TMZ Sports - Page 50

LaVar Ball tells TMZ Sports China would be PUMPED on his son, LiAngelo, coming back to their country to play pro ball ... now that he's done at UCLA.

We got LaVar and LiAngelo at LAX ... and the Big Baller dad told us the door's wide open for his middle child to hoop in the same place he was ARRESTED for shoplifting last month.

"Of course! Why not?!" LaVar said, when we asked if China would welcome Gelo back. "They would be happy to have him."

LiAngelo wouldn't comment on a possible China reunion ... but quietly told us he's ready to take his talents overseas.

Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman says O.J. Simpson absolutely should get to use his Heisman vote now that he's outta the slammer ... telling TMZ Sports it all boils down to a basic formula.

On the field ... O.J. was a legend who (fun fact) won his Heisman award by the largest margin of victory EVER.

Off the field ... the former Chargers linebacker says it doesn't matter what Simpson did or didn't do -- 'cause he's voting on a football award!

Warren Moon has denied the allegations made by his former assistant ... and his attorney released the following statement:

“Warren Moon has yet to be served with the lawsuit filed by Wendy Haskell, but he is aware of the claims contained in it. Mr. Moon denies the claims by Ms. Haskell. Mr. Moon contends these claims are meritless, and he has every intention to vigorously defend himself in court."

“Mr. Moon recognizes that his duties as a commentator on the Seattle Seahawks radio network will be impacted as he defends himself against these claims, and he has requested a temporary leave of absence from his duties with the Seahawks, which has been granted.”

Warren Moon is being sued for allegedly sexually assaulting and harassing his former assistant -- making repeated advances and once grabbing her crotch.

According to multiple reports, Wendy Haskell, 32, who worked for Moon's Sports 1 Marketing company, filed a lawsuit against her former boss in Orange County, CA ... alleging a pattern of sexual abuse perpetrated by the Hall of Fame QB.

Among the allegations ... Haskell claims Moon would pressure her to wear revealing clothing, make inappropriate sexual remarks and advances, and force her to sleep in the same bed with him on business trips.

She claims once while asleep in bed with Warren ... she woke up to his hand on her crotch. She says she removed his hand, but was then forced to sleep while he has his hand on her butt.

Colin Kaepernick could be BALLINNN' again real soon ... 'cause the free agent QB just got a personal offer from rapper Jim Jones to join the arena football team he just bought!

TMZ Sports spoke with the proud new co-owner of the Richmond Roughriders of the American Arena League ... and Jones says he's down to pay big bucks to get Kaep to suit up in the Green and Black.

Jones notes Kaep would be joining a winning atmosphere, 'cause the Riders were league champs last season. JJ also says national anthem demonstrations are N.B.D. -- he even encourages it!!

There's more ... Jones also says he's serious about courting Johnny Manziel to the squad.

Soccer legend Abby Wambach says she's the victim of a hate crime -- claiming some "idiots" stole her car for a joy ride ... and then returned it with hate speech scribbled all over the inside.

"They stole valuables including a purse and wallet (gift to my wife)," the former Team USA star said in a post on Instagram ... "and wrote hate speech in Sharpie all over the inside of our car."

Wambach says the incident occurred Wednesday morning (between the hours of 1:34 AM and 4:30 AM) at the Florida home where she lives with her wife, Glennon Doyle.

"They were Caucasian (3 of them). One had a hoodie with cargo shorts. The driver had an Ohio State hat on (O on front of hat) of red or black hat. Same guy had grey top, Nike shorts and Nike shoes. Also, they left finger prints on the car door when they left it back with us."

Wambach says surveillance cameras captured the license plate of a car they believe belongs to the scumbags.

"This neighborhood has each other’s backs. Neighbors camera got you, you idiots!! If you turn yourself in now, and return the stolen property, and pay for the car damages we won’t press charges. If you don’t, you are going to go to jail. You have 24 hours. If you have any info get in touch. Thanks everyone."

TMZ Sports spoke with local law enforcement and we're told they are "aware and investigating."

Sprained MCL be damned ... Blake Griffin fought through his knee pain Tuesday night to hang out with Kendall Jenner -- and he didn't even need crutches!

The L.A. Clippers superstar gimped over to the Improv comedy club -- where he met up with his rumored girlfriend. Blake tried to go incognito, but it's hard when you're a 6'10" black redhead.

Griffin suffered a sprained MCL during a collision with Austin Rivers last week -- and he's expected to miss around 2 months.

Good news ... he was moving around pretty good at the comedy club -- but jumping, sprinting and cutting is a whole other ball game.

Kobe Bryant's youngest daughter, Bianka, just turned 1 -- so naturally, he took the whole fam out to his absolute favorite place to celebrate.

Nope, not the basketball court ... the Magic Kingdom -- so Baby Mamba could get the full Disneyland experience on her big day. (Props to Mrs. Bryant for going all-in with the Minnie Mouse ears).

Kobe was on daddy duty ... but #MambaMentality also locked onto the concessions so he could cop a Shaq-sized Churro.

If this feels familiar ... it's probably 'cause Bryant has hit up Mickey and pals a TON throughout the years -- including a trip in the spring where he turned up with Bianka.

Add the entertainment industry to the list of things LeBron James is dominating ... 'cause one big-time producer says the King has already earned the title of Hollywood mogul!

TMZ Sports spoke with Morgan Spurlock (the "Super Size Me" guy) about working with LBJ on a new docu-series about the NBA superstar's family foundation's "I Promise School" for troubled youth in Akron, Ohio ... and Spurlock says he's totally pumped to share his story.

"What he does on the court is amazing, but what he's gonna do in that town is gonna change people's lives."

Here's Andy Cohen schooling MLB on how to pitch soon-to-be-traded Giancarlo Stanton on playing for your baseball team ... layin' it all on the line for the superstar slugger.

FYI, it looks like the Stanton sweepstakes is down to the Giants, Dodgers and Cardinals -- so, when TMZ Sports got Cohen -- an STL superfan -- out in NYC ... he made sure Giancarlo knew all he'd be getting.

"We will love on you like NEVER BEFORE. We are your team! We are waiting for you!" Andy shouted.

The reality TV host checked all the boxes ... guaran-damn-teeing a hardcore fan base, a boatload of cash and even a championship ring!! And the cherry on top ...

"I have my Instagram -- I'm waiting to follow you, dude!"

Advantage, Cards? Maybe, maybe not ...

3:27 PM PT -- Dolan's rep Leslie Sloane tells TMZ ... We can state that Mr Dolan is confident that he acted appropriately in all matters relating to his time on the Weinstein board.

The Weinstein Company's Board of Directors, lawyers and consultants all conspired to shame and blackball Harvey Weinstein's accusers ... according to a blockbuster lawsuit filed by 6 women.

The plaintiffs came into contact with Weinstein in situations that now sound familiar -- discussing scripts or movie roles during hotel room meetings where Weinstein sometimes wore only underwear. They claim he either assaulted, imprisoned or propositioned them for sex.

According to the suit, Weinstein enlisted teams of private investigators, and even a National Enquirer exec to dig up dirt on his accusers, including Rose McGowan. They claim his intent was to use the info to discredit accusers.

In the docs, the plaintiffs also point the finger at members of TWC's Board of Directors, including Knicks owner James L. Dolan -- saying they all knew about Weinstein's pattern of predatory sexual misconduct, and took steps to conceal it.

They're filing the class action suit for federal racketeering, assault, battery and infliction of emotional distress -- and they want damages for pain and suffering.

Hopefully it's just an abundance of caution ... but Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker was spotted in a wheelchair -- and clutching crutches -- after suffering a groin injury Tuesday night.

21-year-old Book suffered a strained left adductor during the 4th quarter of the Suns vs. Raptors game Tuesday night ... and he appeared to be in a ton of pain, having to be carried off the court.

Booker was wheeled through the airport in Toronto after the game -- and while he didn't say much, you can see he looks pretty sad.

Hopefully it's nothing serious for the young baller ... he's been off to a hot start in his 3rd season in the Association, averaging 24 points a game.

Get well soon.

Check your kneecaps at the door -- Tonya Harding and Margot Robbie, the woman playing Tonya Harding, were hanging out together for the premiere of the Tonya biopic.

Margot and Tonya were face-to-face and even cheek-to-cheek at Tuesday night's "I, Tonya" event in Los Angeles. Critics are already applauding Margot's performance, but more importantly Tonya herself seems to dig it. As we know, ya don't wanna be on her bad side.

Tonya and Margot met during filming -- the skater gave the actress a few tips. The duo was all smiles and posed for pics with the rest of the cast. Hard to tell who's more starstruck here.

Sorry, did we say struck?

Beyonce made a surprise appearance to present Colin Kaepernick with SI's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award on Tuesday night -- and took aim at his critics that somehow STILL don't get why he took a knee.

"It’s been said that racism is so American that when we protest racism we’re protesting America. But let’s be very clear -- Colin has always been very respectful of the individuals who selflessly serve and protect our country and our communities and our families," Beyonce said at the Barclays Center.

"His message is solely focused on social injustice for historically disenfranchised people. Let’s not get that mistaken.”

It's a similar stance to the one Jay-Z took last month on his 4:44 Tour ... when Jay got behind the NFL player protests.

Beyonce also thanked Kaepernick for his "selfless heart" and "conviction" ... sacrificing his own livelihood to make the world a better place for everyone -- something Ali fought for throughout his life.

As for Kaep ... the QB said he was accepting the award for the people -- and made it clear that he doesn't need football to keep fighting for them.

It's Take 2 on one of the best sports questions ever ...

Which is better -- winning the World Series or honeymooning with Kate Upton??

We got to ask the one guy who would know the answer -- Justin Verlander -- as the Houston Astros pitcher was leaving Craig's Tuesday night with his supermodel bride.

Verlander successfully dodged the question when it was posed on Twitter a few days ago -- even after Kate doubled down and asked Verlander to give an answer!!

So, what happened this time around? Well, let's just say he'd rather talk about Jose Altuve ...

Christmas is less than 20 days away ... but MLB legend Doc Gooden is already getting in the holiday spirit, thanks to Santa's Helpers -- a merry band of NYC strippers!!

Doc hit up Vivid Cabaret in NYC on Tuesday night dressed up as Santa Claus himself -- and tried to keep his composure as the staffers grinded on his south pole.

We tried to ask Doc if he had any advice for Josh Gordon -- who's also battled substance abuse. Watch as Gooden tries to give a respectful answer with a handful of stripper ass ... it's actually impressive!

Consider this case closed ... 'cause one of the biggest Boston sports superfans on the planet says Rob Gronkowski deserved to be suspended for his late hit on a Bills player on Sunday.

TMZ Sports got Matt Damon's reaction to Gronk getting benched for one game after a controversial hit on Tre'Davious White ... and while you can tell he didn't wanna admit it, Damon says it was worthy of a suspension.