TMZ Sports - Page 50

Kobe Bryant's legacy will live on at the Tokyo Olympics ... with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum honoring the late NBA Hall of Famer by wearing #10 for Team USA.

Of course, Kobe is one of the greatest players to suit up for the Red, White and Blue ... winning gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Games.

Tatum -- who Bryant mentored in the years prior to his tragic death -- is set to wear the same digits as his idol as the United States prepares to win its 4th-straight Olympics this month ... a tribute he holds close to his heart.

"With this being the first Olympics since we lost him, it holds that much more value," Tatum told the AP. "It’s not something I take lightly."

As it turns out, #10 is Tatum's favorite number ... and it all had to do with his obsession with being like the Black Mamba.

"I remember that first team when I was hoping, wishing, that I got #10," Tatum said. "Kobe, everyone knows that was my favorite player. I was 15 years old and got to wear the number of my favorite player. It just felt like I had some level of connection with him."

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez's wife is demanding her estranged husband PAY UP, accusing the international soccer star of being a deadbeat dad who's not stepping up as a parent to his 2 ... this according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

33-year-old Hernandez -- a member of the L.A. Galaxy -- is the MLS' leading scorer ... and one of Mexico's biggest soccer stars.

According to the docs, Sarah Kohan married Chicharito in 2019 and has 2 kids with him ... but filed for divorce in February. She claims the Mexican star has been ignoring his family since the split.

"You do not participate in the day-to-day parenting of your two minor children," Kohan's attorney claims in the court docs.

She also says Chicharito has been putting his kids in physical danger ... failing to put a fence around his pool because he didn't like the "aesthetics."

There's more ... Kohan also says Hernandez still believes he can crawl into her bed, uninvited ... saying he just thinks he can "ignore the fact that you are separated and can crawl into [Kohan's] bed with her and go under the covers without her permission."

Bottom line, Kohan says Chicharito earns over $8 million a year playing soccer ... and she wants him to fork over around $100K a month for child and spousal support.

Kohan's attorney says, if she hopes to ever see a dime, the court will have to force Hernandez to pony up.

Thousands of Trevor Bauer bobbleheads will NOT be handed out at next month's Dodgers game -- the team has scrapped the promotion for now ... amid serious assault allegations made against the star pitcher.

30-year-old Bauer is currently on paid leave as MLB investigates a woman's claims he punched and choked her during 2 sexual encounters earlier this year ... and the team expects his 7-day ban to be extended past Friday.

According to the L.A. Times, the Dodgers have decided it was best to take the Cy Young winner off its promotion schedule ... with the bobbleheads originally set to be handed out on August 19 against the New York Mets.

Worth noting -- the game is still listed on the team's promo schedule ... so it's unclear if L.A. is waiting on the results of the probe or planning a last-minute replacement giveaway.

The Pasadena Police Dept. is currently investigating the alleged incidents ... and Bauer has emphatically denied the allegations, maintaining that his actions were strictly consensual.

Derek Carr says he doesn't anticipate any issues whatsoever arising from Carl Nassib's gay announcement ... but the QB made it clear, if any do come up, the Raiders will defend their teammate vigorously.

"He's our brother," Las Vegas' star signal-caller said of the pass rusher. "So, if you want to mess with him, you have to go through us."

Carr explained his feelings on Nassib on the "The Cris Collinsworth Podcast featuring Richard Sherman" this week ... and he didn't hold back, speaking very candidly.

The 30-year-old admitted there might be some people in Vegas' locker room that don't agree with Nassib's lifestyle ... but he insisted every single Raider still plans on being there for Carl regardless.

"Our team has been all for having his back," Carr said. "That doesn't mean everyone agrees with the lifestyle or agrees with that."

"But, we live in a country nowadays like people think if you don't agree then you can't love one another and have their back. And, like, that is the farthest thing from the truth."

Carr continued, "And so there are some guys that have raised a question or two. But, they all say without a doubt we have his back."

Carr explained he believes the Raiders are like a family ... and, therefore, everyone in the team's facility "has each other's back at any moment."

"I hope that no one makes it difficult for him, and I'm talking about the outside coming in," Carr said of Nassib. "Because inside of our building, he's going to be loved just like he's always been loved. Just like everyone on our team is always treated."

As we previously reported, Nassib became the first openly gay NFL player EVER with his video announcement last month.

The clip was inspiring ... and prompted the NFL to release a powerful video proclaiming, "Football is gay."

Packers fans are going to HATE this ...

Aaron Rodgers would NOT commit to playing for Green Bay in 2021 ... saying on Tuesday not much more than "we'll see" when he was questioned about his future as a Packer.

The star quarterback was in the middle of his golf round against Tom Brady at "The Match" in Montana ... when he was asked TWICE about the upcoming season.

Both times, Rodgers ducked the questions ... being as non-committal as ever about his future under center in Green Bay.

"Yeah, I don't know," Rodgers said when asked about playing against the Chicago Bears this season. "We'll see. We'll see, won't we?"

Rodgers added after being asked about the Packers' season-opener against the Saints, "I don't know. We'll see."

Of course, Rodgers is in the middle of a tiff with Green Bay's front office ... reportedly upset over his contract situation and some of the team's recent personnel moves.

The Packers have vowed to try to do everything in their power to repair the relationship ... but Aaron's icy comments Tuesday have to have the team worried.

Matt Mauser -- who lost his wife in the helicopter crash that also killed Kobe and Gigi Bryant -- gave an emotional audition for "America's Got Talent" on Tuesday ... and the performance is incredibly moving.

The 51-year-old shared his tragic story with judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel ... before singing a rendition of "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins.

Mauser -- who met Christina at a bar in 2004 -- broke down his final memories of his wife ... saying she kissed him goodbye and said "I love you" before the fatal helicopter ride in Jan. 2020.

Mauser got teared up before performing the cover ... as he brought his 3 children on stage.

Not only is his story powerful, but Mauser has some serious pipes ... giving it his all.

After completing the audition, Mauser got a standing ovation from the judges and the audience ... and there may not have been a dry eye in the house.

Mandel applauded Mauser for being able to move an entire room full of strangers ... with each judge giving him a resounding "yes" to move on to the next round.

Tyreek Hill's Super Bowl bling is no longer the most impressive ice in his household ... 'cause he tells TMZ Sports the massive ring he got his fiancee dwarves his Chiefs treasure!!!

The NFL superstar broke it all down for us just two days after his longtime GF, Keeta Vaccaro, agreed to marry him ... explaining he put in SERIOUS effort to make sure his future wife's ring finger shined brighter than his.

"She's definitely got the most diamonds, man" the 27-year-old wide receiver said. "We made sure of that, you know what I'm saying?!"

Added Keeta, "I love it. Honestly. It's perfect!"

Hill dropped down to one knee with the ring at a 4th of July party on Sunday ... and Keeta (whose brother is NFL star Kenny Vaccaro) says she was shocked to see him pop the question in that way.

Keeta says she and Tyreek planned the whole party -- though she had no idea Hill's secret intention behind the bash was to propose!!

"It was perfect, you know?" Tyreek told us. "I had her thinking the whole time like she was planning the whole party and she was in contact with the event planner and I was going behind her back and talking to him like, 'Hey, we're going to do this and that. Just go with it.'"

The two say they don't have a date yet for the wedding ... but Tyreek says he's been in touch with Patrick Mahomes to make sure the QB's upcoming wedding day doesn't fall on the same date.

Red Bull who, Monster what?? Saquon Barkley is entering the energy drink game in a big way ... buying an ownership stake in X2 Performance, TMZ Sports has learned.

We're told 24-year-old Barkley -- who missed most of last season with a torn ACL -- spearheaded a round of funding totaling $15 million ... making Saquon an owner in the growing brand.

Before bringing Barkley on board, X2 wasn't lacking star power ... NBA MVP Kawhi Leonard is also a part-owner of the company.

X2 says they work with over 25 professional sports franchises ... with whom they provide their energy drinks and pre-workout supplements.

As for Barkley, the NY Giants star is one of the most marketable football players in the world.

He previously signed deals with companies like Nike, Pepsi and Visa.

Here's Tom Brady proving he's bad at absolutely nothing ... smoking a tee shot so far on Tuesday, even Barack Obama couldn't help but be floored by the swing!!!

The insane stroke all went down during the third hole of Tuesday's "The Match" ... when Tom crushed a drive so well, it traveled 390 yards and landed just feet from the pin!

Obama happened to be commenting on the hole for TNT's broadcast during the swing ... and he was left darn-near speechless, saying nothing more than "wow!"

The most impressive part about the swing? Tom and his partner, Phil Mickelson, needed it desperately after Bryson DeChambeau had just buried his tee shot a few feet away from the cup.

Mickelson ended up missing the eagle putt, but Brady and the golf superstar still won the hole ... as both Aaron Rodgers and DeChambeau missed their putts.

Phil later told Tom on the next tee box it was one of the best drives he'd EVER seen ... and yeah, watch the clip -- it's hard to argue with that.

"The Match" is all tied up through three-plus holes so far ... and the smack talk is just heating up -- with Phil already clowning Bryson for a bad tee shot on #4.

Sha'Carri Richardson's Olympic dreams are officially crushed following her failed drug test ... 'cause U.S. Track & Field officials left the fastest woman in America off the 4 x 100m squad.

... this despite the fact that her 30-day suspension will end BEFORE the relay race is scheduled to begin.

Of course, 21-year-old Richardson recently tested positive for marijuana after the Olympic Trials last month ... and accepted the 1-month ban.

Despite a ton of outrage (weed is still illegal?), USOC officials stood by the punishment.

But, not all hope was lost ... Sha'Carri was going to miss the 100-meter race, but still could've been included on the 4 x 100-meter relay team.

That is until today when track officials announced Richardson would be left off the team ... meaning she will NOT be running in a single race at the Tokyo games.

As for the test she flunked ... Richardson says she recently found out her biological mother died, and she used marijuana as a way to cope with the stress and pressure.

For what it's worth, use of recreational pot is legal in Oregon -- where the trials were run.

USATF released a statement on the decision Tuesday afternoon ... saying it's "incredibly sympathetic" towards Richardson's situation ... but it would be "detrimental to the integrity" of the organization to bend the rules a week before the Games.

"All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current anti-doping code, and our credibility as the National Governing Body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances," the statement read.

USATF praised Richardson for owning up to her actions and agrees that the World Anti-Doping Agency's guidelines need a makeover ... but until then, athletes gotta play by the rules.

Matt Barnes has officially "buried the hatchet" with his ex-nemesis, Derek Fisher ... saying he's totally cool with the L.A. Sparks head coach after their infamous backyard brawl.

Of course, the two ex-NBA ballers nearly broke the internet back in 2015 ... when Barnes punched Fisher in the mouth for dating his ex-wife, Gloria Govan, and being around his kids without his knowledge.

The moment got so big, even Kanye West mentioned the incident in his track "30 Hours."

But now, Barnes says he's actually made up with D-Fish ... and explains there are two major reasons why it's so important to have a cordial relationship with him.

"To me, it’s about raising these twins the best we possibly can and co-parenting," Barnes told the Portal A's "Charges With Rex Chapman" podcast.

"So, now he and I are cool, on the same page, we communicate and see each other when we’re at events. They’ve been to my house for the twins’ birthday. I’ve been to their place."

Barnes understands the legendary story will always be a thing, but wants to clear the air about people claiming Fisher "stole my chick."

"Like he started dating my ex-wife," Barnes says. "That’s what it was. He didn’t steal s*** from me. What I’m tripping off is you’re in my house that I pay for with my kids and you didn’t tell me."

As we previously reported, Gloria told us back in 2018 there would be NO WAY Barnes would be invited to her wedding with Fisher (BTW -- their ceremony was delayed due to COVID-19).

Rachel Nichols has been AXED from covering the NBA Finals ... with the ESPN reporter losing her sideline gig following her controversial comments regarding Maria Taylor.

Nichols sparked outrage after leaked audio from 2020 went public over the weekend ... when she claimed the decision to have Taylor host Finals coverage was due to ESPN "feeling pressure" about adding more diversity among on-air talent.

In the audio -- which was leaked by an ESPN employee to the New York Times -- Nichols is heard saying, "If you need to give [Taylor] more things to do because you are feeling pressure about your crappy longtime record on diversity -- which, by the way, I know personally from the female side of it -- like, go for it."

"Just find it somewhere else. You are not going to find it from me or taking my thing away."

While Nichols apologized for her comments and praised Taylor on Monday, ESPN has decided to keep her on the bench for the 2021 Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.

The network announced rising star Malika Andrews -- who's been an NBA insider since 2018 -- will take over the mic starting Tuesday night ... saying, "We believe this is the best decision for all concerned in order to keep the focus on the NBA Finals."

It's unclear if the move is permanent, but ESPN says Nichols will continue to host "The Jump."

Belal Muhammad says he has unfinished business with Leon Edwards ... and wants to scrap only months after a (very) gross eye poke forced their fight to be stopped early.

TMZ Sports asked the 32-year-old who he wanted next after his unanimous decision victory over MMA legend Demian Maia ... and the #9 ranked UFC welterweight called out a dude he knows very well.

Leon Edwards ... the 29-year-old, #3 ranked welterweight.

"[Leon and I] literally had one round! Nothing happened in that round. There's 4 more rounds to that fight and you saw the Nate Diaz fight, dude got almost knocked out in the 5th round," Belal says.

Rewind about 100 days ... Belal and Leon's UFC Fight Night main event fight was ruled a no contest after just 5 minutes -- when Edwards accidentally jammed his finger in Muhammad's eye, scratching his cornea.

Muhammad says Edwards had an opportunity to get himself a title shot when he fought Diaz at UFC 263.

"For a guy like [Leon], you had a chance to earn your title shot against Nate Diaz, steal his fans, but you blew it because you played it a little bit safe, you didn't go for the finish."

Of course, Edwards won via unanimous decision ... but was close to being finished by the Stockton superstar during the final minute of the fight.

We asked Belal what he'd say to Leon if he were watching the interview.

If Bruce Springsteen was born to run, his daughter was born to ride -- 'cause Jessica Springsteen will be competing at the Tokyo Olympics on the U.S. equestrian team!!

29-year-old Springsteen is an absolute boss on the horse -- she's currently ranked 27th in the world by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

Springsteen -- whose mom also happens to be singer-songwriter Patti Scialfa -- will compete in the show jumping competition later this month ... which she says has been a lifelong goal.

"Been dreaming of this since I can remember!" Jessica said of her selection. "Endless gratitude for my team, friends and family for helping me make this a reality.

Jessica will be accompanied by her 12-year old horse – Don Juan van de Donhoeve -- who also got a special shoutout!!

"There’s no horse in the world I’d rather be on this journey with, thank you Don! You’re my horse of a lifetime🤗"

Although this is her first time being selected for the squad, Springsteen was an alternate rider for the 2012 London Games, but did not qualify for the 2016 Games in Rio.

In addition to Springsteen, Team USA is rounded out by McLain Ward, Kent Farrington and Laura Kraut -- and there are 3 gold and 2 silver medals between those 3 athletes combined!!

And get this -- it appears that Bruce had strong confidence in his daughter’s ability to make the Olympic team, 'cause the Boss' "Springsteen on Broadway" show has a mini hiatus from July 17 to August 17 ... almost as if he knew Jessica would be competing.

But the bummer for the Springsteens?? The Olympics' COVID-19 policy will keep the fam from watching any events in person.

How's Joey Chestnut recovering from his 76-hot dog, 22,800-calorie 4th Of July feast???

MIXED GREENS AND VEGETABLES, BABY!!!

TMZ Sports got the planet's greatest eater out in NYC just one day after he put away a world-record number of wieners ... and he told us the key to recovery from here is simply salads and greens.

"I'm still bloated," the 37-year-old legend said. "If I start sweating, I'll smell like meat. But I go in knowing that it's going to take a couple days to recover."

"As soon as I can, I'm going to start eating a salad, greens and high fiber."

It's a miracle Chestnut can even consider eating again at this point ... 'cause the dude consumed about two weeks worth of food in 10 minutes at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday.

In total, Chestnut plowed through 1,368 grams of fat, 1,824 grams of carbs and 836 grams of protein.

Chestnut obviously didn't feel wonderful -- at least physically -- outside of his hotel Monday ... and because of it, he seemed to hint that an ending to his eating career could be on the horizon.

"I tried pushing a little bit harder but I'll tell you what, last year I felt I recovered a little bit quicker," Chestnut said. "This year, I'm getting older and I don't know how much more I can push it while I'm getting older."

"It's like anybody. You have to be aware of your body.”

That said, Chestnut added, "As long as it’s still fun and as long as I’m healthy, I’ll be doing it. I hope I can keep making gains, but it’s going to get harder and harder. I can see that coming."

A Georgia golf pro was killed on the 10th hole of a country club over the weekend ... and witnesses say the scene was absolutely terrifying.

Gene Siller -- the director of golf at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw -- was working Saturday when someone drove a white pickup truck onto the course before stalling near one of the hole's greens.

Witnesses tell WXIA when Siller showed up to the hole to investigate ... he was shot and killed by the driver.

One witness near the scene on the course said he heard five gunshots ... explaining, "everyone was trying to figure out what was going on."

Police say Siller was shot in the head ... adding that the alleged gunman fled the scene and is still currently on the loose.

What makes the story even more horrifying ... cops say they found two more people dead from gunshot wounds inside of the bed of the pickup truck.

Police have not yet released any sort of motive for the alleged attack ... and have still not made any arrests.

46-year-old Siller left behind a wife and two children. A GoFundMe set up in his honor has already amassed over $424,000.