TMZ Sports - Page 50

"FBOY Island" villain Garrett Morosky is out to make even more enemies ... 'cause he's calling out Jake Paul for a boxing match -- dubbing it "The Battle of the F***boys."

Garrett had an infamous run on the hit reality dating show ... and if you haven't seen it yet, we won't spoil it for ya -- but just trust us on this one.

Now that he's off the island, Morosky has changed his focus from breaking hearts to breaking the YouTube superstar's face ... telling us he wants to be Paul's next opponent in the ring after his Tyron Woodley fight next week.

While Morosky started off complimentary of Jake's accomplishments in the sport ... he quickly changed his tune when he brought up the possibility of stepping in the ring with the 4-0 fighter.

"I'll still beat the f*** out of him," Morosky tells TMZ Sports. "I'll still beat his ass."

He unloads some even more brutal smack talk ... name-dropping Jake's on-and-off GF Julia Rose in the process.

As for his fighting experience, Morosky says he's been in about 3 college bar brawls in his life ... and claims he's never lost!!

But, the dude understands that things are totally different in the ring, and he's dead serious about getting the training he needs to be able to compete with Jake.

Drew Pearson is concerned for Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys ... saying he believes the quarterback not playing in the preseason this year could cost the team BIGTIME.

The Hall of Fame wideout explained his stance to TMZ Sports ... saying he thinks Dak NEEDS preseason games after sitting out most of last season with an ankle injury.

"I think you need to at least go out there and start a series and get the feel of that, have that confidence that you’re ok," Drew says.

Of course, Dallas has announced Dak will NOT play in the preseason ... as they're being overly cautious with a new shoulder injury that cropped up for Prescott a few weeks ago.

Drew says he'd handle things differently with Dak if he were running the team ... telling us he believes preseason games are the key to early success in the regular season.

"You know, back in the day, we played preseason games, OK?" Pearson says. "Back when I started, we played six of them. And, we played each and every one."

Drew says he believes that formula helped him stay healthy and play effectively in nearly every game of his career ... adding, "I missed three games in 11 years."

"Billy Joe Dupree missed none. 'Too Tall' [Ed Jones] played 15, missed none. Randy White, 15, missed none. That's because we were in condition to handle the physical part of the game."

Regular season for the Cowboys kicks off on Sept. 9 ... guess we'll know soon enough if the Cowboys made the right call.

Jared Cannonier -- the #3 ranked UFC middleweight -- believes his next fight could be for the 185 lb. title against Israel Adesanya, that is IF he can secure a dominating win over Kelvin Gastelum Saturday night.

TMZ Sports talked to 37-year-old Cannonier ahead of his UFC Fight Night scrap with Gastelum ... and we asked him if he believed beating Kelvin could catapult him past Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa in the rankings -- and set him up for a fight with Izzy.

"It definitely can, given the state of the division. You know, there’s only one clear-cut contender outside of Robert, you know, well there’s two. You know, me, Paulo, and then all the other up-and-coming guys," Jared says.

Cannonier continued ... "But, so you know, that top 3. Me, Paulo, and Robert. So, winning over Kelvin, I’m sure a dominant win over Kelvin, would definitely send that message, 'Hey give this guy a title shot.'"

JC is a beast in the Octagon ... with wins over the legendary Anderson Silva and Jack Hermansson.

We also talked to 29-year-old Gastelum -- the #9 ranked middleweight (Kelvin doesn't agree with his ranking) -- and he also believes a win over Cannonier would put him right back in title contention.

Katie Nageotte better brush up on her French ... 'cause the Team USA pole vaulter tells TMZ Sports she's hoping to defend her gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris!!

30-year-old Nageotte shocked the world by edging out Russian Olympic Committee world champ Anzhelika Sidorova on her third attempt of the event earlier this month ... after failing on her first two tries.

She ended up crushing it at 4.90 meters ... with Sidorova taking silver at 4.85.

The Ohio native has received praise from Cleveland stars like Jake Paul and Bernie Kosar following the awesome success story ... as well as other celebs including Katie Couric.

Despite her rising popularity, Katie tells us it still hasn't really set in that she's the greatest in the world ... but she won't have much more time to dwell on it -- because she's already competing again at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.

A few weeks later, she's got the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland ... and then it's FINALLY time for a well-deserved break!!

She tells us she made a deal with her trainer that if the Olympics went well -- which they definitely did! -- she'd be able to have a few weeks off to do whatever she wants!!

But, Nageotte ain't ready to hang up the vaulting pole just yet -- she says as long as she stays healthy, she'll be ready to go for gold again in Paris!!

Kyle Kuzma will leave Los Angeles for D.C. as a single man ... TMZ Sports has learned the former Lakers star and his model GF, Winnie Harlow, have broken up.

Sources tell us Kuzma -- who was just officially traded to the Washington Wizards from L.A. earlier this month -- split with Harlow about a week ago.

We're told, though, it was a completely amicable breakup ... and, in fact, we're also told the two have been friendly with each other since the split.

The couple first started dating in March 2020 after Harlow said Kuzma slid into her direct messages ... and things appeared to be going swimmingly.

The two swapped "I love yous" often -- and did it VERY publicly, too -- with Harlow even famously hiring a plane to fly across the Disney campus in July 2020 with a mushy birthday message for Kuzma as he played in the NBA bubble.

Unclear what ultimately caused the breakup and if the trade from the Lakers played a role.

Mike Richards is already out as "Jeopardy!" host, but he'll still get some TV time ... because the few episodes he shot are going to air as scheduled, TMZ has learned.

Production sources tell us ... Mike shot 5 episodes Thursday before stepping down as the new daily host, and all of them will air beginning September 13.

We're told this decision was made by Sony Studios execs for a couple of reasons -- first, to keep the continuity of the show and honor the contestants ... and second, because one of these contestants was on an incredible hot streak before "Jeopardy!" went into its most recent hiatus.

This contestant, Matt Amodio, has won 18 in a row and racked up $574,801 in prize money -- good for third all-time -- so he's obviously one of the contestants on Richards' first episode ... and possibly beyond that.

So, despite Mike's controversial exit from hosting, we're told it was a no-brainer for the honchos to air his episodes. However, our sources say "Jeopardy!" may display some sort of disclaimer at the beginning of his shows to explain why he is no longer host.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is adding to his resume -- two-time MVP, NBA Champ ... and now, part-owner of the Milwaukee Brewers!!!

Just weeks after the Bucks superstar brought Milwaukee its 1st NBA championship since 1971 ... the Brewers announced Antetokounmpo is now taking his talents -- business wise -- to the city's baseball team.

Brewers officials said in a statement the 26-year-old purchased a stake in the org. on Friday ... announcing, "Giannis Antetokounmpo has joined the Crew!"

"The two-time MVP is officially part of the Milwaukee Brewers ownership team. Thank you, Giannis, for your commitment to our team and Milwaukee!"

No word on how many shares Giannis bought or how much they cost ... but we're sure the NBA player could afford it -- after all, he signed a 5-year, $228 MILLION deal last December!

Of course, Giannis ain't the only sports star buying into the MLB recently ... as we previously reported, Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes just bought a part of the K.C. Royals last summer.

Arizona Cardinals LB Zaven Collins -- a 1st-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft -- just cut a deal with prosecutors in his criminal case ... pleading guilty to speeding in order to close it all out.

Collins was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz. back on June 20 after cops say they caught him going 76 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

Body camera footage from the arrest showed Collins begged officers to let him off ... but he was taken to the station and ultimately charged with speeding and reckless driving.

TMZ Sports, though, has learned ... in exchange for pleading guilty to the speeding charge, prosecutors dropped the reckless driving count.

Court records show as punishment, Collins was hit with over $500 worth of fines and fees.

The case is now listed as closed.

Of course, it's a big load off Collins' shoulders ... the charges loomed over the rookie's head for the entirety of his first-ever training camp with the Cards this month.

One of the most INSANE cards ever created -- featuring signatures from eight sports legends including Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather -- has just hit the auction block, and it could sell for the price of a brand-new car!!

The piece is wild -- it's got autographs from McGregor, Mayweather, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Errol Spence Jr., Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Chloe Kim on it ... and Leaf Trading Cards says it's the only one of its kind ever created.

TMZ Sports has learned bidding on the card at Goldin Auctions just began this week -- and we're told the expectation is for it to ultimately sell later this month for somewhere around $20,000!!

And, given the names on the piece -- and how Giannis' star has absolutely exploded this summer -- seems like a pretty great price to us.

As for how the card was obtained ... we're told someone actually pulled it in a box break -- which, yeah, talk about great luck.

The card was given an 8 grade by Beckett ... with a perfect 10 for its sharp corners.

Sha'Carri Richardson says watching the 2020 Olympics from home was bittersweet ... admitting she was initially pissed to miss out on competing, but it ultimately helped her move on from her marijuana suspension.

Richardson -- the fastest woman in America -- is set to return to the track in the Prefontaine Classic this weekend ... her first race since being punished.

Before making her big comeback, the 21-year-old explained what it was like having to experience the Tokyo Games from a TV instead of in person ... saying it was a bit of a mixed reaction.

"It was a moment of bitterness, but at the same time it was sweet," the U.S. track star told the "Today" show.

"Because, it just gives me more -- it gives me more time, it gives me more to show the world that I'm here to stay."

"Watching it made me want to push forward and grow from that."

Of course, Sha'Carri received a 1-month suspension in July after testing positive for marijuana --- leaving her out of the Tokyo Olympics.

SCR later explained that she used marijuana after her biological mother died a few days before the Olympic trials ... and she's owned up to the mistake.

"I know what I did," she added Friday. "I know I'm responsible and I'm here to take what it is from the choices I decided to make. Can't run from reality."

"At the end of the day, I did make a mistake but that doesn't take away from my talent."

"It doesn't take away from who I am."

Richardson will be able to get back on the right track against a powerful trio this weekend -- Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah, who won the gold in the women's 100-meters at the Tokyo Olympics.

Fraser-Pryce won the silver and Jackson took home the bronze in the same race.

But, SCR says she's ready for the competition and "excited" to get back on the track.

Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker have taken their romanza overseas -- with the star couple boarding a yacht in Italy -- and TMZ Sports has the pics!!

KJ and Book have been making up for lost time after the Team USA guard returned from the Tokyo Games with a gold medal ... including a lake trip and boozy lunches with friends in New York.

Now, the inseparable duo have touched down in one of the most romantic countries in the world for a getaway with friends ... hopping on a big boat and cruising near Sardinia.

No sign of Booker's gold medal this time around, but Kendall is still sporting a tiny bikini and catching some rays.

It's been one helluva summer for Booker -- he made a deep run in the NBA playoffs (beating LeBron James and the Lakers in the process), won a gold medal at the Olympics, and then came home to his supermodel girlfriend ... so yeah, life is good.

It's breathtaking ... Mike Richards, who was tapped 9 days ago as the man who would replace Alex Trebek as host of "Jeopardy!" has thrown in the towel.

Richards was criticized on Twitter for comments he made 8 years ago on a podcast. The Anti-Defamation League targeted him after comments surfaced in which Richards made disparaging remarks about Jews. Someone on a podcast made a comment about big noses, and Richards responded, "Ixnay on the ose-nay. She's not an ew-Jay."

Richards also called his female co-host a "booth slut." He also made comments about her friends' weight.

Richards said in his resignation, "I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role.  However, over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show."

The timing is interesting ... Thursday was the first day of shooting for the new season, and Richards shot 5 episodes before calling it quits.

He will remain as Executive Producer of the show.

Now the question ... if not Richards, who?

Mayim Bialik was tapped as the host of the primetime 'Jeopardy!' shows. As we reported, she was actually Sony's first choice to host the syndicated version, but her work schedule made that impossible. It will be interesting, however, to see if Sony makes accommodations for her.

In the meantime, Richards says they're bringing back guest hosts. Fact is, the show is under the gun in order to fulfill its production schedule.

The King's reign between the NHL pipes has officially come to an end ... Henrik Lundqvist announced Friday he's retiring from hockey due to his battle with heart issues.

The legendary goalkeeper said, according to the New York Post, that he could have tried to keep pushing to get to 100 percent and play another season eventually ... but ultimately decided hanging up the skates would be the better option.

"It came down to how badly I wanted to push it, how much of a gamble did I want to take?" Lundqvist said.

"And I came to the conclusion that there are too many unknowns and too much risk for not enough reward for me to keep playing."

Lundvqist was a STAR for the New York Rangers from 2005 to 2020 ... but he began suffering from heart problems shortly after NY bought him out after the 2019-20 season.

Lundvqist -- who had signed with the Washington Capitals before last season -- eventually missed the 2020-21 season due to the issues and finally had to have open-heart surgery in January.

Henrik has been steadily improving since the operation -- he even made a return to the ice just weeks after the procedure -- but he said Friday a complete comeback just isn't in the cards.

"It's all still fresh," Henrik said. "I decided only a few days ago. But I am at peace. I look back at my career, and all I have is gratitude and pride. I am just so grateful."

A 19-year-old soccer player from Afghanistan's youth national team has been identified as one of the people who tragically fell from a U.S. military aircraft on Monday at Kabul airport, authorities confirm.

"It is with great sadness that Zaki Anwari, one of the players of the national junior football team of the country, died in a bad accident," The General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports of Afghanistan said on Thursday.

"The late Anwari among hundreds of young people who wanted to leave the country, fell down in an accident from the air."

Video footage from the chaos shows people frantically hanging on to a C-17 aircraft at the Kabul airport as hundreds tried to escape after the Taliban takeover.

Several people managed to hang on to the plane during takeoff before falling to their deaths ... and Anwari was apparently one of the victims.

"May he rest in heaven and pray to God for his family, friends and sports colleagues," the General Directorate added.

NBA center Meyers Leonard says he's spent the past 5 months out of the spotlight and working firsthand with the Jewish community ... dedicating his time to being a true ally after hurling an anti-Semitic slur in March.

The 29-year-old has not spoken publicly since apologizing for his hurtful language on a Twitch live stream ... but in his time away, he says he's made every effort to learn from his mistake and understand its significance.

"This was not something prescribed or forced upon me," Leonard said on Instagram. "It’s something that I felt and knew in my heart was right to do, which is why I chose to do it privately."

Leonard says he's discussed the beliefs and history of the community with Jewish leaders and friends ... and was troubled to hear how anti-Semitic actions and views have caused so much harm over time and in the present.

"I'm committed to being an ally," he said.

"A true mistake and extreme ignorance is how this all began for me, but growing from this is a part of the journey."

"Again, I'd like to say how truly sorry I am to those who were hurt by my word. I take full ownership of my ignorance and will continue to do better through my actions. I'd also like to say how grateful I am for all of the love, compassion, and forgiveness that the Jewish community has graciously shown me."

As we previously reported, Leonard spoke out about hateful speech at an Anti-Defamation League conference earlier this month ... something he's grateful to have been a part of.

He also got emotional in a speech to Jewish kids at a temple in Florida back in June ... sincerely apologizing for using the word.

A young Yankees fan was drilled in the forehead by a Giancarlo Stanton home run ball on Thursday ... but fortunately, the kid seems like he's going to be OK.

The scary scene all went down during New York's game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium ... when Stanton hit a laser beam to right field.

The ball was absolutely crushed -- it left the park in less than 3 seconds -- but on its way down, it collided with a kid's face.

You can see in the broadcast footage, the Pinstripes fan tried to get his glove up to make the grab ... but the ball still found its way right to the top of his dome.

Video, though, later showed the fan was luckily able to shake off the knock ... and eventually, he was rewarded with a ball from one of the umps on the field!!