Little League World Series Permanently Removing Bunk Beds ... After Player's Injury
Bunk beds at the Little League World Series are out for good ... the tandem sleeping units will be permanently removed from the prestigious event going forward after a player was seriously injured in one of them last year.
Little League officials said in a statement to the Associated Press on Monday ... the decision was made after Easton Oliverson suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed while falling from a top bunk inside the LLWS' dormitory complex in Williamsport, Penn. in 2022.
"Out of an abundance of caution," the officials said, "we placed all beds individually on the floor during last year’s World Series, and in preparation for the 2023 Little League International Tournament, Little League decided to provide its participants with single, one-level beds for all of their player housing at each of its tournament locations, including those in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the dormitories can accommodate all 14 single beds."
Easton Oliverson's Family Suing Little League Baseball Over LLWS Bunk Bed Fall
This year's version of the event is slated to begin later this week.
As we previously reported, Oliverson nearly died following a fall at last year's LLWS ... with his family saying the 12-year-old tumbled from a top bunk to the floor while he was asleep.
Oliverson was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery ... but, thankfully, he survived.
The player's family went on to sue Little League Baseball over the fall, alleging the beds were not safe. Little League officials never publicly commented on the allegations in the suit.
As for Oliverson, in the family's latest update on his condition back in November, they said he's still making strides in his recovery, though the journey back to 100 percent was not finished yet.
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Mark Zuckerberg Signs Now Point to MMA Match with UFC Fighter
Mark Zuckerberg is hellbent on taking a fight in the UFC -- NOT with Elon Musk, but possibly with an actual UFC fighter -- and now, Dana White is more than insinuating it could actually go down!
As you know, Zuck's moved on from a fight with Elon, saying last Friday, " ... I'll share details on my next fight when I'm ready." So, he's got some plan for his "next fight."
He went on to say, "I want to do it in a way that puts a spotlight on the elite athletes at the top of their game," adding, "You do that by working with professional orgs like the UFC or ONE to pull this off well."
Zuck said Monday, "I'm going to focus on competing with people who take the sport seriously."
So, who are the "elite athletes" and "people who take the sport seriously?" It seems unlikely there's another Elon out there -- billionaire vs. billionaire -- and it doesn't make a lot of sense Zuck would involve the UFC for some amateur fight with a rando.
We know Zuck's been in communication with UFC Prez Dana White for well over a month and probably a lot longer, and Dana has 500 fighters on his roster who would love this kind of attention -- fighting M.Z.
Now there's no way Zuck would fight a UFC vet, but what about a fighter who just joined the org?
We contacted Dana with our connect-the-dots theory, and here's what he told us ... "I have said since day 1 Mark is a very serious guy. He loves the sport and is training hard. I believe he is serious about fighting in the UFC."
Notice Dana said "fighting IN the UFC." That more than suggests he'd be fighting someone on the INside, not the outside.
So, stay tuned!!!
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Kim Zolciak & Kroy Biermann Money Troubles Straining Marriage ... Still Want It to Work
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Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's marriage is one big rollercoaster ride -- we're told their ongoing money struggles are still taking a toll, making for some pretty bad days as they attempt to stay together.
Sources close to the couple tell TMZ ... Kim and Kroy's steep financial troubles -- which they still won't publicly address -- are putting a lot of pressure on them. We're told they'll be fine one day, and then at each other's throats the next.
Our sources also say there's an equal amount of blame being thrown around their household -- you'll recall, they allegedly owe $1M to the IRS, and they've been sued by companies like Target and BMW for being behind on payments.
We're told there's still a lot of finger-pointing going on, even though they withdrew the divorce.
As for their 4 kids, we're told they're seeing everything going down ... especially because a lot of their recent blowups have been happening inside their home.
However, our sources say Kim and Kroy do want their marriage to work, and they're trying their best to keep it alive amid their ongoing drama.
As we reported, the "Real Housewives" alum and the former NFL player called off their divorce in July, weeks after the initial filing. Of course, police body cam footage from a May incident revealed a ton of drama going down between them -- and we were told the footage sparked some anger between them when it was released.
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Rick Ross Closes On Star Island Pad ... Dropping $35 Million!!!
Rick Ross is officially moving to Miami Beach's secluded Star Island ... closing on a $35 million home smack in the middle of the celebrity hotbed.
The rapper closed the deal Monday on his latest real estate splash ... a 6-bedroom, 9-bathroom mansion with all the bells and whistles.
Rick's new 40,000-square-foot pad is decked out with a heated pool, entertainment room, summer kitchen and plaza deck terraces opening up to the beautiful waterfront, plus a 40-foot dock.
The boss' new neighbors are just as impressive ... we're talking huge stars like Jennifer Lopez, Shaquille O'Neal and Diddy.
As we first reported ... Rick has been eyeing the place since July, and he's planning a major renovation to fit the palace to his liking.
So, the $35 million Rick just plunked down to buy the place is just the start of his investment.
The Star Island mansion adds to Rick's already impressive real estate portfolio ... he's already got one home in Texas, two in Georgia and another in Florida.
Boss moves!!!
Jill Eber, Jill Hertzberg, Felise Eber, and Fabio Lopes of the Jills Zeder Group represented the seller. Kimberly Knausz with ONE Sotheby's International Realty and Tawanda Roberts, a real estate agent with Florida Realty of Miami represented Ross.
We reached out to Fabio who had no comment on the sale.
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'Blind Side' Inspo Michael Oher The Tuohys Never Adopted Me ... It Was A Conservatorship
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Shocking allegations from Michael Oher ... the former offensive lineman says the family who took him in, helped him become an NFL star and was later portrayed in the hit movie "The Blind Side," lied to him, never adopted him and screwed him out of potentially millions of dollars.
The ex-Baltimore Ravens tackle spelled out the eyebrow-raising claims in a petition filed in Shelby County, Tenn. on Monday ... alleging Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy "exploited" him "for their own benefit" after realizing he was a "gullible young man" with athletic talent.
Oher says he initially got involved with the Tuohys during the summer following his junior year of high school ... after he claimed "a broken social system" in Tennessee left him homeless and in need of aid.
In the docs, Oher says the couple invited him to stay in their home often during that summer to help him out, and took him on shopping trips where they'd buy him clothes. Eventually, before his senior year started, he says they asked him to move in with them.
"The Tuohys did tell Michael they loved him and that they intended to legally adopt him," Oher said in the documents. "Michael believed them, was delighted to be part of a real and stable family, and trusted Mr. and Mrs. Tuohy completely."
A short time later, however, Oher says the Tuohys pulled one over on him.
In the docs, the former football player -- who's now 37 years old -- claims the Tuohys presented him with legal papers that he believed were needed to begin the process of the family adopting him. Instead, however, he says he just learned in February 2023 that they were actually a petition to appoint them as his conservators -- a filing that would allow the Tuohys to "have total control over Michael Oher's ability to negotiate for or enter any contract, despite the fact he was over 18 years of age and had no diagnosed physical or psychological disabilities."
Oher claims the conservatorship then allowed the Tuohys to negotiate a deal with Fox for "The Blind Side," the '09 flick based on Oher's life.
'Blind Side' Star to Michael Oher -- Stop Complaining About Movie ... You're Rich, Famous, Loved
Oher says the Tuohys got themselves and their kids -- but not him -- "a contract price of $225,0000 plus 2.5% of all future 'defined net proceeds.'" The movie -- in which Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy -- ended up grossing over $300 million.
Oher claims as part of the deal with Fox, a contract giving away the rights to his story without any form of payment whatsoever, was signed. Oher says he "at no time ever willingly or knowingly signed this document and that nobody" ever made him aware of what the document actually entailed.
Oher is asking for a judge to end the conservatorship. He's also asking for damages ... as well as an accounting of the money the Touhys made through contracts negotiated on his behalf. It all appears to be potentially a precursor to a lawsuit.
Oher -- who's previously been critical of "The Blind Side" over the way he feels he was wrongly portrayed as dumb -- played in the NFL from 2009 to 2016 ... starting 110 games in his career.
We covered it all on the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
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LISA VANDERPUMP PUMP RESTAURANT FINDS NEW HOME ... Right Next To TomTom
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Lisa Vanderpump's restaurant is back in action ... about a month after PUMP closed down, the famous eatery appears to have found a new home just a few doors down.
Lisa's iconic PUMP Restaurant Lounge signage popped up Monday in West Hollywood, right next to TomTom ... the restaurant she co-owns with Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz.
The pics and sign seem to have all the makings of Lisa's new location.
Remember ... Lisa's landmark WeHo restaurant closed down in July, and the place was packed with fans before the official closing date, with the cast of "Vanderpump Rules" even filming a farewell scene before the location shuttered.
TomTom and the new PUMP are just three doors down from the OG Pump ... so Lisa didn't have to look far for a new location.
Meanwhile, back at the OG Pump, there's a chain link fence with a black tarp covering the property ... a stark contrast to Lisa's new digs.
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Jalen Hurts Eagles QB Signs W/ Jordan Brand! 'Wanna Be Like Jalen!'
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Jalen Hurts continues to win on and off the field ... after leading his team to the Super Bowl and signing a contract extension worth $250+ million, the Eagles' superstar QB just inked a deal with Jordan Brand!
Jordan revealed the partnership on social media on Monday morning, writing ... "Before anyone ever had an opinion, @jalenhurts had a purpose. Welcome to the Family."
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Jalen was rocking the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low sneaker for the announcement ... the first of many shoes the Pro Bowler will surely spotlight over the years.
The 25-year-old now joins fellow QBs Dak Prescott and Bryce Young as the other signal callers repping the Jumpman logo ... while guys like Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel and Cam Jordan are also signed to the label.
Although the former Oklahoma star is newly signed to Jordan, the Eagles captain wore player-exclusive Jordans for all of last season, including during Philly's 2022 playoffs run.
Hurts put up career highs across the board last year, throwing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also rushing for 13 scores.
Jalen finished second in the 2022 Most Valuable Player award voting.
The exact details of the deal are unknown, but it's a safe bet Jalen will make a pretty penny rocking the Jumpman logo year round.
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Oprah Winfrey Maui Officials Clear Air ... About Blocking Her from Evac Shelter
Oprah Winfrey was reportedly denied entry into a Maui shelter where wildfire survivors were seeking refuge ... but officials on the island are looking to clear it all up.
ICYMI, there were reports Oprah showed up to War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku last week with a CBS News crew, but was turned away ... and wasn't allowed in, until she told the camera ops to wait outside.
8/10/23
The County of Maui explained Sunday on Facebook ..."To clarify, Oprah was able to visit our shelter and we thank her for instructing media journalists and camera crews to remain outside."
In other words, Oprah wasn't singled out, she merely got the same treatment as all media showing up at the shelters.
The County went on to say, "Her visit inside of the shelter today was truly heartwarming and we appreciate her understanding of our policy of having no camera crews or reporters accompanying dignitaries and celebrities in our emergency shelters."
As we reported, video from inside the shelter on Thursday showed Oprah handing out pillows to the evacuees ... and she also passed around things like toiletries and even cots.
The part-time Maui resident took to Instagram Sunday -- after reports of her being denied entry broke -- sharing her experience with helping those in need on the island. She also says she'll be donating a big amount once the fires are out and rebuilding can begin.
We covered the story on a previous episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
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'John Wick' Star Donnie Yen Lavish Surprise Bday Party In Italy ... Paul Anka Performs!!!
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Donnie Yen had one helluva 60th birthday party ... a lavish surprise bash in Lake Como, Italy ... and it looks like no expense was spared.
Our sources tell us the "John Wick: Chapter 4" star's wife, Cissy Wang, organized the surprise party ... flying out 150 guests into Villa Pizzo in Lake Como to celebrate the birthday boy.
The evening's special guest ... none other than Paul Anka!!!
Paul performed his timeless hit, "My Way," for Donnie and his guests.
Donnie, who plays Caine alongside Keanu Reeves in the latest 'John Wick' flick, had lots to celebrate during his Italian getaway ... because he also marked 20 years of marriage.
The actor and his wife renewed their vows on the shores of Italy's most famous lake ... the happy couple was dressed to the nines, as were their son and daughter.
Donnie and his son also slipped into tuxedos for a family photo shoot outside an Italian villa ... posing in front of a classic car with his wife and daughter, who were wearing extravagant dresses.
We gotta hand it to Donnie and Cissy ... they know how to mark an occasion!!!
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Stephen Amell Explains Why He Hit SAG Picket Line ... After Strike Comments
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Stephen Amell seems to have changed his tune when it comes to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike -- first demonstrated in his actions, and now further cemented by his own words.
The "Arrow" star spoke to a photog this week not long after he was spotted out in NYC with other fellow SAG members, hitting the picket line and showing support/solidarity for his union amid the ongoing negotiations ... which have dragged on for about a month or so now.
Check out what he had to say ... SA says he doesn't believe he's done a 180 on the issue, but rather -- that he just misspoke at first, and now has some clarity on how he feels.
What that manifests into, as he notes, is unwavering support for SAG-AFTRA ... something he's had since the beginning. And while he did say he didn't support the act of striking -- pointing out how hard it was on working actors -- he now says he's been educated on the process ... this after speaking to SAG leadership, who explained it wasn't done lightly.
Stephen Amell doesn't support the #SAGAFTRAstrike and has been actively promoting #HeelsSTARZ during the strike.
— Dana Abercrombie #AmplifyBlackVoices (@sagesurge) July 31, 2023 @sagesurge
Stephen Amell can also afford health insurance and thinks people "don't know what's going on."#SAGAFTRAstrong #sagaftramembers #SAGAFTRA pic.twitter.com/LNDPakv8qr
You'll recall ... Stephen got a lot of backlash, at first, for saying what he said about striking, but since then ... it sounds like the dude has come around to realizing it's for a larger purpose, despite some growing pains people might be experiencing on the ground.
Interestingly, what Stephen says here on camera strongly echoes what he told us on "TMZ Live" a couple weeks ago ... when he was trying to put his original remarks in context.
Now, that context seems to be completely understood ... and it sounds like he's on the right side of the picket line with his fellow actors. A full-circle moment for all involved, it seems.
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Mark Zuckerberg Moving on from Elon Fight ... This X Dude Ain't Serious
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Mark Zuckerberg is tired of waiting for Elon Musk to get ready to rumble, so he's moving on -- so says the Facebook founder himself.
The techie billionaire announced Sunday he was throwing in the towel on the planning process, saying it was clear to him that EM wasn't serious about duking it out ... evidenced, at least in Mark's eyes, in all the excuses Elon has offered to postpone this thing.
Post by @zuckView on Threads
MZ writes, "I think we can all agree Elon isn't serious and it's time to move on. I offered a real date. Dana White offered to make this a legit competition for charity. Elon won't confirm a date, then says he needs surgery, and now asks to do a practice round in my backyard instead."
The backyard thing is new news -- and pretty eyebrow-raising if true. Mark adds, "If Elon ever gets serious about a real date and official event, he knows how to reach me. Otherwise, time to move on. I'm going to focus on competing with people who take the sport seriously."
Mark has kinda been teasing this move for a while now ... consistently refuting Elon's characterization of things, and alleging that the Twitter honcho was stonewalling on purpose.
In fact, it wasn't too long ago that Mark said he wasn't holding his breath for Elon -- and despite EM trying to hype up the fight just this past week (by mentioning the prospect of Italy as a venue), it sounds like Mark's throwing cold water on the whole thing ... calling BS.
It was a cool would-be event while it lasted, we suppose ... and time will tell if Mark pulling the plug like this will force Elon to actually commit -- but if he doesn't, it might be over.
We covered the story on a recent episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.
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Cardi B Thrown Mic's $100K Sale Falls Through
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The nearly six-figure transaction for the microphone Cardi B chucked into her crowd, sparking a police investigation, has hit a snag ... we're told the winning bidder didn't pay up.
Here's the deal ... Cardi's infamous microphone was being auctioned on eBay and the bidding war came to an end Tuesday with a $99,900 winning bid ... or so it seemed.
Scott Fisher, the mic owner running the auction, tells TMZ … unfortunately, his suspicions came true and the winning bidder failed to pay for Cardi's mic.
We're told the person who placed the winning bid had 48 hours to fork over the cash, but didn't respond to multiple messages ... so Scott still has the mic. The proceeds from the auction were supposed to benefit charity, and Scott says he's exploring his options ... including sending a purchase offer to the second-highest bidder.
LM Cases, a case company in Ohio, heard about the story and hooked him up with a mic case for whoever ends up with it.
Scott says if the other top bidder doesn't end up buying the mic, he's considering selling it privately.
There's quite a story behind the mic ... as we reported, Cardi was performing at Drai's Beachclub in Las Vegas when she asked the crowd to splash her with water, only to get pissed when someone later tossed ice and liquid on her, resulting in the mic toss.
7/29/23
Cardi was then named a suspect for battery when a woman who claimed the mic hit her went to police ... but the rapper was ultimately cleared by officials.
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Kelly Slater Surf Community Will Support HI Wildfire Victims ... Plans To Send Supplies, Money
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The wildfire disaster in Hawaii is breaking hearts across the world, including those in the surfing community ... and, according to Kelly Slater, it's now planning to step up in a big way to help victims -- by sending boats, supplies and cash.
The 51-year-old surfing legend explained the plans to TMZ Sports this week ... after flames have ravaged Maui and the Big Island during August.
"Everyone within our surf community is rallying to get boats in, supplies, donate money," Slater said out at LAX, "but that's all not organized yet."
The reason for the delay, according to Slater, is all the debris blocking the harbor, including boats that have caught fire near the piers ... as well as the lack of power in the affected areas.
"There's still a lot of people not in touch with family because they don't have cell towers and power there and they're blocked off on both sides actually," Slater said, "the north and southern side from Lahaina got blocked."
Slater -- who holds 56 championship tour victories -- says several of his friends have been impacted by the blazes ... with some even running for their lives.
"One friend lost everything he owns but he was able to save his dog and a backpack and that was about it," Slater said.
"I know at least two friends, right now, that lost their houses -- actually three. I just got a text about another one, but that's just the beginning."
“According to those who have been doing the recovery, (…) that was the number that they found people who were outside of the buildings. We have not yet searched in the interior of the buildings,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen says about the current death toll of the Maui fires. pic.twitter.com/gKgTs4OV0j
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 11, 2023 @TODAYshow
As of Friday, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said as many as 55 people have been confirmed dead ... but, sadly, he believes the death toll "could go up."
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What's The Big Frigin' Difference?!
Like "Thelma and Louise" ... you are on a mission to hit the streets and be thick as thieves with acting legend Susan Sarandon. Can you find the changes in these two shots before going over the falls?
The NYC native threw on her sneaks and picketed around her neighborhood -- along with countless other famous folks -- in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike. And, considering it was a hot summer day in the Big Apple, it's a good thing H2O was present ... Can you handle the switch-ups?
**HINT: There are THREE differences in the above Susan Sarandon photos!**
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NBA's Kevin Willis Championship Jerseys Allegedly Stolen ... In Storage Locker Heist
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Several San Antonio Spurs championship jerseys were allegedly stolen from former NBA player Kevin Willis in a recent storage locker heist ... TMZ Sports has learned.
According to police documents, the theft was reported to cops by Willis on Tuesday afternoon ... after the 60-year-old ex-Spurs center noticed 10 title unis belonging to his former San Antonio teammates were missing from his spot at a Roswell, Ga. rental storage facility.
In the docs, cops say Willis told them the pieces were worth approximately $100,000. They also say he told them an additional rack of clothes worth around $9,000 was taken from the unit.
In a 911 call, Willis can be heard telling dispatch the jerseys had been inside of frames inside the locker.
"This stuff came from when I was playing," he said. "These have been around for 20 years and they took all the high-profile personnel that was on there. They took all of those. And they left four of them back or something like that."
Police say when they went on to inspect the locker, they noticed "the locks appeared to have been cut and were on the inside of the storage unit." They added that Willis told them the last time he had seen the unit was in June.
Cops noted in the docs that Willis requested an investigation and wanted to press charges. So far, though, no arrests have been made.
Willis was picked by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 1984 NBA Draft ... just eight picks after the Bulls selected Michael Jordan.
The 7-footer played for the Hawks for 11 seasons ... before he was traded to the Miami Heat in 1994. He then bounced around the league for several years ... winning a title with the Spurs in the 2002-2003 season.
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Montgomery Riverfront Brawl Online Stores Blowing Up With Fight Merch!!!
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The Montgomery riverfront brawl is triggering ... in a financial sense, because retailers are cashing in with merch based on the viral fight, and the items are going like hotcakes.
Sites like Etsy, eBay and Amazon made it their business to start hawking brawl-themed merch almost immediately last Sunday -- the day after the Alabama fight went down, and these platforms are still surging with a bunch of creative options to buy.
Some of the things ya can scoop up include folding chair earrings and keychains, hoodies with photos from the fight, and even shirts that read, "Don't start nothing, won't be nothing."
One of the most common shirt designs says, "F*** around and find out," with a folding chair front and center ... pretty funny stuff.
JoeRyanDesigns on Etsy made an "Avengers Assemble" coffee mug with people portraying superheroes, like the man with the folding chair -- who's since been arrested -- and the company tells us its merch is going viral, just like the event that inspired it.
The site's seen a "massive increase" in traffic, which comes out to a 3,011% uptick in views.
You'll recall, the internet was taken over by the insane clips from the fight ... and it looks like folks can't get enough of what went down -- 'cause now they wanna wear it!