Remember the chaos at the Palace of Auburn Hills? The infamous “Malice at the Palace,” where Ron Artest—who now goes by Metta Sandiford-Artest—made a name for his fierce, aggressive play? Well, the guy who once sparked one of the wildest moments in NBA history has found peace. He’s currently enjoying some well-deserved downtime on vacation, showing a much calmer side than fans ever expected.
It all ignited on November 19, 2004, when a fan hurled a drink at Artest, touching off a brawl that cost nine players suspensions and over $11 million in fines. He absorbed the brunt—an 86-game suspension—but his legacy extends far beyond that night. A defensive maestro, he snagged DPOY honors in 2004 and cemented his clutch reputation with a go-ahead three in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals. After 17 seasons, he hung up his sneakers in 2017, then wed longtime partner Maya in 2018
Metta recently shared a bunch of heartwarming photos on Instagram with his wife, Maya Sandiford-Artest, and their baby boy, Hiro, who was born in 2024. The pictures showed the family living their best life in Bali—splashing around in the pool, crawling on the grass with little Hiro, relaxing at the dinner table, just soaking in every moment together. “Bali is amazing. May have to move here,” Metta wrote in the caption. Could this be a hint that he’s thinking about leaving the USA for good?
Well, pump the brakes—practically speaking, a full-time move to Bali might be a stretch. For starters, Metta still has deep roots in L.A. According to a 2019 article by the LA Times, he made a smart real estate move, buying a $2.01 million Tuscan-style home in Encino. Six bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and nearly 5,400 square feet of comfort—yeah, he’s living well stateside. The property was originally listed at $2.6 million, so he didn’t just snag a dream house—he got a deal. It’s hard to imagine him leaving all that behind permanently.
Then there’s his second act—reality TV. Metta has made it clear he’s not done entertaining. In 2023, he popped up on The Masked Singer as the Cuddle Monster, singing “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” and baffling the panel. Not one of them guessed it was him. That came after his time on Big Brother in 2018 and a short-lived run on Dancing with the Stars back in 2011. With his presence still strong on American TV, moving overseas might complicate the momentum he’s rebuilt.
And let’s not forget his biggest post-NBA pivot—business. In 2024, Metta co-launched Tru Skye Ventures, a $100 million fund focused on sports tech, wellness, and digital media. Alongside Stephen Stokols, the former Boost Mobile CEO, he’s already invested in Barcode, a performance drink brand. “Health and wellness are always going to win,” he said. With meetings, pitches, and partnerships mostly based in the U.S., especially in L.A., pulling off a permanent Bali relocation just doesn’t feel all that realistic. Still, if anyone would chase peace across the globe, it’s Metta World Peace.
Metta Sandiford-Artest welcomes first child with wife Maya
Metta stepped into a deeply personal new chapter as he and his wife, Maya Sandiford, welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Hiro. The couple, who had been together for 12 years and married for six, were overjoyed by the surprise pregnancy. “We expected it would take some time and may need to look into IVF, so it was definitely a surprise to find out we were pregnant just a few months later. We consider ourselves very lucky!” Maya shared. Despite the joy, pregnancy wasn’t easy.
Mar 26, 2024; Oakland, CA, USA; Former NBA player Metta World Peace speaks at the start of a rally where Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his Vice President representative as Nicole Shanahan at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland, Calif. on Tuesday Mar 26, 2024; Oakland, California, United States; Mandatory Credit: Brittany Hosea-Small-USA TODAY
As the months went by, Maya leaned on Metta, who she said was “amazingly supportive through it all.” From cooking meals and bringing her food in bed to dealing with pregnancy mood swings—“the pregnancy rage is something else!”—Metta was all in. “Honestly, she’s the pregnant one, so I just help out when I can—in the cravings department, massages, and stuff like that,” he said. “But she’s handled it like a boss.” The couple celebrated with a baby shower full of soft baby blue decor and good vibes.
The new baby joined a big, blended family that Metta has proudly built over the years. Metta has four children from previous relationships: a son, Jeron, with high school girlfriend Jennifer Palma, and three children—Sadie, Diamond, and Ron III—with his first wife, Kimsha Hatfield. But this time, things felt different. For Metta, being fully present for Hiro’s arrival and supporting Maya every step of the way was a chance to do fatherhood with deeper intention. “I was ready for kids with Maya since day 1,” he had said. “She’s going to be a great mom.”
Metta’s devotion to Maya has long been evident, even publicly changing his name to Sandiford-Artest after their 2018 wedding. “I actually took my wife’s last name,” he said in an NBC interview, a gesture rooted in admiration and equality. And now, with Hiro in their arms, the family feels more complete than ever—united by love, resilience, and a whole lot of heart.
From the chaos of the Palace to calm mornings in Bali, Metta Sandiford-Artest’s journey is proof that even the fiercest can find peace, especially when it’s right at home.
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