Las Vegas Raiders

Jon Gruden's split with the Raiders was UGLY ... but that doesn't mean the Super Bowl champion-winning former head coach is down on his old employer in Las Vegas!

In fact, Gruden says he not only watches the team, but he still actively pulls for his old squad!

"You know my son [Deuce Gruden] is on that staff. He's one of the strength coaches, so I watch every single play. I still root for 'em like I was still on the staff," the Gruden told Pacman Jones and Evan Rosenblum on BetOnline's "The Pacman Jones Show."

4:27 PM PT -- Tom Brady released a statement on the news ... saying he was "incredibly humbled and excited" to get unanimous approval from the owners.

"Football has been part of my entire life growing up in the Bay Area and in so many ways, my football life and journey has come full circle," Brady said.

"I grew up on the field, and it's a blessing to know I'll be involved in the greatest league in the world for the rest of my life," he added.

Brady thanked Mark Davis for bringing him into the Raider family ... as well as NFL commish Roger Goodell, his fellow owners and his team for helping him reach the accomplishment.

"I'm eager to contribute to the organization in any way I can, honoring the Raiders' rich tradition while finding every possible opportunity to improve our offering to fans ... and most importantly, WIN football games."

It's official -- Tom Brady is getting a piece of the Las Vegas Raiders!!!

The legendary NFL quarterback's bid to buy a minority stake in the franchise was approved during the league's fall meeting in Atlanta on Tuesday -- securing the minimum 24 votes needed to push it forward.

Brady first agreed to terms with Raiders owner Mark Davis back in May 2023 -- it was reported at the time he and businessman Tom Wagner would be buying a 10% stake in the franchise.

Davante Adams wasted no time linking back up with his buddy, Aaron Rodgers -- he crashed the quarterback's interview just hours after it was revealed he was going to be a New York Jet!!

Adams made the surprise appearance during Rodgers' weekly hit on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday ... and the two couldn't contain their excitement.

"We're back man," Adams said while standing behind his old Green Bay Packers teammate. "We're back!"

Davante Adams is getting another change of scenery -- the superstar wide receiver is being traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets ... pairing him with his old buddy, Aaron Rodgers.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport broke the news on Tuesday ... saying the three-time All-Pro is heading to the Big Apple in exchange for a conditional third-round pick that could elevate to a second.

As part of the agreement, N.Y. will reportedly take on the rest of Adams' five-year, $140 million deal he signed in 2022.

Pro Bowl defensive end today ... UFC heavyweight champ down the road?!?

Maxx Crosby sure seems to think that's possible ... telling TMZ Sports he could see himself stepping into Dana White's Octagon at some point in the future.

Crosby, of course, is fully dedicated to his NFL career at the moment ... but he says he trains to be a beast on Sundays with daily boxing exercises -- and it's clear, it all could lead to a professional tilt later on.

There was plenty of action on the field during the Chargers vs. Raiders game Sunday -- but there was even more of it off the gridiron ... with fans from both teams getting in violent brawls throughout the afternoon.

One of the bigger ones happened just outside of SoFi Stadium near one of the parking lots ... when a fan in a Divine Deablo jersey got thrown to the ground by a Chargers supporter rocking some Derwin James threads.

You can see in video captured by a bystander, a Maxx Crosby fan tried to step in to break things up ... but he was quickly hit in the face by not just the Raiders fan -- but a woman too.

Tom Brady is set to make his NFL broadcasting debut a week from Sunday, though there's a good chance he'll have to deal with a bunch of rules designed just for TB12 ... all thanks to his bid to own the Las Vegas Raiders.

Brady, who struck a deal to buy a minority share of the Raiders in May 2023, would be forced to abide by several stringent restrictions in his role as a FOX broadcaster ... if his ownership bid is ultimately approved by the NFL.

For starters, Tom would not be allowed to witness practice (as announcers often do), nor would he be allowed in a team's facility.

A huge police union in Las Vegas is beefing with the NFL over one of its new credentialing policies ... and if the matter doesn't get sorted out soon -- it could mean big headaches are on the horizon for the Raiders.

According to Steve Grammas -- the president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association -- Roger Goodell's org. has implemented a new series of protocols for police members working games this season ... and Grammas says he's got issues with them.

Specifically, Grammas says The Shield wants cops to submit biometric data -- including a picture of themselves -- on an app in order to gain clearance to do their jobs in specific parts of Allegiant Stadium.

Morgan Wallen made quite the splash in Nevada Friday ... doing one of his customary walkouts with a couple of major celebs -- Tom Brady and Mike Tyson.

Wallen was flanked on either side by the NFL great and boxing legend at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he performed Friday night during a stop on his country music tour.

Check out the video ... the trio kicked things off inside a tunnel, where Morgan gave a huge hug to Brady before shaking hands with Tyson and embracing him.

Chandler Jones reached a deal with prosecutors this month to close out his domestic violence case ... and, for now, the former NFL star has dodged jail time.

According to Nevada court records, Jones reached the pact with Clark County prosecutors on June 17 -- agreeing to plead no contest to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. In exchange, the other misdemeanor DV charge he had been facing was dropped.

The 34-year-old was sentenced to 90 days behind bars -- though it was suspended ... and, according to the records, if the ex-pass rusher keeps his nose clean for the next six months, the case will be dropped entirely -- and he'll avoid jail time altogether.

Don't expect to see Darren Waller on an NFL field ever again ... the former Giants star tells TMZ Sports he's thrilled with his decision to retire -- and is adamant he'll feel that way going forward.

The ex-tight end officially called it a career on Sunday ... but at 31 years old and still productive when healthy, many of his fans wondered if he really meant it.

But, when we spoke with him a couple days after he made the choice to hang up his spikes, he made it clear, he's done done.

The woman rumored to be expecting a child with Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis is actually welcoming a baby with MLB player Joey Gallo, TMZ Sports has learned.

The erroneous reports were made over the weekend ... with several irresponsible NFL social media accounts assuming Hayden Hopkins -- who was spotted alongside the team owner at a game in 2022 -- was pregnant with his first kid.

We got down to the bottom of things ... and as it turns out, there is still a sports connection to Hopkins' future baby -- just not what was previously indicated.

Jim Otto -- a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest Raiders of all time -- has sadly died, the team announced this weekend. He was 86 years old.

Las Vegas owner Mark Davis extended his condolences following the legend's passing late Sunday evening ... lighting the Al Davis memorial torch at Allegiant Stadium in the former offensive lineman's honor.

"The entire Raider Nation's thoughts and prayers go out to Jim's wife, Sally, and the entire Otto family," he said.

Sabrina Ionescu is officially off the market ... the star NY Liberty guard just married her longtime boyfriend over the weekend, Raiders center Hroniss Grasu!

One of the wedding guests, Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally, shared photos and videos from the beautiful ceremony ... showing Ionescu and Grasu dancing, as friends and family watched.

"To an everlasting bond of love 💗," Sabally wrote in the IG caption.

"What an amazing wedding of two very special people, a weekend full of smiles and happy tears 🥹"

Vanessa Bryant, along with her daughter Natalia, was also in attendance. Remember, Ionescu was mentored by Kobe before his tragic death in 2020.

"Congratulations to Sabrina and Hronnis!" Vanessa said ... "Such a beautiful couple. Wishing you both the very best, always!!! Xo"

Ionescu and Grasu -- who revealed their relationship to the public in 2021 -- are both of Romanian descent and University of Oregon alum.

Sabrina, heading into her 5th season with the Liberty, and Hroniss, who has been in the NFL since 2015, got engaged last January ... as the big man got down on one knee in front of a massive floral arrangement on the roof of a high-rise in the city.

Former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette claims reports of his recent arrest for meth and gun possession are straight-up wrong ... insisting the whole thing is a giant misunderstanding.

Arnette's most recent legal trouble made waves on Monday ... with multiple outlets stating the former first-round pick was busted in Richardson, Texas on Jan. 6 and charged with possession of less than a gram of meth and unlawful carrying of a firearm.

The 27-year-old's attorneys released a statement to TMZ Sports shortly after the news broke ... and they are adamant Arnette's name will be cleared.

"Our client, at the time of the stop, was unable to provide law enforcement with his prescription for a lawful medication," Jason Lampert and Thomas Wynne said. "The arrest was predicated on Mr. Arnette being unable to prove the medication was prescribed, had he been able to do so at the time of the stop, there would have been no arrest for either the controlled substance or the firearms."

"Our offices are working with the local law enforcement to rectify this matter before any charges are brought by the District Attorney’s Office."

In other words, Arnette's team believes once the methamphetamine charge is sorted out, the gun charge will be handled as well ... as it's legal in Texas to carry a weapon without a license.

It's not the first time the former Ohio State star made headlines for the wrong reasons -- he was released from the Raiders after making threats and flashing firearms on video in 2021 ... and has had multiple off-field incidents.