Entertainment Blog – Page 23 – NBA Blog

Mark Aguirre dominating the cupcake world

During his 13-year NBA career, Mark Aguirre made a lot of sweet moves that dumbfound defenders.

Off the court, he said one of the sweetest moves he’s ever made was becoming co-owner of a Frisco cupcake company named Dimples.

Along with Frisco businessman Keith Fluellen, Aguirre became a proprietor of the cupcake business some nine months ago. Since then, the cupcakes have been flying off the shelves and revenue has soared through the roof.

“I really wasn’t thinking about going into a cupcake company at all, but I have a friend, Keith, who introduced it to me,” Aguirre said. “I said why not go see what he’s talking about.

“Once I got to him and I tasted the product, it was really good. Extremely good.”

These are not ordinary cupcakes Aguirre and Fluellen are selling. These cupcakes are so large that they are approximately the size of a piece of cake.

— Reported by Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Vanessa Bryant divorce settlement may be over $75 million

The apparent lack of a prenuptial agreement — coupled with 10 years of marriage — will likely significantly increase the size of Vanessa Bryant’s divorce settlement with Kobe Bryant, legal experts said.

Vanessa Bryant’s mother told The Times several years ago that the couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement when they tied the knot in 2001. If true, that would entitle Vanessa to half of their community property…

Some estimates put Kobe Bryant’s net worth at $150 million. Legal experts said Vanessa Bryant will probably receive at least $75 million in addition to ongoing spousal and child support.

— Reported by the Los Angeles Times “L.A. Now” Blog

Kris Humphries files for annulment against Kim Kardashian, says he was defrauded

TMZ has learned … Kris Humphries just filed for an annulment against Kim Kardashian, on grounds Kim defrauded him into marrying her.

Sources close to Kris tell TMZ … Kris was not in on the alleged fraud, meaning he did not stage the marriage for Kim’s reality show. We’re told Kris wanted this to be a genuine marriage, but Kim was never really on board.

Kim has already filed for divorce — but according to the docs, obtained by TMZ — Kris wants Kim to pay his attorney’s fees.

— Reported by TMZ

TV show `Pawn Stars` hopes to hire an NBA player

TMZ has learned …”Pawn Stars” honcho Rick Harrison is adamant that he wants to help a struggling, talented, out-of-work NBA player earn a paycheck during the never-ending lockout.

We’re told the job would require the baller to work the counter just like everyone else in the shop. As for salary — we’re told Rick will work out the details depending on who applies for the gig.

— Reported by TMZ

76ers saying goodbye to mascot Hip Hop

Seeing as how there is no actual basketball to talk about during the NBA lockout, this qualifies as big Sixers news. After receiving hundreds of communications from fans, nearly all of them advocating the end of a symbol of a different era, the team’s new ownership will announce today that the never-beloved mascot has been put out to pasture, literally.

To spare the sensibilities of the one or two children who weren’t scared to death by the rabbit, the team will say that Hip Hop fell in love, married and moved away to start a family. Apparently, it either was that or announce that they were going to boil him in a pot on a really big stove in a remake of “Fatal Attraction.”

A decade ago, with Allen Iverson as the face of the franchise and Pat Croce rappelling the Walt Whitman Bridge as the out-there owner, Hip Hop arrived as a replacement for another mascot, Big Shot (whose demise wasn’t exactly mourned, either, if memory serves).

— Reported by Rich Hofmann of the Philadelphia Inquirer

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner says: No word on if mascot Hip Hop will now cross over and become R&B.

Maloof family now owns just 2 percent of Palms Casino

Nevada regulators Thursday approved the transfer of the Maloof family’s Palms Casino to its creditors.

The Maloofs, who own the Sacramento Kings, have just 2 percent of the Palms under the deal approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The new majority owners are two investment firms that held the resort’s debt, Leonard Green & Partners and TPG Capital.

George Maloof will continue to run the Las Vegas property, which opened 10 years ago this week.

— Reported by Dan Kasler of the Sacramento Bee

Shaq rejected entrance by NYC club

Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t power his way through the lane at a New York nightclub this weekend — getting TURNED AWAY at the door … all because he was dressed like a lumberjack.

TMZ has learned … Shaq rolled up to nightclub/restaurant Mars 2112 on Saturday night wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, tennis shoes and a beanie (pictured above with random fan later that night).

But according to the club promoter, Mike Mogul, Shaq’s attire wasn’t up to club standards … so security politely informed the retired NBA star that he would not be allowed inside.

— Reported by TMZ

NBA TV show `The Association` may feature the Knicks

The NBA reality show, “The Association’’ has contacted the Knicks about being the subject of their third season, according to a television source.

“The Association’’ — an up-close, behind-the-scenes series — is similar to HBO’s NFL documentary series “Hard Knocks’’ that once followed the Jets. Talks with the Knicks are only in their initial stage.

Last season, “The Association’’ followed the Celtics with Donnie Wahlberg as narrator. Two years ago, it featured the Lakers, and Andy Garcia was the narrator.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post

No reconciliation between Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian is not reconciling with Kris Humphries, and the divorce is full steam ahead … this according to sources with first-hand knowledge of the situation.

We’re told even though Kim is somewhat conflicted, she knows divorce is the right thing to do, and the purpose of the trip to Minnesota last weekend was to create face-to-face closure.

— Reported by TMZ

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries have counseling with pastor who married them

Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries and the pastor who officiated at the couple’s August wedding met for two hours Sunday at Humphries’ Minnesota home, RadarOnline.com has confirmed.

Pastor Joel Johnson, who is Kris’ hometown minister, spent two hours with the estranged pair at Humphries’ lavish lakefront home.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Kim flew overnight from Los Angeles for the gathering. She arrived in Minneapolis at 5:30 am.

Kim was seen making several emotional phone calls from the home’s porch, and Pastor Johnson declined to answer reporters questions about how the couple is doing.

— Reported by Radar Online