TMZ Sports - Page 50

The NBA is continuing to walk the walk in its fight for racial justice ... it's now pledged to donate $300 MILLION over the next 10 years to help Black communities.

The league just made the announcement Wednesday ... saying it's all part of the NBA's newly created "Foundation" -- which was just formed to help in the battle for social equality.

The league says each of its 30 team owners will donate $1 million annually to the Foundation for the next decade with the hopes of improving "employment and career advancement" in Black communities.

The league also says the Foundation will work with other national groups to try to create other forms of revenue to "deepen the NBA family’s commitment to racial equality and social justice."

"We believe that through focused programs in our team markets and nationally," commissioner Adam Silver said, "together with clear and specific performance measures, we can advance our shared goals of creating substantial economic mobility within the Black community."

According to the league, the Foundation will focus on donating money into three main areas in Black communities: "obtaining a first job, securing employment following high school or college, and career advancement once employed."

"The creation of this foundation is an important step in developing more opportunities for the Black community,” OKC Thunder star Chris Paul said.

"I am proud of our league and our players for their commitment to this long-term fight for equality and justice, and I know we will continue to find ways to keep pushing for meaningful institutional change."

Darren Rovell thinks Johnny Manziel is washed up.

Johnny Manziel thinks Darren Rovell is a "bitch."

Yep, things are heating up between the ex-NFL star and the business reporter -- and it's all playing out on social media.

Here's how it started ... Rovell posted a tweet on Wednesday comparing 2 Sports Illustrated cover stories from 7 years ago.  ... featuring the Alex Rodriguez steroid scandal as well as the "Johnny Football" craze.

Rovell says A-Rod was at "Rock Bottom" back then while Manziel was the "envy of the college football world."

He then points out that in 2020, the tables have apparently turned.

"Today, A-Rod is as relevant as ever. Manziel achieves a flash of relevance by flipping off a building into a pool."

Side note -- it was a pretty impressive flip.

Manziel clearly feels Rovell's tweet was an unwarranted cheap shot -- and fired back Wednesday with one of his own.

"Seven years later and you’re still as big of a bitch as ever."

OUCH.

Rovell hasn't responded to Manziel and when we reached out, Rovell issued a "no comment."

Shocker, there's some bad blood between the two men that goes back years -- and it apparently all started in 2013 when Rovell investigated whether Manziel was signing autographs for cash while at Texas A&M.

Turns out, Rovell was on to something -- and Manziel was suspended by the NCAA for one-half of a football game.

He eventually went on to be a 1st round pick in the NFL Draft -- but everyone knows what happened after that ... rehab, CFL, fired from CFL, divorce, mental health issues, etc.

But 27-year-old Manziel has said he's moved on with his life and accepts that his NFL career has ended.

The argument that's broken out on social media ... is Rovell out of line for pointing it Johnny's downfall, knowing what he's been through? Or is it fair game since he's pointing out facts.

As for A-Rod, he's doing great -- he survived the steroid scandal. He made a fortune in business. He's trying to buy the NY Mets. And, he's engaged to J Lo.

Jake Paul's L.A.-area home is the scene of an early morning FBI raid ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Jake's house in Calabasas is currently being searched by the feds -- and that a search warrant has been issued to do so. We don't know why or what the authorities are looking for, but we do know agents are on the ground, taking a look around.

We know Jake draws a lot of attention with his YouTube stunts, which are often documented on camera -- some of which have landed him in hot water, legally before. The raid isn't a prank gone wrong though ... we know it's real this time.

It's unclear if Jake himself is home right now.

Ya don't buy a car without checkin' under the hood, right?

And, if you're Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez, ya don't buy a pro baseball team without checking out the stadium!

That's what J-Rod did on Wednesday -- getting a VIP tour of Citi Field in Queens as part of their plan to buy the team.

J Lo -- sporting a flowing white sundress -- led the charge with A-Rod and a few other businessy-lookin' dudes.

As we previously reported, the power couple has been gunning to buy the team for months -- and recently linked up with some rich partners to add to their ownership group.

The most recent addition to Alex and Jen's team is Mike Repole -- who co-founded BodyArmor and Vitaminwater. He's rich and also a life-long Mets fan.

They had previously brought on a dream team of current and former NFL ballers including Travis Kelce, Brian Urlacher, Joe Thomas, and DeMarco Murray.

There are two NBA stars in the group as well -- Washington Wizards beast Bradley Beal and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee.

J Lo and A-Rod had previously tried to buy the Mets for around $1.5 billion -- but it didn't exactly work out since the Wilpon family (which owns the team) was hoping to get around $2.5 billion.

Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen was the front-runner to buy the team -- he's loaded and has already made a $2 billion bid, according to the NY Post.

But, ESPN says the Wilpons would prefer to sell to Lopez and Rodriguez if they can come closer to the top bid.

Drew Drechsel, the reigning "American Ninja Warrior" champ, is now facing federal charges for luring an underage girl for sex.

Last year's 'ANW' winner allegedly began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl in New Jersey back in 2015 ... according to legal docs, obtained by TMZ. Drechsel, nicknamed the Real Life Ninja, was arrested Tuesday at his home in Saint Cloud, FL.

The feds say the alleged victim contacted cops in NJ in June 2019 and told them she started having sex with Drechsel when she was 15 and he was 26. She claims they first met in 2014 after an 'ANW' contestant event, exchanged numbers and began texting each other.

In the docs, the alleged victim claims Drechsel invited her to his gym in Hamden, CT as a 15th birthday present, and they had sex after his girlfriend left the gym. She told police she informed her mother about the encounter the very next day.

The mother alleges Drechsel didn't deny having sex with her daughter when confronted, but claimed he did not know the girl's age.

According to docs, the alleged victim also told cops she met Drechsel multiple times outside a NJ gym and had sex with him when she was 15 to 17 years old.

The feds say she told them Drechsel frequently asked her to Skype him while she was naked, and they allegedly found child pornography on Drechsel's cell phone ... along with his requests for her to delete their text messages.

Drechsel -- who won $1 million on 'ANW' -- remains in custody after a judge found him to be a flight risk and danger to the community. U.S. Marshals are transporting him from Florida to NJ, where he'll stand trial.

Saw this coming from a mile away ... but here's President Donald Trump going scorched earth on the NBA kneelers -- calling the demonstration "disgraceful."

"When I see people kneeling during the playing and disrespecting our flag and national anthem, what I do personally is turn off the game," Trump said Wednesday morning in a phone interview with "FOX & Friends."

"I think it's disgraceful. We work with [the NBA], we worked with them very hard trying to get open. I was pushing for them to get open. Then I see everybody kneeling during the anthem. That's not acceptable to me."

"When I see them kneeling during the game, I just turn off the game. I have no interest in the game. Let me tell you this, plenty of other people out there, too."

During the call, Trump also claimed NBA ratings are way down -- when according to TV sports media outlets, the rating are up 14% from the average before the season was suspended.

Trump added, "We have to stand up for our flag, stand up for our country. A lot of people agree with me. If I'm wrong, I'm going to lose an election. That's okay with me. I will always stand for our flag."

Trump has always hated kneeling -- and publicly blasted Colin Kaepernick and other NFL stars for taking a knee back in 2017 ... calling for the NFL fire any "son of a bitch" who doesn't stand for the Star-Spangled Banner.

Ever since the NBA rebooted last week, just about every player, coach, ref and staff member inside the Bubble have taken a knee during the anthem before games.

Only 4 people -- 2 players, 2 coaches -- have stood for the anthem.

LeBron James, who took a knee, said he hopes the demonstration makes Colin Kaepernick proud and helps to shine a spotlight on police brutality and social injustice affecting the Black community and others.

During the call, Trump also claimed he's done more for the Black community than any other president -- with the "possible exception of Abraham Lincoln."

Ex-WWE superstar Marty Jannetty may have confessed to murdering someone when he was 13 years old in a bizarre social media post ... and now cops are investigating.

The former member of the tag team "The Rockers" told a story on Facebook about trying to buy weed from a man who worked at a bowling alley in his home town when things went awry.

"I was 13, working at Victory Lanes bowling alley buying weed from a f** that worked there ... and he put his hands on me ... he dragged me around the back of the building ... you already know what he was gonna try to do."

Jannetty continued, "That was the very first time I made a man disappear. They never found him. They shoulda looked in the Chattahoochie River."

By the way, Jannetty is 60 years old -- so the alleged incident would have taken place around 1973.

Now, the Columbus Police Dept. in Georgia tells us straight up, "We are going to look into this."

In fact, a spokesperson from the homicide/cold case division says, "The first step will be seeing if we have any missing persons or unidentified remains cases that match the limited information in the post."

The CPD notes that they have "several current active homicide investigations underway and they will have to remain the priority" -- so, it won't be an all hands on deck situation right now.

We've reached out to Jannetty for comment several times -- but haven't heard back. The Facebook post has since been removed from his page.

Jannetty was huge during the WWF's run in the '80s and '90s -- teaming up with Shawn Michaels on The Rockers ... one of the most popular tag teams of the era.

Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes -- who's got the stronger arm?!

The Buffalo Bills QB says he's down to settle the debate once and for all ... telling the "Good Morning Football" team Wednesday he's formally accepted Mahomes' throw-off challenge!!

"We're working on it," Allen said ... "I'd love to finally settle this and figure it out."

LET'S GOOOO!!!!

If you missed it ... after Allen was given a higher throw power rating in Madden 21 than Mahomes (99 to 97) -- Pat wasn't too happy.

The K.C. Chiefs superstar said he was down to get on a field and prove the video game creators wrong ... telling ESPN he wanted to line up with Allen and see it for real.

"I've yet to see somebody have a stronger arm than me," Mahomes said.

Allen claimed Wednesday the two had a deal in place to get the throw-off done ... but says COVID-19 restrictions have forced them to postpone it.

Unclear when the new date will be ... but Allen says he's hoping the challenge will lead to some charity money.

As for the favorite in the throw-off ... Mahomes says he can throw a ball in the area of 85 yards -- and seems Allen is confident he can match that.

First, it was Lamar Jackson ... and now it's Hollywood Brown dropping major hints about wanting the Ravens to sign Antonio Brown ... saying his cousin would be a great fit in Baltimore.

Of course, AB had been working out with Jackson and Brown this off-season ... and the reigning MVP said just last week he's still hoping the team pulls the trigger and signs the free agent receiver.

Now, Hollywood is going to bat for his cuz ... saying the addition would make the team better ... and praising AB's work ethic.

"I feel like he could fit in this locker room," Brown told reporters on Wednesday. "He’s gonna go out there and give 100% and seeing guys like that is gonna make other guys do the same."

Hollywood added ... "I been working out with AB since I was in college so I know he’s a guy that’s going to push you and he’s a guy that’s gonna take care of his body."

There's obviously one big factor that could keep the Ravens from picking up the phone and calling Mr. Big Chest -- Brown was just suspended 8 games by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy.

Ohio State QB Justin Fields will NOT opt out of the 2020 season ... saying he's still laser-focused on winning championships AND the Heisman Trophy.

Of course, Fields is one of the top QBs in the country -- Yahoo Sports has him ranked #2, right behind Clemson's Trevor Lawrence.

Fields threw for 3,273 yards and 41 TDs as a sophomore in 2019 while rushing for 484 yards and 10 TDs ... landing him a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

But, with so much uncertainty surrounding the college football landscape in 2020 -- and at least one star player opting out to prep for the NFL Draft -- Fields wanted Buckeye Nation to know he's not going anywhere.

"I never thought about opting out," Fields told the media Tuesday.

The 6'3", 225 pound QB understands why others would opt out -- citing safety and financial concerns -- but says that's just not the path for him.

"Some people's families might not be as financially stable as others. Plus, me growing up as a kid, I've always been a competitor and I've always loved to play football. Me just growing up with my family, I never really needed anything. My family has provided me with everything I've needed."

"So, getting to money as fast as I can isn't really a priority for me."

"I'm just trying to stay as optimistic as possible right now. But as far as opting out, I mean, I can see where those guys are coming from, but I never thought about opting out."

Now, Fields says he's ready to compete for rings, trophies and glory -- starting with beating Michigan.

"Then we want to win a Big Ten championship. Then we want to go on and win the first game of the playoff and then win the national championship."

"Then as far as my goals personally, I want to show everybody that I'm the best quarterback in the nation. Of course, I want to win the Heisman and do all of that stuff. But the team comes first, so if none of that happens, I'm fine with a national championship."

NFL superstar Travis Kelce has finally confirmed his split with longtime girlfriend Kayla Nicole -- but insists it's NOT because he cheated with a "Becky."

As we previously reported, Kayla unfollowed the KC Chiefs TE on Instagram last week and scrubbed her profile of all traces of Kelce ... typically a sign of a break up.

Kelce just made the news official in a tweet late Tuesday night ... clapping back at a social media post that he was "caught w/ a Becky" -- AKA, a white chick.

"This is fake news ... a lie ... and not why Kayla and I broke up," Kelce said in a since-deleted tweet ... "Take all your hatred somewhere else please."

Kelce and Kayla were couples BFFs with Patrick Mahomes and his girlfriend Brittany Matthews ... they recently partied in Lake Tahoe together.

But, Brittany is still commenting on Kayla's IG page which probably means they'll stay friends ... even if things might be awkward for a while with Travis.

Kayla and Travis began dating in 2017 -- and it's still a mystery why they broke up.

Too bad ... they were fun, interesting and super good looking.

"There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates."

That's Vanessa Bryant's key argument as to why the court should REJECT a requested venue change in her wrongful death lawsuit -- claiming Kobe's legacy expands way beyond L.A.

As we previously reported, Island Express Helicopters and the estate for pilot Ara Zobayan had asked the court to move the case from L.A. to Orange County, arguing they couldn't get a fair trial in the city where the Lakers star played NBA ball for 20 years.

Now, Vanessa is firing back ... saying she lawfully selected L.A. as her venue because that's where the January 26th helicopter crash occurred -- and she's digging in her heels to keep it there.

Not only does Vanessa point out the Bryants have lived in Orange County for nearly 20 years and Kobe's "popularity there is just as strong as anywhere else" -- but she also claims it really doesn't matter where you go, Kobe is beloved all over the U.S.

"Defendant fails to acknowledge the extent to which Kobe Bryant’s legacy penetrates American culture," Vanessa's attorney states in new court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

"There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates. Public esteem for Kobe Bryant is a fact of American life."

Vanessa is right about Kobe's popularity -- when he passed away back in January, tributes poured in from all over the world ... including Italy and Japan.

A massive Kobe mural even went up in Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina!

As for the venue change, that's now up to a judge to decide.

Here's reason #10,000,000,0001 why hockey players are tough as hell ...

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tucker Poolman took a puck straight to the mouth Tuesday night ... and after bleeding all over the ice -- HE RETURNED TO THE GAME!!!

The scene was terrifying ... in the second period of the Jets vs. Flames tilt -- a Calgary player flipped a wrist shot at the net.

The problem? Poolman put his face in the way to stop the shot ... and the 27-year-old took the brunt of the piece of rubber right to the side of the jaw.

Poolman began immediately spewing blood from his mouth ... and as he bolted for the locker room with trainers -- he left a trail of red spanning about 15 yards!!

Somehow ... Pullman was able to shake off the injury -- and returned for more action in the third period with a huge cage around his face.

After the game, Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Poolman required sutures and has a welt the size of FIVE GOLF BALLS on his face ... but said the D-man should be OK going forward.

"We're lucky to have him," Maurice said.

"As much as I love Michael Jordan, like, dawg, man, LeBron James is the one, dawg. He the one, man."

Did Allen Iverson just pick LeBron James over Michael Jordan in the great G.O.A.T. debate? Sure seems that way.

But, it's not exactly crystal clear -- we'll explain.

A.I. was on Fat Joe's podcast this week ... when Joe asked Iverson about what music got him hyped before games -- and that's when the former Sixers superstar went on a tangent.

Allen talked about all his favorite musicians ... before eventually saying, "I love what's the best, man. You dig what I'm saying? ... I'm not going to fight what's the best. I'm not going to fight."

"As much as I love Michael Jordan, like, dawg, man, LeBron James is the one, dawg. He the one, man."

"That mother f***er is the one, man," A.I. said of Bron.

So, he's picking Bron over MJ, right?! Maybe ... but maybe not.

But, he then also showed some serious love to Kevin Durant, calling the Brooklyn Nets superstar "the one" as well.

Unclear if that meant A.I. was also putting Durant ahead of Jordan in the great NBA debate ... but Allen did say, "Kevin Durant is the one, man, The one."

Roger Goodell's latest effort to fight for social justice is being challenged by California prosecutors ... who are demanding the NFL stop running a video about the police shooting of Stephon Clark.

The California District Attorneys Association fired off a letter Tuesday to the NFL Commissioner outlining why it believes the Stephon Clark Legacy video, "though well intentioned," also "performs a disservice instead of a public service by omitting the crucial facts which preceded Mr. Clark's tragic death."

Among the complaints made by the association's president, Vern Pierson, is that the video leaves out the fact the Sacramento County D.A. and California Attorney General came to the conclusion the 2 police officers involved in Stephon's 2018 death broke no laws.

As we reported, the Stephon video is the 5th PSA created by Inspire Change -- a joint initiative between the NFL and Jay-Z's Roc Nation which aims to raise awareness about racial injustice and improve police and community relations.

In the video, Stephon's mother, Se’Quette Clark, walks viewers through the horrific night he was killed, and talks about the need for new laws to prevent more tragic police-involved shootings.

You might recall, officers opened fire on Stephon in his grandmother's backyard, believing he was brandishing a weapon.

Stephon, of course, was holding a cell phone. He was shot 8 times ... with 6 of those bullets striking him in the back. But, another complaint from the association is the NFL's video fails to mention Stephon was fleeing police who suspected him of vandalism.

The association wants Goodell to "produce a video that accurately depicts the conduct of all concerned in an officer involved shooting."