TMZ Sports - Page 50

While Johnny Manziel’s draft day saga was a ratings boom for ESPN -- with a reported 50% jump in ratings from last year -- it seems to have hit the porn biz right in the trousers.

Sources over at PornHub, one of the top naughty sites on the net (so we hear) tell TMZ Sports that traffic on their site was DOWN nearly 15% Thursday night -- the 1st round of the NFL Draft -- with the horny young men of America choosing to watch Johnny sweat in New York, rather than watch fatherless young women sweat in the Valley.

Smut lovers shouldn’t be discouraged though, because PornHub tells us the X-fans were back in front of their screens the next day and traffic was THROUGH THE ROOF, topping 40 MILLION viewers.

Sometimes karma can hit you like a right hook to the face ... so says undefeated WBO Middleweight champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin who tells TMZ Sports the Internet troll who got socked out by Deontay Wilder got what he deserved.

Quillin tells us ... he's GLAD Wilder confronted (and beat up) Charlie Zelenoff at the Hollywood Boxing Gym this week -- after Charlie had been harassing him via texts and phone calls for months.

"The Internet bully got what he deserved," Quillin tells us ... saying, "I don't wish any harm on anybody, but when you talk mess about people, it comes back on you."

Quillin says he understands Wilder's frustration because he's had to deal with trolls of his own.

"That situation has happened to me before [with a hater harassing me with texts and phone calls]. I didn't fight him, but we met in person and had a reasonable conversation and the guy backed down for good."

Quillin's method proved to be just as effective ... but Wilder's was more fun to watch.

Former NFL wide receiver James Hardy III has been charged with resisting arrest in a violent incident last week where he allegedly injured several LAPD officers ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Hardy -- a 2nd round draft pick in 2008 -- was arrested Sunday night after allegedly going berserk at an L.A. apartment complex.

Cops tased the 6'7" former athlete multiple times ... but we're told the taser was ineffective -- and at least two officers were hospitalized with minor injuries when they tried to take him into custody.

Now, we've learned Hardy was charged with felony resisting arrest -- and a bench warrant has been issued for him. If he doesn't turn himself in, Hardy can be hit with a $100k fine.

Someone call a doctor ... 'cause Don King has Bieber Fever!!!

The 82-year-old boxing promoter extraordinaire was at USC yesterday to get ready for Bermane Stiverne vs. Chris Arreola ... when we asked how he felt about Floyd Mayweather having Justin Bieber and Lil Wayne in his corner during recent fights.

It's clear ... King's a HUGE fan -- telling TMZ Sports both guys are GREAT because they help bring "the masses" to the sport.

"I love 'em both! They're fabulous! They're Americana!"

Jadeveon Clowney blinged himself out just hours before the NFL Draft -- dropping some NFL-style cash on incredible jewelry ... including gold necklaces, diamond pieces and a Rolex watch ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We know ... Clowney hit up Gabriel Jacobs from Rafaello & Co. in New York on Thursday and treated himself to some top quality items including:

Fact: Nick Swardson is a HUUUGE Minnesota Vikings fan.

Fact: He REAALLY wanted the Vikes to draft Johnny Manziel on Thursday night.

Fact: When the Vikes passed on Johnny with the 9th pick, Nick was SOOO MAD!!!!!

Fact: You will laugh when you watch this clip.

If you're a fan of the Raiders, Texans, Cowboys, Jaguars or Rams ... you probably felt the same way.

8:41 AM PT -- We got Nick out last night!!! And he explained where the anger came from Thursday night -- and, of course, he's hilarious. Check out the clip.

BYU running back Jamaal Williams plead guilty to being a RESPONSIBLE college kid ... and admitted he had been drinking when he got into a car with a 100% sober driver in Utah back in February.

The problem for Williams -- a rising star who's expected to start next year -- is that he's 18 and it's against the law in Utah for people under the age of 21 to booze.

On the night of the arrest, the driver had been pulled over for speeding -- and the officer says he suspected Williams (a passenger) had been drinking ... which he had been ... and arrested him.

Williams -- who cops say had a .12 blood alcohol level -- was charged with misdemeanor underage drinking.

But just a few days ago, Williams struck a plea deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to enter a guilty plea. In exchange for his plea, he'll avoid jail -- but must stay out of trouble for 6 months ... and NOT DRINK!!!

There has been a buzz that the L.A. Dodgers have decided to part ways with Tommy Lasorda after the Blue Crew legend told V. Stiviano to go play in traffic ... but now we've confirmed it just ain't true.

TMZ Sports spoke with multiple Dodgers sources who tell us Tommy WILL NOT lose his job as Special Adviser to the Chairman as a result of saying he hopes Stiviano "gets hit by a car."

As one person put it, "Absolutely not true."

Lasorda made the comments to WPBF in West Palm Beach during an interview about Donald Sterling -- a man Tommy says has been his friend for 30 years.

There's a new man in charge of the L.A. Clippers ... at least temporarily -- he's powerful, he's established and he's black.

Dick Parsons -- the former head of both Time Warner and Citigroup -- has assumed the reigns of interim CEO of the Los Angeles Clippers ... in the wake of the lifetime suspension of Donald Sterling.

Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement moments ago ... saying, "I believe the hiring of Dick Parsons will bring extraordinary leadership and immediate stability to the Clippers organization."

"Dick’s credentials as a proven chief executive speak for themselves and I am extremely grateful he accepted this responsibility."

Parsons also issued a statement ... saying, "Like most Americans, I have been deeply troubled by the pain the Clippers’ team, fans and partners have endured. A lifelong fan of the NBA, I am firmly committed to the values and principles it is defending, and I completely support Adam’s leadership in navigating the challenges facing the team and the league."

"The Clippers are a resilient organization with a brilliant coach and equally talented and dedicated athletes and staff who have demonstrated great strength of character during a time of adversity. I am honored to be asked to work with them, build on their values and accomplishments, and help them open a new, inspiring era for their team.

Officials have declared a "murder-suicide" in the tragedy at a Tampa mansion owned by tennis great James Blake.

Law enforcement authorities have just issued a statement saying Darrin Campbell shot his wife and two teenage kids before setting his house on fire early Wednesday morning.

As we previously reported, Blake was renting the house out to the Campbell family ... and had not lived in the home for more than a year and a half.

A neighbor says she saw the home explode around 5:40 AM ... and immediately called for help.

When firefighters arrived to the scene, they discovered fireworks going off around the house.

Johnny Manziel’s new lady friend ain’t just your ordinary hot chick – she’s a high-end fashion model who’s signed to one of the most prestigious agencies in the world ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Meet Talia Richman -- a client of NYC's Ford Modeling Agency ... which lists her as 5'10" and 31-22-34 ... NICE!!

Talia kicked it with Johnny Football at his post-NFL Draft party in New York last night ... though it's unclear if they're just friends ... or something more.

Boxing champ Deontay Wilder tells TMZ Sports ... the only reason he agreed to fight Internet troll Charlie Zelenoff was to teach him a lesson about bullying and SAVE HIS LIFE.

Wilder -- the reigning WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight -- says Zelenoff has been harassing him for 3 years ... calling him the N-word in texts and in phone calls and even threatening to harm his young daughter.

"He said he was going to murder me. He said he was going to tape my daughter's mouth ... when dealing with my kids, that's below the belt. That's what really got me."

Wilder says he finally got fed up with the constant harassment and told Zelenoff to meet him at the Hollywood Boxing Gym on May 7 to settle their beef once and for all.

But before they squared off, Wilder says his manager drew up a waiver for Zelenoff to sign ... in which Charlie acknowledged that he would be fighting a trained boxer and agreed not to sue for any damage he incurred during the bout.

"It was a great contract and he was willing to sign it," Wilder says ... "He agreed to all of the terms. He knew what was going on."

Of course, Wilder proceeded to beat Charlie's ass -- and he hopes Zelenoff learned his lesson.
"I genuinely care for the guy. I want him to stop [harassing people] before he messes with the wrong person. You never know who you're dealing with."

Sidenote -- Wilder was wearing two RIGHT gloves during the fight ... because he accidentally grabbed the wrong set when he set out to the gym that day.

But Deontay says the mix-up was a blessing in disguise, because had he connected with the left hook while wearing the right gear ... he's afraid he could've caused some serious damage.

"He would have been hurt."

Johnny Manziel is a man in demand in Cleveland -- at least his jerseys is ... because the official Browns team shop has been slammed with requests for #2 ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We spoke to someone at the official team shop at First Energy Stadium this morning who told us that when the staff arrived at the shop, there were already "at least 50 people waiting in line."

We're told, "We had a few pre-pressed jerseys in stock, but we're currently pressing more to meet the demand."

One staffer told us the phones have been ringing off the hook as well ... with people wanting a #2 jersey.

While Manziel hasn't officially selected #2 as his jersey number, he rocked the deuce in college and many expect he'll get it once he signs his contract.

And there's more ... the Browns reportedly saw a HUGE surge in season ticket orders right after the Browns selected Johnny Football.

Johnny Manziel was PARTYING like the #1 pick in the NFL Draft last night ... raging his face off at Avenue in NYC with a bunch of stars, booze and super hot chicks ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.