Netflix series, held the bash Wednesday night at the Pendry in WeHo to celebrate the show's 3rd season.
There were awesome gifts and activities for guests -- but nothing topped the arcade machine filled with some serious bling.
The claw machine featured real diamonds and other goodies ... including Dunamis diamond watches for men and women, as well as tokens up to $1,500 that can be cashed in at Jason of Beverly Hills.
FYI -- Jason of BH has made some sweet jewelry in the past, including the official Super Bowl rings for the LA Rams, as well as NBA Championship rings.
The claw machine carried a total value of $150K ... obviously, it had security around it to keep the goods safe.
Quite the upgrade from a stuffed bear!!!
related articles
'Suga' Sean O'Malley On Being Underdog Vs. Yan Chance For My Fans To Make Bank! 🤑
-
Exclusive
- 9 shares
Sean O'Malley isn't an underdog often (in fact, it's never happened in the UFC) -- but "Suga" ain't sweating the betting odds for his fight with Petr Yan -- he actually sees it as an opportunity to make a bundle of cash!
"3 to 1. Sounds like some die-hard Suga fans could really make some serious cheddar," O'Malley told TMZ Sports earlier this week.
"I know a lot of people always bet on me, it's always kind of hard to make good money on me because I'm always the pretty big favorite. It's very interesting being an underdog. At the end of the day, it doesn't really mean anything to me but it is, it's kinda nice."
27-year-old O'Malley is fighting 29-year-old Yan at UFC 280 on Fight Island ... and the current betting odds put Petr at -400. Suga's +200.
That means you'll have to lay down $400 just to make $100 back on Yan. Meanwhile, you only have to wager $100 to win $200 back on O'Malley.
Typically, betting on Suga to win outright would require risking much more than you stood to win. For example, he was a -330 favorite against Raulian Paiva in December (you'd risk $3 for every $1 you won). Against Petr, you win $2 for every $1 you bet.
Betting aside, Yan, the former champion, is coming off an April loss to now-champ Aljamain Sterling ... a fight that was razer close.
O'Malley, ranked 12th in the division, last fought in July at UFC 276 ... a fight that was declared a no-contest over an accidental eye poke.
The scraps not going down in Las Vegas, or anywhere else in the U.S., Dana White and the UFC are returning to Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi (Sean's pumped to fight in the UAE!).
We also talked to Suga about his ascension as one of the sport's biggest stars.
"[Fans are] wanting that next superstar. Conor can come back and still be considered the biggest superstar in the sport. So anytime he fights, he is, but when Conor is gone, when it's all said and done, I wanna be that next guy. I wanna be that guy that everyone gets excited for, everyone and their grandma watches the fight just because."
A win will get Suga -- who flew to Abu Dhabi yesterday -- a step closer to that superstar status.
UFC 280 goes down in 2 weeks from Saturday!
related articles
Daymond John Adidas in Tough Spot with Kanye ... He Can Make Or Break 'Em
-
Exclusive
- 1.4K shares
Daymond John says Adidas has a huge decision to make about Kanye West ... he says the relationship can go boom or bust, and the big issue is Ye's unpredictability.
The "Shark Tank" star joined us Friday on "TMZ Live" to discuss Adidas announcing it's reviewing the partnership with Kanye following his controversial YZY fashion show in Paris -- y'know, the one where he wore the "White Lives Matter" tee.
Daymond says Adidas is going to have a very tough decision to make. He says Ye can make or break the brand, but the X-factor is Kanye's volatility, which makes for a big risk no matter what direction Adidas takes.
As we reported, Ye's volatility was on display almost immediately after the Adidas announcement -- he accused the company of raping and stealing his ideas. Oh, and he boldly declared he IS Adidas.
Daymond added ... he hopes both parties can work this out, because it's in their best interests to do so. Interestingly, he thinks the final decision won't be made with only the bottom line in mind.
Speaking of finances, Daymond's looking to boost 'em for business owners ... with his third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day at the famed Apollo Theater.
He let us in on the huge (literally in Shaq's case) celebs who'll be joining him on stage on October 27 to share their success stories, and to dish out valuable advice.
Of course, Daymond will also be handing out grants to worthy entrepreneurs.
related articles
Home Depot We Didn't Donate to Herschel Walker ... As Calls for Boycott Grow
-
Exclusive
- 737 shares
The internet is up in arms about Home Depot after reports it allegedly donated serious dough to Herschel Walker's U.S. Senate campaign -- and while the company tells us it didn't happen, it's also clarifying where the wires got crossed.
A rep for Home Depot tells TMZ the claims just aren't true ... specifying, "Home Depot's PAC (political action committee) hasn't donated to Walker's or (Raphael) Warnock's campaigns."
We're told the connection to the company likely came out because Home Depot's co-founder, Bernie Marcus, did donate to Walker's campaign. The company rep points out Marcus left the company more than 2 decades ago, adding "his views do not represent the company."
People online have been calling for a boycott of Home Depot following the reports claiming the company donated more than $1 million to Walker's campaign.
The rep says Home Depot is "working on correcting misinformation online now."
As we reported, the ex-NFL star and Senate candidate has been getting dragged over his "pro-life" beliefs ... in light of a woman coming forward and insisting Walker got her pregnant and paid for her to have an abortion in 2009.
Walker's conservative son, Christian, posted a video shortly after his dad denied the abortion claim ... accusing his father of, among other things, threatening to kill him and his family in the past.
related articles
Jake Paul I'll Give Draymond $10 Million To Box ... After Practice Punch
-
Breaking News
- 4.3K shares
Draymond Green proved he can throw a mean punch ... and Jake Paul's already drooling over the Warriors star's potential -- saying he'd pay $10 MILLION to get the 4-time champ in the boxing ring ASAP.
TMZ Sports obtained video of 32-year-old Green knocking teammate Jordan Poole to the ground after a heated back-and-forth during practice on Wednesday.
Paul clearly saw the footage ... and on Friday, he said he'd pay top dollar to see 6'6", 230 lb. Green to pick up a new sport.
"Gotta get Draymond Green in the boxing ring," the Problem Child tweeted ... adding he already has an idea for who his opponent could be.
Draymond Green vs Deron Williams.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 7, 2022 @jakepaul
Who wins? pic.twitter.com/t7VAp33wIw
"Draymond Green vs Deron Williams. Who wins?"
Of course, Deron is a former NBAer-turned-boxer ... and he fought NFL star Frank Gore on one of Jake's undercards in the past -- so the opponent would make sense if Green was actually interested.
As for the payday, Jake is ready to write a FAT check -- "Draymond I got $10 million for you to get in the ring on the next Most Valuable Promotions pay per view. Who you want?"
For what it's worth, while Jake says Draymond did his thing against Poole, he makes it clear he thinks he'd finish Green off in the first round if they were to ever fight.
related articles
Sharon Osbourne We Gave $900K to Black Lives Matter ... Ye's Right About 'Scam'
-
Exclusive
- 3K shares
Sharon Osbourne doesn't totally understand the controversy with Kanye West and his "White Lives Matter" shirt ... but she agrees with his view on BLM being a "scam."
We got Sharon shopping at YSL on Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills and asked her about Kanye's controversial shirt ... and she told our photog all lives matter.
While Sharon admits she's not completely up to speed on all the intricacies of the debate around Kanye's fashion statement, she does have a strong opinion on BLM.
Sharon perked right up when we told her Kanye ripped BLM for being "a scam."
Ozzy's wife says the couple gave $900,000 to BLM -- presumably in 2020 -- and told us she would like her money back and wishes Kanye spoke out before they cut the check.
Sharon says Kanye shouldn't be canceled over the "White Lives Matter" shirt ... telling folks to simply ignore Ye if they don't like what he's doing.
We also asked Sharon about Adidas saying its relationship with Kanye is "under review" ... and she's got a prediction for how that review will shake out in the end.
related articles
Antonio Brown Man Sues NFL Star ... You Ripped Me Off On A Fake Richard Mille Watch!!!
-
Exclusive
- 388 shares
1:13 PM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained a photo of the watch that Kane claims is the fake one Brown sold him.
Antonio Brown is being dragged to court yet again ... this time, a man in Florida claims the wideout sold him a bogus Richard Mille watch for $160K, fully knowing it was a phony worth far less.
Ryan Kane filed a lawsuit against Brown over it all in Broward County earlier this week ... alleging the NFL star ripped him off on the sale back on July 27.
In the suit, obtained by TMZ Sports, Kane says Brown assured him the watch -- allegedly an RM 011 model -- was real ... and said it had a value "in excess of $400,000."
Kane says he bought it based on Brown's claims -- wiring the $160,000 to Brown's company -- but he learned a few weeks later the thing was a fake.
Kane says in the suit that he took it to a watch appraiser to have it authenticated and appraised for insurance purposes -- but claims the guy delivered him some bad news while he was there ... it was worth only a couple hundred bucks.
Antonio Brown Cops Insane 'The Godfather' Watch W/ 666 Round Diamonds
Kane says after he asked around, he learned that Brown had bought the fake watch -- and three others like it -- from a dealer in Dubai earlier this year for less than $500 apiece.
Kane is suing Brown for fraud and more ... seeking to get his money back plus interest.
Of course, this couldn't be further from the first time that Brown has been hauled into court ... over the last few years, a personal trainer, a chef and others have filed lawsuits against him.
Brown is currently an NFL free agent -- though his rap career has taken off in recent months.
related articles
Kanye West 'White Lives Matter' Fakes Popping Up ... Still No Official Ye Gear Yet
-
Exclusive
- 359 shares
Kanye West's "White Lives Matter" shirt is generating tons of attention -- mostly negative -- but now it's spawning fakes ... meaning the controversial shirts will pop up in public, even if Ye doesn't decide to sell 'em.
We've discovered several eBay listings where the long-sleeve shirts are found under listings like "Lives Matter-Kanye West-Candace Owens" and "Kanye Style All Lives Matter."
Interestingly, the listing descriptions don't include the word "White" ... but the actual shirts certainly have it in bold letters.
Our Kanye sources say the final decision will be up to him as to whether or not he'll decide to sell the actual design he wore at the Paris Yeezy show ... but at this time, it doesn't appear they'll be sold in any official capacity.
Regardless, some will say the damage is done ... while others clearly see potential profits. The fake eBay listings are going from anywhere between about $20-$25 ... a bargain considering Ye's usual merch sells for well over $100.
One more big difference between what Kanye wore at the Yeezy show Monday and the eBay gear -- Kanye's shirt had a photo of Pope John Paul II on the front -- the eBay gear only includes the "White Lives Matter" slogan.
As we reported, Kanye attacked Kim Kardashian and the Kardashian family Wednesday on Instagram -- accusing them of "kidnapping" his daughter, Chicago on her birthday and not letting him know where her birthday party was being held.
Khloe Kardashian came to her sister's defense, telling Ye he absolutely knew where the party was, and his strategy to constantly deflect blame when he messes up is getting old.
related articles
New England Patriots Fan Sues Team's HOF ... You Ruined My $1 Mil Tom Brady Flag!!!
-
Exclusive
- 1.2K shares
A man is suing the New England Patriots Hall of Fame ... claiming it ruined his one-of-a-kind, Tom Brady signed American flag -- costing him potentially over $1 MILLION.
The guy's name is Daniel Vitale ... and he says in a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, that back in early 2020, he acquired a flag that had been autographed by the G.O.A.T.
In his lawsuit, Vitale says the flag was ultra-rare. It had flown at Foxboro Stadium during a Patriots vs. Dolphins game in 2001 -- the same season that Brady first took over as the starter in New England -- and was signed by the quarterback a few years later. Vitale said he believed it to be the only American flag known to be signed by TB12 in existence.
Vitale says in the suit that in 2021, about a year after he got the piece, he reached out to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to see if it wanted to put it on display. He claims it did, but only after Brady and his former head coach, Bill Belichick, had retired.
Patriots Reward Tom Brady Stolen Jersey Hero, Front Row Seats!!!
The HOF, according to Vitale, suggested he reach out to the Patriots Hall of Fame at Gillette Stadium to gauge its interest in the flag in the meantime. Vitale claims in his suit that the Pats HOF wanted it -- and officials there promised him it would be "curated to the highest standard."
Vitale says he handed it over under that premise ... and it was almost immediately displayed underneath the Brady Super Bowl XLIX jersey that had been infamously stolen and later recovered.
Vitale, though, said months later ... he was considering asking for it back. He said due to Brady's potential retirement and the subsequent skyrocketing value of Brady memorabilia, he was thinking about putting it up for auction.
But, that's when he says he found out that the QB's autograph had faded due to what he claims is the way the HOF improperly displayed the piece.
In the suit, Vitale said "neither the lighting at [the facility] nor the glass [it] used for case displaying the flag were designed to protect autographed sports memorabilia."
He added, "there was a significant gap in the glass directly in front of the flag through which unfiltered light and heat could pass."
All of it, he said, caused the T and other parts of Brady's signature to significantly fade.
In a video of Vitale recovering the flag, you can hear he was crushed to see the state it was in.
In the suit, he said due to the Patriots HOF's mishandling of the flag, the value of it decreased by potentially as much as over $1 million.
He's asking for damages.
We've reached out to the Patriots for comment ... but so far, no word back yet.