Money

Jake Paul is going to have to take a break from boxing soon to do some serious unboxing ... 'cause TMZ Sports has confirmed the fighter just bought a mega-mansion in Puerto Rico -- off of ex-MLB star Yadier Molina!!!

The Problem Child, according to a rep for The Caribbean Realty Group, scored the San Juan-area palace on Wednesday for $15,750,000 ... and it's insane.

The two-story property has eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, two 1/2 bathrooms, a fitness center ... and a luxury pool.

It's also got an elevator, a wet bar, a dry bar, a 6-car garage ... and over 12,000 square feet of living space.

No word on why the newly retired Molina gave up the place -- which was built in 2021 -- but Paul landed a great deal on it nonetheless.

The Caribbean Realty Group reports the house was initially listed at $19,995,000 ... before the former Cardinals catcher and Paul worked out the new price this week.

Jake and his brother, Logan, initially moved to Puerto Rico a couple years ago ... after the two brothers claimed the region gave them the ability to train for fights without distractions.

Jeff Bezos isn't dropping half a billion on a superyacht without including a sexy homage to his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez ... or, at least, that's what the internet thinks he did with a beautiful sculpture on the front of the ship.

Check out the wooden carving on the prow of Bezos' new nautical toy -- it shows a busty woman with long hair in a flowing gown and angel wings.

Some observers see a whole lotta Lauren in the figure's face, while others think it's a stretch to say it's a shrine to his boo.

Whether it's her or not ... Lauren was rocking a pink bikini -- not featured on the sculpture -- aboard the swanky ship, dubbed the Koru, this week with Jeff.

This is their maiden voyage aboard the Koru ... which has plenty of room for them to stretch out and soak up some rays.

As they vacay, the debate continues about Jeff's lady of the sea, so the question must be asked ...

If you're trying to cop a pair of Ja Morant's signature sneakers, you'll have to look somewhere other than Nike's website, 'cause the NBA superstar's kicks are nowhere to be found in the online store days after his 2nd gun incident.

The Ja 1 athletic shoes were released on April 19, and have been very popular. However, when we looked on Nike's site Thursday morning, the Morant sneakers were not available. In fact, outside of a few t-shirts, there isn't anything Morant-related.

But, Nike hasn't totally erased Morant's sneakers. There's a new mismatched 'Hunger' colorway that's scheduled to be released on May 25 ... and it still appears in the "Upcoming" section of Nike's SNKRS app.

Other retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, and secondary resellers like StockX and Flight Club still have Ja 1s for sale.

Morant signed a multi-year deal with Nike in May 2019, but could be in jeopardy of losing his endorsement with the world's largest athletic apparel company ... after the 23-year-old was seen holding a gun on IG live, sitting shotgun in a car, listening to music.

This comes just two months after the 2x All-Star flashed a pistol inside a Denver strip club ... again while on Instagram Live.

Ja was suspended for eight games after the March incident.

This time, the penalty will be much more severe. Morant's already been suspended from all team activities, though it's the offseason for the Grizzlies.

The back-to-back gun incidents have fans confused and even pissed off, including Michael Wilbon, who said he won't let his son wear Ja's shoes.

If retailers continue to pull the Ja 1s, even people who want to wear Morant's kicks may soon have trouble tracking down a pair.

Tiger Woods has just notched a big victory in court over his ex ... a judge has ruled Erica Herman's gripes with the golfing legend must go to a behind-closed-doors arbitrator -- something Woods has been wanting for months.

Herman initially sued Woods back in early March ... alleging he wrongly kicked her out of their Florida home following their split in 2022. She argued at the time her disputes should play out in public court -- not private arbitration -- claiming an NDA that he made her sign in 2017 should be nullified on the grounds that Woods allegedly conditioned her job and right to live their home on their romantic relationship -- which she says constitutes "sexual harassment" under Florida law.

Woods countered that she couldn't bring him to court, saying the NDA required any qualms between the two to be meted out in arbitration. He added that he had never been sexually inappropriate with her.

Martin County, Fla. judge Elizabeth A. Metzger ruled in Woods' favor late Wednesday, saying Herman must abide by the NDA's arbitration provision.

She also said in her ruling Herman's sexual harassment claims were "vague and threadbare" and "implausibly pled" ... writing, "Herman has had the opportunity [to] provide factual specificity for any claim relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment, however, she has not done so."

It's unclear if Herman has plans to appeal.

Woods and Herman began dating around six years ago, shortly after she had been hired to work at his Florida restaurant. She alleged in court filings that once they became romantic, he "forced her to sign an NDA ... or else be fired from her job."

The couple dated until the fall of '22 ... when Herman claimed Woods concocted a scheme involving false promises of a spontaneous vacation to throw her out of their home. She argued it all violated an oral agreement they had -- and she sued his trust for $30 mil.

Rick Ross is going toe-to-toe with Fayette County over his 2nd annual car show ... telling us denying him a permit isn't gonna stop him from throwing the event for thousands of fans.

The hip hop mogul assures us the car show will go down exactly as planned on June 3 on his Promised Land estate in Fayetteville, GA, and he's called in backup -- some event planning experts -- to ensure his neighbors can rest easy.

Fayette County recently rejected Ricky Rozay's permit, saying the car show is not in compliance with the county's zoning ordinances, adding last year's show -- a huge success in Rick's eyes -- happened without County approval.

Regardless, Rick's full steam ahead, and is likening the whole thing to a front yard BBQ -- one with about 7,000 folks in attendance! He says he didn't hear any complaints after last year's show, but some neighbors have now been voicing their concerns.

If you're wondering if this is all about the County wanting a slice of Rick's financial pie ... he ran down all the ways his car show is an absolute cash cow for Fayette County and its businesses.

BTW, Rick announced he's exploring a run for mayor of Fayetteville after the whole permit roadblock came up, and he breaks down why he'd be the perfect candidate.

Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones may be on life support, but it's not dead ... and if the UFC is ever down to cross-promote an event with the PFL, "The Predator" says he only needs a couple of months for a scrap with the man most believe is the greatest ever!

"I'd be ready in two or three months from that moment I agree with that," 36-year-old Ngannou told TMZ Sports late Monday.

Francis reiterated ... he wants Jon, and always has.

"I'd be on board. Listen, first of all, I always claim for this Jon Jones fight, I always wanted Jon Jones fight and then it seem like they didn't want to make this Jon Jones fight happen."

Of course, despite months of negotiations, a deal never came together between Francis, Jon, and the UFC.

Ngannou believes UFC was using the Jones fight as bait to get him to sign with the promotion.

"Until they wanna use Jon Jones as leverage to play me and that wasn't something that was going to happen. The Jon Jones fight wasn't just coming as a fight," Francis said, adding ... "He came with strings attached. That's what I would say. Jon Jones fight was coming with strings attached which was the thing that I couldn't take it just like that."

Despite the fact Ngannou is now with PFL and it's likely hell would freeze over before the companies worked together, that hasn't stopped the two MMA stars from continuing to talk about each other.

In fact, Bones tweeted on Tuesday ... "Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street, who does that? Lol"

Francis then responded ... "Then cross the street"

Weezer provided entertainment to the striking writers picketing outside Paramount Pictures ... supporting the cause by playing some of the band's most famous songs.

Lead singer Rivers Cuomo was flanked by guitarists Brian Bell and Scott Shriner outside the major movie studio Wednesday ... playing an acoustic concert for the writers who are continuing their strike.

The Writers Guild of America members surrounded the band as they performed from just outside the studio entrance ... with Weezer playing some of their biggest hits, including "Beverly Hills" and "Buddy Holly."

Weezer joins Imagine Dragons as bands to play for striking writers ... last week Dan Reynold's and guitarist Wayne Sermon put on a show outside Netflix HQ.

We've also seen Pete Davidson and TV's late-night talk show hosts supporting the WGA, bringing pizza and food to the writers ... and there's also been a live mariachi band at the picket lines.

Ya gotta imagine more bands will follow suit ... and it will be interesting to see who grabs the mic next.

Brett Favre is speaking out after months of silence ... and while he only briefly addressed the Mississippi welfare scandal, the Hall of Famer talked politics, flat out saying the U.S. was better off under President Trump.

"I think Donald was a non-political president, and I liked that about him," Favre told Jason Whitlock in a lengthy conversation Tuesday on the TV personality's "Fearless" podcast. "Was he perfect? Absolutely not. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. I'm flawed just like the rest of 'em. We're all flawed. But, I really felt like he had our country in a better place and really cared about our people in our country."

"Black, white, Hispanic, Asian -- you name it," the former Packers quarterback continued. "I think if you were an American citizen, he cared about you, first and foremost. I don't know if our current president has the same mentality."

It's no secret the NFL legend is a supporter of #45 ... something Brett told Jason has seriously hurt his checkbook.

"It's cost me money," Favre admitted.

The former Green Bay signal-caller also talked about one of the most polarizing issues in the country, transgender people ... a topic which Favre feels strongly about.

During the chat with Whitlock, he said, "To think that a young man who identifies as a girl, I don't understand -- just hear me out -- can go into a girl's bathroom and use the restroom with girls, and for us to think that's OK, I think is wrong. I'm sorry."

He went on to agree with Whitlock's opinion that transgender women shouldn't be allowed to compete against biological females in sporting events.

As for his alleged role in the Mississippi welfare scandal -- where he's been accused of working with government officials to obtain $5 million from welfare funds to build a volleyball facility at Southern Miss. -- Favre said he couldn't speak much about it due to a gag order.

He did say, though, he's looking forward to openly speaking about it all soon.

Forget Rookie of the Year ... is new Ravens wideout Zay Flowers already the Son of the Year?!?

Baltimore's first-rounder sure made a great case for that accolade this week ... buying his dad a new car as a thank-you present following April's NFL draft!!

Flowers' agent, Eric Dounn, said the 2023 Mercedes Benz GLE 450 was the first thing the former Boston College star picked up with the new marketing money he got after the Ravens took him with the No. 22 overall pick ... and, check out the video, Poppa Flowers was clearly elated with the present.

In the footage, you can see Willie Flowers smiling ear-to-ear while looking at the new car before he shared an emotional handshake and hug with his 22-year-old son.

Of course, Willie had every reason to be jacked for the gift ... the luxury car can cost right around six figures with all of the bells and whistles on it.

"Dream was to always buy his dad a car!" Dounn said when sharing the news of the present earlier this week. "He DID just that."

Zay has always spoken highly of his Dad ... recently telling the Ravens' team website that he gets all of his work ethic from the way he watched Willie raise him and his siblings.

According to Dounn, Zay's NFL contract has yet to be finalized ... so there's still a ton more money coming in for the wideout.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are wasting no time enjoying his new $500 million superyacht ... slipping into some swimwear to tan on the deck of the huge ship.

The billionaire and his boo are on the massive vessel for the first time, tooling around Mallorca, Spain, and basking in the rays on the boat's sprawling deck.

Jeff stripped down to some blue trunks, and Lauren busted out a pink bikini for their maiden voyage Tuesday aboard the Amazon founder's new 417-ft long, three-mast vessel dubbed the Koru ... a Maori word for new beginnings.

Hard to say what's bigger, the boat or their smiles.

Of course, Jeff should be in a good mood aboard his newest toy ... the yacht was finally delivered this week after some lengthy delays, including that little controversy in the Netherlands.

Jeff and Lauren had the ship's captain sail around the island, stopping in a small bay.

They didn't step foot off the floating village, but when ya drop half a billion on a boat ... that's to be expected.

Rolly Romero pulled out all the stops before fighting Ismael Barroso on Saturday ... rockin' a 20-carat diamond pendant of HIMSELF, and it's awesome!

The lightweight boxer earned a (controversial) 9th-round TKO against Barroso at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on May 13th ... bringing his record to 15-1.

But, before the fight (and the much-debated stoppage by veteran official Tony Weeks), Romero pulled up in style, rocking an iced-out pendant of himself in a fur coat and no shirt ... an outfit that may look familiar to boxing fans.

It's the exact fit Romero wore during his viral press conference with Gervonta 'Tank' Davis last year ... before their fight on May 2022 scrap.

TMZ Sports has learned Rolly hit up GS & Co. and commissioned the piece ... and he picked the Tank presser outfit because he believes it's one of the most iconic moments of his career.

We're told the piece is loaded with 20 carats of round VVS diamonds and 120 grams of 14k yellow gold ... and the retail value is around $30K.

As we previously reported, Romero also wore "Channel Orange" custom boxing shoes -- in tribute to musician Frank Ocean.

Priscilla Presley is no longer beefing with her granddaughter Riley Keough ... they just settled their dispute over Lisa Marie's trust, and we're told Priscilla's walking away with fatter pockets.

Priscilla and Riley's legal teams were in court Tuesday, where they reached a settlement over who controls Lisa's trust, which reportedly includes the Graceland mansion and a stake in the lucrative Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Sources connected tell TMZ ... Lisa Marie's estate paid an undisclosed sum of money to Priscilla to settle the dispute. Our sources say it's in the millions.

TMZ broke the story ... a trust battle broke out in the wake of Lisa Marie's death back in January, with her mom Priscilla challenging an amendment to Lisa Marie's trust, which eliminated both Priscilla and Lisa's former business manager, Barry Siegel, as trustees and left Riley as the sole trustee.

Priscilla questioned the validity of the amendment. She claimed it was never delivered to her, the document misspelled her name, the date on the document was suspicious, and Lisa Marie's signature appeared "inconsistent with her usual and customary signature."

There was a ton of money on the line ... and now it looks like Priscilla's getting a chunk of change.

Gene Simmons' former estate looks like a brand-new property ... one he might not even recognize at first glance, but the new price tag -- more than double what it was -- will definitely catch his eye!!!

Real estate sources tell TMZ ... the Beverly Hills property, which sits on almost 2 acres of land, is now selling for a whopping $48 million and it's been completely transformed since the KISS frontman had the keys to this palace.

You'll recall, Gene sold the home to Max Nobel of Nobel Development Group back in 2021 for a mere $16 million. We're told the entire property underwent a massive 18-month makeover before returning to the market ... so much so, it's considered a brand-new property.

The new place is completely unrecognizable and was stripped to its studs ... with Nobel L.A. redoing every inch of the 79,948-sq-ft lot and estate that features 7 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms.

It comes with enough parking for up to 30 cars! There's a 3-car garage attached to the main house and a separate 10-car garage with the option for lifts that can accommodate 20 cars -- it all sits where Gene used to have a tennis court.

We're told there's still room for a pickleball court if the new owners are interested in installing it. The property also includes a gorgeous new 60x20 swimming pool, a movie theater and an outdoor BBQ area with a 30-guest dining space ... lots of room for entertaining!

Buzz around the city is this is one of the most incredible properties in California and despite it being massive, it has the type of privacy one can only dream of having in Bev Hills.

Hollywood writers striking for fair pay and protections against artificial intelligence are getting some air support ... in the form of a funny banner flying over the major studios.

The banner reads ... "Pay the writers, you AI-Holes" ... and on Monday, a small plane towed it above Amazon, CBS, FOX, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros.

On the ground, writers continue to pack the picket lines as the strike enters its third week ... with neither side showing signs of ending the stalemate.

The strike is definitely getting ugly ... in addition to the airplane banner, a massive, inflatable rat popped up outside Amazon Studios ... the huge rodent is holding bags of money, wearing a tuxedo and smoking a cigar. The messaging here is anything but subtle.

As for who is funding the plane and the banner ... we're told the money is coming from donations from various unions supporting the striking writers.

Artificial intelligence is a hot-button issue in Hollywood, with writers seeking guardrails so their jobs and livelihoods aren't negatively impacted by the recent AI innovations.

Elon Musk is having the time of his life, dancing the night away in a huge crowd in Mexico for a huge music festival -- and it looks like SpaceX, Twitter and Tesla are officially on the back burner!!!

One of the world's richest men showed off a different side of himself in Cabo San Lucas Saturday night, jamming out with his hands up to some Rüfüs Du Sol with a swarm of other ravers around him.

Elon was feelin' the music at Sundream Baja, BTW -- a 2-weekend long festival, similar to Coachella, just outside San Jose Del Cabo.

Sure, his moves might need some work, but hey ... the guy's just not known for dancing.

Kinda makes sense he headed down to Mexico for some R&R ... Elon just named former NBCUniversal advertising exec Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter last week, following months of backlash from users who weren't cool with how he was running things.

Netflix is lookin' to cash in on its hit dating show, "Love Is Blind" by making a move to lock up rights to sell new products branded with a clever twist.

According to docs obtained by TMZ, Netflix is requesting the rights to sell items using the words "Love Is Wine." Cheeky and we can totally see future 'LIB' watch parties buying into it.

The streaming company's trademark application says it wants to slap the phrase on things like cake molds, glassware, napkin holders, plates, tea infusers, flasks, and several types of drinking glasses.

It's also looking to use it on things like wines and spirits, cocktail mixes, and even prepared cocktails. Given the fun name, this stuff could sell like hotcakes.

Netflix appears to be going all in on the 'LIB' craze ... also looking to secure the rights to brand bakery goods, snacks, frozen treats, pizza kits, chips, and salads. There's even mention of salt -- yes, just simple salt.

Of course, there's no doubt as to why it's full steam ahead on an idea like this -- the record-breaking series recently wrapped its fourth season and has even produced versions of the show in places like Japan and Brazil, with a handful of other locations in the works.

As we reported, millions of fans were waiting to tune into the live reunion special last month, but it never happened. Everyone ended up having to stream a prerecorded version the next day after technical glitches left fans looking at error codes on their TVs.