TMZ Sports - Page 50

Meghan Markle's finally giving up the first visible signs of the baby she and Prince Harry are expecting, and their royal subjects in Australia got the first look ... in public.

Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were in Melbourne Thursday for a reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria. Megs isn't just pressing the flesh and royal waving either ... she got some hands-on experience with Australian rules football!

The sport tends to be way more brutal than American football -- no pads -- so, luckily she stuck to a ball handling lesson and passed on full contact.

Megan handled the pigskin like a pro though, eventually tossing it around with other guests at the shindig -- but we suspect her blue heels are NOT regulation.

Based on Mom and Dad's sporty genes, that kid she's carrying has a better shot at being a pro athlete than becoming king.

Steve Penny -- the former president of USA Gymnastics -- was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Tennessee on Wednesday stemming from allegations he tampered with evidence in the Larry Nassar case.

Officials say Penny went to the famed Karolyi Ranch training facility in Texas and removed documents linked to Nassar's sexual assault case.

It's interesting considering one of Penny's former top staffers testified back in June that she told him about Nassar's misconduct and was told to keep her mouth shut.

The Walker County District Attorney says Penny was indicted by a grand jury roughly 3 weeks ago. They tracked him down at a cabin in Tennessee this week and took him into custody.

"The indictment further alleges that the removal of the documents was done for the purpose of impairing the ongoing investigation by destroying or hiding the documents," the U.S. Marshals said.

Prosecutors say Penny had the documents be sent to him at USA Gymnastics headquarters in Indianapolis. Officials still have not located the documents.

If convicted, Penny -- who resigned as USA Gymnastics president in 2017 -- faces up to 10 years in prison.

Attorney John Manly -- whose firm represents more than 180 of Nassar's sexual assault victims -- says his clients are "grateful" for the arrest.

"Mr. Penny is exactly where he belongs for his enabling a pedophile."

Floyd Mayweather says he ain't done with Conor McGregor -- telling TMZ Sports he'll give the Irishman a rematch in the boxing ring right after he tunes up Khabib Nurmagomdov.

"McGregor was talking that sh*t, so it ain't over," Floyd told us while shopping in Bev Hills this weekend.

"After me and Khabib lock up, me and McGregor we gonna lock up again."

As we previously reported, Floyd says he'll accept Khabib's challenge and will fight him in the boxing ring sometime in the near future, because it'll do "crazy numbers."

Floyd says he expects to make a 9-figure check from the Khabib fight -- and a rematch with Conor could be just as successful.

"I'm ready to go out there and get the job done and entertain. 'Cause me and McGregor Mayweather was real entertaining. I gave people what they wanted to see."

Floyd also says his fights with UFC stars are helping the sport of MMA -- telling TMZ Sports, "I'm helping keep combat sports alive!"

Of course, Conor and Floyd clashed back in August 2017 -- with Floyd dominating most of the fight and ultimately getting a TKO in the 10th round.

Skylar Diggins-Smith is winning even in the off-season ... 'cause the WNBA superstar is pregnant with her first child!!

The 4-time All-Star and husband Daniel Smith announced the big news on Wednesday with an Instagram post of the sonogram captioned, "Can’t wait to meet you!"

Obviously, it's great news for the couple ... but could be bad news for the Wings -- they might've lost one of their best players for a little bit (if our math's right).

The WNBA season kicks off in May, and if Skylar is at least 12 weeks preggo, she's most likely gonna need some time away from the squad.

FYI -- it's incredible how quickly female athletes can get back to competing after giving birth. Candace Parker returned to practices a little over a month after giving birth in 2009 ... and Olympic swimmer Dara Torres competed again just 3 weeks after having a child in 2006.

Congrats to the couple!!

Lawrence Taylor says Bill Belichick is absolutely correct ... Khalil Mack ain't NOWHERE near his level -- and neither is anybody else!!!

Of course, the reason we're even talking about this is 'cause a reporter had the onions to ask The Hoody -- who coached L.T. in NY -- if Mack was on the same level as the Giants legend.

"We're talking about Lawrence Taylor now," Bill said Wednesday morning, stone-faced and kinda pissed.

"I'm not putting anybody in Lawrence Taylor's class. So, put everybody down below that."

L.T. didn't take long to agree ...

"What he said!! The mold was made never to be duplicated!!!"

FYI ... L.T. was the NFL's 1986 MVP (the last defensive player to win the award), a 10-time Pro Bowler, an 8-time First-Team All-Pro member AND a 2-time Super Bowl winner.

As for Mack, he does have a Defensive Player of the Year award under his belt and 3 Pro Bowls in his 4-plus seasons ... but yeah, he ain't no L.T.

The leader of the free world is a racist, and Donald Trump's history of prejudice against minorities dates back long before he became POTUS ... so says Rep. Cedric Richmond.

The U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus didn't dance around the subject ... saying on "TMZ Live" Wednesday Trump is a racist and racially challenged, and the terms are interchangeable when it comes to 45.

Check out the clip ... Cedric says Trump's racism stretches back over three decades to the Central Park 5, and continued through his Presidency with Charlottesville and his attacks against Maxine Waters, Don Lemon and LeBron James.

Cedric says Trump presumes guilt when any minority is accused of a crime, because DT views black people as criminals ... adding Trump's hypocrisy is evident to this day with his defense of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the Saudi Arabian Crowned Prince.

Canelo Alvarez says he's sick of watching Floyd Mayweather try to make fights that hurt the sport of boxing -- like Conor and Khabib -- and says if he really wants a challenge, LET'S REMATCH!

"He wants to continue hurting boxing by making fights that don't make sense ... and not giving boxing the credibility it deserves," Canelo tells TMZ Sports.

"If he wants to return, I ask him to look my way to give a great fight to the fans."

"Let's do the second fight. It's very important. We have something pending there, so let's make the second fight."

Of course, Canelo and Floyd fought back in 2013 -- but Alvarez has improved A LOT since then, and clearly believes he would smash Floyd if they met again.

Canelo just signed a brand new $365 MILLION contract with the DAZN streaming video service to have 11 fights over the next 5 years ... and a Floyd rematch would be a dream for the company.

But, if it doesn't happen, Canelo tells us he's down for a 3rd fight with Gennady Golovkin -- and in the meantime, he's prepping for his Dec. 15 fight against Rocky Fielding at Madison Square Garden.

As far as his new contract is concerned -- the richest in the history of pro sports -- Canelo says he's not about to go on a spending spree because he's already rich and has everything he wants.

... especially when it comes to cars!

How do NBA superstars prep for the regular season?? If you're John Wall, you dance your freakin' face off at the club ... and TMZ Sports has the video!!

Two nights before the Wizards' season kicks off, the All-Star guard hit up The Park at 14th Tuesday night for one final rager ... straight-up gettin' it while Lil Wayne's "Uproar" blasts in the speakers.

You can see in the footage Wall is having a blast -- dancing with everyone right in front of the DJ booth and sippin' on some Ciroc with the owner of the club.

Wall's famous for his dance moves -- and Troop 41 even released a song dedicated and inspired by his trademark dance.

Because of Max Pacioretty's trade to Vegas ... somebody else in Florida won't have to fear 'The Purge' -- 'cause the NHL superstar just sold his safe room mansion FOR $3.1 MIL!!!

Max used to play for the Canadians up in Montreal ... and obviously needed a snow escape -- so he took off to Boca Raton to catch rays on off days.

But, with his move to the Golden Knights this offseason ... no need for a sun house anymore -- so the winger punted the palace.

It's too bad ... 'cause Max couldn't have been more protected in the mansion -- it featured smart house technology, weather resistant roofing and a freakin' SAFE ROOM!!!

The crib also had a salt water pool AND a basketball court ... obviously for use on days when the house's protection wasn't necessary.

Nick Bosa could make $100 MILLION in the NFL -- and it's simply not worth it to stay in college and contend for a title ... so says ex-OSU superstar running back Maurice Clarett.

Clarett knows a little something about leaving college for the pros -- he sued the NFL back in 2003 after his sensational freshman season to try and become eligible for the 2004 NFL Draft.

Clarett ultimately lost his suit and didn't really pan out in the NFL -- but still feels very strongly that top players like Bosa should focus on cashing in at the next level.

Bosa is the projected #1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft -- and after suffering a core injury earlier this season, the defensive end announced he won't return to OSU. Instead, he's focusing on prepping himself for the NFL.

"I believe he's doing the right thing," Clarett told the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show.

"This guy could probably make $100 million over his career. I wouldn't go out there and risk it for a National Championship. It's just not worth it. It's basic common sense."

He added, "I wouldn't go out there and risk my life and jeopardize my future to make some fans happy, I just wouldn't do it."

Clarett is now killing it in the podcast game -- topping the iTunes charts with his show, "Business & Biceps."

Dennis Hof was the picture of health before his untimely death, and there are no obvious signs he was under the influence when he died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us no drugs or alcohol were found near Hof's body Tuesday when paramedics arrived at his Love Ranch home in Crystal, Nevada. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

Sources close to the late owner of the famous Bunny Ranch brothels say Hof did not drink or take drugs of any kind -- and insist even his signature cigar was fake.

Also interesting ... we're told 72-year-old Hof was given a clean bill of health just 2 weeks ago after undergoing cataract surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Our sources say Hof appeared to be in tip-top shape last weekend during his birthday celebrations.

We're told friends became concerned Tuesday when they weren't able to get a hold of him, as sources say he was always up by 4:30 AM and easily reachable by cell unless he had company.

Since he wasn't answering Tuesday, his pals assumed that was the case ... until Ron Jeremy discovered his body at his home around 11 AM.

Hof was in the middle of a campaign for State Assembly in Nevada before he passed.

Chilean soccer superstar Arturo Vidal -- one of the best players in the world -- has been convicted in a 2017 nightclub attack in Germany where officials say he cracked a dude in the head with a vodka bottle.

Vidal -- who currently plays for Barcelona -- was ordered to appear in court on Wednesday to face an aggravated battery charge for the incident at Crown's Club, back when Vidal was playing for Bayern Munich.

Officials say the 31-year-old grabbed a 3-LITER BOTTLE and smashed another clubgoer during the night in question -- reportedly opening up a gash in the victim's head and causing a traumatic brain injury.

The entire fight was reportedly captured on surveillance video.

Officials say Vidal's half-brother, Sandrino, was also involved in the attack.

Both men were ordered to appear in a Munich court on Wednesday -- but didn't show up.

Vidal was in Mexico playing for Chile in an international friendly match, so he and his bro were convicted in absentia, according to reports out of Germany.

Vidal was ordered to pay $923,000 in fines. Sandrino got a $20k fine and Vidal's father-in-law (who was also there) was fined $41,000.

Seems like a good deal for Vidal who was facing up to 10 years in prison.

An animated film festival in L.A. just kicked Kobe Bryant off the festival jury over backlash stemming from his 2003 rape case.

The Lakers legend was set to be part of the jury at the Animation is Film Festival this weekend at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood ... but event organizers announced Wednesday that ain't happening.

“After discussions with the various stakeholders of Animation Is Film, the decision has been made to remove Kobe Bryant from the 2018 jury” ... event honcho Eric Beckman says.

Kobe, of course, won an Academy Award for his "Dear Basketball" short ... and seemed to be completely embraced by Hollywood. Kobe says he's even dished out movie-makin' advice to Barack Obama.

But last week, a petition popped up on Change.org demanding Bryant be dropped from the event -- and apparently, that was the thing that pushed festival officials to remove Kobe.

"This is an urgent time to say NO to toxic and violent behavior against women,” the petition reads ... "Keeping Kobe Bryant on the jury sets a precedent of lenience for sexual criminals and further undermines the visibility and respect that victims of harassment and assault deserve.”

The petition only got 159 signatures -- but clearly, it was enough to make an impact.

WWE superstar Randy Orton believes it's VERY important for the WWE to move forward with plans to host a major Pay-Per-View event in Saudi Arabia ... despite calls from U.S. officials to hold off.

WWE is scheduled to have the "Crown Jewel" event in Riyadh on Nov. 2 -- something they've been planning for months.

The problem ... Saudi Arabia is under fire for allegedly ordering the torture and murder of former Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Several politicians have called for Vince McMahon to postpone the event until there are clear answers as to the Saudi role in Khashoggi's disappearance.

Several powerful business leaders have distanced themselves from Saudi Arabia, including JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford.

Also, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has called on WWE to reconsider doing business with the country due to a "continuing pattern of abuse of civil rights and civil liberties."

But, Orton doesn't feel the same way -- telling TMZ Sports, "I think we should go. I think the only way to help with change over there is to go and not to cancel the trip."

"That's the goal is to make things better everywhere and I think us NOT going doesn't help. Going helps."

The Dodgers game didn't end until 11:30 PM PT -- but 91-year-old Tommy Lasorda managed to stay up through all 13 innings to revel in sweet, sweet victory ... and TMZ Sports has the video.

Guys, most 91-year-olds go to bed like 5 HOURS BEFORE THIS GAME ENDED!!!

But, yeah ... while you were getting your beauty sleep, the Dodgers nonagenarian was at the stadium supporting his team like a damn hero. Shame on you.

Lasorda is totally pumped about tying up the NLCS with the Milwaukee Brewers at 2 games apiece following the 13-inning thriller ... and says the fans were awesome (cough, Kike Hernandez).

We're just hoping he gets a chance to rest up before today's game at 2 PM. The guys need ya, Tommy!!

On the other side -- we spoke with "Gossip Girl" star and big-time Brewers fan Jessica Szohr about the game ... and she's still confident her team will make it to the Fall Classic.

Won't be hard for the Warriors to remember trouncing LeBron James the last two years ... 'cause they just got diamond, gold and sapphire bling to make sure they NEVER forget it!!!

Golden State unveiled its 2018 NBA Championship Rings on opening night Tuesday -- and the ice is FULL of reminders of how they overthrew the King ... two years in a row.

"Bristle texture" signifying the 4-0 sweep in the 2018 Finals? Check.

Two gold-and-diamond Larry O'Brien trophies for the back-to-back wins over the Cavs? They're there.

A "Back 2 Back" slogan engraved in the gold? Yup.

OH ... and the freakin' top IS REVERSIBLE -- because, ya know, back-to-back over Cleveland and all that.

As for the practicality of that whole unscrewing top thing ... not everyone was a fan -- Shaq said on air, "Why would you want your ring to open up???"