TMZ Sports - Page 50

Tony Bennett (the singer) is clearing up some Tony Bennett confusion -- clarifying it was OTHER Tony Bennett (the coach) who collapsed at the NCAA tourney Thursday ... and he (the singer) is just fine.

Tony Bennett (the coach) collapsed on the sideline as his Virginia team was taking on Hampton in the 1st round of March Madness. The good news ... doctors say he was just dehydrated and will be fine.

But when word of Bennett's (the coach) medical scare made its way across social media, many people confused him for the singer ... so Tony (the singer) decided to clear things up once and for all.

"I wanted to let all my fans know that Im ok," Tony write ... "Glad to hear UVA coach Tony Bennett is fine after his fall. Congrats @UVAMensHoops on the win!"

Shaquille O'Neal and Alex Rodriguez are teaming up now to dominate a new sport ... they've bought into NRG Esports, which owns League of Legends and Counter-Strike teams.

Shaq and A-Rod are joined by White Sox superstar Jimmy Rollins in the deal which brings even more mainstream athletes into the world of eSports. NRG's chairman Andy Miller said the trio approached NRG, looking to get on board.

Rollins actually plays League of Legends ... and Shaq is tight with Miller, since they are co-owners of the Sacramento Kings. Looks like A-Rod just saw a good deal.

As we've told you, ex-NBA star Rick Fox is already a proud owner of his own LoL team -- so, esports is clearly blowing up.

Think Shaq's excited about the deal?

Another starting NFL quarterback is heading down the aisle ... this time, it's Eagles QB Sam Bradford who's officially engaged to his longtime girlfriend Emma Lavy ... TMZ Sports has learned!

Stephen A. Smith just WENT OFF on former NBA star Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson ... saying he absolutely HATES the former all-star ... because Robinson is a total hypocrite on racial issues.

Smith was on Sirius XM's "Karen Hunter Show" when the subject of race and sports was brought up ... that's when -- out of nowhere -- Smith let Robinson have it.

"I despise him and he despises me."

SAS claims the beef between the two men stems from the fact that Big Dog talked a pro-black agenda ... but treated the only black head coach he ever played for TERRIBLY.

"I saw this man march lock step with what (former Bucks Coach) George Karl wanted to do ... but Randy Ayers becomes the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers ... you treated this man like trash, but you'll come and talk to reporters about how brothers need to facilitate brothers being hired, but you had one and how'd you treat him?"

You gotta hear the audio ... it's classic SAS all keyed up and ready for verbal war.

ATL Falcons owner Arthur Blank has taken a page from Leah Still and Bret Hart -- and says he's CANCER FREE!!!

The 73-year-old had announced last month that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer -- but vowed to fight like hell and scheduled a surgery to remove it.

Now, good news ... Blank was speaking at the 2016 Georgia Technology Summit Thursday and announced that the cancer is gone!

Giancarlo Stanton says reports that Barry Bonds beat him in a secret home run derby are NOT TRUE -- though he does say the ex-MLB star can still crush the ball like a BEAST!!

We reached out to the Miami Marlins superstar to find out what REALLY went down at the Marlins practice facility on Wednesday. Here's what he told us:

"False!!! He was hitting homers with us but it wasn't a home run derby. He was on my team for hitting drills. He is still a beast. But no home run derby vs. me. Media is wrong."

"Their story is we were hitting extra at batting practice on the back fields off a curveball machine. Getting work in. 5 of us. Last round we split into groups to face each other in a situational hitting competition with imaginary runners on base and the losing team picks up the balls. Not a home run derby."

"We added Bonds to make it 3 on 3. Bonds was on my team. But the fact that he could jump in there and still hit homers is unreal. And crazy to watch."

Doug Flutie's yoked.

Here's the 53-year-old ex-NFL star leaving "Dancing with the Stars" Wednesday ... puttin' on a gun show in the parking lot.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is being called out by one of the Clipper Girls ... who says the dance squad deserves a serious RAISE ... especially since the billionaire can afford it!

Athena Perample -- who also stars on the "L.A. Clippers Dance Squad" reality show -- was leaving Craig's Wednesday night with showman Jeff Beacher when we asked if NBA cheerleaders do better than their NFL counterparts.

That's when Athena took a stand -- saying it's time for ALL professional team dancers and cheerleaders to start getting paid better ... especially with SO much money in pro sports.

Athena wouldn't say how much she's getting paid now -- but says some cold hard cash could help change a major stereotype that's been doggin' dancers for decades.

Michael Sam's already made up his mind ... he wants to see Blaine Gabbert start for the 49ers next season -- over Colin Kaepernick.

Say it loud ... WE'RE A COUPLE AND WE'RE PROUD!!!

Here's Derek Fisher and his GF Gloria Govan ... all over each other while on a lunch date out in L.A. this week ... obviously trying to send a message that they're NOT AFRAID of Matt Barnes.

The pics come days after Fisher published a middle-finger style article about Barnes -- painting Matt as a violent, crazy ex who attacked Fisher out of jealousy back in October.

Rob Gronkowski had a pretty great Wednesday night ... hitting up one of the hottest clubs in L.A. ... and leaving with a smokin' hot blonde.

The Pats tight end hit up Warwick with his regular party crew -- and left the joint just after 2 AM.

But after he got into the waiting SUV, a very attractive lady in a fire red dress followed the NFL star into the car ... and they drove into the night.

Sting's wrestling career is over ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Long story short ... the wrestling legend messed up his neck real bad at his "WWE Night of Champions" match against Seth Rollins back in September -- and was never able to recover.

Sources connected to Sting tell us he was evaluated by several doctors who all agree -- it's just too risky for the wrestler to get back in the squared circle ... so, he's decided to hang up his singlet.

We're told the 56-year-old was formally diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis -- a condition affecting the nerves that can result in extreme pain and discomfort.

In fact, it's the same condition that forced fellow WWE superstar Edge to retire in 2011.

Our sources tell us Sting may make his official announcement next month at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Texas ... but we're told it's a done deal.

As far as Sting's future -- it's up in the air. We're told Sting is open to a non-physical role with the company ... but we're told no formal offer has been made.

Sting was a legend in the ring ... rising to superstardom in the late '80s before becoming the face of the WCW and a huge fan favorite in the WWE.

#Respect

Ex-MSU star Mateen Cleaves is calling BS on the woman accusing him of sexual assault -- claiming the allegations are 100% bogus.

"My family and I are devastated by these false charges," the former basketball star said in a statement.

"I am innocent and the allegations are without merit. We truly appreciate your continued support."

As we previously reported, Cleaves is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a motel room last year. The woman, 24, says she escaped after the assault and got help from someone in a nearby room.

If 49ers head coach Chip Kelly wants an invite to star linebacker NaVorro Bowman's wedding he's gonna have to EARN IT ... so says Bowman who claims he isn't sure yet if CK will witness the nuptials.

Bowman and his brand new fiancee Mikale joined the "TMZ Sports" TV show (weeknights on FS1) when we wanted to know exactly who was on the guest list for the big event in April.

We know NFL stars like Vernon Davis and Ted Ginn, Jr. are in ... but when we asked about Chip, Bowman said the head man hadn't made the cut yet ... and he was still considering his wedding worthiness.

Cristiano Ronaldo just got the new self-lacing Nike kicks ... and the dude wasted no time showin' 'em off.

These things are sick ... they're called the Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 and people are losing their minds over 'em.

They're the second self-lacing shoes Nike has done -- following the "Back to the Future Part II" inspired Nike Mags the Swoosh released last year.

Here's stunning video of race car stud Lewis Hamilton launching a golf ball into a beautiful abyss of cloudy nothingness in New Zealand ... and just maybe tempting fate in the process.

Lewis is hanging out down in South Island, New Zealand and decided to show off the scenery by adding a little plastic and rubber into it ... smacking a golf ball into a gorgeous vista.

Is the video awesome? Yes ... only problem is that Lewis is standing on a ledge God-knows-how-high and a post swing stumble could mean one less millionaire playboy in the world.