Money

"Just sell the damn team and shut up!"

That's U.S. Congressman Max Rose clapping back at NY Knicks owner James Dolan after the billionaire donated money to his political opponent ... after Rose called for Dolan to sell the team!!

It's a feud that escalated quickly right here on TMZ Sports -- and it's only getting nastier.

Rose -- a decorated war veteran and lifelong Knicks fan -- told us he's sick and tired of watching the Knicks suck ... and publicly called for Dolan to sell the damn team already!

Dolan -- who's banned fans from Madison Square Garden for urging him to sell -- clearly saw the clip and immediately began a campaign to support Rose's opponent, GOP Congressional candidate Nicole Malliotakis.

According to the NY Post, Dolan sent an email to friends bashing Rose and trying to rally support for Malliotakis.

"Max Rose thinks he can make our team and my ownership his political platform," Dolan said in the email obtained by The Post.

"I need to let him know that we will not stand for this. The best way to do this is to help his opponent. He is in a tight race for the US Congress in Staten Island. ... Please join me in helping Nicole defeat Max Rose for Congress."

So, we called up Rep. Rose ... and yeah, he had some thoughts!

"Well, we all know that Jim Dolan has the Midas Touch ... so I'm not exactly too concerned here. Look, I didn't make it political, he did! My message was simple: for the good of New York City to make the Knicks great again -- sell the damn team!"

"Think about what's been happening in the 21st century. On an aggregate basis, the Knicks have the worst record in the NBA and nonetheless, they have spent the most! What more signs do you need that this guy has been a world failure?"

"They've gone through over 10 coaches, a massive amount of executive staffs, trading players left and right. The only constant has been Jim Dolan. So, let's sell! This has been a tough year but in 2021, New York can turn the corner. Jim Dolan sell, we can say goodbye to Bill De Blasio and we can finally beat this pandemic."

There's more ... Rose also brings up Dolan's beef with NYK great Charles Oakley and warns Dolan, "I will not be silenced."

Sergey Kovalev pled guilty Friday in a criminal case stemming from an alleged violent incident with a woman and dog in 2018 ... and the boxing star will now have to spend the next 3 years on probation, TMZ Sports has learned.

Kovalev was accused of punching a woman in Big Bear, Calif. back in June '18 ... after the alleged victim claimed she turned down his sexual advances.

The woman, Jamie Frontz, said the two had met at a boxing gym-opening party ... and began kissing at her rental cabin shortly after.

But, she says when she pulled away from the fighter after feeling like he was too aggressive ... he became violent.

Frontz says Kovalev kicked her dog ... and then later socked her in the face.

In an interview with TMZ Sports about the incident, Frontz claimed the punch caused a broken nose, a concussion and facial lacerations.

Kovalev was eventually arrested and hit with a felony assault charge ... and faced YEARS behind bars.

But, according to court docs, Kovalev cut a deal with prosecutors Friday ... and got the felony charge dropped.

In exchange, 37-year-old Sergey pled guilty to misdemeanor fighting/noise/offensive words ... and was sentenced to 3 years probation.

Kovalev was also ordered to serve a 2-day jail sentence ... but he received credit for time served and won't spend any more time behind bars.

Court docs also show Kovalev must attend/complete an anger management program, as well as pay $220 in court fees.

We've reached out to the boxer's attorney for comment ... but, so far, no word back yet.

Incubus co-founder and drummer Jose Pasillas took a nasty spill on his bike thanks to a defective handlebar, and it's wreaked havoc on his wrist and his career ... so he claims in a new lawsuit.

According to the legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Pasillas bought a brand new Specialized S-Works Tarmac bicycle from a high-end California bike company, Specialized Bicycle Components, near the end of 2015.

About 3 years later on Jan. 24, 2019 ... he says he was out for a ride on the bike on Mulholland Highway in Calabasas, when out of nowhere the right handlebar broke.

According to the docs ... the handlebar "disintegrated" and caused the front wheel and the bars to turn sharply, which threw the drummer over the top with his shoes still clipped into the bike pedals.

Pasillas claims he was traveling approximately 25 MPH when he got thrown and landed on the road mostly on his hands -- which he says took the brunt of the fall -- but also on his left shoulder and knees.

The Incubus drummer claims he sought immediate medical care and learned he had a broken wrist, which he says required surgery to repair.

Pasillas claims he suffered severe injuries and has needed continuous medical treatment since the crash. What's worse -- Jose says his ability to drum for Incubus has been impacted and he's lost money because of it.

He's suing for negligence over the allegedly defective handlebar and wants reimbursement for his medical costs and other damages, including lost earnings.

We reached out to the bike company ... no word back yet.

Pittsburgh Steelers star Bud Dupree just copped a ridiculously ICED OUT watch encrusted with 30 carats of diamonds ... and it's worth 80 grand!!

TMZ Sports has learned the Steelers linebacker treated himself with some new bling to celebrate the 2020 NFL season .. hitting up jeweler Moe Diamond in Pittsburgh.

Moe -- whose hooked up NFL beasts like Aaron Donald in the past -- delivered the Audemars Piguet watch ... loaded with approximately 30 carats of VS-VVS diamonds, to Dupree.

You can (literally) see the sparkle in BD's eyes.

The AP -- which we're told was appraised at $80,000 -- also has a custom gold bezel.

It's a crazy expensive watch -- unless you're making $16 million this season -- like Bud ... who's one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league this year.

And, he's definitely earning his money ... 'cause he's already racked up 2.5 sacks for the 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.

The man in the LA Kings' "Bailey" mascot costume has just been CANNED ... after the team investigated sexual harassment claims made by a female employee.

We broke the story ... a woman using the pseudonym "Jane Doe" filed a lawsuit back in August claiming Tim Smith -- who has regularly played the role of Bailey at public events for years -- was repeatedly inappropriate toward her.

In her lawsuit, the woman accused Smith of making sexually-charged comments, jokes and leering at "her breasts and buttocks." She claims she was fired after complaining to management.

After Doe filed her suit, the organization suspended Smith -- who worked for the Kings since 2007. The team also launched an investigation into the allegations.

Now, the Kings have announced they're parting ways with Smith --  saying on Friday, "Today, the LA Kings terminated the employment of Tim Smith."

"We are not in a position to provide further details or comments on this matter due to pending litigation."

Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx is looking for a new kind of music to his ears ... the kind only a real estate agent can deliver 'cause his massive crib is now on the market.

The band's co-founder and bassist has listed his impressive L.A.-area home for a cool $5,699,000 ... which comes to just over a mil per bedroom. Yeah, the 10,300-square-foot pad -- with 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms -- sits behind huge guard gates at the North Ranch Country Club Estates. Privacy included!

Check out the pics -- everything in the place is on a grand level ... from the huge gallery foyer to the living room to the library/game room. Yeah, of course, Nikki had one of those ... not to mention a theater room, lounge and massive pool and spa.

Joe Biden's getting some much-needed support down the homestretch of his presidential battle from an unlikely source ... beauty and fashion sales.

BIDEN Beauty launched this week on the heels of the first debate, and though that event was far from pretty ... the Biden-themed products are flying off shelves.

David Yi -- founder of Very Good Light, the group behind BIDEN Beauty -- tells TMZ ... they launched it with the goal of activating the beauty community to get behind the Democratic nominee and encouraging them to vote blue.

The group had remained anonymous until now because Yi says they want the focus to be on Biden and Kamala Harris, but they're stepping out now to let everyone know 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Biden Victory Fund ... to help him defeat President Trump.

Those proceeds have the potential to be yuuuge -- as Trump might say -- because since Wednesday's launch, Yi says they've had an order placed every minute, selling 50 percent of their initial inventory in 35 states ... including all the major swing states.

David says Arizona is leading in that category, and across the U.S., the #1 seller has been the BIDEN Beat Makeup Sponge. The site's also selling totes and hoodies, in addition to cosmetics.

Imagine being at a restaurant ... and in walks Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Richard Dent and Don King.

That's exactly what happened to a couple back in 1988, who commemorated the moment by getting all the legends to sign their menu ... and now it's up for auction!!!

Hindman Auctions tells TMZ Sports ... the power squad showed up at Lino’s Ristorante in Chicago to celebrate Dent's 28th birthday.

As it turns out, the night was pretty well documented in Tyson's ex-trainer Rory Holloway's memoir, who claims Tyson was LIVID with MJ at dinner over suspicions the Bulls legend had a fling with his then-separated wife Robin Givens.

The book claims Tyson was on the verge of fighting MJ ... but apparently cooler heads prevailed when it came to the restaurant manager asking the superstars to sign the menu for the couple in attendance.

Now, the couple is looking to part ways with the unique piece of history -- it's hitting the auction block via Hindman Auctions on Oct. 20 ... and we're told this thing could sell for thousands, if not 5 figures!!!

Dr. Dre just won a battle in court ... the judge in their divorce case just rejected Nicole's request for $1.5 million to pay for various expenses, including security ... and the judge rejected her request to accelerate her claim that Dre should pay $5 million for her lawyer's fees and other costs.

Nicole's lawyers were in court this morning, telling the judge Nicole needs the $1.5 million for security because she's been receiving death threats. The money would also go for other expenses. Some of the people commenting on the divorce have said things like, "If she dies, she dies," and "For a small fee she can disappear."

The judge rejected her claim, in part because she got rid of her security team that Dre was paying for. She claimed Dre was too controlling and wanted to hire security on her own. She claimed Dre threatened to fire the security if they didn't follow his orders. The judge rejected her request, and Dre's lawyer, Laura Wasser, told the judge Dre is still willing to pay all of Nicole's expenses pending the divorce, including security. The judge ordered that Nicole could select a private security company for her personal protection, but it can't cost more than Dre was paying.

Nicole's lawyers also asked the judge to move up the hearing on their attorney's fees -- specifically, they're asking Dre to pay $5 million in lawyer's fees and costs for Nicole. The hearing was set for January but the lawyers wanted it held this month. The judge rejected the request.

In rejecting Nicole's arguments, the judge noted there are serious domestic violence and custody cases he has to deal with, and this is not in the same universe.  The judge did say, however, if Dre exercised control over Nicole, she could file for a restraining order.

Yoko Ono's returning to battle with a former aide of her late husband John Lennon, claiming the guy's again trying to profit off them, even though he was ordered nearly 20 years ago to knock it off.

According to a new suit -- obtained by TMZ -- Yoko believes Frederic Seaman blatantly violated a court order when he sat down for a 23-minute interview "flanked by Lennon memorabilia" and discussing topics she says are legally prohibited ... like his old book about John.

Yoko and Frederic have been going at it in court for decades. She says Frederic pled guilty to stealing Lennon's journals back in 1983 but she had to drag him to court again in the late '90s.

Eventually, Yoko scored a legal victory in 2002 when a court ordered Seaman to stop using their family photos and such to profit off Lennon's legacy, and she even got an apology from him in open court ... so it seemed like it was resolved.

Ono now says he's back at it and claims Seaman's recent interview on September 10 proves it. Yoko claims he defied the order by again talking about his employment with John and Yoko, John's murder, and even worse ... his 1991 book, 'The Last Days of John Lennon.'

Ono says Seaman discussed his intention to revise and reissue an expanded version of his book, which she claims would "willfully and intentionally violate" the injunction laid down against him in 2002.

Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey gave a raw and emotional shoutout to his father after earning a MASSIVE new extension Thursday ... thanking pops for always wanting the best out of him.

The 24-year-old ex-Alabama star just inked a 5-year extension worth $98.75 MILLION ... and choked back tears while praising those who helped make the life-changing deal possible.

Humphrey started off by thanking those within the organization -- from coaching staff to front office and ownership -- but the waterworks started to come when bringing up his father, former NFLer Bobby Humphrey.

"My dad kept me in line," Marlon said. "Since I was young, I told my dad I wanted to play in the NFL and he never really let me slip."

He continued ... "My dad has been so much more than just a father. He coached me as a kid. He's actually been my everything for me, along with my mom."

"I really thank him a lot for what he's done and I know he'll continue to be a great father to me and hopefully, one day, I get a family I can treat my sons and my daughters the way my dad has treated me and my brothers and sisters"

Humphrey has emerged as one of the top defensive backs in the game through 3 full seasons with the Ravens ... racking up 8 interceptions and 150 tackles.

Maybe buy dad somethin' nice with that new money??

The treasure trove of Kobe Bryant memorabilia found in an abandoned storage locker has been returned to the NBA star's family, TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... someone recently won an auction for an abandoned locker in L.A. -- like a scene out of "Storage Wars" -- which contained everything from Kobe Bryant shoes to jerseys and even a mink coat from a photoshoot.

In total, there were 35 pairs of shoes, jerseys, Lakers practice gear, a Lakers all-access badge that says, "Mamba," tax paperwork and more.

The buyer ended up selling the items to "Storage Wars" star Rene Nezhoda for roughly $13,000 ... and the original plan was to make a fortune on the open market.

But, we're told Vanessa Bryant learned about the auction and felt the items belonged with the Bryant family -- so her reps reached out to Rene before he put them up for sale in hopes of working out a deal.

We spoke with Rene who tells us, "Everything has been worked out. A number of personal items, worn items, and paperwork were sold directly back to the Bryant family."

Rene wouldn't tell us the sale price because of the terms of the agreement -- but sources close to the deal say it wasn't about turning a profit, it was about getting the items back to the family in a fair way.

LeBron James just copped at $36 MILLION Beverly Hills mansion -- and it's loaded with drama ... daytime drama.

The previous owner is soap opera royalty -- Lee Phillip Bell -- who co-created two of the most iconic soaps in history ... "The Bold and the Beautiful" and "The Young & The Restless."

Bell passed away earlier this year at the age of 91 and her estate put the 2.5-acre property up on the market to see if any rich people wanted it, asking $39 mil. The listing was held by Richard Hilton and Jeff Hyland of Hilton & Hyland.

Well, LeBron -- who already owns 2 massive properties in Brentwood -- swooped in and made the deal for a cool $36.75 mil, which closed on Wednesday according to The Real Deal.

Fun fact -- LeBron made roughly $37 million this season just from his NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers alone.

So, yeah ... he can afford it.

The place is insane ... the main home is 9,100 square feet. The property also comes with 2 guest homes.

It's got a screening room (LeBron's got a big movie deal with Warner Bros.) along with a swimming pool, tennis court, motor court, fountains and one of the sickest views in the entire city.

LeBron won't be able to move in just yet ... since he's still in the NBA bubble in Orlando to play the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

And, yeah, the house has plenty of space for a championship trophy ...

Congrats!

The NFL is so pissed off over coaches continuing to flout its COVID mask rules ... it's now threatening to pull draft picks from teams if the violations continue.

It's all in a new league memo officials sent to the 32 clubs on Wednesday, which spells out the possible heavy punishments.

In the memo, obtained by multiple media outlets, the league says a forfeiture of picks as well as suspensions are on the table if coaches keep pulling down their masks during games.

Of course, the problem was a HUGE issue for teams in the first two weeks of the season ... and the league handed down some big fines over it all.

Head coaches like Jon Gruden, Sean Payton, Vic Fangio, Pete Carroll and Kyle Shanahan were all docked $100,000 ... while their respective teams were hit with $250k fines as well.

Coaches seemed to clean up their act in Week 3 ... with most of the previous offenders abiding by the rules.

But, cameras still caught Arizona Cardinals head man Kliff Kingsbury, Fangio and a few others once again ditching their masks ... and it's clear the league is tired of seeing it.

Floyd Mayweather says he's down for a rematch with Conor McGregor -- but only for a $300 MILLION paycheck.

He's also down to box Khabib Nurmagomedov -- but again, he wants $300 million.

But, if you're hoping to see Floyd take on a legit contender, don't hold your breath -- Mayweather says he's only taking easy fights from here on out.

TBE spelled it out on Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast -- where he explained why his longterm mental health is more important than a paycheck ... which is why he'll only take fights he knows he can easily win.

"Conor McGregor can't punch," Mayweather said ... "He can't punch."

Floyd says he remembers taking a shot from Conor during their 2017 fight and thinking to himself, "Man, this dude punch so soft. It's cool."

Mayweather says he looks at fighters like his uncle, Roger Mayweather, and Muhammad Ali as cautionary tales ... saying, "Your health is your wealth."

Floyd says he's still training and working out -- and isn't far from his fighting weight ... but it doesn't sound like he has anything lined up just yet.

Of course, he's been mulling fights with Conor and Khabib for years but nothing has materialized.

There's more ... Mayweather also explained why he should be considered the greatest boxer of all time -- ahead of legends like Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano.

"Is Ali the same fighter that got beat by a guy with 7 fights? Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali when he only had 7 fights," Mayweather said.

"If we really tell the truth, what's the heavyweight guy that Ali fought 3 times? Ken Norton really beat Ali all 3 times. Go back and look at the fights."

Mayweather says he loves Ali ... but he's "just telling the truth."

He also spoke about Muhammad Ali's activism outside the ring -- and claims he would have done the same thing if he were around in the '60s.

"Ali will always be a pioneer because of what he stood for in that era. And, I commend him for that."

Ali famously refused to be drafted to fight in the Vietnam war and was subsequently stripped of his boxing titles.

Nathan Apodaca, the guy who went viral after posting video of him drinking juice and vibing to Fleetwood Mac on his skateboard, is feeling blessed ... he says the donations pouring in are gonna help him upgrade his busted car and RV.

We tracked down Nathan in Idaho Falls, the site of his now-famous video, and he told us generous folks have sent him $10,000 ... and he really needs it.

Nathan says he's living in an RV with no running water, so he's parked in front of his brother's house, where he uses the shower and toilet. He says the donations via Venmo, Cash App and Paypal will help him get what he needs -- his own space to cook, clean, shower and 💩.

Nathan's also looking to upgrade his car, which funny enough, is the reason he went viral in the first place. Ya gotta hear him tell us what led up to his viral moment, it's quite the chain of events before his shift at a potato factory.

It's easy to see why people are rallying around Nathan ... and he says he's gonna surprise his mother with $5,000. If that wasn't generous enough, he says he already gave his lady-friend a new washer/dryer and bought some clothes for his daughter.