TMZ Sports - Page 50

12:16 PM PT -- Osaka has lawyered up with attorney to the stars Alex Spiro and he's attacking Jean's claim as straight-up "absurd."

"While it comes as no surprise that Naomi's meteoric rise as an international icon and inspiration would lead to some false claim, this silly 'contract' that Naomi never saw or signed -- which purports to give away part of herself at the age of 14 -- is particularly absurd," Spiro says.

"This case has no merit and we will move past it.”

The tennis coach who began working with Naomi Osaka back when she was 13 claims her father signed a contract promising him 20% of her career earnings ... and now he's coming to collect.

The man behind the lawsuit is Christophe Jean -- who says Naomi's father, Leonard Francois, hired him to work with Naomi and his other daughter, Mari, back in 2011.

Jean says Francois couldn't pay his rates at the time, so they struck a deal in which Jean agreed to accept 20% of Naomi and Mari's tennis prize money and endorsement deals forever.

That's not a typo ... Jean says he has a copy of the contract where Francois agrees that the term of the deal is "indefinite." It's included in Jean's suit, filed in state court in Florida.

Of course, Naomi -- now 21 years old -- has blossomed into a tennis superstar, currently ranked #1 in the world ... and famously beat Serena Williams at the 2018 US Open.

According to the official WTA website, she's made more than $10.8 MILLION during her career -- and that's not including endorsement money.

So, Jean wants his cut -- at least $2 million -- which is why he's suing Naomi, Mari and Leonard.

The other possible issue ... can a parent promise a cut of a minor child's future adult earnings? And, can a judge enforce such a contract?

It's not exactly cut and dry. We're looking into it.

You come at the king, you best not miss ... and Ice Cube thinks Walt Frazier missed HARD when saying LeBron James doesn't care about the Lakers ... telling TMZ Sports, "that's bullsh*t."

Frazier went OFF on LBJ during Sunday's game between the Knickerbockers and L.A. ... saying, "when you’re the face of the NBA, you should be more a part of your team."

"No matter what is going on. In the public, you gotta be a part of the team. Maybe in the locker room you’re not, but you have to exude that type of togetherness in public, folks," Frazier added.

"And right now, we see he doesn’t really care."

Cube says the Hall of Famer is WRONG -- "LeBron cares, that's bullsh*t."

The rap legend doesn't deny there might be some issues in the locker room ... he actually thinks everyone is trade bait at this point.

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to save you from BALD SHAME -- so he's opened up a new hair transplant clinic in Spain.

Seriously.

The international soccer superstar has launched Insparya in Madrid -- and Monday, the 34-year-old and his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, faced the media to promote the place.

So, why???

Ronaldo says "image" is important to him and he wants to make sure other people have more control over the way they look.

When asked if he has ever had the procedure -- or ever would -- CR7 replied, "When I think it’s necessary [to have a transplant], of course I’ll do it."

In other words, Ronaldo claims his current hair is 100% his ... for now.

Oh, and Ronaldo says the clinic will also do eyebrow hair transplants too.

Ronaldo isn't the first athlete to get in the hair business -- ex-NFL star Brian Urlacher had a hair procedure done after his football career wrapped up.

Byron Scott is a fan of Luke Walton and thinks he's doing the best he can with the Lakers -- but tells TMZ Sports it's obvious his job as head coach in L.A. is just about over.

"Listen, I think Luke did a great job under the circumstances," Scott tells us ... "He's in a situation that's extremely, extremely tough."

"At the end of the day, I can tell you this from past experience, coach is always first to go. That's just how it is."

Of course, Scott is referring to his own run as head coach of the Lakers which lasted from 2014 to 2016 ... when an injury-stricken Kobe Bryant was wrapping up his NBA career.

As for Luke, Scott says he'd love to see the guy get another shot leading Los Angeles ... but he understands the optics considering the Lakers have a terrible record and didn't come close to matching expectations.

"I don't think [firing Walton] is something that is warranted but if you look at their team, you look at their record, you look at the season ... everybody thought they would make the playoffs."

Here's an amazing photo ...

Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders all got together at a massive autograph signing event over the weekend -- and it begs the question, how do you rank these guys!?

All 3 have routinely been brought up in the age-old "Who's the greatest running back of all time?" debate. They're all in the Hall of Fame. They're all legends.

So, when they got together for a pic at the Chicago Sports Spectacular, it forced us to do some real debating in the office.

Barry Sanders ... 15,269 yards on the ground in just 10 NFL seasons. 10 Pro Bowl selections. 6-time All-Pro. All this without a great offensive line.

Emmitt Smith ... 18,355 yards rushing in 15 seasons. 164 rushing TDs. 1993 MVP, 3 Super Bowls, 8 Pro Bowls, 4-time All-Pro.

Jim Brown ... 12,312 yards rushing in 9 seasons, 106 rushing TDs, 8-time NFL All-Pro, 9 Pro Bowls, 3 NFL MVPs.

We looked at the autograph prices this weekend ... here's how they stack up in terms of value.

Barry Sanders ... autographs start at $135, photo ops are $135.

Emmitt Smith ... autographs start at $235, photo ops are $200.

Jim Brown ... autographs start at $150, photo ops are $150.

So, go ahead ... rank 'em.

Not everyone wants James Dolan to sell the Knicks ... and if ya don't believe us, here's ex-NBA player Chris Copeland telling TMZ Sports he LOVES his old boss!!

... but Copeland's friend?? Not so much.

We shot the ex-NBAer outside Madeo over the weekend and asked straight-up what the Knicks need to do to get back to relevance.

Copeland's friend had a few suggestions -- which would've gotten him BANNED from MSG if he had said it at a game -- but the hooper shuts down any of that talk and praised the team owner.

"I love Dolan, Dolan's my guy," Copeland tells us. I love Dolan, love the Knicks."

It's been the trend to tell Dolan off at Knicks games recently -- but it comes with a price.

As we previously reported, fans have been getting 86'd from Knicks games or any other events being held at MSG for heckling him ... as we've seen with at least 2 different occasions in recent years.

Tom Brady's stock continues to rise ... so does the cost for an autograph.

The New England Patriots star quarterback is holding a private signing session at the end of the month -- and TMZ Sports got a hold of the pricing sheet.

It ain't cheap ... but it could be a GREAT investment.

We started tracking Tom's autograph prices back in Feb. 2017 -- when it cost $850 for a signed photo.

Fast forward to now ... that same photo will cost $1,049.

A Patriots mini-helmet in 2017 was $900 ... now, it will run you $1,079.

There's a deal on jerseys -- in 2017, Tom would sign your uni for $1,200. Now, he'll do it for $1,099.

And, if you're an artist who's created an original Tom Brady painting, TB12 will sign it for $2,199!

The session is being held by New England Picture by way of Tri-Star -- which has held several Brady signings in the past.

One of the interesting notes ... the public is NOT allowed to attend the signing. Meaning you have to submit your items beforehand and you'll get 'em back after the event is over.

So, yeah ... the prices might seem steep -- but the way they've been appreciating in value, might be a great deal!

Pamela Anderson's on-again, off-again relationship with soccer star Adil Rami is back ON again ... but her friends see red flags.

Sources close to Pam tell TMZ ... the "Baywatch" star and World Cup champ have been back together for several weeks, but friends wish she'd 86 the relationship for various reasons. The main one ... they say Adil has tried cutting Pam off from her friends and family.

What's more ... they fear his juvenile behavior -- partying and clubbing -- isn't for Pam anymore. Her friends are adamant ... it's never gonna work long term.

Pam's friends are clear ... they want her to move on. If and when she's ready ... find someone else. Nevertheless ... easier said than done.

You'll recall it was just last July when the central defender for French club Marseille met Pam's mom. A serious sign, for sure. But, things really heated up when Adil proposed marriage. Pam said no dice and the relationship went kaput.

TMZ Sports has obtained video of Barry Cofield's DUI arrest ... and the scene is intense -- with cops drawing their guns and demanding the ex-Giants DL to get out of the car.

"Get out of the car!" one officer screams ... "Get out of the car now! Get out of the car! Get out of the car or we'll shoot! Get out of the car now!"

It all went down last July when the former Super Bowl champion allegedly led cops on a wild police chase after they found him asleep at the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade around 2:40 AM.

You can see in the video the conclusion of the chase ... where cops are so concerned with the way the 6'4", 250-pounder was driving -- they pulled out their guns and surrounded the car.

Cofield doesn't comply ... so cops attempt to physically break him out of the vehicle by beating in his window, with one officer yelling, "Get him out of that car!"

Cofield eventually opens the door as cops are smashing in the window ... and he's taken to the ground without incident.

When cops search the former defensive lineman ... they find a wad of cash and a small baggie of what they later say was heroin.

Cofield was hit with several severe charges from the altercation, including heroin possession, assaulting an officer, DUI, resisting arrest and fleeing from police.

But, Barry was able to get a great deal from prosecutors last week ... and after pleading no contest to just heroin possession and DUI causing damage or injury -- he likely won't spend any time behind bars.

Cofield was a key piece for the Giants' D-line from 2006 through 2010 ... ultimately helping Eli Manning and NY beat the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Golf's a gentlemen's game, so it's no surprise "Southern Charm" star Shep Rose got his ass ejected from a VIP tent when he started actin' the fool.

We're told Shep hit up The Players Championship Friday at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL ... where he had an incredible view of the 17th hole from inside the Dye Pavilion VIP tent.

Witnesses at the event tell us Shep drank a little too much booze ... becoming belligerent and pestering guests. He also got up and started dancing ... blocking people's view.

We're told a woman working the event asked Shep to leave but he refused. That's when St. John's County Sheriff's deputies stepped in. A spokesperson tells us the deputies working the event escorted Shep outta the tent without incident. He was not arrested and removed from the tent but not from the event.

Lucky guy ... The Players Championship arguably has the best class of golfers from top to bottom, so lots of great golf to watch.

Maybe stick to water on the rocks, Shep?

Le'Veon Bell just signed a $52.5 mil contract, but LB is still focused on his other career -- throwing an album release party in Miami, and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Bell hit up Rockwell Nightclub in Miami Beach Saturday to perform songs from his new rap album, "Life's a Gamble" -- and the place went crazy for him.

Among the songs he performed was "Free at Last" -- where he talks about his drama with the Pittsburg Steelers. One of the lyrics includes, "I'm gonna make them open up their safes. I'm just doin' what I gotta do to get me paid."

There's more ... many of the lyrics have to do with Bell's football career and how excited he was to leave the Steelers and sign with a new team. During the nightclub performance, Bell was wearing some big ass gold chains -- no doubt a result of getting a huge new contract in New York.

Conor McGregor provided inspiration to the Boston Bruins by giving a thunderous pep talk before Saturday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets ... kinda surprising given his felony robbery arrest just days before.

Conor was the guest of honor at TD Garden ... check out his roaring speech to the Bruins in the locker room.

The crowd went crazy when Conor came out for a ceremonial puck drop.

During the game, he went crazy with fans and went back into the locker room to congratulate the Bruins on their win.

Earlier in the day, Conor was in Chicago leading the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

As we reported, Conor was arrested for robbery/strong-arm and criminal mischief over $1,000 in Miami Monday morning for smashing a fan's cellphone and then taking it.

The fan, Ahmed Abdirzak, is suing Conor, claiming battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Sylvester Stallone isn't just a huge fight fan, he's also a minority owner of the UFC -- and tells TMZ Sports he's genuinely concerned for Conor McGregor after his latest arrest.

"This is a crossroad in his life," Stallone told us in Beverly Hills ... referring to both the arrest AND the fact he's coming off a huge loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

"If he can't overcome his fear and beat this man, I think it'll plague him for the rest of his life."

The conversation with Stallone is amazing ... he opens up about all of the issues Conor is facing in his life and provides him with a road map on how to come out on top.

In fact, Stallone says McGregor should be "inspired" by the obstacles in his life -- and use all of the negativity to fuel an epic comeback ... both in and out of the Octagon.

Sly says Conor should tell himself, "Okay, I've gone through a very rough time. I've been somewhat publicly humiliated. I'm at a crossroad in my life ... I have to overcome an incredible opponent who seems invulnerable."

That's when Stallone honed in on Conor's loss to Khabib -- "This is a crossroad in his life. This is probably the most important one because if he doesn't live up to his ideal ... if he can't overcome his fear and beat this man, I think it'll plague him for the rest of his life."

"I think [Conor] lost last time because he got resentful, he got prideful, he got arrogant ... put his hands down ... he walked right up to that gentleman and he just got smashed in the face when he could have been defensive. There was no Plan B. Not even a Plan A minus."

Stallone says he REALLY wants to see a rematch between the "two UFC Gods" -- adding, "I wanna see a guy that leaves everything on the table."

As for Conor's pending legal situation in Miami, where he's accused of smashing and stealing a cell phone from a fan who wanted a picture ... Sly has some advice for Conor on handling the burdens of fame.

"Keep smiling. You can't critique a smile."

Did you know ... Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once made the guy who killed Osama Bin Laden his special Thanksgiving VIP guest???

It's true ... and when we spoke with Navy SEAL legend Rob O'Neill -- he told us what it was like spending Turkey Day with one of the most powerful guys in the NFL.

We were in D.C. talking with O'Neill about his favorite NFL team -- the Washington Redskins -- when he dropped the Jerry Jones fun fact ... so after the clip, we called him up on the phone to get the full story.

It all went down in 2014 when Rob was living in Dallas ... some of the Redskins honchos wanted to do something nice for him so they put him in touch with the Cowboys in hopes of getting him VIP access to the Thanksgiving Day game.

The Cowboys not only hooked it up -- but Jerry personally invited the American hero into his private owner's suite for the full Thanksgiving turkey spread!!

Jones also took Rob down on the field with a full access pass. Least he could do, right?!

Rob says he's still a hardcore Washington fan -- but he's got a soft spot for the Cowboys.

Anyway, salute this man.

#RESPECT

Boxing star Adrien Broner is off the hook in his sexual battery case after prosecutors decided there just wasn't enough evidence to prove he grabbed a woman's vagina at an Atlanta area mall.

The 29-year-old was arrested in February 2018 after a woman claimed Broner touched her butt, thigh and "private parts" without her permission outside of a Louis Vuitton store.

Aftermath of the alleged incident was captured on video -- you can see the woman yelling and getting angry at Broner.

Broner denied the allegations -- but cops arrested him for sexual battery and simple battery ... both misdemeanors.

But, when the boxer appeared in court last month ... prosecutors said they did not have enough admissible evidence to "prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" and dropped the charges.

In other words, there's no smoking gun video to prove he committed the crime.

Per court records, "the alleged victim in this case understands and consents to this decision."

The Osundairo brothers told Chicago police if they really wanted to hurt Jussie Smollett, they could've killed him ... and here's proof.

We've obtained video of Abel Osundairo throwing haymakers Thursday night in Chicago, and you can tell the "Empire" extra is a beast in the ring. Take solace in the fact you weren't his opponent.

Remember, Abel's lawyer says Jussie told the brothers he wanted Abel to "attack" him, but not rough him up too badly. Judging by his boxing skills, Abel suppressed his true strength during the "attack."

Abel and Jussie are on two totally different paths ... hours after Jussie strutted into a Cook County courthouse to enter a not guilty plea in his 16-count felony indictment, Abel advanced in the Chicago Golden Gloves amateur boxing tourney, with a first-round TKO in his quarterfinal match.

Dude's a beast, he's boxing in the 178-pound weight class. No wonder Jussie cut the brothers a check for a training program.