TMZ Sports - Page 50

AND, DOWN THE STRETCH THEY'LL COME ... ON JUNE 20TH!

The 2020 Belmont Stakes have been moved from June 6 to June 20 -- and will serve as the FIRST leg of the Triple Crown, officials announced.

Usually, Belmont is the THIRD and final leg of the marquee races -- but do to the COVID-19 pandemic, everything was pushed back.

So, here's the official order ...

Belmont Stakes -- June 20

Kentucky Derby -- Sept. 5

The Preakness -- Oct. 3

The New York Racing Association -- which oversees the Belmont Stakes -- says no fans will be allowed at the track, in accordance with NY coronavirus safety measures.

"The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution that will provide world-class entertainment for sports fans during these challenging times," said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke said.

"While this will certainly be a unique running of this historic race, we are grateful to be able to hold the Belmont Stakes in 2020. Thanks to our partners at NBC Sports, fans across the country can look forward to a day of exceptional thoroughbred racing at a time when entertainment and sports are so important to providing a sense of normalcy."

Tony Romo touchdown pass to ... LeBron James????

The King and his business partner say that damn-near happened way back in 2011 ... with Maverick Carter revealing Jerry Jones offered LBJ a contract with the Dallas Cowboys!!

Here's the deal ... LeBron said on an Uninterrupted podcast Monday he had such serious concerns about the NBA lockout in 2011, he actually began training for a pro-football career.

The Lakers superstar -- who was with the Miami Heat at the time -- says he changed up his whole workout routine in the event he would have to switch sports.

LeBron says he was dead serious about it all too ... claiming he added 40 times, more bench pressing and even sled pushing.

"The thoughts came into my mind," James said. "I had no idea how long the lockout was going to be.”

In fact, Carter chimed in and said things got so serious -- the Cowboys actually reached out with an offer!!

Fortunately for the NBA, the league got back to work, and LeBron never had the chance to switch sports ... instead, deciding to frame and hang Jerry's offer on the wall as opposed to signing it.

But, LeBron admits football is an itch he's sad he never scratched ... revealing he straight-up still dreams about the sport!

"It’s crazy because I actually never run on the field in my dreams," James said. "It always gets to the point where I’m either in the locker room or getting dressed or talking about or seeing the fans and as soon as I’m about to run on the field, something else happens in my dream. It’s like something that it always happens like that."

The NBA is still hoping to return to play this season amid the coronavirus pandemic, but, in the meantime, the Cowboys COULD still use another tight end ...

Cops are NOT in possession of video showing Deandre Baker and Quinton Dunbar robbing people at gunpoint at a cookout in FL ... but investigators are scouring the neighborhood hoping to find something ASAP.

Multiple people involved in the investigation had told us they were confident there was video from the May 13 incident -- but a spokesperson for the Broward County State Attorney's Office tells us straight-up there's no video, "not that I'm aware of."

One person involved in the case tells us cops are making an effort to speak with people in the vicinity to find out if the incident was captured on home surveillance video, including Ring doorbell cameras ... and no, TMZ Sports has not seen any video of the incident either.

As we previously reported, Baker is facing 8 felony charges including armed robbery and aggravated assault -- while Dunbar is facing 4 counts of aggravated assault.

Both men claim they have multiple witnesses who say they did not rob anyone at gunpoint. Meanwhile, both men are out on bond, awaiting their next court date.

The issue ... cops say they spoke with multiple witnesses on the night of the incident who fingered Baker as the shot caller in a brazen armed robbery.

One witness told cops Baker ordered a third man, who was wearing a red mask, to shoot another partygoer.

Cops say Baker, Dunbar and the unidentified third man fled the scene in exotic getaway cars with more than $12,000 in cash and $60,000 in expensive watches.

Both the Giants and Seahawks have said they are aware of the allegations ... and are doing their own investigations into the matter.

The University of Kentucky just axed its entire cheerleading coaching staff over allegations of hazing, heavy boozing and public nudity.

"The advisor and the coaches failed to stop a culture of hazing, alcohol use and public nudity at off-campus activities where they were present," UK said Monday in a statement.

"Our students deserve more responsible leadership, and the University of Kentucky demands it."

So, what happened?

The school launched an investigation after allegations of debauchery at a cheerleader retreat back in February at Lake Cumberland.

Team members allegedly engaged in nude routines -- including topless and bottomless basket tosses into the water from a dock.

School officials say the activities were carried out while under the supervision of team coaches.

The school also says team members slammed alcohol during boat parties -- and several members required medical treatment.

Another incident went down in Tennessee, according to the school ... where members were ordered to perform dirty chants while wearing uniforms without underwear.

Head coach Jomo Thompson -- along with assistant coaches Ben Head, Spencer Clan and Kelsey LaCroix -- were all fired as a result of a 3-month investigation.

What's the appropriate amount to tip on a $37 check?

HOW ABOUT ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS?!!!

That's the kind of math Chad Ochocinco is all about -- and he proved it Monday, by dropping a killer tip at one of his favorite restaurants.

The ex-NFL wideout popped by Havana's restaurant near Ft. Lauderdale -- which recently reopened amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only did Chad order up some delicious grub, but man -- he blessed the good people with a some serious tippage!

"Congrats on reopening, sorry about the pandemic, hope this helps," Ochocinco wrote on the bill ... "I love you!"

The restaurant staff felt the love and publicly shouted out the former Cincinnati Bengals star on social media.

"We would like to thank Chad 'Ocho Cinco' Johnson for his continued patronage."

"We greatly appreciate your generosity to our employees now during these most difficult times. Many blessings to you and your family. Thank you again!"

We know what you're thinking -- how rich is that dude? Johnson reportedly made close to $50 mil during his 11 year NFL career ... but he's famously thrifty with his cash.

... but hey, it's good to make an exception once in a while!

Props to Chad!

This is heartbreaking -- Shad Gaspard was hanging at the beach with his son and shared how blessed he felt about life ... just days before the former WWE star went missing during a swim with his kid.

Gaspard posted a few photos of his 10-year-old boy -- along with a clip of them walking together by the ocean -- on May 6, and wrote ... "Love the life I built for my self and my family."

It's pretty clear ... Shad and his son enjoy spending some quality time together at the beach.

Sadly, as TMZ Sports first reported ... Gaspard went missing Sunday afternoon after he and his boy were among a group of swimmers who got caught in a strong rip current at Venice Beach in L.A.

Lifeguards were able to rescue the boy after Shad directed them to his son first, but the 39-year-old ex-pro wrestler reportedly submerged after a wave crashed on him ... and hasn't been seen since.

Officials are still scouring the area looking for Gaspard, and shared a photo of him taken earlier in the day in hopes he will be found.

Heads up, 2044 Olympics ... Usain Bolt's baby daughter has officially arrived!!!

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed the news on social media Monday ... saying Bolt's longtime girlfriend, Kasi Bennett, gave birth to the couple's child this week.

"Congratulations to our sprint legend Usain Bolt and Kasi Bennett on the arrival of their baby girl!" Holness wrote.

Bolt and Bennett first announced their pregnancy back in January ... and at a gender reveal party in March -- Usain was FIRED UP over his future as a #GirlDad!

"Yo, I just did the reveal and I'm a girl dad," Bolt said at the time.

The two have been dating for close to seven years ... with 33-year-old Bolt and 30-year-old Bennett pretty much inseparable ever since the Olympic legend retired from competitive sprinting.

The couple has yet to publicly announce the birth ... but we're sure it'll be an epic reveal as soon as they get a minute for social media time.

Congrats!!!!

Tragic news ... MLB superstar Starling Marte says his wife died from a heart attack Monday.

"Today I go through the great pain of making public the unfortunate death of my wife Noelia," Marte wrote on social media. "It is a moment of indescribable pain."

Noelia was at a hospital awaiting surgery for a broken ankle when she suffered the heart attack, this according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Other details surrounding the death were not released.

31-year-old Starling and Noelia had been married for several years ... and the couple had three children together, including two sons and a daughter.

"On behalf of my family," the Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder wrote, "I am grateful for the expressions of esteem and solidarity in this difficult time."

Marte's former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, shared their condolences on Twitter ... writing, "The entire Pirates family extend our deepest condolences to Starling Marte and family during this terrible time. Our hearts are truly saddened by this news."

The D-Backs added, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Noelia Marte. Starling and his family are part of the D-backs’ family and we will do all we can to support him and their children during this incredibly difficult time."

Marte was traded from Pittsburgh to Arizona this offseason ... and was expected to compete for MVP votes in his first year with the Diamondbacks before the coronavirus pandemic suspended play.

It's been 10 long weeks, but Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the Juventus training facility in Italy ... and man, he looks STOKED!

CR7 was all smiles -- and even rolled down the tinted window on his Jeep to give a thumbs up -- on his way to the team facility in Turin Tuesday.

Inside, Ronaldo reportedly underwent medical testing so he could be cleared to return to training.

The soccer superstar had spent most of the COVID-19 pandemic at his estate in Portugal -- but returned to Italy 2 weeks ago to begin self-isolation so he could get back to work.

Now, he's good to go -- and his club is expecting (hoping for) a return to action by mid-June, though nothing is set in stone yet.

Juventus last played on March 8 -- when Ronaldo led his squad to a 2-0 victory over Inter Milan in a closed-door stadium with no fans.

Ice Cube's BIG3 basketball league has officially thrown in the towel on their 2020 season -- but they're adamant they WILL return next season.

"Due to a confluence of issues including safety, uncertainty of testing, changing government regulations, insurance and liability issues, sponsor and advertiser challenges of their own, and the changing nature of the virus itself, the decision was made to focus on a great return in 2021," the league announced.

Some takeaways ...

-- BIG3 says it explored playing at a single location like a Los Angeles studio sound stage, but ultimately decided it just wasn't feasible.

-- BIG3 will also push forward with its "Big Brother" style reality show.

"BIG3: Not in My House" will be premiering sometime before the regular season begins, the league says.

"The BIG3, along with Endemol, was ready to proceed with this show immediately, but were faced with issues because US networks mostly cannot start reality show and studio productions until at least September. We will have to wait until network studio production and scheduling stabilizes."

Ice Cube also issued a statement saying, "We tried everything in our power to give our fans a nice 2020 season but with a long list of obstacles, we decided to shift our focus to having a great 2021 season with our fans in the stands."

"Our goal from day one has always been to provide a remarkable experience full of top-level competition and entertainment."

"The Last Dance" wasn't just huge for Michael Jordan fans -- it's provided a HUGE boost for The Alan Parsons Project ... with people playing MJ's famous intro music in record numbers.

You know the song ... it echoed throughout Chicago Stadium and the United Center every single time MJ's Chicago Bulls squad was intro'd before a game.

The Bulls played "Sirius" by T.A.P.P. -- which was originally released in 1982 -- during their epic 6-title run between 1991 and 1998.

But, with the success of "The Last Dance," the good people at Spotify tell us there has been a huge surge of interest in the song ... in 2020.

We're told plays have gone up 335% across the world since the series premiered on April 19.

Fact of the matter is ... the song still slaps -- especially if you have a basketball hoop in your driveway, and you still have the urge to Be Like Mike!!

The Bulls STILL use "Sirius" at home games ... but have swapped out The Alan Parsons Project version for renditions from local musicians.

Tristan Thompson is fed up with what he calls out-and-out lies about him fathering a child... so he's followed through with a lawsuit against his accuser.

Tristan just filed the suit against Kimberly Alexander ... the woman who's very publicly claimed the NBA star is the father of her 5-year-old son -- something he's repeatedly denied. In the lawsuit, Tristan says the paternity test he took back in January "definitively concluded that [he] is not the father." Paging, Maury Povich!

According to the suit, obtained by TMZ, after the test results came back ... Kimberly posted the DNA report -- which was supposed to be confidential -- on her Instagram page. In the caption, she accused the lab of sabotage, and insisted, "I know for sure that Tristan Thompson is the father of my child."

As we first told you ... Kimberly's also pissed off Khloe Kardashian by accusing her of paying off people to fix the test results. Khloe and Tristan fired off a cease-and-desist letter, but Kimberly turned around and even posted that on social media.

In the docs, Tristan says Kimberly also publicly lied about him by claiming on social media he had actually taken an "at-home paternity test." Tristan says the reality is the test he took was administered by one of the most reputable labs in the country.

He's even offered to take a second test to appease Kimberly ... provided they use another reputable third party facility.

In fact, the whole matter reminds Tristan's attorney, Marty Singer, of an iconic #1 song. He says in the docs, "To quote Michael Jackson, 'The kid is not [his] son.'"

Tristan further alleges Kimberly "Billie Jean" is only barking about this now -- when the child is 5 -- because she's fallen on hard times, financially. The docs claim Kimberly has been evicted from 5 residences in the last 7 years. They also say that she was recently dropped by her celeb attorney, Lisa Bloom.

Michael Jordan's autographed Jordan VII Dream Team kicks -- rocked by His Airness during the Olympic qualifiers in 1992 -- just hit the auction block!!

Historically, Jordan's are the most sought after shoe ... now, imagine signed Jordans worn by, well, Michael Jordan ... while part of the most dominant and historic basketball team of all-time.

The 7's are on the auction block at Lelands Auction ... and there's already a $16k bid -- with over a month remaining in the auction.

In other words, these are gonna go for a FORTUNE!!

Jordan wore the shoes during the gold medal game of the Tournament of the Americas ... a qualifying tourney for the '92 Summer Games in Barcelona.

10 teams from North, Central, and South America competed. Team USA -- with MJ, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and a bunch of other Hoops Hall of Famers -- were the #1 seed.

On July 5, 1992 ... MJ -- wearing this pair of J's -- along with his Team USA ... obliterated Venezuela in the tourney finals, winning 127-80.

The win sent the United States to the Olympics ... where they continued to DOMINATE the world on the hardwood.

Lelands says MJ gifted the white size 13 J's to a Dream Team staffer the night of the game ... and the employee held onto them for years.

Jordan memorabilia has EXPLODED in value (not that it was ever cheap) since "The Last Dance" docuseries ... with everything from MJ's baseball cleats to canceled checks to Donald Trump's casino going for big bucks.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says pro sports could re-open in California by June 1 ... but there's a serious catch.

The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more would all be impacted since every major sport in the state (besides horse racing) is shut down at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But, Newsom offered a real glimmer of hope on Monday.

"Sporting events, pro sports, in that first week or so of June WITHOUT SPECTATORS and modifications and very prescriptive conditions also can begin to move forward,” Newsom said.

The key, Newsom says, is the trend lines in California must continue to hold steady showing a decrease in people testing positive.

If not, the plans could change.

In other words, everybody keep your masks on, keep your distance and don't mess this up!!!

The announcement comes days after the NBA asked players whether they wanted to return to the 2020 season after suspending play back in March.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been outspoken about continuing the season ... saying "As soon as it’s safe we would like to finish our season. I’m ready and our team is ready. Nobody should be canceling anything."

Ben Roethlisberger's days of looking like Tom Hanks in "Cast Away" are OVER -- 'cause the Pittsburgh Steelers QB is back throwing on the football field ... and he's got a new look.

Remember, Big Ben went down with an elbow injury in 2019 ... and promised to not shave or cut his hair until he could throw a football again "like, a legit NFL pass."

Steeler fans (and Ben's wife) have gotta love the clip Roethlisberger posted on social media on Monday ... showing the QB finally getting back to work at 100%.

The hype vid is proof Roethlisberger earned his fresh cut, 'cause Ben is seen throwing bombs to his guys, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner and Ryan Switzer.

"He's baaaaack," JuJu says in the vid. "Stay tuned."

Of course, the 38-year-old played just 2 games in 2019 and had surgery to repair his elbow ... so naturally, some fans showed a bit of concern over the status of their QB.

But, Ben looks a LOT better on and off the field now ... 'cause that beard is gone!!