TMZ Sports - Page 50

Maria Sharapova was just hit with a TWO YEAR BAN by the International Tennis Federation for doping ... but she claims it's "unfair" and vows to appeal.

The ITF just issued a statement saying Sharapova's urine tested positive for meldonium -- a metabolic modulator that's prohibited in the sport.

The ITF says it cut Sharapova a break when it comes to the punishment because she "promptly admitted" to the offense. Instead of starting the 2-year ban today, they will backdate the suspension to January 26 -- the date of the sample collection.

The ITF also ruled that her results at the 2016 Australian Open should be disqualified -- and she must forfeit her ranking points and prize money that she won at that event.

For her part, Sharapova says she did NOT intentionally use the substance -- and wants her fans to know she should not be considered a cheater.

"The ITF spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules and the tribunal concluded I did not," Sharapova said in a statement.

"You need to know that the ITF asked the tribunal to suspend me for four years – the required suspension for an intentional violation -- and the tribunal rejected the ITF’s position."

Sharapova says she will fight the decision -- "I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension ... I will immediately appeal the suspension."

"I intend to stand for what I believe is right and that’s why I will fight to be back on the tennis court as soon as possible."

An honest moment from legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach -- who says he's sad about Muhammad Ali's death because it makes him think about "what I maybe have to look forward to."

Just like Ali, Roach has Parkinson's disease -- and while outside of Ecco in NYC, Roach told us the two actually bonded about their conditions when Ali came into his gym about 15 years ago.

"As soon as he started hitting the heavy bag, his tremors went away," Roach said ... "I said we have something in common, because when I do mitts, my tremors go away."

"I think it's more of our comfort zone. We're boxers, we're both very comfortable doing that."

He continued, "I'm a little bit sad that he passed away ... I wonder what I maybe have to look forward to sometimes."

Well, now we know what the J in J.K. Simmons stands for -- JACKED.

Check out the 61-year-old beasting out in an L.A. gym -- gearing up for his role in the upcoming 'Justice League' movie.

No, he's not playing Bane ... or Batman ... he's an insanely muscle-bound Commissioner Gordon!

Simmons has been training with retired Marine Aaron Williamson -- who reportedly got Zac Efron into shape ... and who's been known to push weights with The Rock.

There was no bad, bitter breakup between Zendaya and Odell Beckham ... at least, that's the takeaway from this convo with Zendaya, who says the NY Giants superstar is still her homie.

The two hung out a few months ago -- and her dad called the outing an "audition." So, when we saw Zendaya at The Grove, we had to ask ... whatever happened with that?

BTW, she's also a huge Golden State Warriors fan -- and Klay Thompson's single, she's single ... maybe dad's ready to audition another dude?

Check out the clip ...

Muhammad Ali's memorial service is still 2 days away, but thousands of fans are ready and willing to fight for a ticket to get inside.

Ali's memorial is scheduled to go down Friday morning at Louisville's KFC Yum! Center -- but the crowds started lining up Tuesday night and waited until sunrise to make sure they got a seat. 15,000 tix were gone in about an hour!

Even though they were super early birds, some of the fans got out of hand just before sunrise -- pushing and shoving. Security was able to shut it down before anyone was hurt -- and police are now helping with crowd control too. No one was arrested.

Two Muhammad Ali passports are going head-to-head on the auction block, and both chronicle the world travels of "The Greatest."

The mother of Janoris Jenkins' two kids says it's time for her to MOVE ON UP ... because now that the NFL star inked a $62 MILLION contract, she wants some upgrades too.

TMZ Sports has obtained court docs, filed in Florida, which show ... just weeks after the cornerback signed his fat new deal with the NY Giants, Sontaevia Armstrong told the judge she deserves to live in a nice safe place with their kids.

In fact, she wants Jenkins to spring for a pad in a "man-guarded and gated community." #Chaching!

She also wants Jenkins to pay for private school, health care and security for her and the kids. #ChachingAgain!

But it's not all about money ... she also wants a court order requiring Jenkins to spend time with the kids.

According to the docs, Armstrong says she currently gets $4,000 per month in voluntary child support -- but we're guessing that number could skyrocket too ... 'cause you know, $62 MILLION!!!

Ex-NBA player and current Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sean Rooks has died ... the team announced in a statement.

The 46-year-old -- who starred at the University of Arizona -- played 12 seasons in the NBA ... including stints with the Lakers, Mavericks and Timberwolves.

Our sources tell us ... it appears Rooks may have had a heart attack during dinner.

Rooks' mother issued a statement saying, "It is with deep sadness and overwhelming grief that we mourn the sudden loss of my son, Sean."

"Our family asks that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this incredibly difficult time."

UFC champ Michael Bisping says Luke Rockhold was a real "a-hole" after UFC 199 -- insisting he TRIED to be respectful to Luke ... but Rockhold was too busy being a "sore loser."

FYI, Rockhold blasted Bisping on Instagram Tuesday morning ... calling the guy "classless" for refusing to shake his hand after beating him on Saturday night.

"I felt it was a classless move on his part," Rockhold said ... "I don't believe in kicking a man when he's down."

Bisping joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs tonight on FS1) -- and said Luke's completely delusional because he actually tried to shake his hand TWICE.

By the way, Bisping also says he's not ready to retire just yet because a true champion defends his belt!!!

Derek Fisher's got a 2-for-1 real estate special for any die-hard Lakers fan ... who also wants the Kardashians as neighbors -- but be ready to drop almost $7 million!!

Cops say they can't find a shred of evidence that proves OKC Thunder co-owner was trying to kill himself when he slammed his SUV into a concrete bridge back in March ... despite a 2 month investigation.

Aubrey McClendon had been charged with conspiracy hours before the crash for his alleged role in an illegal energy scheme ... and many people thought he took his own life out of shame.

But the Oklahoma City Police Dept. says a team of detectives and accident experts looked into the crash ... and spoke with a bunch of McClendon's friends and say there's nothing that points to suicide.

Now, cops also say they can't be 100% certain ... but at this point, they're convinced he didn't crash on purpose.

The coroner determined McClendon died from blunt force trauma -- but his body was so badly burned in the fire that ensued, they needed to bring in a dentist to identify his body.

Kimbo Slice was told he had been suffering from congestive heart failure in the days before his death and desperately needed a heart transplant ... this according to a hospital report.

The report -- which was given to the Broward County Medical Examiner's office -- says Slice was admitted to Northwest Medical Center on June 3rd and told he had a liver mass and congestive heart failure.

Doctors told Slice's family that he needed a heart transplant -- and appeared to be taking measures to transport him to a clinic in Cleveland on Monday night ... but he died before that could happen.

Slice was pronounced dead around 7:30 PM local time.

Also worth noting ... the report also states 42-year-old Slice did not have a history of drug use.

Snoop Dogg says he ALREADY DELIVERED on his promise to Le'Veon Bell -- telling TMZ Sports he laid down his track on a rap collaboration ... and it's "dope as f***."

The Steelers running back is an aspiring rapper -- and previously told us his dream was to work with the Doggfather. Snoop was down -- and told Bell to hit him up.

Good news ... Bell followed up and Snoop says they teamed up on a track for Bell's album.

Snoop also praised Bell as a pretty good rapper -- saying, "I wouldn't have did it if he wasn't good."

By the way, Snoop also says he's a HUGE fan of Damian Lillard's rap skills -- and wants to blaze a track with the NBA star too!

No word on when Bell plans to release the track -- but we're all over it.

The funeral home where Muhammad Ali's body is being kept before his funeral on Friday is being protected by a team of local law enforcement officers ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The Mayor of Denver is sending prayers out to Aqib Talib -- saying he hopes the Broncos player can make a speedy recovery after being shot over the weekend.

We spoke with Mayor Michael Hancock -- who joined the Broncos at the White House Monday -- and he told us everyone's thoughts were with the injured cornerback.

"We're gonna just pray for Talib," Hancock said ... "He's a hell of a player."

"We don't know the circumstances but we're gonna pray for him as well as the other individuals that were shot that night."

An advertising agency is calling bah bah bah bah BS on Pepsi (get it, like the jingle?) -- claiming the soda company jacked its idea for their fancy 2016 Super Bowl commercial with Janelle Monae ... and now they're suing.

You know the ad ... it starts with Janelle dancing to the '60s hit "Do You Love Me" in front of a jukebox -- before moving to another room with '80s music ... and another room with a more current vibe.

Turns out, an ad agency called "Betty, Inc." claims they came up with a virtually identical idea and pitched it to Pepsi back in November ... but the two sides couldn't agree on a deal.

Betty says Pepsi emailed them in December to tell them they were going in a different direction.

Fast forward to February ... when the ad aired -- an ad that Betty says was based on their concept.

Betty's pissed -- and wants Pepsi to pay up for stealing their idea ... especially since Pepsi hailed the spot as a smashing success.

A rep for Pepsi said, "This lawsuit is without merit and we plan to vigorously defend ourselves."