TMZ Sports - Page 50

Lonzo Ball's famous Big Baller Brand arm tattoo was covered up during his pre-season debut with the Lakers on Wednesday night ... and it's all because the NBA asked him to keep it under wraps.

Just like J.R. Smith, the NBA reached out to Ball about his tattoo -- and reminded him about a league rule that prohibits players from "displaying any commercial logos or corporate insignia on their body or in their hair."

Smith has the "Supreme" logo on his right leg -- and said the NBA told him he'd be fined for every game it wasn't covered up.

Since the same rules apply to Ball -- with BBB being an apparel brand -- the Lakers tell us he decided to put tape (it could be a bandage) over the logo while the team played the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.

Ball could probably afford the fine since he's in the middle of a $13 million contract -- but ultimately decided it just wasn't worth it.

Boxing superstars Terence Crawford and Jose Benavidez Jr. nearly came to blows just days before their huge fight ... with the 2 fighters trading vicious verbal jabs Wednesday -- and it got personal.

The undefeated WBO welterweight champ strolled into the media day at B&B Boxing Academy in Omaha ... and both dudes immediately started going at each other's necks.

Here are a few of the highlights --

Benavidez Jr.

"I'm gonna do you a favor. Afterwards, I'm gonna fix your teeth. You better be ready."

"You're a has-been"

"You're a bitch."

Crawford:

"I'm gonna beat your ass"

"I'm gonna get all them burritos out you, boy."

"Put your purse on it, bitch. Let's get some real sh*t going, n***a"

"Ya mama a bitch!!"

Right after that, Crawford (33-0, 24 KO) nearly hopped in the ring to go after Benavidez Jr. (27-0, 18 KO) ... but his guys held him back.

Luckily for us, we get to see them beat each other to a pulp when they fight for the WBO belt on Saturday at CHI Health Center in Omaha.

Can't wait.

Drew Brees -- the greatest-ever New Orleans ... Pelican????

Pierre Thomas says that definitely coulda been a thing if Drew never picked up a football ... 'cause the ex-Saints running back says his former QB could BALL!!!!

"He can play some basketball -- he's got some skills," Thomas tells TMZ Sports ... "I used to call him White Chocolate."

Thomas spent 8 seasons with Brees in New Orleans -- the two won a Super Bowl together -- and Pierre swears the 6-foot QB coulda made a serious run at the NBA.

In fact ... Pierre says the dude might've had a real shot at the MLB too!!!!!

"Football is not the only gift that man has," Thomas says ... "They got that movie 'White Man Can't Jump,' but no, he can jump!"

We've unearthed some footage of Brees with a basketball hoop ... and it begs the question -- do we believe Pierre????

Khabib just went NUCLEAR on the UFC ... calling them out as hypocrites and laying down a major threat -- saying if his team is punished for the melee after UFC 229 -- he'll quit the UFC FOREVER.

Dana White laid down the gauntlet ... saying the members of Khabib's team who jumped into the Octagon and attacked Conor will be kicked out of the UFC for good.

Khabib has responded on social media ... making it clear he thinks the UFC is acting unfairly and essentially saying the whole post-fight brawl is UFC's fault for letting Team Conor push things too far.

"Why didn't you fire anyone when their team attacked the bus and injured a couple of people? They could have killed someone there, why no one says anything about insulting my homeland, religion, nation, family?"

"Why do you have to punish my team, when both teams fought. If you say that I started it, then I do not agree, I finished what he had started."

Khabib then went on to specifically address UFC fighter Zubaira Tukhugov -- the guy who punched Conor after the fight -- saying, if Dana kicks him out of the UFC, he can say goodbye to Khabib as well.

"If you decide to fire him, you should know that you’ll lose me too. We never give up on our brothers in Russia and I will go to the end for my Brother."

"If you still decide to fire him, don’t forget to send me my broken contract, otherwise I'll break it myself."

Nurmagomedov also addressed his $2 million purse that's being held ... telling the athletic commission they can keep it.

"And one more thing, you can keep my money that you are withholding. You are pretty busy with that, I hope it won’t get stuck in your throat. We have defended our honor and this is the most important thing."

UFC, your move.

Donald Trump says Jim Brown was such a stud back in the day, he would UNDOUBTEDLY be the highest paid player in the NFL if he was active right now.

The problem is ... he's wrong.

"I've known him. I've respected him truly," Trump said about Brown ... "Can you imagine him playing in the NFL today what he'd be making? Double what everyone else is getting! He was the greatest."

Trump's right -- Brown was insanely good and arguably the best NFL player of all time. But, NFL contracts today ... it's a QB's world!

The highest paid NFL players in 2018 (salary and bonuses, according to Forbes) are as follows ...

1) Aaron Rodgers (QB) -- $75.9 million.

2) Matt Ryan (QB) -- $57.5 million

3) Jimmy Garoppolo (QB) -- $43.1 million

Then Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald. In fact, there's not a running back in the Top 10!

And, get this ... the highest paid NFL running back right now is Le'Veon Bell ... who's so upset with his contract situation, he's sitting out!

Antonio Brown says allegations he threw multiple pieces of furniture out of his 14th story apartment -- nearly killing a child -- are wrong ... and he vows to prove his innocence.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Brown is being sued by a man who claims his 22-month-old son was walking around the pool area at the complex in April when vases and other items landed within feet of him.

The man says the items came from Brown's room and, since the child is now suffering night-terrors and other emotional issues stemming from the incident, he wants Brown to pay.

The owners of the apartment complex have also filed a lawsuit against Brown claiming he caused significant damage to his apartment.

But, Brown just issued a statement, saying, "It has now been made public that two lawsuits containing false claims have been filed against me. The facts will soon come out that prove my innocence."

"My focus will remain on football and I will not let the cases serve as a distraction.”

The problem for Brown ... cops responded to the alleged furniture throwing incident and mentioned it in their police report.

"Mr. Brown was with his trainer and another gentleman who were trying to calm him down," the report reads.

"Apparently when Mr. Brown got upset he started throwing things in the apartment and the coffee table glass was broken along with a few other minor objects."

"He also threw some objects from the balcony into the pool area causing minor damage as well."

The police does say -- "No one was hurt as a result of these actions."

Bob Arum says Manny Pacquiao needs to look elsewhere to promote his upcoming rematch with Floyd Mayweather -- telling TMZ Sports, "I don't want any part of it."

The Top Rank boxing chairman -- who was a key part of the original Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight back in 2015 -- has said his deal with Manny expired and the boxer is essentially a free agent who can sign anywhere.

But, Arum says ... even if Manny asks him to come back and do it again, he's 100% out.

"They're past their prime. It'll do good at the box office. It'll make money, which is fine. But, they're not elite fighters anymore."

"It's a money grab. Business is business. It's good money for each of them. You can't begrudge them, but they're not elite anymore."

Remember, the original fight is the best-selling combat sports Pay-Per-View event of all time -- with more than 4.6 million buys.

As for the rematch, Floyd and Manny have teased a possible December date for the clash -- and Showtime Sports says Floyd's "deadly serious" about making it happen.

Ronda Rousey says she needs to take her WWE cues from Drake -- "No New Friends" -- after getting ambushed and beat up by the Bella Twins on 'Raw' ... but she's already plotting her revenge!

"Nikki Bella, Brie Bella ... they’re a bunch of untrustworthy bitches," Rousey told us while hanging with her husband, Travis Browne, in L.A.

Ronda is taking on Nikki at "WWE Evolution" later this month -- the first-ever all-women's Pay-Per-View event -- and Ronda says her plan is to make Nikki pay!!!

"The most respectful thing for me to do is to go out and beat her right away, right?" Ronda said.

"So, I’m not gonna be respectful."

Ronda says she'll be documenting her journey leading up to the fight on RondaRousey.com -- sharing everything from training plans to fight videos.

WWE Hall of Famer Sunny's first order of business after being released from prison is a total Diva move ... girl went and got herself a mani-pedi!!

Less than 24 hours after getting out of the Carbon County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania, Tammy Sytch hit up a local shop back in her New Jersey hometown Wednesday to get her nails done.

However, Sunny tells TMZ ... her first selfie as a free woman will have to wait until after her upcoming hair appointment.

The wrestling legend also tells us she feels great, and she's happy to be home with her family and the man she loves.

As for her time behind bars, she says ... "I used the time to my advantage, worked more on my recovery and got in great shape. My probation violation cost me 7.5 months of my freedom, but I met a few good people I will miss. The one thing I won’t miss is the food!"

THIS IS SAVAGE!!!!!

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey isn't just dancing on the Yankees' grave -- he's crapping all over it ... eating a bunch of chowda and lobsta rolls ... and crapping all over 'em again!!

Seriously ... it's amazing.

"In Boston, you're born a Democrat and a Red Sox fan and then you're baptized Catholic 7 days later. So, the Red Sox beating the Yankees is absolutely the top of the list because they're the Evil Empire."

You hear that?? Markey just said the Yankees are EVIL -- and he's not done yet!!

"They represent everything that we fight against in the Athens of America."

"We're Athens and they're Sparta. We work smarter, not harder. We're just smarter."

.... AND. THERE'S. MORE!!!!!

"We spend our money in a way that continues in the 21st century to us being the dominant team. Far better than what the Yankees have been since the turn of this century."

"Yes, they might have beaten us in the 20th century, but the Red Sox and Boston, we own the 21st century!!"

Someone get that man some Charmin. Right now.

A woman claims boxing star Gervonta Davis punched her in the head multiple times during an incident at a Dallas strip club ... and now intends to sue Davis for $2 MILLION, TMZ Sports has learned.

The accuser's attorney tells us ... the woman was struck in the left side of her head with a closed fist at King of Diamonds in Dallas on April 30. We're told the woman was an employee at the club.

As a result, the woman says she was hospitalized with a "traumatic head injury" and has had to seek counseling to deal with the psychological injury associated with the attack.

The woman hired Witherspoon Law Group and intends to sue Gervonta for $2 million "as compensation for her serious physical injury and emotional trauma."

We're told the woman did not file a police report -- but decided to come forward with the allegations after being inspired by the #MeToo movement.

It's not the first time Davis has been accused of getting violent -- he was arrested on Sept. 14 in Washington D.C. after cops say he was fighting in the street.

Davis -- the reigning WBA super featherweight champ -- is a rising superstar in the sport and is one of Floyd Mayweather's prodigies.

In fact, he fought on the undercard at the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight.

The Thai boys soccer team rescued from flooded caves back in July were stoked when they landed in Los Angeles today ... and it's all because they're about to go Hollywood!!!

TMZ Sports cameras were rolling as the 12 boys -- along with their coaches and other chaperones -- walked through the airport to their waiting bus ... smiling and throwing up the peace sign.

The team -- aka the Wild Boars -- were decked out in their spiffy Adidas uniforms and carrying their equipment in cool new travel bags. They just played a friendly game in Argentina against another youth squad as part of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics opening ceremony.

But now, it's time for some R&R in L.A. -- the team is scheduled to hit up Universal Studios in the coming days where they'll get to experience everything from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to King Kong 360 3-D.

Of course, it's nothing like surviving over 2 weeks in a crazy network of caves -- but they'll probably dig it.

So, why the global trip?

The head of the Thai Olympic Delegation explained it this way -- "During the rescue operation so many people from around the world came to Thailand and collaborated to rescue them. They feel that they owe a debt to everyone."

The Dawg Pound turned into the D.O. DOUBLE G. Pound on Wednesday ... 'cause Snoop Dogg was in attendance to watch Baker Mayfield and Co. at Cleveland Browns practice!!

Just one tiny issue here -- Snoop is a MASSIVE Pittsburgh Steelers fan ... and the Steelers have a rivalry with the Browns that goes back decades.

But, It didn't seem awkward when the rap legend hit up Browns practice in Berea ... dappin' up all the players and coaches as the team preps for the L.A. Chargers this weekend.

So ... is Snoop trading in his Black & Gold for the Orange & Brown?? Head coach Hue Jackson says he's been friends with the Doggfather for a while ... and took a friendly jab at him for being MIA for the past 2 years.

Hey, it's been a while since the Browns have had even a sliver of success. Let them have their clout.

Dave East is gonna get REALLY HIGH to get over the Yankees loss -- telling TMZ Sports it's gonna take some good grass to move on from the NY "L."

We got the rapper -- who's a Yanks diehard -- just hours after the Pinstripes fell in the ALDS ... and that's when he revealed the perfect East strategy for how to cope with the defeat.

"Some good weed," he says.

Dave's from New York City ... so the loss reallllly sucks for him -- but he tells us he's still ride-or-die with Aaron Judge and the boys no matter what.

In fact ... the "Perfect" spitter tells us he's rooting for anyone that plays the Sox from now on.

"I'm against the Red Sox, man."

Stop us if you've heard this before ... Lenny Dykstra's got problems.

A grand jury in Union County, NJ just indicted the ex-MLB superstar on 3 serious crimes ... possession of cocaine, possession of meth and making terroristic threats after an alleged blowup with his Uber driver last May.

As we previously reported, Dykstra was arrested back in May after allegedly threatening his Uber driver -- who then stopped the car in front of a police station.

Cops say they found evidence of cocaine and meth -- and took Dykstra into custody.

TMZ Sports obtained police body cam video from the arrest -- in which Dykstra tells the cop he does NOT have a gun in his possession (as originally claimed by the Uber driver).

Remember, the driver claimed Dykstra put a gun to his head during the incident. Dykstra says that's just not true.

In the video, Dykstra is frantically trying to dissuade the cops from searching one of his bags -- it seems obvious why.

Dykstra argued that the Uber driver was the bad guy -- who kidnapped him and Lenny was in fear for his life.

But, the grand jury clearly believes there's enough truth behind the Uber driver's story to move forward with charges against the 55-year-old.

If convicted, Dykstra faces between 3-5 years in prison on each charge.

Ex-boxing champ Victor Ortiz pled not guilty to 3 felony sexual assault charges Wednesday -- including forcible rape -- and then smiled on his way out of court.

The 31-year-old former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant appeared in a courtroom in Ventura County, CA wearing a tie and a black vest ... flanked by a team of lawyers.

As we previously reported, Ortiz -- who appeared in movies like 'Expendables 3' and "Southpaw" -- was arrested last month and charged with forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and forcible digital penetration for an alleged incident that went down in an Oxnard, CA home on March 19.

During Wednesday's hearing, the judge revoked Ortiz's probation stemming from a 2016 DUI case -- which means, in theory, he could be thrown in jail for that.

That matter will be addressed at a hearing in December -- when Ortiz is due back in court for his rape case.

Outside the courtroom Wednesday, Ortiz didn't say a single word to reporters -- but laughed and joked with his legal team as he walked to his car.