TMZ Sports - Page 50

The Palooza is a tradition that Ben and his pals have put together for the past several years in which the Steelers quarterback and a group of his friends celebrate Ben's birthday together.

This year, Ben-a-Palooza began at Roethlisberger's home near Pittsburgh, where the group -- pictured above wearing customized Palooza shirts -- boarded a party bus bound for Ben's lake house in Georgia.

After the bus arrived to the home, several members spent one of the nights on a bar crawl in Milledgeville where Ben was later accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman in a nightclub bathroom.

Nothing spoils a Palooza like a criminal investigation.

Sources close to the family tell us Tiger's been staying with the family at their Isleworth estate for the past 8 nights -- and during that time, we're told Elin has been seen around town with a rejuvenated demeanor.

As for Tiger, he was practicing like a man possessed before the weather got bad -- but with the rain coming down for the past few days, he's been stuck indoors.

Chief Woodrow Blue has reiterated what he told TMZ yesterday ... the photos were taken over an hour before the alleged incident at Capital City bar.

Although Sgt. Jerry Blash (top picture with Ben) wrote the initial police report, the Chief says none of the cops photographed with Ben are involved in any way with the investigation.

As we first reported, the photos were not taken at Capital City.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli probably thought pleading to second degree burglary would keep him from being suspended this season -- he was very, very wrong.

Masoli was suspended for the entire 2010 season, his head coach announced today, for his part in a frat house burglary.

He pled guilty today to second degree misdemeanor burglary and agreed to make restitution.

Masoli threw for 2,147 yards last season and rushed for another 814.

It's worth noting -- Ducks RB LeGarrette Blount was suspended for the season last year after an on-field altercation ... but he was reinstated after missing 10 games.

TMZ has learned the P.I. is Charles Mittelstadt -- who has worked as a lead investigator on behalf of NFL stars like Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis. Mittelstadt has also worked for rapper T.I. and convicted Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph.

Hiring a private investigator is a sign that the alleged victim is fair game. In this case, as we already reported, law enforcement tells us alcohol was a factor.

It's a safe bet the P.I. will go down that road ... as well as others.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the two pics featuring Ben and Sgt. Jerry Blash were taken "at a different location" -- 90 minutes before the alleged Roethlisberger incident went down at the Capital City nightclub in Milledgeville, Georgia.

As we previously reported, Big Ben and his party crew hit several locations in the hours before the alleged incident -- though it's unclear exactly where these controversial pics were snapped.

According to the Union-Recorder, Sgt. Jerry Blash -- an 8-year veteran of the Milledgeville Police Department -- took two pics with Big Ben ... one inside and one outside a local bar.

Soon after the pics were taken, Blash was approached by the alleged victim -- and was the cop who wrote the first police report.

Police Chief Woodrow Blue told reporters he was not troubled by the photos, saying they "did not and have not affected the investigation at all."

It's all connected to the Tavistock Cup -- an exclusive golf tournament scheduled to begin on March 22nd, which pits the Lake Nona Country Club against the Isleworth Country Club ... where Tiger is a member.

The famously private event is known for allowing fans to get up close and personal with the golfers -- but sources close to the tournament tell us management for the Isleworth Country Club, this year's home course, has suddenly decided to cut down on the number of passes given to Lake Nona employees.

We're told several staff members are being told the move is being orchestrated by Tiger's camp in an effort to control who will have access to the golfer when he makes his return.

We'll see if they're right in t-minus 10 days ...

Even though the Denver Nuggets superstar and LaLa still hang their hats in Colorado -- we've learned they bought the 6,500 sq. ft. Spanish-style house in L.A. as well because, well, they can.

The house -- valued at nearly $2 million -- has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a gorgeous infinity edge pool and a cabana in the back yard.

Shaquille O'Neal and his estranged wife, Shaunie have reached a settlement in their divorce ... TMZ has learned.

Shaunie's mega-lawyer, Sorrell Trope, tells TMZ Shaq and Shaunie have reached agreement on all terms of the divorce, including property, custody and support.

Under the agreement, the Florida courts will have jurisdiction to officially divorce the couple. In addition, a Florida judge will handle any issues that may arise involving property division and spousal support.

Trope tells TMZ the California courts will have jurisdiction over any issues related to child custody.

As we first reported, Shaunie filed for legal separation in California back in November, just days after moving to L.A. with their kids. We've learned Shaunie just filed a petition to dismiss the separation action.

Miami Heat forward Dorell Wright was arrested in Miami Beach early this morning after cops say he was driving his 2005 Bentley under the influence of alcohol.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Wright was pulled over at 3:37 AM after cops noticed he was driving erratically.

Cops say they approached the vehicle and when they began talking with Wright, they noticed "red and watery eyes, odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, and low and slurred speech."

Cops say the 24-year-old couldn't provide current insurance information -- they also discovered he was driving on a suspended driver's license.

Wright was taken to a nearby jail where he was booked for DUI and driving on a suspended license.

Earlier in the evening, Wright played 22 minutes in the Heat's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers -- but he only scored one point in the game.

According to the New York Post, Woods has been using Fleischer in strategy sessions in Tiger's Florida home -- with one meeting taking place earlier this week.