TMZ Sports - Page 50

Emily Mayfield is sad to leave Cleveland behind after Baker's trade to the Carolina Panthers ... admitting it's been an emotional process with "a lot of tears."

The former #1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft spent his first four pro seasons with the Browns ... but was shipped to Charlotte as a result of Cleveland's controversial trade for Deshaun Watson.

As the 2022-23 season approaches, Emily is reflecting on all the memories she made with her husband ... saying she had no idea she'd be saying goodbye already.

"It's obviously been an emotional couple of days," Emily said on Instagram. "Baker and I left last season, truly expecting to come back for another season (like the previous 4 years).

"No part of me thought it'd be the last time we'd leave that house together or the last time we'd shut it down to head out on our off-season adventures."

Emily reminisced about all the experiences they shared at their first house as a couple -- from barbeques and bonfires to holiday gatherings.

"I am leaving Cleveland with such fond memories," she added. "I'm leaving this house with a full heart. This week brought A LOT of tears. It brought tons of nostalgia. But I'm so happy I felt those feelings... it means it was a good ride."

Mayfield says she's excited to create new memories in Charlotte, but admits "there's just something about that first place ..... Thank you, CLE. You'll forever hold a special place in my heart."

But, on the bright side, Emily says a flight attendant noticed her puffy eyes on her flight from Cleveland ... and gave her "the most massive pour" of wine.

The owners of Yoga to the People -- a profitable nationwide yoga business -- could be teaching their exercise classes behind bars for decades ... 'cause the feds arrested them on tax evasion charges.

Gregory Gumucio, Michael Anderson and Haven Soliman were rounded up Wednesday by federal agents and charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS and five counts of tax evasion. The trio faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

According to a criminal complaint, obtained by TMZ, the execs raked in $20 million from 2013 to 2020 and lived high off the hog.

Prosecutors claim Gumucio doled out nearly $270,00 to United Airlines and $76,000 on hotels. Gumucio also held Denver Broncos season tickets worth over $40,000, the complaint says. All three execs allegedly paid for personal expenses using business accounts.

Problem was, according to prosecutors, all three failed to file individual or business tax returns ... and they didn't pay any income taxes between 2013 and 2020.

Yoga to the People allegedly avoided paying taxes by taking customer cash payments that were stuffed inside tissue boxes and passed around during classes. Teachers were allegedly paid in cash and off the books.

Between 2015 and 2020, Gumucio didn't report $1.6 million in income, and Anderson and Soliman had $2.1 million and $961,000 in unreported income, respectively. They owed $431,000, $603,000, and $196,000 in taxes, respectively, prosecutors said.

Unlike Lia Thomas in the women's swimming pool, Caitlyn Jenner says she's throwing her support behind a trans golfer in her fight to make the LPGA Tour -- claiming "golf is a totally different game."

Hailey Davidson, a 29-year-old who underwent gender reassignment surgery last year, has been attempting to get her LPGA Tour card this summer. She's so far been unsuccessful, but it's created plenty of backlash nonetheless, with critics -- as they did in Thomas' case earlier this year -- calling it unfair to women in the sport.

But Jenner joined Fox News on Wednesday afternoon and said she's backing Davidson's quest to be the first transgender woman on the Tour -- saying it's simply a different situation than Thomas'.

"Every sport is different," said Jenner, who's previously been very critical of Thomas' journey to compete in the women's pool. "Golf is a totally different game [than swimming]. It is a game of touch and feel."

Jenner argued that brute strength and the potential to hit a ball further makes little-to-no difference in golf ... saying, "It is about your ability around the green."

"I don't think she's in a position where she's going to be dominating on the LPGA Tour," Jenner added.

The LPGA Tour changed its rules more than a decade ago to allow golfers who were not born female to compete. And Jenner said she thinks it should stay that way, noting current pro female golfers whoop her and other men regularly on the course.

"To be honest with you," Jenner said, "those girls are so good. The top girls on Tour can beat probably 99.9 percent of the men out there. They're that good."

Davidson, who reportedly last competed as a male in a 2015 tournament, said in a statement Wednesday that despite not yet earning her Tour card ... she isn't giving up in the fight anytime soon -- no matter what her detractors say.

"All the people who commented about me having an advantage over biologically born women have no idea how great these women are at their craft or it what it takes to be an elite golfer," she said.

Dennis Rodman won't be getting involved in the Brittney Griner case after all -- the Hall of Famer has reportedly decided not to travel to Russia ... after the U.S. government strongly advised against his plans.

Rodman claimed earlier this week he had permission to go to Russia to try to get Griner -- who was sentenced to 9 years in prison earlier this month -- back on U.S. soil ... saying he knew president Vladimir Putin "too well."

It's no secret -- Rodman is well-connected overseas ... especially with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un, so the ex-Bulls great was trying to see how much international pull he really had.

But, the folks at the White House made it clear if the Worm planned to go, he would not have D.C.'s blessing ... with State Department spokesperson Ned Price saying, "He would not be traveling on behalf of the U.S. government."

In fact, the government felt Rodman's involvement might mess up the U.S.'s current negotiations with Russia to get Griner out ... so ultimately, the hooper decided to take a back seat.

Griner has been behind bars since she was arrested for having cannabis oil in her luggage at the airport. The U.S. has remained adamant she's being wrongfully detained.

Mike Perry has an offer for Jake Paul (absent almost any s**t talk) ... if you want to prove you're a "real boxer," let's fight!!

30-year-old Perry -- fresh off a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) win against Bellator star Michael "Venom" Page -- isn't exactly looking for R&R ... he wants to step foot in a ring with the 25-year-old "Problem Child."

"Jake Paul, I know you hear me, I know you see me," Perry told Babcock when he joined the "TMZ Sports" TV show (air weeknights on FS1) on Wednesday.

"If you want to be solidified as a real athlete, as a real fighter, and not someone who just fights tomato cans and basketball players -- you want to be a real boxer, then 'Platinum' Perry is the opponent for you, buddy."

And, Mike says he isn't looking to spark a war of words ... because he's content with life right now.

"We can add the animosity, but I'm in a good place in life and I'm not tripping on you bro, you can run from me if you want. That's cool. I'm not gonna chase you, but I'm right here when you're ready."

At the end of the day, Perry tells us he's okay if the fight with Jake -- who has publicly said he wants to fight in October -- doesn't happen.

"I'm not gonna chase it too hard, man. I know he heard me. Everybody knows he heard me. If he wants to ignore it, that's on him."

Sylvester Stallone tells TMZ his Rottweiler Dwight was not the reason Jennifer Flavin filed to end their 25-year marriage ... he says they have just taken different paths and he still has love for her.

TMZ reported sources directly connected to the couple told us Sly wanted to get a Rottweiler for protection for the family but Jennifer didn't want the canine, and that triggered an argument that unearthed other issues that led to Flavin's filing.

Sly says it's not true ... they did have issues over how to care for the dog, given that they travel coast-to-coast with homes in L.A. and Palm Beach, and he is often away shooting film projects, but he adds, "We did not end the relationship on such a trivial argument."

The "Rocky" star says, "We just went in different directions," adding, "I have the highest respect for Jennifer. I will always love her. She's an amazing woman. She's the nicest human being I've ever met."

As for the tattoo on his arm -- covering up a tat of Jennifer with a tat of the Rottweiler -- Sly tells us he's had the Jennifer tattoo for 14 years and wanted to freshen it up, but it got messed up and the dog was just a fix with no ill intention. He adds he still has a big tattoo of Jennifer on his back.

As we reported, Jennifer filed for divorce last Friday ... even accusing Sly of mishandling marital assets, something we're told he denies. She also wants an order to keep him out of their Palm Beach home.

Sylvester Stallone's wife, Jennifer Flavin, only filed divorce docs Friday ... but there's now proof the couple's been struggling for weeks, as evidenced by what was missing from her finger.

Flavin was in L.A. back on August 8, grabbing dinner at celeb hot spot Craig's and without her wedding ring ... something that may not have been obvious at the time, but makes for a compelling photo now.

TMZ broke the story, Jennifer claimed in her divorce docs Sly's been moving marital assets and money around ... something he adamantly denies.

Interestingly enough, Sylvester recently covered up his tattoo of a portrait of Jennifer with a Rottweiler dog. It's unclear when exactly Sly got the tattoo, but knowing what we know now, it was likely before Jennifer was seen sans ring.

What's interesting ... August 8th -- the day Jennifer was seen at Craig's -- was also the day when Sly dedicated his second post on Instagram to the pooch, saying, "”DWIGHT” Definitely a true friend! KeepPunching And Keep barking!"

Vanessa Bryant has won her lawsuit against Los Angeles County ... after a jury of ten decided she has suffered and will continue to suffer severe emotional distress as a result of the death scene photos captured on the cell phones of 8 L.A. County Sheriff's deputies -- photos she fears will someday surface publicly. That fear was the basis of her lawsuit.

The jury awarded Vanessa $16 million. Chris Chester -- who lost his daughter and wife in the helicopter crash -- was awarded $15 million.

Chester's attorney, Jerry Jackson, tells TMZ ... "Grateful to a jury and judge that gave us a fair trial."

Vanessa broke down sobbing when the verdict was read. The jury was polled and Vanessa looked at them one by one in approval.

The verdicts were against both the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. and the L.A. County Fire Dept.

The deputies not only took the photos but shared them with friends, family and even strangers at a bar. The photos were even shared at a party with fire officials.

Lawyers for the County had argued the photos have never surfaced and they have been deleted from the cell phones in question ... so there was no cause for alarm that they might leak.

During closing arguments, the lawyer for Chester asked for up to $32.5 million. Bryant's attorney did not ask for a specific amount ... rather asking the jury to award what's right.

The trial lasted two weeks and was at times so laden with graphic descriptions, Vanessa cried and periodically left the courtroom.

Kobe and Gigi Bryant, along with Sarah and Payton Chester, were killed along with 5 others in the January 26, 2020 crash.

Two women claim George Foreman sexually abused them when he was in his 20s and they were minors, this according to two new lawsuits, obtained by TMZ Sports.

In the documents, which were filed in L.A. on Wednesday, the plaintiffs -- described as Denise S. and Gwen H. in the suits -- say they initially met Foreman through their fathers in the late 1960s, early 1970s.

Denise says in her suit she first encountered Foreman when she was around 8 years old, after her father had worked with the boxer ... and claims the pugilist began "grooming her at an early age by taking her out for ice cream and allowing her to sit on his lap as [he] drove his car."

She said in the suit when she was 13 years old, Foreman -- who she alleges was around 24 at the time -- became sexually inappropriate with her, and eventually engaged in sexual intercourse with her when she was 15.

Gwen, in her suit, said she met Foreman when she was around 9 years old through her father, who she said was Foreman's "long-time advisor." She claims roughly six years after the meeting, when Foreman was 23, he courted her and then "would molest and sexually abuse" her until she was 16.

Both women say in their suits a friend of Foreman's confronted the former heavyweight champ about the allegations "on at least one occasion," and they claim he "did not deny the allegations."

The two women are suing for unspecified damages. It should be noted they describe Foreman in the docs as "DOE 1."

73-year-old Foreman denied accusations of sexual abuse last month -- saying in a statement to TMZ Sports that two women were making up false claims in an effort to extract millions of dollars from him.

"Over the past six months," Foreman said at the time, "two women have been trying to extort millions of dollars each from me and my family. They are falsely claiming that I sexually abused them over 45 years ago in the 1970s."

"I adamantly and categorically deny these allegations. The pride I take in my reputation means as much to me as my sports accomplishments, and I will not be intimidated by baseless threats and lies."

He added, "I am, and always will be, guided by my faith and trust in God. I will work with my lawyers to fully and truthfully expose my accusers' scheme and defend myself in court. I don't pick fights, but I don't run away from them either."

Tom Brady is supporting Rob Gronkowski ... 's junk -- the future Hall of Fame tight end is modeling Brady Brand underwear while showing off his ripped bod!!

Gronk -- who won 4 Super Bowls playing alongside Tom -- is reconnecting with the G.O.A.T. once again ... showing off some undies from TB12's apparel brand alongside his stunning girlfriend, Camille Kostek.

"Brady to Gronk once again, this time off the field with a @bradybrand underwear pass! I sure scored after that play hehe! Gronk wrote on social media.

In the pic, 33-year-old Gronk and Kostek are wearing all white underwear ... and judging from the pic, Gronk's abs look like he's ready for an NFL comeback!!

Gronk retired for a second time earlier this offseason ... leaving 45-year-old Brady to try to win an unprecedented 8th Super Bowl ring without one of his most trusted targets.

Gronk -- who's retired and unretired before -- said this time, his football playing days are REALLY behind him ... even if Brady comes calling.

"Yeah, I'm done with football," Gronk said. "Love the game. Definitely blessed with all the opportunities the game of football has given me and the relationships I’ve met."

Sylvester Stallone's wife, Jennifer Flavin, filed for divorce after a huge argument over whether Sly could get a new dog, TMZ has learned.

Sources directly connected to the couple tell TMZ, the "Rocky" star wanted to get a Rottweiler for protection -- protection for their family -- but Jennifer did not want another dog. We're told the 2 were at loggerheads over the pooch, and they each fiercely stuck to their positions.

Our sources say they had an extremely heated argument that brought up other issues, although we're told none of those issues appeared to be marriage-enders.

Sly ended up getting the dog named Dwight ... also the name of his character on his new show "Tulsa King." Sly posted videos and photos of him with Dwight this month on Instagram, with the caption ... "So incredibly happy with my newly acquired four legged friend ”DWIGHT“ my characters name from the Series, keep punching and keep barking !!! Thank you very much to Trainer and breeder Dave Smith and his wonderful wife !!!"

Three days later, he posted this pic with the caption ... "”DWIGHT” Definitely a true friend! KeepPunching And Keep barking!"

Sly has been in Oklahoma shooting his show, and we're told he was shocked -- SHOCKED -- when he learned Jennifer filed for divorce. We're told Sly felt they could work out their differences.

This explains the tattoo on Sly's arm ... he put a Rottweiler on his arm over the tattoo he had of Jennifer. The photo surfaced Monday on DailyMail, but that was AFTER Jennifer filed divorce docs -- that happened last Friday.

Our sources say there was no evidence a war was brewing. In fact, the family was together July 30 to celebrate Frank Stallone's birthday, and sources tell us they all seemed happy.

As we reported, Jennifer claimed in her divorce docs Sly was improperly either spending or moving martial money around. Our sources say Sly flatly denies that.

It's problematic on many levels. We've learned they have been shooting a 10-episode reality show about Sly, Jennifer and their daughters ... they've already shot 9 episodes so the fate of that is unclear.

48-year-old Terrell Owens has still got it -- the Hall of Famer just ran a 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds!!

The former Dallas Cowboys star accomplished the insane feat minutes ago while racing against two Fan Controlled Football league receivers ... and the video is impressive as hell.

T.O. took on the two wideouts -- 27-year-old Zappers star James Harden (not "The Beard") and 25-year-old Glacier Boyz star Andrew Jamiel -- at a park in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., after we're told the guys had been talking smack about a potential race for months.

In fact, Terrell and James raced at practice last season ... where T.O. was allegedly disqualified for jumping early. So, today was the day to run it back, and figure out once and for all, who's faster?

And, you can see in the clips, Owens edged the dudes outright at the finish line.

The former NFL player looked amazing, showing off a chiseled physique, and he was apparently moving so fast during the sprint ... some at the track had him clocked at 4.38!

T.O. immediately trash-talked following the race -- repeating over and over again, "I do this s***!"

Owens has insisted repeatedly over the last couple years that despite not playing a down in the NFL since the 2010 season, he could still suit up for an NFL squad today.

Amazing news for Zach LaVine and his wife, Hunter Mar -- the couple just welcomed their first child together ... Saint Thomas LaVine!!

The LaVines revealed their little nugget on Wednesday ... saying the baby boy was born on Sunday.

"My heart in human form," Hunter said on Instagram. "I love you, baby boy! 💙"

Zach added ... "Best feeling I’ve had is now being a Father."

As we previously reported, the duo broke the news of their new addition earlier last month ... saying, "God has blessed us with the most special gift and we couldn’t be happier."

Zach and Hunter have been together for a long time now ... and first got engaged back in April 2020.

The couple will have no problem finding a babysitter ... as all their friends shared their excitement over Saint's big introduction.

"Congrats broski 🙏🏾," Tristan Thompson said ... with Dejounte Murray adding, "I Love This For Y’all!!!! 🖤 @zachlavine8 @hunter_lavine."

Even the city of Chicago's Instagram got into the comment section to congratulate the LaVines ... saying, "👏👏👏."

G Leaguer Perri’on Callandret is already thinking of the important things ... joking, "Anyone in these comments know what size shoe babies this size wear? 😂"

Tyson Fury is still calling for harsher penalties for knife crime in the UK in the wake of his cousin's tragic death ... insisting officials should straight up castrate perpetrators.

The boxing superstar didn't mince words when expressing his outrage on talkSport on Wednesday ... demanding government officials do more to deter knife crime in his home country after his cousin was stabbed to death following an altercation outside of a bar earlier this month.

"What the government needs to do about this knife crime, anyone caught with a knife or stabbing someone needs castrating," the 34-year-old fighter said.

"It cost as a government too much money to house them in a prison. It costs them 50-to-60-grand a year to put these scumbags in jail. Castrate the little bastards. Castrate them."

Fury initially sounded off on the matter on his Instagram page on Sunday -- just hours after his relative, 31-year-old Rico Burton, was killed in Manchester.

Fury called for a big crackdown then -- but he expounded on it all on Wednesday ... saying people who are caught even carrying knives should be locked away behind bars for "5-to-7 years."

"We're supposed to be one of the safest countries in the world," he said. "But yet we can't go down the street with a watch on or anything because we're going to get stabbed."

"The government needs to make this tougher on these little cowards who carry knives and weapons."

He added, "What little scumbag coward needs to carry a knife around with them in our country?"

Rex Ryan is putting his beloved feet to the test -- the ex-NFL coach is slated to compete on the newest season of "The Amazing Race" ... in hopes of winning a million bucks.

The former Bills and Jets coach will be teaming up with his partner, Tim Mann ... and the duo will be traveling around the world and competing in several challenges.

If you haven't seen the show, it's been on the air for 33 seasons ... so it might be too late to bring you up to speed. It's basically a scavenger hunt on steroids.

59-year-old Rex coached in the NFL for decades -- he won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive line coach ... and led the New York Jets to back-to-back AFC championship games.

He most recently had an analyst job with ESPN ... appearing on "Sunday NFL Countdown."

40-year-old Mann is Ryan's friend of 6 years/golf buddy ... and is a probation officer.

Sylvester Stallone and his wife are calling it quits, she's filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage ... and is accusing the actor of moving assets from marital funds.

Jennifer Flavin filed docs Friday in Florida ... unclear exactly why she decided to pull the plug on their marriage, but some fans started to sense trouble thanks to a recent tattoo coverup -- the "Rocky" star removed an image of Jennifer's face from his arm.

Flavin wants exclusive domain over their house in Palm Beach while divorce proceedings wind their way through the courts.

She also made clear ... she believes Sly is hiding marital assets. In the divorce docs, obtained by TMZ, she says, "Upon information and belief, the Husband has engaged in the intentional dissipation, depletion and/or waste of marital assets which has had an adverse economic impact on the marital estate. Pursuant to Section 61.075, Florida Statues, equity dictates that the Wife be compensated and made whole by receiving an unequal distribution of the marital assets in her favor. Moreover, the Husband should be enjoined from, selling, transferring, assigning, encumbering, or dissipating any assets during the pendency of proceedings."

Jennifer wants to restore her last name -- Flavin. She also wants a judge to put the brakes on Sly moving assets from the marital pot. Closer Weekly first reported the split.

Stallone used to have a portrait of Flavin on his bicep, but recently got it covered by an image of his late dog, and "Rocky" costar Butkus.

When asked about the reasoning behind covering the ink of Jennifer, Stallone's rep told Daily Mail, "Mr. Stallone intended to refresh the tattoo image of his wife Jennifer; however, the results were unsatisfactory and, unfortunately, unfixable."

What's more ... Jennifer took to Instagram to post a photo with the three daughters she and Sylvester share, with the caption, "These girls are my priority <3 nothing else matters. The 4 of us forever."

Jennifer and Sylvester got married in 1997.

We reached out to Sly's rep ... so far, no word back.