TMZ Sports - Page 50

12:35 PM PT -- William Strampel bonded out, and is no longer in custody.

11:50 AM PT -- Strampel appeared before a judge in East Lansing, Michigan where bond was set at $25K. As a bond condition, Strampel is not permitted to travel out-of-state. He's also not allowed to contact alleged victims or witnesses in his case.

Strampel has not yet posted bond, or been released.

He's due back in court in April 23.

Larry Nassar's longtime boss at Michigan State was arrested and thrown in jail Monday night in Michigan ... and he's facing a felony charge for criminal sexual conduct.

William Strampel, 70, was the dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2002 to 2017... a period of time that saw Nassar abuse hundreds of women and girls in his capacity as the doctor for MSU as well as Team USA gymnastics.

Strampel is currently in Ingham County Jail in Michigan.

According to court docs, Strampel is facing 4 charges including 4th degree criminal sexual conduct with force or coercion, and willful neglect of duty -- a misdemeanor.

The arraignment for Strampel is scheduled for 2:30 PM local time Tuesday.

From Lithuania to the Lakers?

Looks like that's exactly what LiAngelo Ball is trying to do, because according to his agent Harrison Gaines, the middle Ball brother has declared for the 2018 NBA draft!

Gaines told Yahoo! Sports Ball has filed the paperwork to make himself eligible, and he's expected to work out for NBA teams when his season playing for Vytautas Prienu is finished.

Before you scoff at the kid, 'Gelo is actually doing pretty well overseas -- averaging over 15 points while shooting 45% from beyond the arc.

In the past, LaVar has promised LiAngelo would team with Lonzo in L.A. ... but the question is if they, and everyone else passes on the kid ... what then?

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is finally addressing Zay Jones' bizarre penthouse arrest ... saying it's an "unfortunate situation" ... but hopes it can be a learning experience for the young player.

We broke the story ... Zay was arrested last week after a naked, bloody altercation with his brother, Cayleb -- a Minnesota Vikings player -- at a DTLA apartment building. We're told the fight was to prevent Zay from jumping out of a hole he kicked into a 30th story window.

McDermott spoke with reporters at the NFL Coaches Breakfast in Orlando Tuesday morning about Zay's incident, saying "At the end of the day it's an unfortunate situation and somewhat disappointing. It's a situation to me that we can all take something from and learn from."

When asked if Zay could potentially be cut from the team, McDermott said "At this point, we don't foresee anything like that happening."

Zay was arrested for felony vandalism ... but was NOT charged after his family agreed to pay $20k for damages made to the apartment building.

Super interesting video from Boyz II Men singer Shawn Stockman ... who tells TMZ Sports -- without specifying a reason -- that he doesn't sing the national anthem at sporting events anymore.

We got Shawn out at LAX and were talking to the 49ers fan about all the offseason moves the team is making ... adding guys like Richard Sherman to the squad.

When our guy switched gears and asked Shawn if we'd be seeing him sing the anthem for his team any time soon, Stockman was pretty clear.

"Nah, I don't sing the national anthem."

Shawn didn't say, but you gotta believe it has to do with the recent anthem protests, especially when considering that Stockman has sang the anthem before both solo, and as a member of Boyz II Men.

Chael Sonnen says Floyd Mayweather coming outta retirement is already a done deal ... 'cause he's a "dumb-dumb" who's burned through his billion-dollar fortune!!

And that ain't all -- Chael is guaran-damn-teeing Floyd's next fight will NOT be in the UFC.

"Floyd's not gonna do MMA but he is gonna box again," Sonnen told TMZ Sports. "I will tell you unequivocally, right now, Floyd Mayweather does, and is planning, to box one more time."

Chael ain't disputing Floyd's insane paydays for the McGregor and Pacquiao fights ... but says Money spends his cash even faster than he makes it.

"Floyd's broke ... it does not matter what you made, it matters what you kept, and he is a dumb-dumb!"

"Look, he's just not a very bright guy. He's surrounded with even less bright guys."

Chael says the one thing Mayweather IS smart about is staying relevant -- which is why he's been hyping a switch to MMA.

UFC champ Tyron Woodley says he's gonna start training Floyd ASAP ... so stay tuned.

Danica Patrick might be hinting at some long-term relationship goals with her boyfriend, Aaron Rodgers, 'cause she apparently loves getting older ... with her man by her side.

Danica rang in her 36th birthday Sunday with the Packers QB front and center for a group photo. The party looked pretty fun -- it was unicorn-themed ... for the ladies, anyway.

The soon-to-be retired race car driver shared a few photos of the shindig from over the weekend, in which all of her girlfriends were wearing unicorn hats and were sipping what looked like champagne. The guys went hat-free, but were also all smiles in celebration.

She captioned her photos ... "I love getting older!!!!!!!!!!! Super grateful for all the love around me in my life! People, work, opportunities, dreams.....full heart space." She went on ... "Don't forget to dream big for the things you want in your life."

Sounds to us like Danica's pretty happy with Aaron, who she's been dating since at least December. And with a stud like that in her life, why wouldn't she be stoked to cross off another year?

Congrats!

Gregg Popovich doesn't exactly like Donald Trump's White House, but he ain't down on all of D.C. ... 'cause Pop took the gang to another Washington landmark -- the Supreme Court!!

Unclear if Pop and co. were there on any official business or just to see the sights ... but they sounded pretty stoked talking to us on their way out.

Pop called the trip "great." Pau Gasol said it was "very nice." Manu Ginobili went the diplomatic route and told us their outing was "equal" to a White House trip.

FYI, Pop WRECKED Trump for leaving D.C. before March for Our Lives this past weekend -- calling it "cowardice" to avoid the protests and hang at his resort in Mar-a-Lago.

Coach is clearly in better spirits, now -- have you ever seen him smile like that?!

Cristiano Ronaldo just got planted with a wet one by a man who stormed the field during his soccer match.

He didn't seem to enjoy it very much, but the fan loved it ... and stuck around for some selfies!!

It all went down in Geneva, Switzerland ... where Ronaldo's Portugal squad was taking on the Netherlands in an exhibition game.

CR7 was already pretty pissed off about being down 3-0 ... and all he could do was shake his head after a random bro snuck onto the field and landed a peck on his cheek.

Coulda been worse -- the guy was going straight for the kisser before Ronaldo juked him out.

DMX is name-dropping former NBA star, and ex-con, Jayson Williams in his attempt to get leniency when a judge sentences him for tax evasion ... TMZ has learned.

DMX filed docs ahead of Wednesday's sentencing which include a letter to the judge laying out their plan to keep him on the straight and narrow. According to the letter, Jayson has offered DMX entry into his rehab program called the Rebound Institute.

The rapper's legal teams says Jayson reached out to them, believing the faith-based center is exactly what DMX needs. According to docs, the rehab program runs a minimum of 45 days, and includes drug testing 3 days a week.

Williams -- who infamously got 5 years for the shooting death of a limo driver -- says other famous athletes help out with the program. He mentions an NFL Hall of Fame running back and an NBA All-Star ... although their names have been redacted for their privacy.

It's unclear if DMX plans to choose Jayson's program ... he says he's gotten several offers from treatment facilities.

The rehab issue could be moot. As we reported, federal prosecutors have recommended the judge throw the book at X and give him 5 years in prison.

NFL player Jeremy Lane just copped a plea deal in his January DUI case ... pleading guilty to reckless driving, TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Lane was initially stopped for driving 80 mph in a 60 mph zone on January 14. When cops pulled Lane over, he had admitted to smoking weed 3 hours earlier.

At the time of the arrest, Lane had told cops he was worried people would think he was drunk, saying "This time I was more high than anything."

The 27-year-old was initially charged with DUI on March 12 ... but has now agreed to the lesser reckless driving charge.

Lane -- a current free agent after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month --could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail, but it's unlikely he'll do any time at all. He can also be forced to cough up a maximum fine of $5,000.

The WWE just climbed the top rope in court and is ready to drop the elbow ... all to protect its brand ahead of WrestleMania 34.

The World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. just filed legal docs in Louisiana against anonymous makers of unauthorized WWE merch with the org's biggest event just weeks ahead in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, the WWE wants a temporary restraining order to ban bootleggers from selling unauthorized souvenirs and memorabilia bearing WWE trademarks.

Bob Arum says Canelo Alvarez should go away for a long time if he's taking steroids to get an edge on GGG ... but the top boxing promoter ain't gonna throw the book at him just yet.

Don't get it twisted -- Bob says Canelo blaming his positive PED test on Mexican beef is like telling your teacher, "the dog ate my homework" -- but he says Canelo's owed due process even though his excuse smells like BS.

"If drugs were taken to bulk him up, they gotta suspend him, and they gotta suspend him for a long period," Arum told TMZ Sports. "If it was inadvertent ... then give him a pass."

FYI, Canelo was temporarily suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission over the weekend ... just days after GGG slammed him as a long-time juicer.

Ronda Rousey might not be the only ass-kickin' legend at WrestleMania ... 'cause Mike Tyson says he's down to return to the WWE ring!!!

Iron Mike dropped the bombshell at the 'Kids' Choice Awards' over the weekend ... telling WWE interviewer Cathy Kelley he'd be pumped to get a callback from Vince McMahon.

"I'm always willing to come back. I love the WWE ... I'd love to be back," Tyson told Kelley on the orange carpet.

You might remember ... Iron Mike unleashed hell at WrestleMania 20 years ago -- helping Stone Cold Steve Austin take out Shawn Michaels after famously feuding with the Rattlesnake.

Albert Belle exposed himself to 2 minors and 2 adults before getting arrested on Saturday in Arizona, according to cops ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Belle, 51, was arrested after cops got a call around 9:20 PM reporting a man had exposed himself to a group of people at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Club stadium -- where a game had been played.

It's unclear if the alleged incident occurred inside or outside the stadium.

When cops arrived, they say they located Belle in a vehicle ... attempting to leave the soccer stadium parking lot.

After investigating, Salt River PD determined there was enough probable cause to arrest Belle -- and another adult male.

Belle's charges include 3 counts of indecent exposure and DUI.

11:15 AM PT -- The judge has set Michael Bennett's bond at $10,000 ... and has imposed a no-contact order between Bennett and the stadium employee.

1:30 PM PT -- Bennett has been released from Harris County Jail.

Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Bennett has just arrived for his first court appearance in Houston ... 3 days after he was charged with injuring a 66-year-old paraplegic woman at the 2017 Super Bowl.

The formal charge is "injury to the elderly" -- a felony that carries up to 10 years in prison.

The incident happened when Bennett "shoved his way on to the field" to join his brother, Martellus, who had just won the Super Bowl with the Patriots at NRG Stadium, according to the Harris Country Texas D.A.

The Houston Police Department says one of their officers witnessed Bennett push 3 stadium employees -- including the woman in the wheelchair.

The extent of the woman's injuries is unknown -- but cops say her wheelchair did not flip over due to its weight ... and she still works at the stadium.

The HPD urged Bennett to turn himself in "as soon as possible" -- but Bennett waited until now because he was out of the continental U.S., according to his lawyer, Rusty Hardin.

3/28/18 -- Zeke Upshaw's autopsy confirmed he died of cardiac arrest ... possibly due to "cardiac abnormalities."

The coroner says he plans to conduct more tests in the coming weeks.

NBA G-League player Zeke Upshaw is dead at the age of 26 ... days after collapsing on the court during a basketball game.

Upshaw -- a swingman for the Detroit Pistons affiliate, Grand Rapids Drive -- collapsed during the final minutes of the 4th quarter of Saturday's game against the Long Island Nets ... after reportedly going into cardiac arrest.

He was stretchered off the court and rushed to the hospital ... where he remained in critical condition until passing away Monday morning.