TMZ Sports - Page 50

And you thought your job sucked... A TMZ photog wretched his guts out trying to shoot Lance Armstrong last night.

Our guy was running alongside Lance during a Twitter run in NYC... but let's just say it might be time for him to renew his gym membership.

Two minutes into the race, the photog lost his cookies, narrowly missing the champ.

Jay Mariotti lost his job at ESPN after he was arrested in 2010 on charges of assault and stalking his girlfriend -- something he feels wouldn't have happened if he were an actor ... like Charlie Sheen.

Mariotti pled no contest this week to three felonies -- stalking, domestic violence, and assault likely to cause great bodily injury -- and was sentenced to a year of counseling, 90 days of community service, and 5 years probation. But thanks to a plea deal ... Mariotti can later have the felonies reduced to misdemeanors.

He continues to maintain his innocence -- and when we caught up with him in Venice, he groused that journalists must live like saints.

Larry Merchant was still full of piss and vinegar the day after Floyd Mayweather sucker punched his way to victory against Victor Ortiz.

Among many others, Merchant said "Pretty Boy" Floyd is a "prima donna" and definitely not a crowd-pleaser -- at least last night.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was still jonesing for a fight after his controversial knockout of Victor Ortiz last night, so he started one ... with an 80-year-old sportscaster!

During the post-fight interview, Floyd started screaming at HBO's Larry Merchant, getting up in his face and yelling, "You never give me a fair shake. HBO need to fire you. You don't know s**t about boxing. You ain't s**t! You're not s**t!"

But Merchant didn't back down, getting in the final words when he said, "I wish I was 50 years younger and I'd kick your a**."

Frisky old guy, ain't he?

NFL star Terrell Owens was pulled over and cited in L.A. this week -- for allegedly driving SOLO in the carpool lane -- but in the process ... the unemployed wide receiver also scored an additional two tickets.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, T.O. was pulled over on Monday -- driving a 2003 VW Beetle -- after police observed him violating the two-or-more-passengers rule in the carpool lane.

But according to law enforcement, once Owens was pulled over ... cops also cited him for an expired registration ... and having overly-tinted windows.

Manny Pacquiao's L.A. house has been burglarized ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ -- and we're told 4 people have been arrested.

It happened minutes ago. Someone ransacked Manny's Hancock Park mansion.

Police are on the scene. They are not sure what was taken ... they're trying to contact Manny.

Manny, we're told, is out of town.

Goodbye forever, Ron Artest -- TMZ has learned, the Lakers star is now legally "Metta World Peace."

It became official less than five minutes ago -- when an L.A. judge finally granted Metta's name change petition ... more than three months after Mr. World Peace decided to undergo an identity switch.

Good thing there's an NBA lockout -- because now there's plenty of time for the Lakers to crank out some new jerseys. So Metta.

Former NFL bad ass Chris McAlister -- who signed a $55 MILLION contract in 2004 -- claims he's BROKE AS A JOKE and living with his parents ... this according to court docs obtained by TMZ.

The ex-Baltimore Ravens defensive superstar has just filed new documents in his child support war with his ex-wife Marlene in the hopes of lowering his $11,000 per month obligation.

In the docs, Chris -- a 1st round NFL draft pick in 1999 who played in the league for 10 years -- states, "I have been unemployed since 2009. I have no income."

He adds, "I live in my parent's home. My parents provide me with my basic living expenses as I do not have the funds to do so."

McAlister was a KEY member of the Ravens when they won the Super Bowl in 2000 ... and even got himself an interception during the big game.

TMZ has obtained the mug shot of wrestling star Matt Hardy -- taken moments after he was arrested on suspicion of DUI in North Carolina on Monday ... the second time in a few weeks.

As we first reported, Hardy was popped on Monday, after allegedly swerving all over the road -- nearly hitting several other cars.

More trouble for ex-WWE champ Matt Hardy -- the 36-year-old was arrested for driving under the influence in North Carolina this week ... the second time in the last couple of weeks.

According to the arrest report obtained by TMZ ... cops received a complaint of a "possible drunk driver" late Monday afternoon ... who almost "hit two drivers three separate times."

When the cop spotted Hardy, the wrestler's car, "swerved into the curb and then back onto the road."

Once Hardy was pulled over, the officer claims Hardy "had slow and slurred speech, sleepy eyes and a very lackadaisical demeanor."

According to the report, Hardy took the walk-the-line test -- but "after taking two steps, Mr. Hardy lost his balance and failed to stay on the line."

Hardy took a breathalyzer -- but when the results showed he wasn't drunk ... cops called in a "Drug Recognition Officer" to perform even more tests.

Eventually, cops believed Hardy was under the influence of something ... and arrested him on the spot.

Hardy is scheduled to appear in court on November 30.

Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and his Miss Universe wife were totally right to fire two of the most UNGRATEFUL employees on the planet ... so says an L.A. judge.

Simon just scored a huge victory over his former nanny and his former driver -- who both accused the NBA owner and his wife Bui of treating them like crap and cheating them out of a TON of cash.

Today, the court tentatively found that the Simons were not only in the right -- but the judge implied they are the most GENEROUS bosses ever ... who showered their former nanny with gifts like diamonds, iPods, Prada sandals, cash and even a MERCEDES ... out of the goodness of their hearts.

The accusations against the Simons were ridiculous -- with the nanny claiming the couple tried to embarrass her when they hosted a dinner at a fancy restaurant and failed to propose a toast to her pregnancy ... and ultimately fired her for being knocked up. The judge didn't buy her story one bit.

As for the driver -- the judge noted that he constantly fell asleep in court ... and was hardly believable as a witness. The judge also noted how WELL he was treated by the Simons ... who also got a bunch of gifts as well as a $7,500 bonus so he could buy a new car.

Unemployed wide receiver Terrell Owens is adamant -- he WILL play for another team ... insisting, "It's just a matter of time."

The 37-year-old football star -- who had knee surgery this off-season -- was in Hollywood Monday night ... when he told us he's confident about a return to the gridiron because, "When you got faith in God ... everything's possible."

Manny Ramirez was released from a Florida jail moments ago after posting $2,500 bond.

He was swarmed by reporters on his way out -- but the MLB star didn't answer any questions, speaking half in English and half in Spanish, saying, "It's none of your business."

TMZ has obtained the 911 call ... made by Manny Ramirez' wife Juliana after the MLB star allegedly slapped her during a domestic dispute inside their Florida home yesterday.

During the call, Juliana tells the operator, "Hi, my husband just hit me."

When the operator asks if she's safe ... Juliana replies, "He's not doing anything anymore 'cause he knows I'm calling the police."

Manny Ramirez is NOT allowed to have any contact with his wife for the time being ... so says a Florida judge.

Manny just appeared in a Broward County courtroom for a bond hearing -- during which, the judge issued a no contact order against the former baseball player ... barring him from having any contact with his wife Juliana, pending further proceedings in the case.

Manny appeared in court this morning, where his bond was at $2,500 -- and he's expected to be released from custody when he forks over the cash.

The State's Attorney is still investigating the domestic violence incident and will decide whether to file formal charges against the retired baseball star.