TMZ Sports - Page 50

How are Zion Williamson and the Duke Blue Devils getting ready for the biggest game of their season??

FILET MIGNON, BABY!!!!

TMZ Sports has learned Duke hoops hit up Mastro's Steakhouse in Washington, D.C. on Thursday night to fuel up on delicious meats before their monster tilt with Virginia Tech on Friday.

We're told the entire squad was there -- from Coach K and his wife to Zion to even the ball boys -- and they grubbed on steaks ... and, of course, the legendary butter cake!!!

We're told, in all, there were about 40 people in the Blue Devil party -- and even Barack Obama's best buddy, Reggie Love, showed up!!

Unclear who picked up the tab for the meal -- but it surely wasn't cheap ... Mastro's is known as one of the finest restaurants in the country, costin' about $50 per steak.

Consider Tony Benford the anti-Conor McGregor ... 'cause he's here to take part, not to take over ... telling TMZ Sports no matter how well LSU does in the tournament, it's still Will Wade's team.

Of course ... The Notorious famously said "we're not here just to take part, we're here to take over" at UFC Fight Night 46 back in July 2014.

The Tigers' interim head coach sees things the exact opposite ... telling us the suspended coach deserves all the cred if Benford leads the Purple and Gold deep into the tournament.

Wade was suspended indefinitely before the NCAA Tournament ... after Yahoo Sports reported that wiretapped conversations revealed Wade discussed making a "strong-ass" offer to a recruit.

Benford -- who couldn't have been nicer -- says the Tigers are looking forward to ruining a bunch of brackets against Michigan State later Friday ... and are enjoying every step of the journey.

But, say LSU wreaks havoc and makes it all the way to the Final Four ... that means Benford should take over, right??

It's 2019 and a grown ass man was arrested Saturday night for weed.

That man is ex-NBA player Kwame Brown ... who was busted in Georgia with a bunch of marijuana ... including pot-infused cookies, tea and mints.

The 2001 first overall pick was a passenger in his Mercedes-Benz van when it was pulled over by Brunswick PD late Saturday night ... when cops say his car REEKED of weed.

Kwame copped to having weed in the car ... and told law enforcement he had some in the trunk of the van. Sure enough, cops found a backpack with all the weed treats.

The 37-year-old was arrested and charged with felony possession of edible marijuana products and misdemeanor possession of less than one ounce of weed.

Worth noting -- Brown is MASSIVE. Like, 7-ft tall big ... and couldn't fit in a regular cop car, so the cops had to wait for a bigger vehicle to transport him for booking.

Brown was released shortly after posting bond later Saturday.

Brown played for 7 different teams during his career ... most notably the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers ... after jumping straight from high school to the Association.

"Wouldn't that be nice to never have done anything in wrestling and just go into Wrestlemania? I would love that"

That's WWE superstar Becky Lynch throwing some shade at Rob Gronkowski in the wake of rumors the NFL star could make the jump to pro wrestling.

Remember, Gronk made a cameo at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 to help out his good pal Mojo Rawley -- and now that Rob's retired from the NFL, there's buzz he's close to signing with Vince McMahon.

In fact, WWE superstar Lio Rush already called out Gronk on 'Monday Night Raw' this week -- and on Tuesday, Gronk appeared at a WWE charity event.

Plus, Rawley told TMZ Sports he's VERY confident Gronk will return to the ring in some capacity in the very near future.

So, we asked Lynch how she felt about sharing the stage with the future NFL Hall of Famer -- and she wasn't exactly stoked about the possibility.

"Some of us almost get fired and have to work our way and scratch and claw, and then we come to the main event," Lynch said.

"Other people are like here you go, here's your debut match at Wrestlemania ... see you at Wrestlemania."

Translation -- Becky has an issue with the fact Rob could take the Ronda Rousey route into WWE superstardom ... and Becky HATES Ronda Rousey.

So, is this all a work? Is it how she truly feels?

6:37 PM PT -- Donald Trump Jr. just threw some major shade at Avenatti at his father's political rally in Michigan, joking that Michael's presidential ambitions took a serious hit this week.

Junior jokes that Michael went from "Avenatti 2020 to Avenatti 20 to 25" ... clearly hoping his foe is going to prison for his role in the alleged extortion plot.

Michael Avenatti was loaded for bear Wednesday night, proclaiming his innocence in the extortion case, proclaiming that the R. Kelly case would be unaffected by the extortion case and proclaiming it's only a matter of time before top Nike execs would be led away in handcuffs.

We got the embattled celeb attorney in WeHo Wednesday night ... and we strolled along with him on a long, long walk ... where he unpacked his outrage.

Avenatti said all the talk that his indictment will torpedo the R. Kelly prosecution is BS ... because the evidence is the evidence is the evidence.

And then, he talked Nike. As you know, he's been accused of trying to extort the shoe co. for more than $20 million in return for keeping his silence on alleged misdeeds -- specifically, Nike secretly paid off the families of star high school basketball players in order to direct them to Nike-sponsored colleges.

He goes after Nike execs with a vengeance, saying they are corrupt to the core and it will be exposed. He also insists any money he may have demanded was not a quid pro quo for his silence. Avenatti says he was going to expose Nike regardless of whether the company paid him or not.

The U.S. Attorney claims he has a videotape from a March 21 meeting between Avenatti and Nike attorneys in which he allegedly says, "If [Nike] wants to have one confidential settlement and we're done, they can buy that for $22.5 million and we're done."

Derek Jeter could go from baseball star ... to movie star ... because a VERY famous director says the "sh*tshow" Jeter's created with the Miami Marlins would make for a great Hollywood flick!!!

We got Billy Corben (the guy behind the 2006 hit "Cocaine Cowboys") in New York promoting his new documentary, "Screwball" -- which is all about Alex Rodriguez and the Biogenesis steroid scandal.

And, since his new flick is getting solid reviews on Rotten Tomatoes from top critics ... we asked Corben if there are any OTHER sports stories he'd consider turning into a movie.

"How about a story about Jeter and the Marlins," Corben said ... "Talk about a Miami sh*tshow!"

He's right ... the Marlins have been a DISASTER -- and even though Jeter's only been CEO for a year, things in Miami are lookin' grim.

In 2018, the Marlins placed dead last in MLB for attendance and most experts are predicting the team to be terrible on the field ... since they really have no stars.

Corben says the situation with the Marlins is the stuff great movies are made of -- so it could just be a matter of time before Jeter follows A-Rod to the big screen.

As for "Screwball," Corben says he thinks Alex will actually enjoy the flick because he thinks the guy has a sense of humor about the situation.

Oh, and if you're wondering why Corben used children to play the main characters in the story ... his explanation is pretty funny too.

Olivia Culpo is back in her natural habitat on Miami Beach, but this time she's hittin' the sand without her on-again-off-again beau, Danny Amendola -- which you couldn't care less about right now.

The former Miss Universe made Thursday a sun day with some gal pals -- including model Devon Windsor -- but she stole the show with her red two-piece bikini. Olivia definitely seemed aware of the cameras too, since she got in tons of different positions ... as if she were doing an impromptu photo shoot.

It's interesting that Olivia's back in Miami without Danny, with whom she's been hot and cold since this past fall. He's no longer a Dolphin -- dude got shipped out to the Detroit Lions earlier this month. Bummer for him ... that's a lot less beach time with Olivia.

John Cena is back on the dating scene ... hanging with a mystery hottie in Canada and, apparently, putting his ex-fiancee Nikki Bella firmly in the rearview.

We got this shot of the WWE superstar out on the town with an unknown -- for now -- brunette in Vancouver, and they're clearly having a great time together. Not only were they cozied up, arm-in-arm together ... but the photo agency that spotted them says they enjoyed a 4-hour dinner date!!!

This was their post-meal stroll ... and a pretty romantic one at that.

John's in Vancouver filming a new project, "Playing With Fire." The timing of his new playmate's debut is interesting. We've been seeing Nikki in California hanging with her new bae, dancer Artem Chigvinsev.

We broke the story ... Nikki says she's NEVER getting back with John, and based on this pic ... he seems to be just fine with that.

President Trump heard the outrage loud and clear, 'cause he just announced that he will NOT seek to cut nearly $18 MILLION in funding from the Special Olympics.

Trump's Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos proposed cutting nearly every cent of funding to the organization earlier this week ... and people were PISSED.

TMZ Sports even spoke to WWE legend and Special Olympics ambassador -- Big Show -- who called the idea "bulls**t."

Now, Trump is putting an end to all that talk ... telling reporters at the White House that he's given the order to fund the organization -- like was originally planned.

“The Special Olympics will be funded," Trump said ... "I just authorized the funding of the Special Olympics. I have overridden my people.”

WWE superstar Jimmy Uso just caught a HUGE break in his disorderly conduct case -- he's essentially off the hook after allegedly squaring up to fight a police officer.

As we previously reported, Uso and his WWE superstar wife, Naomi, were pulled over in downtown Detroit on Feb. 13 after cops say Naomi was driving the wrong way down a 1-way street.

Cops say Naomi reeked of booze so they ordered her out of the car -- but Jimmy was allegedly trying to restrain her and prevent her from leaving.

Eventually, Naomi got out ... and Jimmy followed -- with cops saying the wrestler eventually took off his shirt and jacket and squared up as if he was about to fight.

Jimmy was eventually arrested and booked for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

But, we've learned Uso and his attorney, John Freeman, struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to plead no contest to interfering with a govt. employee -- and in exchange, he was ordered to pay $450 in fines.

That's it. Case closed.

It's a big deal considering Uso was facing jail time if convicted of disorderly conduct.

As for Naomi, she was neither arrested that night nor charged with a crime.

Jimmy Uso is a big deal in the pro wrestling world -- his father is WWE legend Rikishi and his cousins are The Rock and Roman Reigns.

12:08 PM PT -- Jenny Sushe -- along with Allred -- just addressed the media and said the boxer not only kissed her without consent, he also groped her butt after the interview.

After the interview, Sushe claims the boxer asked her to remove the kiss from the interview because he knew how it would play out in public, but she refused.

In a letter to the California State Athletic Commission, Allred says, "We hereby request that the commission conduct an immediate investigation into the serious allegations."

"We request that Mr. Pulov's boxing license be suspended."

The female reporter who was suddenly kissed by a boxer she was interviewing AFTER his fight has lawyered up ... hiring Gloria Allred to go after his ass.

The video went viral over the weekend -- showing 37-year-old Bulgarian heavyweight Kubrat Pulev planting a kiss on the mouth of reporter Jenny Sushe during a post-fight media session.

Following the incident, Pulev said the Vegas Sports Daily reporter is a "friend of mine" -- and he passed the whole thing off as no big deal.

"On the video, after our kiss, we both laughed about it and thanked each other," Pulev said ..."There really is nothing more to this."

Well, clearly Sushe thinks it's a big deal ... she's hired Allred and she's planning to take legal action against the boxer.

In fact, in classic Allred form ... the attorney is holding a press conference Thursday to announce the plan of attack.

Robert Kraft claims police surveillance footage showing him inside a Florida massage parlor is the result of an "unlawful sneak-and-peek search warrant" ... and he's demanding officials keep it under wraps.

Kraft has filed fiery new documents in his prostitution case in Palm Beach County -- slamming officials for putting hidden cameras inside of massage rooms as a ridiculous "governmental overreach."

"Florida resorted to the most drastic, invasive, indiscriminate spying conceivable by law enforcement -- taking continuous video recordings of private massages in which customers would be stripping naked as a matter of course -- in order to prosecute what are at most misdemeanor offenses."

Kraft says because we do not live in a police state -- and because government must answer to the rule of law -- the tapes must never go public.

The New England Patriots owner continues his attack ... saying, "Law enforcement had no satisfying justification for going to such extreme, invasive lengths just to investigate run-of-the-mill suspicion of solicitation."

Kraft says ... because of other evidence collected in the case -- including positive semen tests found in the spa's trash -- there was no need to plant the hidden cameras to "build a solicitation case around low-level consensual sex acts."

There's more ... Kraft also says the narrative about the sting operation targeting human trafficking is BS -- since officials have no real facts proving human trafficking ever occurred at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa visited by Kraft. In fact, the attorney for the spa's manager -- who was also arrested -- talked about law enforcement's lack of human trafficking evidence Thursday morning after his client's bail was reduced.

As Kraft says in his motion, "Law enforcement peddled these falsehoods to try and manufacture a patina of necessity [to put cameras in the massage rooms], where none exists."

Kraft is facing 2 misdemeanor counts of soliciting a prostitute during 2 visits to the spa in January. Officials say surveillance footage shows the 77-year-old receiving sex acts from spa employees in exchange for money.

Jim Kelly says he's working with his nephew, Chad Kelly, nonstop to get him back on an NFL team ... and tells TMZ Sports he's confident the young QB will get another shot in the league.

25-year-old Chad Kelly was cut by the Denver Broncos in 2018 following a bizarre trespassing arrest at a random home in Colorado following a night of partying.

Jim -- his real-life uncle -- has thrown his support behind Chad and is personally helping him get his life back on track ... both on and off the field.

In fact, Jim even posted video earlier this week showing Chad working on QB passing drills.

So when we saw the Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer outside "Good Morning America" in NYC on Thursday, we asked if he REALLY thinks NFL teams will give his nephew another shot at making a roster.

"Yes, he'll have fun. He's working his tail off and I've been spending a lot of time with him," Kelly says.

"To be honest with you, he has all the materials. We'll see. God bless him, keep working and we'll see what happens."

Not even Zion Williamson can single-handedly help lift LeBron's Lakers to championship level ... so says Paul Pierce, who tells TMZ Sports, "Y'all need more than that!"

"Zion is not the savior, but he's very good -- but y'all need more than that!"

Of course, Zion could be in L.A.'s plans this offseason ... they're terrible and now have a shot at the No. 1 overall pick.

But, Pierce says if the Lakers somehow win the lottery and DO draft Zion, he tells us that won't be enough to get LBJ back to the finals.

"Y'all need a lot," Paul says ... "A lot. A lot."

The problem?? The big-name NBA free agents -- Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving -- don't seem to have much desire to play with LeBron in his old age.

But, there's good news for the King -- according to Pierce.

"LeBron is doing very well out here -- with his production company."

SHAAAAAAAAAAAAADDEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Here's Conor McGregor enjoying "retirement" ... sippin' on pina coladas and -- JUST KIDDING, THE GUY IS STILL TRAINING HIS ASS OFF IN THE RING!!!

Just days after the UFC superstar announced his retirement "from the sport formerly known as 'Mixed Martial Art'" ... The Notorious was in a boxing ring -- and TMZ Sports has the vid.

You can see clear as day McGregor is still in great shape and still very ready to kick some ass ... sparring with a guy at Fight Club Gym on Wednesday in Miami and getting in some ab work.

Based on the footage, seems obvious McGregor is staying ready just in case he decides to unretire and get back to work in the UFC.

As we previously reported, McGregor has talked passionately recently about wanting rematches with both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Nate Diaz.

We recently spoke with UFC honcho Dana White who thinks Conor is serious about retirement -- since he's made so money already and seems to be successful in his Irish whiskey endeavor.

But, watch the clip ... does this look like a guy who's done fighting to you?

What does LeBron James wear on his feet for a romantic dinner date at the hottest sushi spot in L.A.?? Nothin' fancy ... just a totally super rare set of kicks you'll never find in stores!!

The King and his beautiful wife, Savannah, met up with some friends at Nobu in Malibu while the Lakers played in Utah on Wednesday (LeBron stayed home in L.A.) ... and we were drawn to Bron's all white sneaks.

Turns out, LBJ was wearing a rare pair that us average Joes will never get our hands on -- the John Elliott x Nike LeBron Icon Whites ... which were only handed out to the closest of James' friends.

For reference, the grey versions of the same shoes (also only given to friends and family) are currently rocking price tags at some resale stores for more than $2,000.

Of course, LeBron's got a lifetime deal with the Swoosh ... so don't expect to see him reppin' anything else.

BTW -- the Lakers lost to the Jazz, 115-100 ... but who really cares at this point.

But man, what a flex just for dinner.

There's another element at play here ... LeBron's teammate, Lonzo Ball, is currently at a shoe crossroads after covering up his Big Baller Brand tattoo.

Seems Lonzo is severing ties with BBB in the wake of an alleged financial scandal with the co-founder of the Big Baller Brand ... and the former #2 overall draft pick could be on the hunt for another major sports apparel brand to endorse.

So, while he's in shoe limbo, Ball rocked a pair of $1,000 Dior sneakers earlier this week ... but c'mon, how much better would he look in a pair of Brons?