TMZ Sports - Page 50

Lakers spokesman John Black tells TMZ ... besides agreeing to an official meeting with all three groups, the team has already been in contact with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Lakers "appreciate the input we've received."

Black also insists Kobe's outburst is "not representative of what the Lakers stand for" ... but the team looks forward to working with GLAAD "on ways to help educate ourselves and our fans, and to help keep language like this out of our game."

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios says the organization will continue to push for "zero tolerance policies for anti-gay slurs."

Kobe apologized earlier this week, saying, "The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.”

After the street person made Ronny laugh ... the NBA player gave the begger a $100 BILL.

TMZ obtained a copy of the lawsuit Rockfeller Sorel filed Tuesday in Miami-Dade County. In the suit, he accuses Gloria of assault and battery ... during the incident at the Fountainbleu Hotel.

Sorel then breaks down a laundry list of "damages" he claims to have suffered -- such as pain, emotional distress, humiliation, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for enjoyment of life.

TMZ spoke with a rep for the Lambda League -- who tells TMZ, "We have seen Kobe's apology and hope that it's sincere. If he really wants to show us he means it he'll come to our next league game."

Bryant spoke with Human Rights Campaign honcho Joe Solmonese -- who tells TMZ, "I applaud Kobe Bryant for his swift apology. We had a very sincere conversation in which he expressed his heartfelt regret for the hurt that his words caused."

Solmonese adds, "He told me that it’s never OK to degrade or tease, and that he understands how his words could unfortunately give the wrong impression that this is appropriate conduct."

Kobe said the decision to appeal the fine is "standard protocol."

Kobe also said, "The concern that I have is for those that follow what I say ... look to me as a role model .. for them not to take what was said as a message of hate or a license to degrade ... or to embarrass or tease ... because that's something I don't wanna see have happen."

Kobe stated he plans to talk to gay rights groups.

NBA Commissioner David Stern says, "Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable. "

He continues, "While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”

As we previously reported, Kobe mouthed the words, "f**king f**got" after getting a technical foul during the game.

FYI -- according to Forbes.com, Kobe made an estimated $48 million last year in salary and endorsements.

The jury deadlocked on the remaining charges -- which included lying to a grand jury when he denied knowingly taking steroids -- and the judge ultimately declared a mistrial.

Bonds faces a maximum 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice conviction.

TMZ spoke with Jarrett Barrios -- President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation -- who tells us, "[Kobe's] statement is a start, but the NBA must now take action."

Barrios continues, "No matter the intent, slurs like this fuel intolerance. The NBA has a chance to show leadership by taking disciplinary measures and sending a message that words like this have no place in sports."

The GLAAD honcho adds, "All sports leagues have a responsibility to create a safe environment for fans, employees and players.“

Kobe released a statement saying he didn't mean to offend anyone when he used the words "f**king f**got" last night ... but he never really apologized for using the slur.

Kobe continues, "My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. "

He adds, "The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.”

As we previously reported, Kobe mouthed the words, "f**king f**got" towards an NBA referee last night after he was hit with a technical foul.

Angela L. Cohn, the attorney for valet Rockfeller Sorel, tells us, Gloria James spewed the hateful remark just as the confrontation became physical.

Gloria was arrested after the incident, and TMZ just broke the story that the valet is suing her for assault and battery.

As for our earlier story showing video of the confrontation, Cohn says any intimation that the valet was the aggressor is untrue.

As we first reported, cops in Bayonne, NJ attempted to pull Britt over for speeding -- when the NFLer allegedly put the pedal to the metal in an effort to outrun them.

Cops say Kenny eventually stopped after a few miles -- and was arrested and booked on three charges: eluding, obstructing, and hindering apprehension.

Kenny's passenger -- who allegedly took off on foot during questioning -- was arrested for pot possession, resisting arrest, and obstruction.

Our NBA sources say league execs are taking a closer look at last night's game footage -- where Kobe is seen mouthing what looks very much like, "F**king fa**ot."

It's unclear what kind of punishment the league could bring down on Kobe ... but suspension or a fine is a dangerous possibility with the playoffs about to start.

Rockfeller Sorel claims in his lawsuit ... Gloria James had no right to strike him during the incident last week.

TMZ has obtained video of the incident, which shows Gloria striking Sorel, but only after he approaches and appears to touch her.

TMZ spoke with the Human Rights Campaign -- who told us, "What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching."

The group adds, "Hopefully Mr. Bryant will recognize that as a person with such fame and influence, the use of such language not only offends millions of LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] people around the world, but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and hate that all of us, most notably Mr. Bryant, should be working to eradicate."

As we previously reported, Kobe appeared to have mouthed the words "f**king f**got" towards an NBA ref last night after he was hit with a technical foul.