TMZ Sports - Page 50

Who likes watching mediocre college basketball?? Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan!!!!

Judge Kagan was front and center at McDonough Arena at Georgetown University on Wednesday to watch her alma mater Harvard take on the Hoyas in the NIT basketball tournament.

Kagan's Crimson were the underdogs going into the game with a #6 seed -- facing a #3 seed in Georgetown, which also happens to feature college basketball star Mac McClung.

Oh, and the head coach at Georgetown is NBA legend Patrick Ewing. G.U. was a 6.5 point favorite going into the game.

So, why would Kagan choose a game where her team was facing almost certain destruction?

Because Harvard WON -- shocking the world to overcome the Hoyas in a 71-68 victory!! Maybe it was Kagan's Crimson blazer that inspired the team!

Harvard now moves on to face North Carolina State in the next round of the NIT tournament on Sunday in Raleigh.

The problem for Harvard now ... NC State is really good and JUST missed out on making the NCAA tournament, which people actually care about.

Kwame Brown is callin' BS on the NBA's one-and-done rule ... telling TMZ Sports, "To tell a young man he can go shoot a gun but he can't go earn a living, that, to me, doesn't make any sense."

Of course, the infamous NBA rule is back making headlines this year after Zion Williamson made it emphatically clear in just a few weeks at Duke he was ready for the pros.

But, the league still has its draft rule in place -- saying players need to spend a year in college before they can play for one of its 30 teams -- and thus, Zion remains a Blue Devil.

Enter 37-year-old Brown -- who went straight from high school to being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft when he was selected by the Washington Wizards.

Brown thinks the 1-and-done rule is just ridiculous -- telling us there's simply no place for it in today's society.

"Free enterprise," Kwame says ... "Go and get that money."

As for Brown ... we had to ask if he regrets not going to college straight outta high school given his NBA career didn't flourish the way he expected it to -- and his answer was a big, fat HELL NO!!!

"Factor out the numbers, I know economics," Kwame tells us ... "I own four companies!"

Adrien Broner is a homophobic "a**hole" -- and should be charged with a crime for threatening to shoot gay people ... this according to "Orange Is the New Black" star Lea DeLaria.

Lea -- who famously plays Big Boo on the show -- was leaving the Rolling Stone: Women Shaping the World event in NYC ... when we asked for her reaction to Broner's vile video.

And, since Lea is openly gay ... the issue of violent homophobia seemed deeply personal.

"How do I feel about someone using those kind of slurs? I have a bigger issue with anybody who's threatening gay people with violence simply for being themselves."

"F*ck all the slurs. I'll use any f*cking slur I want. What I'm talking about is that a**hole is talking about hurting gay people."

Of course, Broner made the hate-filled video during a spat with Andrew Caldwell -- a viral video star who claims the boxer had made passes at him.

During his rant (which he posted to social media) Broner said ... "If any f*g, punk-ass n**ga come run up on me, trying to touch me on all that gay sh*t, I'm letting you know right now if I ain't got my gun on me, I'm knocking you the f*ck out."

Lea says Broner's language should be considered "hate speech and should be a crime."

"Freedom of speech comes with responsibility," Lea added ... "You should not be allowed to incite people to violence against other people."

Aljamain Sterling WANTS ALL THE SMOKE ... telling TMZ Sports he deserves first crack at T.J. Dillashaw's vacated UFC bantamweight title -- and FLEXING at his competition.

"It's obviously unfortunate for [T.J.]. But, his misfortunes are now my fortunes," Funkmaster says.

Of course, Dillashaw announced he gave up the title Wednesday morning after testing positive for a banned substance following his January fight (and loss) with flyweight champ Henry Cejudo.

As for talk that Henry should get the shot to come up in weight and fight for T.J.'s belt ... Sterling says simply, "F*ck Henry. Stay your ass at 125!"

Aljo -- who's only 29 years old and has won 5 of his last 6 UFC fights -- says he's been training like a maniac and has proven to be a worthy contender.

Sterling is also dead serious about a rematch with Marlon Moraes -- who knocked out Sterling during a Dec. 2017 fight by way of a DEVASTATING knee to the head.

Moraes is currently the #1 ranked bantamweight -- and Sterling is #3 -- which is why Aljo is stating his case to Dana White to let them battle it out for the belt.

What's better than winning the World Cup?? NOTHING ... well, unless Paul Pogba is your teammate ... 'cause the French superstar hooked up his ENTIRE team with championship rings!!

PP and the French national team brought home the FIFA World Cup Trophy last summer ... and the 26-year-old midfielder says he wanted to thank his teammates with "a small gesture."

The rings -- made by Jason of Beverly Hills -- were designed to resemble NBA or NFL championship rings ... complete with the French National team logo and "World Champions" across the face.

The pieces are composed of 3 carats of white diamonds, rubies and sapphires ... and feature the trophy and an outline of France.

Pogba talked about the gesture with reporters on Wednesday ... saying "It's a small gesture after winning a World Cup with great players. I consider them my family. It's a small gift from me."

Here's VIDEO of ex-Denver Broncos QB Chad Kelly being chased out of a Denver-area home by a man wielding a vacuum cleaner tube ... all while Kelly's dressed like an idiot in his Halloween costume.

Yeah, it's bizarre.

It's all part of Kelly's criminal case stemming from the bizarre October 22 arrest -- after Kelly left Von Miller's big Halloween party and wandered into a random person's home.

Cops say the 24-year-old plopped down on the couch next to a woman who was holding her baby. Kelly was allegedly mumbling incoherently.

The woman called for help -- and a man who was inside the house grabbed a piece from a vacuum cleaner and used it as a weapon to chase the QB out of the home, striking him several times along the way.

In the footage, taken from the security camera at the home -- you can see Kelly (apparently dressed as Woody from "Toy Story") bolting out of the home.

Kelly was later arrested and charged with felony criminal trespassing ... and you can see in police station video we've obtained, the QB was distraught over the arrest.

But on Wednesday, the QB struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of 2nd-degree criminal trespass -- a class 3 misdemeanor -- and in exchange, the felony trespass charge was dropped.

As part of the deal, Kelly was also sentenced to 1 year of supervised probation, 50 hours of community service, and fines and fees.

For the Broncos' part -- they released Kelly shortly after the incident, with GM John Elway saying, "Even though Chad's no longer part of our team, we've offered to help him however we can and are supportive of him in every way possible."

Kelly is currently a free agent looking for another team.

TMZ Sports has obtained footage showing Dallas Cowboys defensive captain Tyrone Crawford brawling INSIDE a Florida bar ... destroying several giant security guys.

The video shows Crawford -- 6'4", 280 lbs. -- fighting off a team of bouncers at the Coyote Ugly Saloon in Panama City Beach, Florida on March 15.

Unclear what started the brawl ... but it escalated VERY quickly -- with at least FOUR big bouncers desperately trying to subdue the NFL player, who is just too powerful to overcome.

Crawford is just wrecking everyone -- using brute strength and powerful punches to take down everyone in his way.

At one point, 4 bouncers -- in red shirts -- are ganging up on Crawford ... who frees himself and clocks one of the bigger security guards, sending the bouncer crashing down to the ground.

As we previously reported, the fight spilled outside and cops were called to the scene ... where Crawford continued to get physical with multiple police officers.

There is video that shows Crawford barreling through 2 cops and then shoving 2 other cops while they are trying to arrest a man allegedly involved in the bar fight.

Crawford was NOT arrested that night and has not been charged with a crime.

The NFL went to the bar on Tuesday in an effort to view surveillance footage and collect information on the incident. Unclear if the bar allowed the investigators to watch the video.

According to the police report, the bar also has surveillance from inside the Saloon ... but the responding cops noted there were several blind spots that missed key moments in the altercation.

The good news... our video, shot by a bar patron that night, could fill in the blanks.

The league has disciplined players in the past for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy despite not being arrested, charged or convicted of a crime ... which means Crawford could be punished if the NFL finds his actions violated the PCP.

We've reached out to Crawford and the Dallas Cowboys but they haven't commented on the situation.

We also reached out to the NFL regarding their investigation but they aren't commenting either.

Robert Kraft and 14 other suspects busted in the Florida prostitution sting want to make sure the police surveillance video of them in the massage parlor never sees the light of day.

Kraft's attorneys -- and attorneys for the other suspects -- filed jointly Wednesday morning to get a protective order ... which would prevent law enforcement from releasing any evidence gathered in the investigation. That includes the hidden camera footage from inside Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter, FL.

As we reported, cops placed cameras inside the spa and say they have video of Kraft making 2 visits to the spa. Cops say it includes footage of 2 women "manipulating his genitals."

According to the motion, obtained by TMZ Sports, the defendants also point out the case is still active because the prosecution is pending ... and therefore law enforcement can't release any evidence to the public.

Prosecutors have offered a plea deal. It would require Kraft to complete a course about prostitution, 100 hours of community service and submit to an STD test. He'd also have to state he would've been found guilty if it went to trial -- and, in exchange, the charges would be dropped.

Robert Kraft shouldn't turn his nose up at the offer on the table in his Asian Spa prostitution case ... he should TAKE IT ... so says "Shark Tank" star Daymond John.

It's interesting advice coming from a VERY respected businessman ... and while Daymond was leaving Craig's in West Hollywood, he told us about the upside for Kraft.

As for the deal ... prosecutors said they would drop the solicitation charges against Kraft if he agrees to take a course about the dangers of prostitution, complete 100 hours of community service, submit to STD testing and admit he would have been found guilty if the case went to trial.

It's super unlikely Kraft will take the deal since there's not much upside for him -- but John says he should REALLY consider it.

"I think he should do it," John says ... "Why not educate yourself? It makes him look good. He's like the mayor of his city ... why not?"

"It only shows he has a better education and when he can advise other people on what NOT to do wrong even if he made a mistake or not he has the education."

John continued ... "Life is about education even at his age, at anybody's age."

"Billionaires are actually billionaires because they keep educating themselves. He's no different."

Sansa Stark went FULL TYRION at the Rangers game on Tuesday -- grabbing a glass of wine and SLAMMING IT ... just because she was on the Jumbotron!!

... and it was awesome!!!!

Sophie Turner was sitting in the stands -- watching the Detroit Red Wings dominate New York -- when the house camera threw her up on the big screen for all of Madison Square Garden to see.

She dabbed. She smiled. She chugged.

The crowd went wild ... because, duh ... and Sophie threw a celebratory fist bump.

Unfortunately, the "Game of Thrones" star didn't exactly turn the tides for the Rangers ... they ended up losing the game 3-2.

7:03 AM PT-- The New York State Athletic Commission has suspended Dillashaw for 1 year and fined him $10,000.

UFC star T.J. Dillashaw says he's been informed of an "adverse drug test" following his January fight with Henry Cejudo ... and he will be giving up his UFC bantamweight title so he can "deal with this matter."

Dillashaw isn't specific about what P.E.D. he tested positive for following his Jan. 19 loss at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn -- but says he's "disappointed" and trying to figure out what happened.

"To all my fans, I wanted to be the first one to let you know that USADA and the NYSAC have informed me of an adverse finding in a test taken for my last fight," Dillashaw says.

"While words can't even begin to express how disappointed I am at this time, please know that I'm working with my team to understand what has occurred and how to resolve this situation as quickly as possible."

"Out of fairness and respect to the rest of my division, I've informed the UFC that I'll be voluntarily relinquishing my title while I deal with this matter. I want to thank all of you in advance for the support."

You may be wondering why Dillashaw still has a belt after losing to Cejudo -- that fight took place in the flyweight division ... so T.J.'s belt wasn't on the line that night.

Story developing ...

"If any f*g, punk ass n**** come run up on me, trying to touch me on all that gay sh*t, I'm letting you know right now -- if I ain't got my gun on me, I'm knocking you the f*ck out."

Adrien Broner is now threatening to attack -- and even shoot -- gay people in a vile new "PSA" video posted to his social media account Tuesday night.

"If I got my gun on me, I'm shooting you in the f*cking face, and that's on God and them. I'm not playing with none of these n****s. I don't like gay sh*t."

It's the latest in a bizarre exchange with social media star Andrew C. Caldwell -- the famous "I'm Delivert" guy.

Caldwell has accused Broner of flirting with him. Broner claims Caldwell is lying ... and claims it's Caldwell who's been shooting his shot in Broner's DMs.

"[Andrew C. Caldwell] if you don't get out my inbox before I punch the testosterone out yo GAY ASS," Broner wrote.

Conor McGregor says he OWES Nate Diaz a third fight -- purely out of respect -- and states definitively, "The trilogy will happen."

McGregor was standing on the bar at Binny's Beverage Depot in Chicago when he told a bunch of his fans why the rubber match NEEDS to happen. TMZ Sports has the video.

"He fought me, he beat me. He gave me a rematch at the exact same weight, there was no hesitation, that's a true fighter right there," McGregor said.

"I have nothing but respect ... I owe him the trilogy now and the trilogy will happen."

Of course, Conor first fought Diaz at UFC 196 in March 2016 -- where was choked out and submitted in a legendary, bloody brawl with the fighter from Stockton.

Diaz agreed to a rematch at UFC 202 in August 2016 -- where Conor emerged victorious in a 5-round major decision.

There's been talk of a third fight for years -- but Conor has been chasing bigger money fights with guys like Floyd Mayweather and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Conor still has a TON of options -- he's only 30 years old and wants rematches with Floyd and Khabib ... but it seems a trilogy with Nate is high on his priority list.

The UFC has gotta be excited about it too ... considering McGregor vs. Diaz I is the 3rd most bought pay-per-view fight in UFC history ... and McGregor vs. Diaz II is the 2nd biggest.

The #1 PPV of all time? McGregor vs. Khabib.

Conor recently talked about how he NEEDS to get the Khabib rematch too ... and famously posted a post-fight breakdown pointing out what he did wrong -- but many people think he needs to get a win under his belt before he steps back in the Octagon with The Eagle.

The other issue with Conor ... he says he wants OWNERSHIP shares of the UFC before he takes another fight.

What will the UFC do? It's a great question ...

San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer will NOT be charged with any crime stemming from his physical altercation with his wife ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources tell us officials thoroughly investigated the altercation -- combing through multiple videos and interviewing several witnesses -- and ultimately determined Baer's action's did NOT constitute a crime.

The SF District Attorney's office gave us the following statement ... “After a careful review of the relevant evidence, including multiple videos, statements from several witnesses and the parties themselves, the evidence does not support filing criminal charges.”

TMZ Sports posted video showing Baer in a physical altercation with his wife in a public park -- ultimately knocking her to the ground in a struggle to pry a phone out of her hands. You can hear her screaming, "Oh my god. Help!"

Larry has taken a leave of absence from his job with the Giants while cops and the MLB investigate the situation -- and has expressed remorse.

“I am truly sorry for the pain that I have brought to my wife, children and to the organization. It is not reflective of the kind of a person that I aspire to be, but it happened and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that I never behave in such an inappropriate manner again.”

Baer's wife, Pam, has publicly supported her husband ... calling the incident a non-issue and has insisted they are still happily married.

Baer has been involved with the Giants organization for decades. He was named chief operating officer in May 1996, team president in October 2008 and CEO on January 1, 2012.

Did you know there was something in the gym James Harrison COULDN'T do!?

It's true ... he hadn't joined the 500-pound bench press club -- but he changed all that with one hulk-like lift Tuesday ... and yeah, it was impressive as hell.

The ex-Steelers superstar loaded up 10 plates and then some on his bar to get up to the half-a-thousand-pound mark ... and then he CRUSHED it!!!

Watch the clip ... Harrison takes the bar all the way to his chest -- and gets it up to full lockout without any help (you watching, Odell???)

You could tell Harrison was super impressed with himself ... 'cause he immediately jumped off the bench looking for dap from fellow gym-goers.

"500!! I told you I’d be back for your bi$&h a$$!" James wrote after the lift.

"You just don’t know how many nightmares you gave me - having to relive the failure of not tossing your heavy a$$ off my chest and having to explain to my kids that daddy lost! Lmao JK #500club"

If you're unfamiliar, James is maybe the most impressive NFL weight lifter ever ... routinely tossin' around iron like he did to offensive tackles.

In fact, remember when he was in the gym at 5 AM after a playoff game in 2017?!?!

Bryce Harper needs to listen -- and listen good.

If you don't WIN in Philadelphia, the fans will DESTROY you. It will be brutal. It will be merciless ...

... so says Chris Matthews.

The 'Hardball' host is from Philly and says he knows exactly how things will go if Harper doesn't live up to his brand new $330 MILLION contract with the Phillies.

"I know Philly, let me tell you about Philly ..."

Matthews says he knows firsthand how quickly people in Philly will turn on you -- he watched Pete Rose get BOOED by his own Phillies fans in the World Series in the early '80s!!!!

"He struck out and the crowd booed him!! This is Pete Rose!!"

Of course, Philly fans have a long-storied history of being hard on sports teams ... they once threw snowballs at Santa Claus at an Eagles games!!

But, if Harper wins, Matthews says life will be GREAT in the City of Brotherly Love.

"Philly fans, they love you, but they demand great stuff from you."