GAMESTOP
WHAT STOCK SURGE???All Calm at Stores, Except in Cleveland!!!
1/29/2021 1:00 AM PT
GameStop's wild stock market ride is all the rage in the investment world, but to employees at the brick-and-mortar stores ... it's had little impact on their workday, unless they happen to work in Cleveland.
TMZ reached out to GameStop locations in 20 major U.S. cities to see if they've seen an increase in customers due to the frenzy caused by the WallStreetBets group on Reddit.
Sixteen stores -- including those in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Nashville, Portland, Phoenix, Seattle, San Fran and San Diego -- said it was status quo as far as customers.
One thing hedge fund managers, and even WallStreetBets founder Jaime Rogozinski, agree on is GameStop's future isn't bright. Hell, 3 stores -- in Miami, Philly and NYC -- told us biz has been slower than usual. Miami had a whopping 8 customers Thursday.
However, Cleveland is the exception, where they say sales are up 100% compared to last week. We're told several customers at that branch credited the stock surge story for inspiring them to visit and support GameStop ... so it doesn't go under.
On the flip side ... the manager of a Minneapolis location tells us he got an angry call from someone upset they couldn't trade GameStop shares on Robinhood.
As we've reported ... the stock-buying frenzy of GameStop, AMC, BlackBerry and a handful of other companies resulted in Robinhood shutting down trading for them, which pissed off retail investors who believe the move only benefits hedge funds.
Robinhood's decision has already led to it getting sued, and has fueled the debate of what is acceptable, responsible and fair in the Wall Street world ... and even the 'Wolf' has weighed in on it.
RELATED ARTICLES
BRIAN WILLIAMSROASTS TRUMP & MCCARTHY MEETING... Deadpan Delivery to 'Complete' the Joke
1/29/2021 7:00 AM PT
Brian Williams put his dry-wit on full display to troll House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's meeting with Donald Trump -- and viewers never saw it coming.
The longtime anchor teed up the gag by earnestly telling his guests -- Baratunde Thurston and Bill Kristol -- that he'd obtained exclusive video of the highly criticized Thursday meeting between Rep. McCarthy and Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
What he ended up rolling, though ... was an iconic clip from the Oscar-nominated film, "Jerry Maguire."
The clip alone would've been funny, given the context, but Williams -- who clearly has late-night talk aspirations -- continued to sell the joke with his deadpan style ... claiming he thought it was going to be a vid of the meeting, and "someone’s gonna be, of course, in big trouble."
Trouble is a good word to describe how many anti-Trump folks feel about the Mar-a-Lago meeting between the former President and the House Minority Leader.
McCarthy's taking heat because 2 weeks ago he criticized Trump for inciting the Capitol riots, but now appears eager to work with him -- a sign Trump still has major power with the GOP.
It raises one important question: Is Trump Tom Cruise or Renee Zellweger in Brian Williams' mind? 🤔
RELATED ARTICLES
NBA'S KARL ANTHONY TOWNSI WAS HIT BY DRUNK DRIVER IN OFF-SEASON... Hospitalized
1/29/2021 7:42 AM PT
Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns says he was hit by a drunk driver in Los Angeles before the 2020-21 NBA season ... and he was hospitalized.
The 25-year-old went public about the incident Thursday night during a social media Q&A with fans ... when he was asked how he's stayed strong after overcoming so much over the past few years.
Of course, KAT has been through a lot ... especially when it comes to COVID. He lost his mother to the virus back in April -- and several other family members have died since.
Also, KAT tested positive for COVID earlier this month -- but seems to be doing okay.
Towns gave a ton of credit to his girlfriend Jordyn Woods -- saying she's been there for him through it all ... including a car accident nobody knew about.
"My woman has held me down more than the world knows," Karl-Anthony said ... "From my mother and family members dying (1 on her bday in Cabo), getting hit by a drunk driver (was 2pm in the afternoon FYI) in LA this off-season and staying with me in the hospital for the night and helping me in rehab."
He also credited Jordyn for helping him through his current stint with COVID.
"My love for her knows no bounds and I would be remiss if I don't acknowledge the power a good woman can have in your life."
We called KAT's reps to find out more about the car accident -- but so far, no word back. We're also out to law enforcement, the Timberwolves and more.
RELATED ARTICLES
'LITTLE WOMEN: ATLANTA' STARMS. JUICY'S FACE SLASHED IN CAST BRAWL
1/29/2021 12:50 AM PT
EXCLUSIVEJust weeks before the country went into lockdown because of COVID, the cast of "Little Women: Atlanta" got in one last hurrah, which left a cast member bloodied and slashed.
The brawl went down in February of last year at Nouveau Bar & Grille. The initial fight pitted Amanda and Andrea against Abira. Ms. Juicy initially tried to act as peacemaker, but that went to hell quickly.
Unclear what started this and, for that matter, most fights on the show. Someone spit on someone and that was pretty much all she wrote. Glasses started flying, conking Juicy on the noggin, and leaving a big gash and a bloody mess. She ended up taking a trip to the ER where she got a CAT scan and stitches.
As we first reported ... Abria started clowning the twins over their plan to get in the rap game. As true 'Little Women' fans know ... they've been at each other's throats for some time ... but things really took a turn for the worse during their hangout that night.
The Season 6 premiere airs Friday on Lifetime.
RELATED ARTICLES
JA RULEROBINHOOD MADE HUGE MISTAKE ...They're Not For Little Guy!!!
1/29/2021 12:30 AM PT
EXCLUSIVEJa Rule is going nuclear on Robinhood for shutting down retail investors in the GameStop stock craze ... and he thinks the free-trading app revealed its true colors.
The rapper, and apparent day trader, tells TMZ ... Robinhood made a big mistake when it blocked customers from buying more stock in companies like GameStop, AMC and BlackBerry -- and as a result, he's having second thoughts about sticking with the service.
The way Ja sees it ... Robinhood rigged the system against everyday folks who were taking on Wall Street's establishment and winning, so it's time for retail investors to take their trades elsewhere.
While Ja's steaming about the Robinhood setback, he might want to take some stock advice from Jordan Belfort, who's suggesting a different way for normies to win in the market.
As we reported ... Robinhood says it will allow trading Friday for GameStop and all the other securities it blocked Thursday, but only for "limited buys" as it continues to monitor the situation.
But, listening to Ja go off, it sounds like Robinhood won't be able to mend fences that easily.
Sounds like Ja fancies himself as a Wall Street wolf just like Jordan ... and he's got some ideas on how GameStop can cash in on the craze.
RELATED ARTICLES
BRANDON MARSHALLNY JETS ARE 'PERFECT' FOR DESHAUN WATSON... Urges QB To Force Trade
1/29/2021 12:20 AM PT
EXCLUSIVEBrandon Marshall has the solution to all of Deshaun Watson's woes with the Texans -- telling TMZ Sports EVERYTHING can be resolved by forcing a trade to New York!!!
"The New York Jets are the perfect landing spot for Deshaun Watson," the ex-NFL star receiver says.
As for why ... Marshall -- who played two years of his NFL career with NYJ -- says it's simple, the team can offer him anything he wants.
"The salary cap, we got around $68, $69 million available," Marshall says. "Who do you want?!"
The 36-year-old -- STAR on HBO's "Inside the NFL" show and founder of House of Athlete -- says the Jets would be willing to buy any free agent, including former Bears star Allen Robinson, to make it all work out.
In fact, Marshall says NY brass would even give him some say on who the team should draft!!
"He's going to turn this thing around," Marshall says. "And, we've been waiting for someone like him to lead the way."
Of course, the Texans would have to be amenable to jettisoning Watson first ... but all indications are pointing toward Watson holding out if he isn't traded.
So, DW to NY?!
By the way, Marshall has some really cool stuff going on this offseason besides recruiting for the Jets.
With the cancellation of the NFL's annual combine (thanks, COVID), Brandon says he's holding his own showcase down in Florida to help athletes and teams alike prepare for the NFL draft.
Marshall says he's got a bunch of big-name guys slated to be there ... and he says the plan is to broadcast the whole thing live!
RELATED ARTICLES
GUESS WHO THISBLONDE BOYTURNED INTO!
1/29/2021 12:01 AM PT
Before this shaggy-haired sweetheart was entertaining audiences with his Southern charm on the big screen, he was just another bike riding runt growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas.
This cute kid scored his big break when he struck lightening with a sweet role in a romantic comedy set in the South. He wooed audiences across the country ... along with his co-star in the film, Reese Witherspoon.
Now, he most recently made an appearance in a 2019 Oscar-nominated racing film and secured his spot as a reoccurring character in an Neo-Western drama series.
RELATED ARTICLES
CICELY TYSONDEAD AT 96
1/28/2021 4:38 PM PT
Cicely Tyson, who forged a path for scores of Black actors on Broadway and in Hollywood, has died.
Tyson was a force in entertainment for decades, but in her early years she had few role models because there were few people of color who were at the top of the Hollywood game.
She won 2 Emmys for Lead Actress in 1974, for "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman." The year before she was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for the movie "Sounder."
Tyson started her career as a model in NYC. She was on the covers of Ebony, Jet, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. Still, her mom was none too pleased, telling her she couldn't live in the family house if she pursued entertainment. Her mom didn't speak to her for several years.
Younger audiences would know Cicely from "The Help" and "Fried Green Tomatoes."
She also made her mark on Broadway and won a Tony for Best Actress in a Play in 2013's "The Trip to Bountiful." That made her the oldest recipient ever of a Best Actress Tony.
President Obama bestowed a Presidential Medal of Freedom award to Tyson in 2016, saying, "Cicely made a conscious decision not just to say lines, but to speak out. Cicely's convictions and grace have helped for us to see the dignity of every beautiful member of the American family -- and she's just gorgeous."
Earlier in her career, Cicely starred in a play called "The Blacks." It was an off-Broadway play in the '60s and some of her co-stars were Maya Angelou, James Earl Jones and Louis Gossett Jr.
Cicely was 96.
RIP
RELATED ARTICLES
BREONNA TAYLOR FAMILY ATTORNEYREPPING FLORIDA STUDENT BODY SLAMMED BY COP'Unconscionable What Happened'
1/28/2021 3:43 PM PT
Ben Crump -- the famed civil rights attorney who represents the families of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd -- has been retained to represent the family of the Florida HS teen seen on video being body slammed by a cop.
The family of Taylor Bracey -- the 16-year-old Liberty HS student slammed to the concrete by school resource officer Ethan Fournier -- hired Crump just days after the attorney called out the "brutality" of the Osceola County Sheriff's Deputy, who has since been placed on paid administrative leave while the department investigates.
Crump says Taylor was unarmed and posed no threat to the officer ... adding the officer did not render any aid and instead handcuffed her as she lay unconscious.
He said, "It is unconscionable what happened to this young girl at the hands of someone whose primary duty is to serve and protect our children." He added, "Do we really need to add school resource officers to the list of fears they deal with on a daily basis?"
1/26/21Crump wants the deputy fired and arrested. As we reported ... the Sheriff's Dept. said it's turning the case over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
As you know by now ... Crump has been at the center of high-profile cases centered around social justice. He's repped the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Jacob Blake and, most recently, the family of the teen wrongfully accused of stealing Miya Ponsetto's cell phone.
RELATED ARTICLES
JERRY RICECATCHES 100-YARD BURRITO BOMB... Shot Out Of Cannon!!!
1/28/2021 4:22 PM PT
This is actually super impressive ...
Jerry Rice -- the greatest WR of all time -- hauled in a 100-yard flying burrito shot out of a frickin' cannon ... and the raw video is way more impressive than you'd think!!!
Here's the deal ... Rice was shooting a spot for Postmates in which he was supposed to run a streak down the sideline and catch a burrito wrapped in foil.
Seems easy, right?
Watch the video below -- it was actually really tough!!! Jerry explains the burrito hangs in the air for a long time and moves a lot with the wind, so it's super hard to track down.
Even the great Jerry Rice -- whose hands are legendary -- couldn't get a grip on the flying burrito on the first shot.
The cannon operator asked Jerry if he wanted to chow down on the food in between takes -- but Rice wouldn't have it ... telling the guy he needed to make the catch before enjoying the meal.
Gotta respect the work ethic!!
By the way, props to 58-year-old Rice who was sprinting up and down the field -- 100 yards at a time!! This dude is still in crazy good shape!
Now, who's hungry!?
RELATED ARTICLES
MARK CUBANMY 11-YEAR-OLD GOT ON ROBINHOOD ...Big Wins, Losses Too!!!
1/28/2021 3:22 PM PT
EXCLUSIVEOne might say Mark Cuban's got a baby shark on his hands -- his 11-year-old son got in on the Robinhood craze, but in just one day he learned some tough lessons.
The "Shark Tank" star joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and told us all about his fam's newest trader, Jake, who was flying high Wednesday, when he opened his Robinhood account and picked up a couple shares of AMC and BlackBerry.
Mark says Jake was riding high as he turned his first trades into seemingly easy money -- but like millions of investors, Thursday morning turned into a learning experience for him.
Pop had to break it down for Jake -- what goes up sometimes comes way down. Like, way down.
Fortunately for Jake, his father is a billionaire, so this lesson won't cost him everything -- he only invested about $100, anyway. But, watch the clip ... Mark taught his son something else about how to react when a stock you like suddenly plummets.
Stock school aside, Jake is ticked off about Robinhood shutting down trades -- and Mark told us why the free-trading app has some explaining to do.
Sounds like Jake might not be the only young'un jumping into the market. Mark says his son used an unusual source to pick his stocks ... one that's all the rage with kids.
RELATED ARTICLES
GAMESTOPROBINHOOD TO ALLOW 'LIMITED BUYS'... After Trading Halt
1/28/2021 4:06 PM PT
4:03 PM PT -- Robinhood says it will resume allowing trading Friday for GameStop, AMC, BlackBerry and the other securities it blocked Thursday ... but "limited buys" only.
Robinhood adds that it will "continue to monitor the situation and may make adjustments as needed."
In an email sent to customers Thursday evening, the financial services company acknowledges, "It's been a tough day" ... while saying its decision to temporarily halt trading was "made to best continue serving you, and was not an easy one to make."
Robinhood goes on to explain that its decision "was not made on the direction of any market maker we route to or other market participants."
The GameStop stock battle between retail investors and hedge fund managers has resulted in Robinhood unlisting the stock and several others ... and people are pissed.
As of Thursday morning ... Robinhood customers can no longer buy Gamestop stock on the free-trading app, thereby blocking members of the WallStreetBets forum on Reddit. Of course, that group of investors sparked the resurgence of GameStop's stock.
It also aimed to do the same for AMC, Nokia, BlackBerry, Naked Brands and a few other stocks ... but Robinhood's unlisted those too!
In making the move, Robinhood emailed customers warning of "the current volatile market conditions." The notice stated, "It’s as important as ever to be an informed investor," and included links to its investment resources.
Of course, this has infuriated customers who believe this is market manipulation favoring the hedge funds that have shorted stocks like GameStop... and hurting retail investors who are backing them.
As one person on Twitter put it ... "The free market is only free until rich people lose money."
As we reported, GameStop's stock price has surged to $350 this week -- after starting the year at $19 -- thanks to the backing of retail investors encouraged by the WallStreetBets group.
By Robinhood blocking trading on Thursday, the general feeling among the public is that the financial services company is siding with the hedge fund people on Wall Street ... and screwing over the little guy.
This could get ugly.
Originally published -- 6:48 AM PT
RELATED ARTICLES
MIYA PONSETTODRUNK IN PUBLIC CHARGE DISMISSED... For Bev Hills Arrest
1/28/2021 4:02 PM PT
Miya Ponsetto, infamously known as "SoHo Karen," is off the hook for one of her arrests last year -- the one at the Peninsula Hotel in Bev Hills ... before she made national headlines.
The 22-year-old caught a break during her hearing Thursday in L.A. County Court, when her case was dismissed. Prosecutors decided to drop the charge against her after Miya's attorney argued it was an isolated incident and claimed she had no criminal history in California at the time of that arrest.
Miya's lawyer also told the judge her client would not go back to the hotel. Now, Miya's mother, Nicole, was also in court for her arrest in the same incident ... but she didn't get off as easy.
Nicole pled no contest to battery on a police officer, and was given 100 hours of community service and entered into a 12-month diversion program. If she puts in her hours and stays out of trouble for a year, her case will also be dismissed.
Remember, long before Miya's SoHo hotel incident ... she and her mom were arrested last February at the Peninsula. They were allegedly drunk and belligerent, refusing to leave when asked by hotel staff. Cops say they both threw tantrums when officers responded.
Earlier, we erroneously reported the judge had given Miya the same 100 hours community service that her mom got.
Of course, Miya's had several other legal issues since then ... in California and New York.
Most recently, the Manhattan D.A. slapped her with a string of charges -- and extradited her -- for the December incident at the Arlo Hotel in SoHo. She tried to snatch a phone from a Black teen she falsely accused of stealing hers.
Before that, she was busted for DUI this past October in Ventura County -- which came 5 months after another DUI in Los Angeles. And you thought you had a bad 2020.
10/3/20Long story short, Miya's still potentially facing time behind bars depending on how her other cases go -- but as of today, she can rest easy about one of them.
RELATED ARTICLES
JORDAN BELFORTThe Wolf's Tip for WallStreetBets ...GET RICH BACKING GOOD COMPANIES!!!
1/28/2021 12:58 PM PT
EXCLUSIVEJordan Belfort's all for the little guys getting rich, and taking on Wall Street's establishment -- but he warns they're going about it the wrong way, and might get burned.
Let's face it, the "Wolf of Wall Street" understands what the subreddit, WallStreetBets, is doing more than just about anyone, but Thursday on "TMZ Live" he told us they should be investing their money into winning companies ... not failing ones like GameStop, BlackBerry or AMC.
If you've seen the movie, you know Jordan infamously battled stock-shorting hedge fund managers ... and made a fortune doing it. He says the Reddit guys are basically doing what he did, but with the benefit of the Internet.
But, here's the irony ... the Wolf says he gets why Robinhood and other online platforms are stopping normies from trading the junk stocks -- it comes down to liability. When the little guys start losing their shirts, or homes, Jordan says they'll start suing ... and Robinhood's trying to dodge that.
He also thinks the WallStreetBets investors are walking a fine line, legally speaking. Now, don't get it twisted, Jordan says he wants to see the little guys strike it rich -- but says there's a better way to do it ... with much less risk.
RELATED ARTICLES
CEDRIC RICHMONDBIDEN'S FOCUSED ON HELPING PEOPLE... Not Media Attention
1/28/2021 1:17 PM PT
EXCLUSIVEOne of President Biden's Senior Advisors says the Prez is laser-focused on fulfilling campaign promises, and unlike the previous POTUS ... he's not thirsting for the spotlight.
Former Congressman Cedric Richmond -- who now serves as Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement -- joined "TMZ Live" Thursday to run down the record-setting list of executive orders Biden's signed. It's the most ever for a President during his first week in office.
Richmond tells us these orders are all Constitutionally-sound and address some of the most important issues for the nation in the eyes of the administration.
That includes COVID vaccines and recovery, protecting Dreamers, racial equity, climate change and, of course, overturning some Trump-era policies.
As for Trump ... the current Prez isn't concerned about all the media attention his predecessor continues to get. Richmond compared Biden to a certain Hall of Fame football star known for scoring a lot of touchdowns.
He says President Biden plans to keep on doing what he feels is best for the nation ... and he'll worry about celebrating down the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment