TMZ Sports - Page 50

New York City actor and writer Miguel A. Nunez Jr. is best known for his role as the out of work basketball player Jamal Jeffries -- who dons drag and takes on a female alter ego to infiltrate the women's WUBA professional basketball league -- in the gender-bending 2002 sports film "Juwanna Mann."

Miguel A. Nunez Jr. was cast alongside a strong cast of power female actors including Kim Wayans, Vivica A. Fox and Lil Kim.

Nunez can also be spotted in the 1985 horror-ish movie "The Return Of The Living Dead" as Spider ... and as Marcus Taylor in the late '80s television show "Tour Of Duty."

COVID-19 couldn't stop the KC Chiefs cheerleaders from putting out fire content ... with the team debuting its 2020 squad with some sexy quarantine choreography!!

The team revealed its newest roster on Wednesday ... and given the global pandemic, they had to find a unique way to announce the new additions.

AKA -- we get to see everyone dancing in random ass places!!

For example, Kaitlyn pulled off some moves from her garage, Mariah was shakin' it in an empty street, Stefanie practiced her distancing on an HS football field, and Allison twirled in what looks like an empty warehouse!!

NOTHING WILL STOP THESE DANCERS!!!

Some of the women even pulled out all the stops with shiny outfits.

There is a HUGE celebrity charity boxing match in the works -- with some big names being thrown around ... and we've learned Floyd Mayweather is now involved.

Our sources tell us ... the combatants are big stars -- we've seen the list but we're being told there's still a matter of locking everyone up.

One of the people involved is Floyd -- but we're told he will NOT fight ... instead, our sources say he'll be one of the judges, tasked with scoring the fight.

As for the fighters themselves, we can't give it away yet -- but 2 of the names are big boxing stars and others are from the NBA, Hollywood, comedy and MMA.

We're told event organizers are targeting the end of June at a venue in Las Vegas ... and they're working with health and wellness website Celebrity Sweat to put the whole thing together.

One source tells us the event is tentatively being called "Fight for a Cause" and will raise funds for the U.S. Military charities and COVID-19 relief.

A collection of super-rare signed contracts for some of baseball's biggest names -- including Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron -- is up for sale ... and they're all expected to go for insane prices!!

RR Auction tells TMZ Sports ... Mantle's 1953 deal with the New York Yankees (with a $17,500 salary) headlines the lot ... and the historic pieces of paper are estimated to land a $50k price tag.

Mantle's contract is signed "Mickey C. Mantle" ... in which the legend agrees to provide "skilled services as a baseball player during the year 1953," according to the paperwork.

"As one of Mantle's early Yankees contracts from a World Series season, this is an absolutely spectacular, museum-quality piece," Bobby Livingston of RR Auction says.

On top of Mantle's piece of history, Aaron's Atlanta Braves contract for the 1974 season -- when he became the all-time home runs leader over Babe Ruth -- is also available ... and could fetch more than $10k!!

Worth noting ... Aaron's contract was worth $220k for the '74 season. He later became the highest-paid player in the MLB in 1975, when his salary jumped to $240k.

Wanna ride like the G.O.A.T.? Here's ya chance!

Tom Brady is parting ways with his tricked out Cadillac Escalade -- which is so luxurious, the inside looks like a private jet!

The whip is a super modified 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV Edition -- which was customized by the folks at Becker Automotive Design in Oxnard, CA.

According to TB12 himself, he picked out "all the customizations of the ESV; from the trim of the seats to the color of the rug."

The big changes he made have to do with the size of the SUV -- it was stretched by 20 inches and the roof was raised by 5 inches.

And, just to make sure everything looks proportionally correct, the rear doors were also expanded by 10 inches.

Why make it bigger? Tom says he needed the room for his custom VIP reclining seats, private jet-like folding tables and a 32-inch HD LCD screen ... plus a 12-inch screen in the back!

Tom says all of the changes were made with one thing in mind -- giving him more time to focus on football.

"With such limited time in my busy schedule the ESV gave me those extra minutes to study my play book, make phone calls and be with my family," Tom says in the listing.

"Immediately my productivity went up and my stress came down."

According to the listing, the SUV is also equipped with "a high end mobile Internet router that allows for multiple service providers, ensuring the very best connectivity on the road."

B.A.D. says the price of the car when new is $350k -- but Tom will let it go for $300k or the best offer ... noting that it's a "collector's car."

Could it actually go for more? Maybe! TB12 memorabilia is hot these days!

Could this be the start of a lethal Redskins connection in 2020?!?

Here's video of Antonio Brown working on deep balls with Washington QB Dwayne Haskins ... and we gotta say, the two certainly have chemistry that could carry over to FedExField!!!

The free-agent receiver hooked up with the 'Skins quarterback Wednesday for a workout in Florida ... and the two got in some impressive throw-and-catch work.

Check out the clips Brown posted from the training sesh ... there were some 50-yard dimes that had people going crazy over the completions!!

Of course, there were other pros in attendance -- Geno Smith and Stefon Diggs (plus Chad Ochocinco!) namely -- so we're not too sure how much to read into this being an indicator of future NFL plans.

Then again, Brown has been working his ass off to get back into the league ever since the Patriots cut him last September ... and the Redskins could certainly use the help.

AB claims to have walked the straight and narrow since a myriad of legal issues cropped up over the last year ... issuing apologies to the NFL, his family and even local law enforcement.

The NFL, though, is still investigating all of the allegations against Brown ... and a lengthy suspension could be on the horizon.

But, after that, could D.C. be the receiver's landing spot???

The UFC has been cleared to host fights in Vegas again -- starting this weekend -- and Dana White is fired up!!!

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has formally approved two upcoming events -- May 30 and June 6 -- to go down at the UFC's APEX facility in Sin City.

Of course, the UFC hosted 3 back-to-back-to-back events in Jacksonville, Florida earlier this month while Nevada was still shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But now, NV is opening up -- and the UFC has the green light.

We spoke with Dana White who tells us, "I am so excited to be back in Vegas!!!"

"Our APEX arena is incredible and the production value we can provide to fans is next level and it’s a safe environment for my fighters and my staff."

White says fighters, coaches, staffers and everyone else involved will all be thoroughly screened and tested -- just like in Jacksonville.

The May 30 card is huge -- Tyron Woodley takes on Gilbert Burns ... and Mackenzie Dern fights Hannah Cifers.

Japanese reality show "Terrace House" is pulling the plug on the remainder of its 2019-2020 season ... following the tragic death of star cast member and pro wrestler Hana Kimura.

For those unfamiliar, "Terrace House" (which has become popular internationally on Netflix) follows 6 strangers -- 3 men and 3 women -- who live together and develop friendships and relationships.

22-year-old Kimura -- leader of Stardom Wrestling's Tokyo Cyber Squad -- joined the show's "Tokyo 2019-2020" season for episodes 20-42 ... saying she wanted to join to bring more eyes to female wrestling.

Kimura died on Saturday -- and now, Japanese broadcaster Fuji Television has said it will NOT air the final episodes of the season.

"We would like to express our regrets for the death of Hana Kimura and offer our sincere condolences to her family," FT said in a statement.

"Taking her passing with utmost sincerity, we will take active steps to formulate a response.”

Before her death on Saturday, Kimura had said she was the target of cyberbullying that stemmed from the show -- tweeting, "Every day, I receive nearly 100 honest opinions and I cannot deny that I get hurt."

Most of the cyberbullying was connected to an incident on the show involving an altercation with a male costar.

Kimura reportedly took her own life as a result of the constant harassment.

IT'S TIIIIIME ... to bang?!

An adult motel in Brazil has created an MMA-themed room for role-playing couples ... with a full octagon bed and a training dummy -- if you're looking for an extra sparring partner!

It's called the Pousada Gurupi -- located in Teresina, a city in the northeastern part of the country.

No, it's not affiliated with UFC or Bellator in any way -- but it's clearly trying to capitalize on the popularity of the sport in Brazil ... where apparently, couples fantasize about getting freaky while fighting.

Here's the Google translation from the hotel's IG:

"The MMA Suite at Pousada Gurupi brings up the whole concept of wrestling, with an environment geared to this practice, opening the imagination of the couple who chooses it."

The hotel even offers 3 reasons to rent the suite ...
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1. INCREASING COMPLIANCE⠀
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"Realizing a different fantasy in sex makes the couple much more confident and complicit in each other, after all, this is a right time to indulge in a new experience."⠀
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2. BRING IMAGINATION TO REALITY
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"The MMA Suite is a true copy of the octagon, with a sensational bed inside the ring. The couple can really imagine themselves in that environment and let their imagination blossom. "⠀
⠀
3. CREATE MEMORIES
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"Having new and different experiences like these ends up creating memories and moments to be remembered by both, increasing the couple's partnership. After all, it's not every day that you indulge in an octagon, is it?"

No, it's not.

Could Michael Jordan be the next legend to hit iron shots with Phil Mickelson against Tiger Woods??

The lefty sure as hell wouldn't mind seeing it ... because Phil says he's trying to make "The Match" an annual event now -- hoping to get guys like MJ and Steph Curry to participate in 2021.

“I think you could showcase guys like Steph Curry and Michael Jordan or Tony Romo and Patrick Mahomes, who are all good golfers, elite talents and have great personalities," Mickelson told the LA Times after "The Match II's" wild success over the weekend.

"Those personalities are going to come out with this event. Or you could have someone who loves the game and is competitive but is really entertaining like Larry David and Bill Murray. I think that could shine.”

Of course, the possibilities seem endless right now ... given just how big of a success the Woods-Peyton Manning vs. Mickelson-Tom Brady outing went on Sunday.

According to multiple reports, MILLIONS of people tuned in to watch the event ... ultimately making it the most-watched cable broadcast in the sport's history.

Phil, Tiger and event organizers are all on board to run it back next year ... and it doesn't seem there will be a shortage of celebs lining up to join the golf legends -- in fact, Curry even tweeted during the event he wants in next year.

Soooooo ... Tiger and Steph vs. MJ and Phil in 2021??

UFC superstar Jon Jones is FURIOUS over the killing of George Floyd -- saying the police officer used a move called a "blood choke" ... and it's worse than torture.

"Anyone who has practiced the very basics of jujitsu recognizes a [blood choke] when they see this," Jones said.

"That was as clear as day murder, torture."

FYI, a blood choke is a stranglehold in which key arteries and jugular veins are constricted, cutting off blood flow to the brain ... as opposed to an air choke, which restricts breathing.

Jones -- who's been a top mixed martial artist for decades -- didn't stop there.

"That whole if you can talk you can breathe crap is bullsh*t. What that man went through was worse than drowning."

"I wouldn't wish the way George Floyd was murdered on my worst enemy. That officer applied just enough pressure to keep him alive for almost six minutes in that chokehold."

"In all my years of fighting I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything close to that level of torture."

"There needs to be a nationwide policy change. When a man is in handcuffs and is screaming that he cannot breathe. Get the f*ck off his chest and/or neck. If you can't hold a man who is in handcuffs down by his feet you’re a p*ssy and probably shouldn’t be wearing that badge."

George Floyd was killed on May 25 when 4 police officers resounded to a "forgery in progress" call in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

During the incident, one of the officers put his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 MINUTES, despite his pleas that he couldn't breathe.

J.J. Watt says he's not sure whether the 2020 NFL season will take place as originally planned -- but he's training his ass off anyway because it's better to "stay ready."

"I don't know what's going to happen," Watt tells TMZ Sports ... "I'm just like everybody else. We're all kind of just waiting and seeing."

"The uncertainty is the worst part of it all. We don't know what's going to happen. But, I'm training like it's gonna happen on time. And, I'm looking forward to playing -- fans, no fans -- whatever it is. I'm just looking forward to competing and just doing what we do."

The Houston Texans superstar -- who's also hosting "Ultimate Tag" on FOX -- believes the return of football is super important ... but not at the expense of American lives.

"We love the game. We love the competition ... as long as it's safe for everybody," Watt explained.

"You have to remember we have coaches who are older. We have people helping out on the sidelines and staff members. So, as long it's safe for everybody and as long as everybody is comfortable and confident, I'm all for it because I think it does help return some normalcy and it gives people something to be excited about, to cheer for again."

"And, we're looking forward to that opportunity if it's safe."

Watt says he's been staying in touch with his teammates via Zoom meetings -- but jokes about some players not wanting to show off their homes to the rest of the team!

"One guy just points his [camera] at his ceiling fan for 2 hours straight during the meeting! Give us a little something. I mean geez, what are you hiding!?"

Besides training, we also talked to Watt about "Ultimate Tag" -- airs Wednesday night on FOX -- and says the athletes he's got on the show are FREAKS!

In fact, Watt says he doesn't think half the players in the League could keep up with the crazy athletes on "Ultimate Tag" ... which sounds like a challenge to us!!!

As for the NFL stars who would do the best on the show???

Here's a shocker -- Watt loves Lamar Jackson and Tyreek Hill ... some of the most talented players EVER!

But seriously, JJ -- pull some strings and get 'em on the show!!!

The NHL is planning to come back in a BIG way ... so says commish Gary Bettman, who just announced the league is looking to return this summer with an insane 24-team playoff!!!

The 67-year-old just revealed the plans ... outlining hockey's steps to resume play after it suspended action back in March over the coronavirus pandemic.

Bettman says the league is working on finalizing details ... but right now, the plan is for the regular season to be ruled officially over -- with only the top-12 teams in each conference returning to action for postseason play this summer.

FYI, there are only 31 teams in the NHL -- so how bad would that suck to be one of the 7 teams that didn't make the cut?!

(California would get skunked BTW -- the L.A. Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks are the 3 worst teams in the West).

Training camps to prepare for the 24-team playoff would begin on July 1 under the new plan, Bettman says ... and the league is gunning to put all the action in two hub cities -- one in the East and one in the West.

Bettman stressed the league is taking all steps necessary to keep its players and staff healthy in a return to rinks, saying, "Ensuring health and safety has been central to all of our planning so far and will remain so."

Bettman says the top-4 teams in each conference will get automatic bids to the 1st-round of official playoff play ... and will face each other in round-robin games to determine seeding.

As for the other 8 teams in the conference, Bettman says they'll square off in head-to-head series to determine which 4 will move on to face the top 4 seeds.