Beyoncé New Album a Huge Hit on Spotify ... Holds 2024 Record So Far!!!

Beyoncé's new album is a hit on streaming services, including perhaps the most important one out there ... snagging a day-of record for 2024 thus far, pretty darn impressive.

The singer's latest project, "Cowboy Carter," became Spotify's most-streamed album of 2024 in just a single day since its release on Friday ... and the numbers are out of this world. Per streaming data, 'CC' was streamed 76.13 million times since it dropped on Spotify.

That's way higher than what her last album "Renaissance" did on Spotify in just a single day -- about 43 million streams at the time -- and is far and away the biggest release this year.

Big3 Coach Reggie Theus Weighs In On Caitlin Clark ... I'd Choose WNBA Over $5 Mil Offer

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Follow The Dream
TMZSports.com

Caitlin Clark's got a tough decision ahead of her -- play in the WNBA or take $5 mil to shoot in the Big3 -- but Reggie Theus tells TMZ Sports if he were the Iowa superstar, the choice would be simple ... play in the women's league.

We caught up with the 2022 Big3 Coach of the Year out at LAX this week just after it was revealed Ice Cube had offered the Hawkeyes hooper 5 Ms to play in as little as eight games … and it wasn't hard to tell he's glad he's not in Clark's shoes in this situation.

He told us on the one hand, the cash would be incredible ... but on the other, playing in the WNBA is lifelong dream material.

Nancy Lieberman I Want Caitlin Clark On My Big3 Team ... I'll Get You Ready!!!

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WOMEN IN SPORTS
TMZSports.com

If Caitlin Clark does take Ice Cube up on his $5 million offer to play in the Big3, it's clear Nancy Lieberman wants dibs ... telling TMZ Sports she'll make sure the Iowa sharpshooter is ready to take down some former NBA vets!

Lieberman -- an ex-WNBA star who actually played for the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League team in 1981-- has been the head coach of the Big3's Power since 2018.

She called the 3-on-3 org. "super competitive," but check out the clip -- it's clear as day she thinks Clark would be able to get buckets amongst the men.

"I think her teammates would set her up for success if this is what she chose," the 65-year-old said. "I would love to coach someone like Caitlin Clark. If given the opportunity, I certainly am not afraid of the moment."

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Not One Point
Gil's Arena

If Clark decides to take the WNBA route instead, Lieberman won't sweat it ... as she feels it might force the women's league to up its pay wages.

"I think it's gonna push our friends at the W to increase salaries or some of the things that are gonna be negotiated in the CBA," Lieberman said.

"She's changing us financially and I think everybody should applaud her."

Clark has yet to inform the public if she'll take Cube's proposal ... but she implied this week she'll mull it over following Iowa's NCAA tournament run.

Diddy NFT Listing Boasts Footage of Rapper Going to Highest Bidder!!!

Diddy's alleged after-hours exploits are set to be unearthed -- that is, if a new listing hyping up supposed BTS videos of him is to be believed, and more importantly ... purchased.

Here's the deal ... TMZ has been made aware of a listing on a crypto exchange site that went up by a person who purports to be in possession of a lot of Diddy footage over the years ... much of which, they claim, features him in some compromising situations.

Specifically, the listing touts itself as having "unreleased, never-before-seen private footage and photos of Diddy in his residence, private jet, studios and various other locations engaged in private activities ... and often doing and saying what appears to be very controversial things."

Kelly Oubre Jr., Nick Nurse Fined $50k Each ... For Yelling At Refs

Philadelphia 76ers hooper Kelly Oubre Jr. and his head coach, Nick Nurse, are gonna have to write out a check to the NBA -- the two were just fined $50,000 each for going ballistic on referees after their 108-107 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday.

The matchup ended in quite the controversy -- the Sixers forward drove to the basket to attempt a game-winning bucket ... and despite making contact with Paul George, a foul wasn't called.

Oubre and Nurse were irate over the no-call after the buzzer -- Oubre even flipped the bird at the officials ... and Sixers staffers had to step in to keep the two from going further.

Many believe Oubre also pointed at each official and called them a "bitch."

Tsunami Papi admitted after the game he knew a fine was coming … and he was right -- 'cause the league handed down the punishment for "verbally abusing and directing an obscene gesture" at the officials.

Nurse's fine was for "aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing game officials."

Oubre shared his regret over his actions ... saying, "I want to apologize for just losing my cool … I just ask for forgiveness. It wasn't cool, so I'll take whatever penalties come with that."

While the financial punishment is nothing to scoff at, ex-NBA player Lou Williams predicted KO would actually get a heftier fine … saying, "This is $25,000 per bitch, without a doubt."

Oubre's gotta be thrilled his guess was wrong!!

Caitlin Clark Not Mulling Big3 Offer Yet ... Strictly Focused On NCAA Tournament

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Focusing On Basketball

Ice Cube will have to wait a bit longer to get an answer from Caitlin Clark on his $5 million Big3 offer ... the Iowa superstar just revealed she hasn't considered the deal yet -- as her current focus is solely on winning the NCAA tournament.

The 22-year-old spoke with reporters about Cube's proposal on Friday afternoon -- one day before she's slated to take the court against Colorado in the Sweet 16 -- and she made it clear, it's not even remotely on her mind right now.

In fact, she said she just learned of the offer this week -- at "the same exact time you all did."

'Vanderpump Rules' LALA KENT DROPS $3.1 MILLION FOR L.A. MANSION!!!

Lala Kent has taken the plunge and become the latest "Vanderpump Rules" star to plunk down roots in the San Fernando Valley ... 'cause TMZ has learned she's splashed out over $3 million on a stunning new home.

According to real estate records, obtained by TMZ, Lala sealed the deal on the pad last month ... so now she's living it up in a gated estate with 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 5,109 square feet of living space.

The living room is super cool, with double-height ceilings and skylights. The entire house has an indoor, outdoor vibe.

50 Cent Denies Daphne Joy's Rape Claim ... Will Fight for Custody of Son

50 Cent is going to war with the mother of his son after she publicly accused him of raping her -- which he says is a totally false claim Daphne Joy is only making in retaliation for him seeking full custody.

Daphne, the mother of 12-year-old Sire, and 50's latest drama is tied directly to one of the lawsuits filed against Diddy. As we reported, Rodney Jones' latest amendment to that suit, claimed Daphne was a "sex worker" for the Bad Boy mogul ... an allegation that immediately caught 50 Cent's attention.

After 50 reacted on Instagram by posting, "I didn't know you was a sex worker, 👀 you little sex worker. LOL 😆" -- Daphne lit him up with a post of her own, saying ... "Let's put the real focus on your true evil actions of raping me and physically abusing me."

CHRISTINA AGUILERA Y LIZA MINNELLI ANTIGUA CASA EN H'WOOD HILLS Se vende por 8.3 millones de dólares

La propiedad en Hollywood Hills que ha sido el hogar de Liza Minnelli, y más tarde de Christina Aguilera, está en el mercado por varios millones de dólares.

Esta joya arquitectónica de mediados de siglo ubicada encima del Sunset Strip es el epítome de la vida de lujo, y por un precio de $8.399.000, usted podría tener una sala de proyección a medida, un acuario de tres lados y un walk-in closet, entre otras cosas.

Se puede ver que la casa es la fusión definitiva de la vida interior y exterior, aprovechando las impresionantes vistas panorámicas de Los Ángeles y el Océano Pacífico desde su patio.

EL FUNDADOR DE FTX CULPABLE DE CRIPTOFRAUDE

El fundador de FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, está en problemas... el juez lo ha condenado a 25 años de cárcel por estafar a clientes e inversores en su caso federal de fraude con criptomonedas.

El juez Lewis Kaplan dictó la sentencia fuerte jueves en Manhattan, y aunque no ordenó la restitución -debido al gran número de víctimas afectadas por el negocio de Sam- el juez ordenó un decomiso de más de $11 mil millones.

Explicando la larga sentencia y la multa, el juez Kaplan dijo: "Este hombre estará en condiciones de hacer algo muy malo en el futuro, y no es un riesgo trivial".

CHRISTINA AGUILERA & LIZA MINNELLI Singers' FORMER H'WOOD HILLS HOME LISTS FOR $8.3M

The singing these walls have heard -- the Hollywood Hills pad that's been home to Liza Minnelli, and later, Christina Aguilera is on the market for several million bucks ... but dynamic voices are not included.

This mid-century architectural gem perched above the Sunset Strip is the epitome of luxury living ... and with a $8,399,000 price tag, you're getting the whole package: a custom-built screening room, a three-sided aquarium, and a walk-in closet with built-ins to name a few.

Taking a peek at those pics you can see the home is the ultimate fusion of indoor and outdoor living, capitalizing on those breathtaking panoramic L.A. and Pacific Ocean views from its wraparound patio.

Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison For Crypto Fraud Case

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is going away for a long time ... the judge hit him with a 25-year sentence for scamming customers and investors in his federal cryptocurrency fraud case.

Judge Lewis Kaplan handed down the hefty sentence Thursday in Manhattan, and although he didn't order restitution -- due to the large number of victims impacted by SBF's biz -- the judge did order a forfeiture of more than $11 billion.

Explaining the lengthy sentence and fine, Judge Kaplan said ... "This man will be in a position to do something very bad in the future, and it’s not a trivial risk.”

Alex Rodriguez Loses Bid For T'Wolves, Lynx ... After Deal Falls Through

UPDATE

10:00 AM PT -- Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are adamant they were not the reason for the failed deal, releasing a statement through their spokesperson on Thursday afternoon that read, "We have fulfilled our obligations, have all necessary funding and are fully committed to closing our purchase of the team as soon as the NBA completes its process."

"Glen Taylor's statement," the two continued, "is an unfortunate case of seller's remorse that is short sighted and disruptive to the team and the fans during a historic winning season."

Alex Rodriguez won't be the majority owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx after all ... the orgs' owner just announced the former MLB star's bid to buy the teams has fallen through.

Glen Taylor, the current honcho of the NBA and WNBA squads, announced the news in a statement on Thursday morning ... explaining Rodriguez and former Walmart CEO Marc Lore's effort to become new majority owners collapsed after the two missed a key deadline this week.

"Under terms of the purchase agreement," Taylor said in the statement, "the closing was required to occur within 90 days following the exercise notice issued by Lore and Rodriguez. That 90-day period expired on March 27, 2024."

"Under certain circumstances, the buyer could have been entitled to a limited extension. However, those circumstances did not occur."

Rodriguez and Lore had previously bought 40 percent of the teams in prior sales. The most recent agreement between the two and Taylor was set to give them an additional 40 percent of the franchises.

Taylor said despite the failed pact, he'll still work with Lore and Rodriguez to "ensure our teams have the necessary resources to compete at the highest levels on and off the court."

As for going forward, Taylor doesn't appear to have plans of re-entering into talks with the two about a purchase ... saying, "The Timberwolves and Lynx are no longer for sale."

The Wolves currently have one of the best teams in the NBA, holding a 50-22 record. The Lynx -- who've won four WNBA titles -- are slated to begin their season this summer.

Originally Published -- 8:42 AM PT

Kim Zolciak Can't Save Brielle's Range Rover ... The Bank's Taking It!!!

Kim Zolciak and her daughter Brielle Biermann are suffering a luxurious loss -- failing to make payments on a Range Rover means they've now been ordered to hand over the keys ... TMZ has learned.

In new court documents, obtained by TMZ, a judge ruled against the reality TV stars, granting Ally Bank the right to repossess their Range, after the bank sued BB and KZ in December for failing to meet the terms of their sales agreement.

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The judge issued the order Wednesday ... making the 2019 vehicle immediately available for repossession.

KIM ZOLCIAK NO PUEDE SALVAR EL RANGE ROVER DE BRIELLE ¡El banco se lo lleva!

Kim Zolciak y su hija Brielle Biermann están sufriendo una pérdida por no hacer los pagos de un Range Rover, y ahora han tenido que entregar las llaves... TMZ ha indagado.

En los nuevos documentos judiciales obtenidos por TMZ, un juez falló en contra de las estrellas de telerrealidad y le concedió a la compañía el derecho a recuperar su Range. Todo esto después de que el banco demandó a Brielle y Kim en diciembre por no cumplir con los términos de su acuerdo de venta.

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El juez emitió la orden el miércoles, haciendo que el vehículo 2019 esté disponible inmediatamente para su reposesión.

Mookie Betts Ohtani Gambling Scandal's Not A Distraction

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focused on business
TMZSports.com

Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts tells TMZ Sports despite all of the recent drama surrounding Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter ... L.A. is absolutely locked in on the 2024 season.

Betts made it clear to us while out at a charity appearance at a Raising Cane's in Alhambra, Calif. that the Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal is just not a distraction.

"No, no, no, no," the shortstop said. "We're just focused on business. Taking care of business and that's all we keep first."