TMZ Sports - Page 50

Antonio Brown has been fired by his powerful NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus -- who says he won't work with the embattled WR again until he gets professional help.

Rosenhaus -- who has worked with Brown for years -- sent a letter to the NFL Players Association saying he wants to work with AB again, but strongly believes Antonio needs counsel first, this according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Rosenhaus -- whose client list includes stars like Tyreek Hill and Rob Gronkowski -- had been sticking by AB's side through all the drama with the Steelers, Raiders and Patriots ... but now it's clear he's reached his breaking point.

In fact, Brown recently had a workout with the New Orleans Saints but reportedly blew it -- bringing an entourage and camera crew despite being told NOT to do that.

Heads continue to roll in the wake of the Astros' bombshell cheating scandal ... NY Mets manager Carlos Beltran is stepping down because of his role in the scheme.

Major League Baseball announced its findings Monday in the investigation into allegations Houston stole signs beginning in 2017 ... and in the report, it said Beltran was one of the initiators of the cheating.

According to commissioner Rob Manfred, Carlos told the team they could benefit from stealing signs.

From there, Manfred said the 'Stros ran with the idea ... and continued to cheat by filming catchers' signs, decoding them and relaying them to batters using a dugout trash can.

Most of the major players in the scheme have lost their jobs after the findings of the probe were announced ... Astros manager A.J. Hinch, Houston GM Jeff Luhnow AND Red Sox manager Alex Cora (who was the 'Stros' bench coach at the time) are all OUT of their jobs.

Now, Beltran and the Mets have followed suit.

It's a bummer for NY ... they JUST hired Carlos in November to replace Mickey Callaway -- and Alex Rodriguez told us he expected HUGE things from the guy in New York.

Originally Published -- 10:12 AM PT

Shaq's decision to pass on signing 'NSYNC after helping the boy band get off the ground is still tearing up Lance Bass' heart -- but he says there still would've been one major issue.

We got the singer at Villa Blanca in Bev Hills and our guy asked about Shaq coming thiiis close to signing 'NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys way back in the '90s.

Shaq's already said not signing the group is one of the biggest mistakes he's ever made, and Lance told us ... he couldn't agree more.

As you know ... 'NSYNC owes a lot of its early success to Shaq. Lance revealed their connection a couple years ago, telling us the NBA superstar lent them the recording studio in his Orlando mansion when they were starting out.

Lance says he 100 percent wishes the big fella pulled the trigger and signed them -- but adds he's not certain Shaq could've saved them from manager Lou Pearlman and his infamous ponzi scheme.

Ahhh, hindsight.

More trouble for Odell Beckham ... a warrant for his arrest has been issued by a judge after the NFL star slapped a security officer in the ass during the LSU locker room celebration.

"We can confirm a warrant has been issued on a charge of simple battery," a spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports.

And, get this ... authorities initially sought to charge Beckham with misdemeanor sexual battery, according to Nola.com ... but a judge wouldn't approve it. Instead, the judge agreed the simple battery charge was more appropriate.

Footage of the incident went viral ... Beckham was celebrating with the LSU football team after they won the National Championship at the Superdome on Monday night when the incident went down.

A guard -- who TMZ Sports has confirmed is part of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome security team -- appeared to be policing players over cigar smoking in the locker room when Odell reached back and slapped the guy HARD right on his ass.

If convicted, 27-year-old Beckham faces up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Manny Pacquiao is heartbroken over the devastation the Taal Volcano is causing in the Philippines ... and now he's begging for help, saying he'll double anyone's donations to relief efforts.

The small volcano -- located less than 100 miles south of Manila -- began erupting over the weekend ... and it's ravaged the region -- forcing tens of thousands out of their homes.

And, according to reports, there's still concern a massive, hazardous, explosive eruption could happen.

Pacquiao -- who was born in the Philippines and currently sits as the country's senator -- is trying his best to help in relief efforts ... donating food, items and money -- but he's asking for much more.

"Whatever we raise," Pacquiao said in a video message Thursday, "all the donations, whatever it costs, I will double that so we can help more people."

Pacquiao says the disaster hits very close to home for him ... not just because he grew up in the region -- but because he went through homelessness and poverty as a youngster as well.

"I've experienced not having anything to eat and not having a place to sleep," Pacquiao said. "These people need our help."

DEREK CARR HAS ZERO CHILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Oakland (Las Vegas?) Raiders quarterback posted video of him taking his toddler son DEEP to left field in a friendly soft-toss game ... and the video is straight savagery!!!

Carr got in the father-son bonding time Wednesday ... and despite showing no mercy on his 3-year-old, he didn't even apologize!!!

"Sorry ... not sorry ..." the QB wrote of the epic hack.

Of course, it's all fun and games for DC ... he's known as a GREAT father to his three boys -- and he's constantly posting about parenting his kids the right way.

And, hey ... sometimes kids gotta learn to lose to get better, right?!?

As for Derek and his fam's future ... they're going to be heading off to Vegas shortly -- the Raiders are set to complete their move from the Bay Area to Nevada this offseason.

Prince Harry doesn't seem too stressed after what was one of the most tumultuous weeks ever for the Royal Family ... in fact, looks like he's shrugging it all off.

The Duke of Sussex surfaced Thursday at Buckingham Palace to host the draw for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 -- his first sighting since he and his wife, Meghan Markle, announced they were stepping down from senior royal duties.

Harry's face kind of says it all ... it's no biggie!

Before the draw, Harry spent some time meeting with children who'd gathered to play some flag rugby ... and he put smiles on their faces. Looks like the kids are alright with his big life change decision.

As we reported ... Meghan also surfaced for the first time this week at a women's center in Vancouver, and everyone looked thrilled to be in her company too.

Myles Garrett clearly believes he'll play football again ... 'cause the dude is still hitting the weights HARD -- benching 425 POUNDS in a workout this week!!!

Of course, Garrett's NFL future is up in the air ... the Browns star is still serving out an indefinite suspension for attacking Steelers QB Mason Rudolph with his helmet in November.

But, Myles apparently ain't concerned the ban will last too much longer ... he's lifting weights like he's going to be facing 300-pound O-linemen in the very near future.

Ya gotta watch the clip ... Garrett -- with internet fitness superstar Bradley Martyn spotting -- hits 425 pounds TWICE, and it's impressive as hell!!!

He also makes 100-pound dumbbells look like 45s in an upper chest workout, hits dips with ease and showed off with some weighted rows as well.

Yeah, guy's a beast!!

Garrett's training is just the latest sign his suspension might coming to an end ... remember, he didn't try to hide his face at all at a Los Angeles Lakers game earlier this month.

Demi Lovato will sing the National Anthem at Super Bowl LIV in February -- one of her first live performances since suffering an overdose back in 2018.

Lovato has serious experience singing the Anthem at major sporting events -- she had the honors at the big Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight back in 2017.

But, her life hit some speed bumps since then and she was hospitalized in July 2018 after nearly dying from an overdose likely caused by Oxy laced with Fentanyl.

Before that Lovato had admitted falling off the wagon after nearly 6 years of sobriety.

Now, Lovato appears healthy and sober and ready to make a public comeback -- and it doesn't get much bigger than the Super Bowl!!!

FYI, if you're one of those degenerate gamblers who likes to bet on the over/under for length of the National Anthem performance ... here's some advice -- Demi's rendition at the Conor vs. Floyd fight went almost 2 minutes and 15 seconds ... so, don't bet on short!

The UFC is considering bringing back the BMF belt for another big fight -- and this time, it could involve Conor McGregor ... so says Dana White.

The guy who currently holds the BMF title is Jorge Masvidal -- who beat up Nate Diaz for 3 rounds at UFC 244 back in November.

So, what happens next? Nothing is certain but Dana gave us a quick update on some of the huge fights he's looking to make in 2020 ... including a possible BMF revival.

1) Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington Rematch?

Maybe. Dana says he was really impressed with the fight but knows it could be a while before Colby's broken jaw is healed and cleared for action.

2) In the meantime, Dana says he likes the idea of a Kamaru vs. Jorge Masvidal fight -- which could be AWESOME!

3) As for Jorge's BMF belt -- Dana told us, "Conor has talked about wanting a crack at that belt. Conor has talked about wanting a shot at that belt, too."

Dana doesn't want to get ahead of himself, but it seems pretty obvious a Conor vs. Jorge BMF showdown is on his mind.

4) Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic Rematch

Dana says, "That's the fight to make as soon as Stipe is healthy again." He's confident we'll see it in 2020, but no date yet.

5) Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero

"It's not a done deal, but that's the fight we're trying to make. Yes."

Of course, the first step is Conor vs. Cowboy at UFC 246 on Saturday (only available on ESPN+) ... which might be the friendliest main event ever!

Antonio Brown and Logan Paul are in serious negotiations with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing to put on a fight in April ... and both guys are dead set on making it happen.

With Brown still not under contract with an NFL team -- and Paul looking for another high-profile fight after the KSI rematch -- we're told both sides have talked and are set to get a deal done.

Nothing is in stone yet ... but it's moving in that direction.

In fact, AB has already hired a world-class boxing trainer and started training camp, this according to reporter Manouk Akopyan.

The man running Brown's training program is Eromosele Albert, a 2-time Olympian from Nigeria who racked up a 24-6-1 record as a pro.

"Antonio Brown just started boxing and we just started training together," Albert told Akopyan ... "Yes, he is serious about the fight."

"We’re starting a training camp now. He’s a natural. He’s an athlete. It’s not a big transition. He’s going to catch-up really quick."

"He needs a lot of work to get done, to correct all of his mistakes. We have three months to get ready for the fight. That’s enough time. He’s in shape already. We just have to work on his technique, head movement and defense -- and that should be it for him to be ready."

As for Paul, he told us he's ready to go ... and he's VERY confident he can win.

Has Eli Manning played his last down EVER for the New York Giants???

It certainly seems that way ... because when we got the team's co-owner, Steve Tisch, leaving Craig's in L.A. on Tuesday, he wouldn't commit to the 39-year-old QB for 2020.

"Everything's up in the air," Tisch said.

Of course, all signs have been pointing toward a Manning-Giants breakup ever since NY took Daniel Jones with the No. 6 overall pick in last year's NFL draft.

But, there at least appeared to be SOME chance Manning could return as Big Blue's backup next season ... although Tisch's responses to our questions didn't exactly paint the brightest picture for that possibility.

If it is the end for Manning in NY ... it was a hell of a run -- he started 234 games for the Giants since 2004 and famously won two Super Bowls.

As for what Giants' life could be like without the QB ... Tisch tells us he's optimistic about the direction Joe Judge has the team headed in, saying, "I totally trust our new head coach."

Conor McGregor ain't exactly spewing venom -- he's complimenting the hell outta Cowboy Cerrone ... in what might be the NICEST press conference he's ever been in.

Not only did Conor arrive 15 minutes EARLY for the event (super unusual for McGregor) ... but when the opportunity presented itself to trash talk, he didn't launch the missiles he fired at guys like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Floyd Mayweather.

Instead, Conor praised Cowboy as a real accomplished fighter, a worthy opponent and an all-around good dude.

"Although there will be blood spilled on January 18th, it will not be bad blood," Conor said.

McGregor still predicted a knockout victory at the Palms Casino Resort ... but in the nicest way possible.

Conor was also asked if he was worried about getting banned from the United States due to his legal issues over the years, but the Irishman said he's all good and how grateful he is for the U.S.

McGregor also said he's cut out booze in preparations for the fight ... which means no beloved Proper 12.

Conor and Cowboy are set to throw down on Saturday night at UFC 246 at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas (only available on ESPN+) ... that's when the compliments will end.

As for Cowboy, he returned the love!!!

"I'm looking forward to 4-5 rounds of battle with this man ... Conor's one of the last dying breeds of the last fighters, so it's good to be in there with him and really get in there and f**king give it all we got."

"So, yeah man, I'm going 5 rounds with this dude and I can't f**king wait 'til Saturday night."

The presser was a nice fest ... and even had a Chad Johnson appearance!!!

No, seriously ... the ex-NFL star put on his journalist hat with Bleacher Report and asked a question!!!

The guys even shared a moment over their style -- Conor complimented Cowboy's python suit and both fighters bonded over PETA coming after them.

Rocky Johnson, a WWE pioneer and father of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has died according to the WWE.

Johnson, who was living in the Tampa Bay area, passed away Wednesday. Rocky "Soulman" Johnson -- started out in the National Wrestling Alliance in the 1960s, but got widespread notoriety when he joined the WWE in the 80s. He and Tony Atlas became the league's first African-American tag team champions as The Soul Patrol.

Some of his biggest rivals were Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Don Muraco and Adrian Adonis. Rocky retired back in 1991 and he was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

Obviously, his son followed in his footsteps. It is widely known that Dwayne adopted his dad's name for his own wrestling moniker ... and certainly carried on the torch lit by his pop.

They remained close -- The Rock even gifted his father a brand new car and a house for Christmas. Last year he published his autobiography -- "Soulman: The Rocky Johnson Story" -- and his son wrote the foreword.

Rocky was 75. RIP

Joe Burrow says Odell Beckham gave him REAL cash after LSU won the national championship ... and there's NOTHING the NCAA can do about it.

OBJ was passin' out cash like candy at the Superdome after the Tigers beat Clemson in the natty on Monday ... and the video got so much attention that LSU released a statement claiming the money was fake.

But, now ... A TWIST!!!

The star QB appeared on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast and told the guys Beckham WAS handing out real money that night.

"I'm not a student-athlete anymore, so I can say yeah," Burrow revealed.

The only thing that's unclear is if Odell handed the real money to Burrow on the field or at the bars afterward ... not that it would make that big of a difference.

There's more ... the Heisman winner says he's been partying his face off since the victory and has only slept for about 45 minutes!

But, the real party may come Saturday when the championship parade goes down in Baton Rouge ... and Burrow says he's planning to channel his inner Rob Gronkowski.

"I might have to save up so I can Gronk that parade."

Big Cat points out that college championship parades are usually a lot less boozy than the pros ... but Burrow says he's the exception, not the rule!

"I'm graduating and I'm 23 years old, so I can do whatever the hell I want."

Well said, champ.

Joe Burrow and Co. will be takin' their championship celebration to the nation's capital ... 'cause the LSU Tigers are scheduled to visit President Donald Trump at the White House!!

The Tigers handled Clemson in a 42-25 win in the natty on Monday ... which POTUS attended and received a massive ovation prior to kickoff.

Now, Ed Orgeron's team will be returning the favor by hitting up 1600 Penn on Friday to be recognized by the prez.

It's been one helluva season for the Tigers -- they went 15-0 and some are considering it one of the most dominant seasons in college football history.

Burrow -- who won the Heisman Trophy -- has previously talked about Trump hitting up their games earlier this season (for the big matchup against Alabama) ... saying it's "pretty cool" regardless of political views.

Of course, college champs -- unlike some pro teams -- have jumped on the opportunity to visit the White House in recent years ... including last year's Clemson team, who got hooked up with junk food due to the government shutdown.

No word on if Trump will improve the menu this time around ... but Burrow passionately hates Skyline Chili, so maybe don't serve that.