TMZ Sports - Page 50

The NBA reached out to Drake and asked him not to travel to Oakland for any of the NBA Finals games at Oracle Arena due to "security concerns," multiple sources tell TMZ Sports.

We're told the league expressed concern about potentially angry Warriors fans doing something stupid like taunting Drake or throwing stuff at him ... which wouldn't just put Drake at risk, but also other people sitting near him.

In the end, they all agreed it was best for Drake to stay in Toronto for the away games -- with Drake ultimately leading the Raptor fan watch party at Jurassic Park during Game 6.

Drake's dad Dennis Graham provided more of an explanation about the "security issues" when we saw him out at Delilah in L.A. after the Raptors won the championship ... suggesting some Warriors fans might've been holding a grudge for all of Drake's sideline antics during the Finals.

"When people see you in Toronto and you're making sideline things like that you have to be careful," Dennis said ... "With the rowdy fans, you can't take chances."

Don't feel too bad for Drake -- he had a BLAST in Toronto ... and then FaceTimed with Steph Curry after the game.

As for Dennis, he also told us why he thinks the Raps should NOT visit Donald Trump at the White House and opt to hang with the Prime Minister of Canada instead.

MLB legend Jim Edmonds says he and his wife are on the road to repairing their marriage after he admitted to texting nude selfies to another woman ... telling TMZ Sports, "I made a mistake."

Here's the backstory ... Edmonds has been under fire this week after a woman put their text message exchange online -- claiming Jim sent her explicit messages and videos last year while his wife Meghan King Edmonds was about to give birth to their twins.

Edmonds has DENIED having a physical relationship with the other woman -- despite her claims -- but seems to be fessing up to the text message part telling us, "It was just a weak moment."

As for the state of his marriage to the 'Real Housewives of Orange County' star -- Jim says he and his wife are "doing good" and definitely still on speaking terms.

When asked how they plan to get through the situation, Jim told us, "We're just gonna have to work through it."

Jim added, "It's pretty crazy in this world. People can make up stories about you and hide behind being anonymous. It sucks."

Cardinals superstar Marcell Ozuna says he ain't scared to return to the D.R. after David Ortiz was shot Sunday ... but he tells TMZ Sports he will have to watch his back in his home country now.

"I'ma be careful," the 28-year-old Santo Domingo native admits.

Ortiz was sitting outside of a bar over the weekend when a man walked up from behind and shot him at point-blank range.

The attack stunned everybody ... and had Dominican natives like White Sox phenom Eloy Jimenez openly admitting he's now scared to go back home.

Ozuna tells us he's not ready to go that far with his feelings on the D.R. yet ... but says he will have to be on high alert when he's back home now.

"I'm not afraid," the outfielder says ... "But I'ma be careful."

Lakers star Josh Hart had one response when we asked him if the Raptors championship was tainted by the fact that the Warriors has SO many injuries during the NBA Finals.

"F*CK NO."

We really could end the post right there but then we wouldn't be able to remind you that the Warriors lost both Kevin Durant AND Klay Thompson during the Finals, but that Hart doesn't seem to care.

That's not all he said when we got him leaving Deliah either ... he gave a heartfelt shout out to his friend and hometown hero Kyle Lowry, who just got his first championship ring up in the 6.

If you're wondering, we asked Hart approximately 1 million Lakers related questions, mainly about the Anthony Davis related trade rumors, and he punted like Brad Wing on all of them.

Ronda Rousey put female UFC fighters on the map ... and that's exactly what Mikaela Mayer says she's gonna do for female boxing.

Mikaela is a 28-year-old undefeated boxer (10-0) -- who's signed with legendary promoter Bob Arum -- and she's fighting Lizbeth Crespo Saturday in Vegas.

MM says that female boxing ain't anywhere near where it should be when it comes to fan interest ... but that's about to change -- and she's pointing at the UFC as proof it can happen.

There was once a time when Dana White said women would never fight in the UFC ... then Ronda came along, and a bunch of armbars later, female fights are every bit as popular as the guys.

See Amanda Nunes, Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko ... the list goes on and on.

So, we asked Mikaela if she could be the Rowdy Ronda of female boxing?

"Yeah, how she broke down those walls and made women's MMA, a market for women's MMA, yeah, I absolutely see myself doing that for women's boxing."

The sport seems ready to explode with killers like Mikaela, Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields putting a serious ass-whooping on people in big time fights.

"I feel like we all have a duty to show the world and prove to the world that we can be competitive," Mikaela says ... "That we can put on good shows, that we can sell."

Daniel Cormier says his upcoming title defense against Stipe Miocic could be his last hurrah in the UFC Octagon ... telling TMZ Sports, "I don't anticipate fighting much past this."

Remember, DC had always said he would retire on his 40th birthday -- but that came and went in March ... with Cormier breaking his vow to take on a second fight with Stipe.

Now that the rematch is set for August 17 in Anaheim, we asked Cormier if he's still thinking about retirement.

"I always said that I was gonna fight [until I was 40]. I couldn't make that one so, if I hold true to what I was saying, then this would be the final one."

Of course, Cormier can always change his mind -- especially if the fight checks are big enough -- but one thing's for sure ... he ain't gonna be doing this for much longer.

Meantime, Cormier says he's already started training for Stipe -- because he knows Miocic is looking for some violent revenge after getting knocked out in the first round at UFC 226 back in 2018.

"I truly believe he's gonna be a better version of himself," Cormier says ... "I think it'll be a much more difficult fight."

A pretty significant development in the Cristiano Ronaldo alleged rape lawsuit -- TMZ Sports has learned the soccer star has been served with the court papers and the battle is now underway.

Remember, the accuser Kathryn Mayorga recently withdrew her lawsuit from state court in Nevada to focus on the lawsuit in federal court, mostly because state court laws were making it hard for her legal team to serve Ronaldo with the court docs.

And, just days after making the move, Mayorga's team had success serving CR7 -- which means the case can now move forward.

In fact, Ronaldo's legal team has already responded to the lawsuit with court docs of their own in which they ask the judge for permission to file a new 46-page document which will presumably lay out their argument for the court to throw out the case.

As we previously reported, Mayorga claims Ronaldo raped her in a Las Vegas hotel room back in 2009 after partying together at a nightclub.

She had initially filed a police report describing the alleged crime -- but didn't identify Ronaldo by name.

In her original lawsuit, Mayorga says she later accepted a $375,000 payment in exchange for her silence -- but now, she wants that agreement voided.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Dept. reopened the case -- but so far, no charges have been brought against the soccer star.

Ronaldo has previously denied the allegations -- saying back in 2018, "Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in."

Kellen Winslow Jr. will be retried on the 8 remaining counts that weren't decided by the jury in his rape case, officials say.

Remember, the ex-NFL star was convicted of 3 of the 12 total charges, including 1 charge of felony forcible rape. He was found not guilty of 1 count of lewd conduct.

But, the jury had deadlocked on the 8 remaining charges stemming from allegations he raped 2 additional women and exposed his genitals to 2 others.

Now, prosecutors have announced they're taking another swing at the 8 remaining charges -- with a retrial set to begin later this year. Jury selection begins in Sept.

Because of his rape conviction last week ... Winslow is now facing up to 9 years in prison -- but if he's found guilty of the rest of the charges against him, he could face up to LIFE in prison.

Winslow's attorney asked the judge to release his client from custody with a GPS-tracking device -- but the judge shot that request down hard. He'll remain behind bars indefinitely.

As we previously reported, 35-year-old Winslow was arrested back in June 2018 after officials say he kidnapped and raped 2 transient women in 2 separate incidents (one in March and another in May).

A 3rd woman later stepped forward and also claimed Winslow raped her 15 years ago while she was unconscious.

Kellen was also accused of exposing himself to two other women in separate incidents over the past year as well.

Pro wrestling superstar Jon Moxley -- formally known as Dean Ambrose -- is hours away from making his return to the U.S. indie circuit ... and the dude is FIRED UP!!

"I feel like I'm 18 again," Moxley tells TMZ Sports ... "I'm just so excited, just chomping at the bit to get back in the ring!"

Moxley was a HUGE star for years with WWE -- a former world champion who was 1/3 of The Shield, along with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

But, his WWE contract expired earlier this year -- so he decided to pursue other options using the "Jon Moxley" moniker he created before his WWE days.

Moxley recently wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling -- his first post-WWE match -- and crushed it. And now, he's taking his talents back to the U.S. where he has an event Friday night for Northeast Wrestling in Connecticut.

"I'm so excited ... I could wrestle 'til I'm 100 ... stem cell research, you never know!"

Next up for Moxley is a match against Joey Janela at AEW's Fyter Fest later this month. And after that, it's Kenny Omega at AEW's massive All Out event in August.

Check out the video ... Moxley thanks his fans for sticking with him through his wrestling journey -- vows to put on great shows.

10:48 AM PT -- The Raptors have released a statement to TMZ Sports saying, “The incident is being looked at, and we are cooperating with authorities. We look forward to resolving the situation."

8:44 AM PT -- A spokesperson for the Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. tells us they WILL be pursuing a misdemeanor criminal charge against Ujiri for the alleged incident.

Sgt. Ray Kelly tells us, "[Ujiri] shoved our deputy and tried to walk past him." That's when Sgt. Kelly says the deputy "pushed [Ujiri] away from the court."

Sgt. Kelly says Ujiri came back with a "second more significant push" with a part of his arm striking the deputy in the face.

Sgt. Kelly says the department believes Ujiri committed misdemeanor battery on a law enforcement officer.

He also says investigators are gathering more footage -- including surveillance video -- while building their case against Ujiri.

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri allegedly shoved and struck a sheriff's deputy in the moments after his team won the NBA title Thursday night ... and part of the incident was caught on video.

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office is looking into an alleged misdemeanor battery -- after officials say Ujiri got furious when he was denied access to the court to celebrate after the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland.

The end of the altercation was captured on video by NBC Bay Area.

Officials say the officer is claiming Ujiri didn't have the proper credentials on him at the time.

Officials say Ujiri pushed the deputy and struck him in the face.

Ujiri was NOT arrested on the spot -- and he was able to get on the court and give a speech (which was televised) after NBA Commish Adam Silver presented the team with the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

"We are working with the Oakland Police Department to file a report and contact witnesses and review video," Sgt. Ray Kelly with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said.

The man who shot MLB legend David Ortiz issued a desperate statement from his jail cell Thursday -- admitting he pulled the trigger ... but claiming Big Papi was NOT the man he was trying to kill.

25-year-old Rolfi Ferreira Cruz peeked his face out through bars in the Dominican Republic to address the hoards of reporters crowded outside the jail ... and made the shocking comments.

"It wasn't supposed to be David," Rolfi said in Spanish from behind a barred window ... explaining it was the color of David's clothing that confused him.

You can also hear another man in the cell -- presumably another suspect in the case -- telling Rolfi in Spanish, "Tell them it wasn't meant for David."

Cruz did NOT reveal who the intended target was -- only suggesting he was sent to the Dial Bar on Sunday to kill another man who was dressed like Ortiz that night.

So far, at least 6 people have been arrested in the attempted murder plot -- and cops are still searching for other suspects ... including Luis Alfredo Rivas-Clase, who is also a suspect in a 2018 shooting in Pennsylvania.

Officials still have not revealed a possible motive for the attack.

Surveillance footage of the incident show 2 men -- including Cruz -- rolling up to the bar on a motorcycle. Cruz walks right up to Ortiz and shoots him in the back before trying to make a getaway.

The motorcycle crashed and the suspects tried to flee -- but one man was stopped and beaten by bystanders.

The Toronto Raptors didn't just murder the Warriors -- they killed HUNDREDS of bottles of champagne in the locker room ... and the footage is insane!!

Check out Raptors players Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakam and more just blowing through bottles of bubble while taking turns holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

At one point, you can see what appears to be hundreds of empty bottles strewn all over the locker room floor ... it's like hundreds of dollars in recycling money if anyone turns those in!!

After they left the locker room and got on the team bus, the players turned all the way up to Meek Mill's championship hit, "Dreams and Nightmares" ... the same song the Philadelphia Eagles rocked too when they won the Super Bowl a few years ago.

At the hotel, the dancing continued ... only there, the champagne spraying stopped and the guys switched to sipping red wine.

Next up for the Raptors is the championship parade through Toronto which is set to go down on Monday.

Major props to Steph Curry ... who not only took a FaceTime call from a FIRED UP Drake after the NBA Finals ... but he actually CONGRATULATED Drizzy on the victory!!

Of course, Drake was LOSING HIS MIND when the Raps won their first ever NBA title on Thursday night ... and decided to hit up Steph (probably to gloat).

But, in footage of the conversation captured on video, the two guys are actually being super nice and respectful to each other -- with Drake saying, "It's love."

Curry told Drake to enjoy the victory -- he was also SHOCKED that Drake was able to get an official championship hat (like the players got) even though he was watching the game from Jurassic Park in Toronto!

Drake also told Steph to send his love to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson -- who tore his ACL in Game 6.

Obviously, Drake and Steph are friends (Drake has Steph's jersey number tatted on his arm) -- and they already made plans to hang out this summer.

"They said I was a curse, now they cursing each other out."

That was Drake's message to the world moments after his Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Title ... and he's so excited, he's dropping new music to celebrate.

A very hydrated Drizzy went on Instagram to gloat and it was pretty hilarious ... Drake told the fans he's designing the Raptors championship rings and will release 2 new tracks Friday.

The insinuation is the music is inspired by Toronto's incredible championship run ... a run where Drake was on the sidelines cheering his team on for the most of the series.

Drake also had a message for Klay Thompson ... telling the Warriors star they better be FRIENDLY to each other when they see each other over the summer.

"Yo Klay, when you're wake-boarding this summer in your Quicksilver shorts ... when you see me, you better wave! Friendly too!"

Klay probably ain't in the best mood right now ... he reportedly tore his ACL during Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Celebrity gamer Sonja Reid -- aka OMGitsfirefoxx -- makes a living firing shots in virtual reality but in real life ... she's under fire for allegedly stiffing her lawyers.

The law firm McPherson LLP is suing Reid claiming the former client bailed on her legal bills. She hired the firm in February of last year to get a restraining order against one or more alleged stalkers that had been sending her threatening messages.

According to the law firm, it gathered tons of evidence which led to LAPD search warrants targeting Facebook, Instagram and others ... to unearth the identity of the bad guys.

Things went south just a month after Reid hired the firm, because the lawyers weren't getting paid. The tab is now $41,570.54.

McPherson claims Reid hired another lawyer ... and only offered to pay around 18% of the $41k bill.

Reid, btw, is one of the biggest celebrity gamers in the world ... with nearly 1 million followers on Twitch, the game streaming platform. She has nearly 2 million followers on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

A boxing champ wants to beat the hell out of Conor McGregor both in the ring AND the Octagon ... with Regis Prograis saying, "I'ma hurt your ass!"

... and it's all 'cause of Mark Wahlberg.

Here's the deal ... Conor called out Mark on social media Sunday saying he wanted to "slap the ears off" the actor and take his UFC shares.

Well, 30-year-old Prograis -- the 24-0 WBA light-welterweight champ who's currently managed by Wahlberg -- heard the challenge ... and now, he's issuing a threat right back at the UFC superstar.

"Don't call out no actors, dawg," Regis says ... "Call out a real world champion. I'ma hurt your ass!"

Regis says he wants a two-fight deal with Conor -- one in the ring and one in the Octagon -- and he's promising he'll win both.

"I'll fight you in the ring first, and I'm definitely going to whoop your ass. Then, I'm going to fight you in the Octagon, and whoop your ass in there!"

The tale of the tape is interesting ... Regis fights at 5'8" and around 140 pounds, while Conor comes in at 5'9", 150ish pounds.

So, will it go down??? Stay tuned ...