Money

Metallica front man James Hetfield just cashed out on some land he owned down in Arizona ... and he's pocketing six figures from the transaction.

According to new legal docs ... James sold the 20 acres of vacant land he owned in Pima County for $1.2 million.

The docs, obtained by TMZ, say James struck a deal with the Rosemont Copper Company ... and the corporation is paying the rocker in straight cash. Cha-ching!!!

James first bought the sprawling plot of land, which is near the United States border with Mexico, in 1998.

James has been an involved member in the community ... the Metallica Scholars Initiative recently donated $100k to Pima Community College.

We reached out to reps for James ... so far, no word back.

There is a full-on battle royale over DMX's estate, because another woman has reportedly come forward claiming she's one of X's kids, and wants in on the estate.

Raven Barmer-Simmons has contacted some of the kids of the late rapper, saying she is among them ... this according to Page Six, which broke the story.

If she is indeed on of DMX's kids, she could be #15. A battle is shaping up over who gets what as assets get divvied up.

A judge appointed 3 of X's sons, Xavier, Tacoma and Sean as temporary administrators, but that's clearly not sitting well with everyone.

X's fiancee, Desiree Lindstrom, has been trying to get an acknowledgment she was his common-law wife, but the judge rejected her claim. She wants to become the administrator of his estate, but now that seems like an uphill climb.

There will almost certainly be DNA tests to determine who's entitled to the estimated $1 million estate. Remember, though, there are also future earnings from his music that can replenish the estate.

There will also be lots of discussions over where all the money went. X sold more than 70 million albums and not only had a career in music but movies as well ... so on the surface the remaining assets seem out of whack.

You've heard of iced-out chains, watches and teeth ... but how about a freakin' iced-out STEERING WHEEL!?!

MLB rising superstar Wander Franco -- the former top prospect in baseball -- is bringing new meaning to car customization ... by copping a brand new Mercedes Benz AMG GLE 53 -- with a steering wheel decked out in diamonds!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop wanted a one-of-a-kind whip, so he put together a team of specialists to personalize the Benz from top to bottom.

We're told Wander used the Auto Spa to do the all-white interior featuring his "El Patron" nickname ... which came with a $100k price tag.

On top of that, Franco's business partner, Nick Drbal, took it one step further with the steering wheel -- done by Gabriel The Jeweler -- to make the car extra special.

Including the cost of the car, the whole project was $235k.

"Wander is the biggest car enthusiast I’ve met," Drbal tells us. "He has every car possible right now. When he said he wanted something different, we had to get clever."

"So, why not ice-out a steering wheel?"

Hey, when you got money, ya can't argue with that logic. Franco signed a $3.825 million deal to join the Rays back in 2017 ... and is set to make a TON more throughout his career.

Shaquille O'Neal has gotta be happy as hell right now -- the NBA legend is FINALLY parting ways with his humongous Orlando mansion after 3 years on the market!!

The 31,000-square-foot pad is insane -- it has 12 bedrooms, 11 baths and four half baths, a chef's kitchen and a fancy 17-car garage.

The lakefront property also has a 95-foot long luxury pool, a home theater with reclining seats, an aquarium room, cigar and wine bar plus a recording studio.

Of course, an NBA legend's home wouldn't be complete without a basketball court -- and this crib more than that with a 6,000 square-foot "Shaq Center" with bleachers.

TMZ's own Harvey Levin even squared up with the Hall of Famer on that same court for a quick game of one-on-one ... and hilariously lost (please don't fire us).

Shaq's been trying to sell the crib for 3 years -- listing it at $28 million in 2018.

The price dropped several times since -- plus renovations and upgrades -- and finally sold with Benjamin Hillman of Premier Sotheby's International Realty for an undisclosed amount, according to People.

President Biden is dead wrong about the effectiveness of community policing and the need to bolster police numbers and budgets ... at least according to author Derecka Purnell.

Derecka, who has a new book on abolishing the police, joined us Friday on "TMZ Live" and laid into the Prez over his pro-police rhetoric during Thursday's Biden Town Hall.

She says Biden's trying to distance himself from the 1994 crime bill, but is regurgitating some of what she sees as the same failed policies this time around ... and she's not buying what Biden's selling in terms of community policing.

The way Derecka sees it ... community policing doesn't work like most folks might think, and she says the fatal interaction between Derek Chauvin and George Floyd is a perfect example of why it doesn't make much difference if cops know those in the community they're policing.

Derecka is a bit of an expert on the topic ... she's got a new book out called "Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and The Pursuit of Freedom."

YouTube stars Charles & Alyssa Forever went on a huge shopping spree at a Spirit Halloween store in Arizona ... but after they got what they wanted for a video, they returned the merch.

The YouTubers strolled in to the Spirit Halloween costume store in Tempe earlier this month, and we're told they spent over $1,000 on costumes and accessories.

The store's employee, Tracy, tells us she recognized the couple when they came in ... and she helped them shop for several hours and even gave them a 20% discount on one of the items.

Tracy says she asked the YouTubers if they needed the costumes for a party and Charles told her ... "Something like that."

Not long after, we're told staff at the store noticed the couple posted 2 videos wearing the costumes ... and then they were shocked when Charles' sister came in and returned almost $900 worth of used gear.

Some of the costumes worn and returned by the YouTubers include ... Chucky, nun, priest, escaped convict, policeman, nurse and hospital gown costumes. They also purchased a flask.

We’re told store staff decided not to put the flask back on shelves because of the obvious ... someone may have already put their mouth on it.

While it sounds like this may rub some folks the wrong way at Spirit ... fact is, the store can't do anything or investigate because it’s not illegal, and the return policy is very flexible.

Charles and Alyssa tell TMZ ... they used the costumes for a video about cheap Halloween costumes for couples on a budget, and they wore the costumes for a couple minutes and never stepped foot out of the house in them.

The couple says they specifically asked about the return policy when they were shopping, and felt comfortable returning what they paid for ... not thinking it would be a big deal.

The YouTubers say there was no wear and tear and it was like trying the costumes on in the store ... only they did it at home and took them back.

Charles and Alyssa say they didn't use all the items, never touched the flask with their mouths, packed the costumes back nicely and returned a lot of items that didn't fit.

They say they followed the return policy and don't think they did anything wrong ... and point out Spirit should benefit from getting a video shout-out.

Knicks star Julius Randle was just slapped with a $15K fine for tossing the basketball into the stands, in celebration, after NY downed the rivals Boston Celtics in a double-OT thriller.

The game went down Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden ... and Randle played out of his mind, dropping 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.

As the clock wound down on the nail-biter of a game, Randle tossed the ball from one end of the court, high into the air, and into the stands past the opposing basket.

Unfortunately, the NBA wasn't in the mood to celebrate ... and they hit Julius with a $15K fine.

"New York Knicks forward Julius Randle has been fined $15,000 for throwing the game ball into the spectator stands," Byron Spruell, President of League Operations announced on Thursday.

But, don't cry too much for JR ... he scored a 4-year, $117 million extension this off-season, meaning he makes over $250K every game.

President Joe Biden has taken heat for his comments this weekend that he wants to spend MORE on policing -- not defunding the police as some have advocated -- and one of his top advisors says if Biden had his way several years ago, Alton Sterling would be alive today.

Cedric Richmond was on TMZ Live Thursday to outline the Prez's agenda when it comes to improvements he wants to make in training American police forces. Biden recently raised eyebrows among supporters when he said he did not want to defund the police, but instead, build them up.

Richmond says Biden wants to put more money behind cops, but spend it on things like body cams, better training and even mental health experts within departments.

Richmond tells us community policing -- where officers take the time to meet and learn about members of a community -- can potentially be life-saving ... using the killing of Alton Sterling as an example of a life that could have been spared with better policing.

The new NIL rules have college athletes livin' the luxurious life ... 'cause Kentucky hoops star TyTy Washington just locked a deal with Porsche!!

The 5-star recruit and #4 guard out of the 2021 class announced the partnership on Wednesday ... posting IG photos from the Louisville Porsche dealership.

"Proud to announce my NIL deal with @porschelouisville and @frank_eaves," the 18-year-old said.

You can see the 6'3" baller in a pearly-white Porsche Cayenne SUV -- which has a price tag for over $80k!!

Players across the NCAA are benefiting off this new "name, image and likeness" rule that was announced in June ... with Ohio State QB Quinn Ewers, Alabama QB Bryce Young and TCU hoops guard Hercy Miller -- Master P's son -- each inking deals worth more than $1 million.

The new policy works for high school ballers, too -- 17-year-old Mikey Williams signed a contract in July worth millions.

A piece of horror movie history is on the market -- the famous home from the Wes Craven classic, "A Nightmare on Elm Street" -- and Freddy Krueger is trying to help seal the deal.

The house and its iconic facade from the horror flick are listed for $3,250,000 ... and offers are being accepted through the end of Halloween. It's pretty funny, the folks trying to sell the home are going all-in on its association with the horror flick, with someone in a Freddy Krueger costume taking photos doing chores around the property.

The estate, located in the historic Spaulding Square neighborhood in Los Angeles, comes with 3 bedrooms in the 2-story main home and it's got walnut floors, a master suite, an open kitchen, patios, terraces and a bunch of French doors.

The place is decked out with a pool, citrus trees and a detached guesthouse with a covered patio and its own kitchen.

While the home is famous for appearing in 'Nightmare on Elm Street,' it's also been used in TV commercials and print ads.

Rick Ross says that his weed-smoking and overall health have changed for the better -- and it's all because of a hemp business he's gone all-in on ... which sounds revolutionary.

We got Renzel on "TMZ Live" Wednesday to talk shop about his latest business endeavor -- a company he calls Hemp Hop ... which, as you can probably tell, is a play on "hip-hop." It's a CBD biz, that also dabbles in hemp products ... especially when it comes to toking.

Check out the interview to see what we mean here -- RR tells us that ever since he ditched tobacco-laced blunt wraps and swapped them for hemp papers and other CBD spinoffs ... he's seen vast improvements to his well-being, visibly notable in his dramatic weight loss.

Rick explains why this new source is a miracle-worker ... beyond just blazing up. He's right, BTW -- CBD is used for so many things these days -- and is a great alternative medicine.

Speaking of healing ... Rick says the CBD products that Hemp Hop offers has even helped him with seizures he's suffered from over the years, so you're hearing it straight from the man himself -- this stuff works, and he's got it available to the masses with this new upstart.

Speaking of being a boss ... we had to ask about Rick setting his son up with his own Wing Stop franchise -- which is an empire that runs in the family ... one that Rick's been invested in for years and years now.

He tells us he's just trying to get his boy into the habit of running things early -- and what better way than getting him on the ground floor with something that's already in Ross's portfolio.

The Milwaukee Bucks just received their 2021 championship rings ... and they're a bit of a twofer -- 'cause they can be converted into pendants!!!

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champs revealed their bling prior to tip-off against the Brooklyn Nets to start the 2021-22 season ... which features 360 diamonds on top alone.

The sides feature 16 diamonds each -- symbolizing the 16 wins during the Bucks' playoff run and the franchise's 16 division titles.

4.14 carats of emeralds are included on each ring, representing Milwaukee's 414 area code. There are also 50 round stones on the inner bezel to mark the 50 years since the team's first title.

There's also a QR code on the inside of the ring ... which links to a highlight video documenting the team's championship run.

But, the best part?!? The rings can be converted into pendants and worn like a chain!!!

Jason of Beverly Hills -- who also designed iconic rings for teams like the Lakers and Warriors in the past -- explained the unique feature ... saying, "We sought to create something that had a bit more versatility than rings of the past."

"As championship rings have gotten bigger, they have become less and less practical to wear."

"We addressed this by developing a push-button system that allows the players to wear the top of the ring as a pendant, making it a piece of jewelry they can wear every day around their finger or on their neck to celebrate their tremendous season."

Giannis was clearly thrilled with the finished product ... smiling ear to ear as he got his ring.

As if the Ben Simmons saga couldn't get uglier ... the star hooper was just suspended after getting kicked out of practice by 76ers head coach Doc Rivers.

Simmons will miss the team's first game of the season Wednesday night against the Pelicans.

As we previously reported, 25-year-old Simmons unexpectedly showed up to the Sixers' arena last week, after an off-season filled with trade demands.

But, if you thought everything was cool in Philly ... think again.

Simmons practiced with the team on Monday, but looked miserable -- playing with his phone in his pocket, and walking away while his teammates huddled.

According to Woj, Rivers tossed Simmons out of practice this morning ... and the team slapped him with a 1-game suspension for "detrimental conduct."

Doc met with the media after practice and said, “I thought [Simmons] was a distraction today. I told him, 'You should leave Ben.'”

When asked why he was allowing Simmons to be with the rest of the team, Rivers said it's because he's ultimately a good player who can help the Sixers win games.

Doc may be in a mood to make things work ... but it's clear Joel Embiid, the teams best player, isn't feelin' Simmons right now.

After practice, Embiid told reporters ... “At this point I don’t care about that man, honestly. He does whatever he wants.”

Simmons -- a 3x All-Star -- had an awful postseason last year ... clearly hesitant to shoot the ball, and missing a ton of free throws.

Howard Stern just went OFF on Kyrie Irving ... calling the NBA superstar an "idiot" and a "douchebag" over his anti-COVID vaccine stance.

The radio icon laid into the Brooklyn Nets guard in an epic rant on his SiriusXM show ... explaining he cannot wrap his head around Irving's refusal to get -- and promote -- the shots.

"In terms of idiots, he's got to be the top idiot in the country right now," Stern said of Irving. "Guy's got a chance as a young man to make millions of dollars, all he's got to do is get vaccinated but he doesn't want to get vaccinated."

Irving was just barred from both Nets practices and games last week because he won't get the vaccine ... and in a rambling social media video shortly after the announcement, he said he has no plans as of now to change that -- even if it cost him MILLIONS in lost paychecks.

Stern said that's one of the dumbest things he's ever heard ... explaining he believes Irving is straight-up "stupid."

"This guy's got a history of being stupid," Stern said. "He's one of those guys who was a flat-earther too. And, you know what, he doesn't know anything. His mind works in a very strange way."

Stern then praised the Nets for their firm stance in keeping Irving away from the team amid his vaccine decision, further ripping into the NBA player.

"I don't know who runs the Brooklyn Nets, but I wish they were running the country," Stern said. "I love this. Basically saying, 'Listen, douchebag. You've got to do what is right. That's it.'"

Irving has previously stated he's NOT against getting the vaccine ... but claims his stance is to shine a light on those losing jobs over strict mandates forcing people to get the jab.

Jamie Lynn Spears' money is not welcomed by a charity she chose to support, and it seems undeniable the reason has to do with her big sister.

The charity is called This Is My Brave ... and Jamie Lynn made it clear it was near and dear to her heart by pledging a share of the profits from her upcoming memoir to the org.

Well, the charity said no thank you ... "We hear you. This Is My Brave was recently recommended to be a beneficiary organization for the proceeds from Jamie Lynn Spears' upcoming book. We have made the decision to decline the offer of receiving proceeds from the book sales."

Britney has now famously railed on her sister for leaching off her fame and not helping her when she was down. Britney seemed very upset Jamie Lynn was writing a book at all, the working title of which was "I Must Confess" -- a lyric in Britney's "Hit Me ... Baby One More Time." The book is now titled, "Things I Should Have Said" ... still a clear reference to Jamie Lynn's relationship with her sister.

Britney has warned her little sis and her parents that they should be nervous if she does an interview.

Kobe Bryant's legacy will live on in the form of media, clothes, trading cards and more ... with Vanessa Bryant filing to trademark "KB24" to create a sports and entertainment empire surrounding her late husband's name.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Vanessa submitted docs earlier this month to lock in the trademark for digital collectible items, websites, training camps, broadcasting platforms, podcasts, TV shows, movies, documentaries and music ... as well as sports cards, food/drink containers and t-shirts.

Kobe, Inc. -- the Lakers legend's company -- is listed as the applicant of the filing ... with Vanessa signing off as the president of the business.

The move almost certainly provides a blueprint for what the Bryant family plans to do in the future ... with the "KB24" brand poised to enter a number of outlets.

As we previously reported, Vanessa decided to cut ties with Kobe's longtime sneaker and clothing partner, Nike, after issues over money and shoe availability.

It appears the "KB24" brand will look to grow without the Swoosh ... naming a large number of clothing items in the application -- although shoes are NOT listed.

However, Vanessa filed for "Mamba and Mambacita" back in March ... with the intent of using it for clothes and shoes, so that might explain why "KB24" may not be focused on sneakers.