TMZ Sports - Page 50

Reverend Al Sharpton is calling for the NBA to investigate Donald Sterling ASAP -- telling TMZ Sports, "No one should be allowed to own a team if they have in fact engaged in this kind of racial language."

Sharpton is calling for the league to make an investigation into Sterling its #1 priority -- adding, "We are prepared at National Action Network to rally in front of the NBA headquarters if this matter is not immediately dealt with."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sterling -- who owns the L.A. Clippers -- went off on his girlfriend for hanging out with black people in public and told her NOT to bring black people to his games.

We shot Sharpton moments ago at La Guardia airport and he gave more details on the possible rally.

Atlanta Hawks exec Dominique Wilkins -- former NBA great -- tells TMZ Sports ... he's not surprised by Donald Sterling's racist comments ... claiming racism is still a huge problem in the United States.

"As a VP for the Hawks it is appalling to wake up to this story," Wilkins says ... "It is in no way anything that I know MY NBA at ANY level to promote, condone or harbor behind closed doors or openly."

But Wilkins explains, "As a black man living in the South, this is not something that is a surprise. Racism is prevalent, still a problem and something that can NOT be taken lightly in ANY context!”

He continues, "As a former Clipper, I feel for the community of LA. It is a melting pot of culture and ALL races. For Clipper fans, staff and players, I do hope this is dealt with swiftly and justly. It is just totally disappointing."

Reverend Jesse Jackson is calling for Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the rest of the Clippers to employ some kind of "symbolic expression" to protest the statements made by team owner Donald Sterling.

We just spoke with Jackson ... who tells us he's outraged by Sterling's racist comments -- and says it puts the players in an awkward situation, due to the fact they have a playoff game tomorrow.

Jackson says the league "must respond and respond quickly" -- and says the players should do something during the game to "show a sign of indignation."

Rapper Meek Mill is blasting Donald Sterling -- saying the Los Angeles Clippers owner is the "definition of racism" ... but doesn't think he will be punished.

"Donald sterling is the definition of racism .... He could b your judge.... Your doctor.....you teacher etc" Mill wrote on Twitter early Saturday morning.

He added, "I bet nothing happens 2 him!"

Mill is clearly referring to the audio posted by TMZ Sports, in which you can clearly hear Sterling tell his GF not to bring black people to Clippers games.

The L.A.. Clippers should BOYCOTT the playoffs ... and refuse to step on the court until the NBA takes action against Donald Sterling ... so says Keith Olbermann.

Olbermann went to Twitter this morning -- after TMZ Sports posted audio of the Clippers owner telling his GF not to bring black people to his games -- and railed against Sterling.

"time for #Clippers players to step up. Refuse to play till NBA moves against this racist jackass #Sterling. NBA can't defend him.'

Olbermann also notes, "I was banned by the #Clippers for criticism of the front office - in 1986. This made me the envy of every other LA sports media person."

Chris Paul has a serious decision to make about how he will lead the L.A. Clippers ... after hearing the racist statements made by team owner Donald Sterling ... so says ex-NBA player Rashad McCants.

McCants -- a former first round pick who played for the Timberwolves -- says it's up to Chris Paul and other team leaders to sit with the team and decide how they will handle the situation.

"If you guys are not saying anything about this ... it just speaks to your leadership."

"They gotta have a sit-down and an understanding of where to go from there."

Magic Johnson tells TMZ Sports ... "it's a shame" that Donald Sterling feels his girlfriend shouldn't bring black people to Clippers games.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sterling went crazy on his GF after she posted a photo of her with Magic on Instagram -- with Sterling saying she shouldn't be seen in public with blacks.

Magic tells us, "It's a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans."

He adds, "He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base."

Multiple NFL cheerleaders tell TMZ Sports ... they're neither shocked nor offended by the vagina maintenance handbook that was given to Buffalo Bills cheerleaders ... telling us it was probably the result of a previous "issue."

Shaq vs. Barkley ... apparently, this is really happening.

The NBA legends have been joking about fighting each other in an MMA match -- but last night on TNT, it seems the two are actually planning on squaring off on May 14th.

The two have even set rules for the event they're calling, "The Beatdown in A-Town."

Rule #1 -- The two will start on the ground and the fight will consist of grappling only
Rule #2 -- No punching in the face!
Rule #3 -- No gloves.

As for why they've eliminated punching, Barkley explained ... "I don't want to hurt his face .. you want him uglier on TV?"

Barkley -- who's been training in MMA -- says he plans to choke out the Big Fella ... Shaq respectfully disagrees.

At one point, Kenny Smith asks the two ... "Why are you doing this?"

NY Giants co-owner Steve Tisch has made a vow -- the G-Men will absolutely, positively NOT have another sub .500 season ... as long as he can help it.

Tisch was leaving Craig's in L.A. last night when we asked if he thinks Eli Manning will bounce back from his disappointing 2013 campaign.

"Nothing from last year will look anything like this year," Tisch said ... "this year will look like nothing from last year."

Tisch also gave his thought on Trump potentially buying the Bills ... and who he thinks will go #1 in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Jason Kidd's son was not blown away by his father's rookie performance as an NBA coach ... despite the fact the Brooklyn Nets are currently in the playoffs!

Jason Kidd Jr. was out at Hooray Henry's with some friends last night when asked him about JK's 1st season on the sidelines ... and JK2's reaction says it all.

For the record, Kidd and the Nets are currently 1-1 in their series with the Toronto Raptors and finished the season with the 2nd best record in their division.

It was like 1993 all over again in Memphis last night ... where the rap group Tag Team hit the floor of the Grizzlies game and performed Whoomp! (There It Is) in front of the entire crowd!!!

Both guys were there ... DC The Brain Supreme and his man Steve Roll'n ... bringin' it all the way back to the year Bill Clinton took over the White House, Anthony Davis was born ... and MJ scored his 20,000th point.

Of course, the crowd went wild for the song ... and it rallied the Grizzlies to beat the OKC Thunder 98-95.

WWE Hall of Famer Jake "The Snake" Roberts is one surgery away from being cancer free ... and his best bud Diamond Dallas Page couldn't be happier.

DDP was leaving the Sirius XM Studios in NYC Thursday when the wrestling legend doled out some positive news on the Snake's condition.

As we previously reported, Roberts discovered the tumor behind his knee in February and quickly started the removal process.

Page also pimps DDP Yoga -- and says his recent appearance on "Shark Tank" caused sales to go through the roof.

'Memba when Penthouse made an offer to the Oakland Raiderettes for a racy photo shoot?? Well, one of the girls actually contacted the mag and engaged in "talks" for a pictorial ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Penthouse made the offer to pay the ladies a fair income in the wake of a federal investigation that the women were being significantly underpaid.

Now, sources connected to the situation tell us ... one of the cheerleaders contacted Penthouse to try and negotiate a deal.

We're told both sides made a serious effort to get a deal done ... but in the end, it just didn't work out.