TMZ Sports - Page 50

Triller Fight Club is bipartisan -- or it's trying like hell to be -- because we've learned the company's made Bill Clinton an offer it hopes he can't refuse to get on the mic to announce a fight later this year.

TMZ Sports is told Clinton's people have been sent the deal, but hasn't responded to Triller one way or another. The offer comes after Triller successfully landed ex-Prez Donald Trump to do commentary for Saturday's Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort fight.

Someone at Triller's got POTUS fever, obviously, because we're told they're also planning to offer an announcing gig to Barack Obama. The specifics of Clinton and Obama's potential deals aren't clear -- but if they mirror Trump's, Triller's gonna be backing up a Brinks truckload of dough.

As for the fights Clinton and/or Obama would be on the mic for, we're told it's possible it could be for the return of Oscar De La Hoya, who was originally supposed to fight Belfort this weekend until he got COVID-19.

Obviously, landing #42 and #44 could be a PPV draw, but it's also an important strategic move. Trump is the most polarizing person in the country, and many fans were not happy when Triller brought him aboard. Obama and Clinton would make the company look politically unbiased.

Ben Roethlisberger says the Steelers better pay T.J. Watt ASAP ... explaining to reporters on Wednesday a new contract for the defensive star is "one of the reasons I took less money."

"I think T.J. should get whatever the heck he wants," Big Ben said. "He's arguably the best football player in the game right now, not just on defense, just in general."

Watt is currently locked in a heated contract dispute with the Steelers ... and things have gotten so contentious, there's a chance Watt -- who's sat out team drills in Pittsburgh practices while waiting for a new deal -- might miss the season-opener on Sunday over it all.

Ben clearly thinks it should never have gotten to this point ... 'cause the QB explained to media members this is why he agreed to take a pay cut to play for the Steelers this season.

"One of the reasons I took less money was for guys like him to get paid, and he needs to get paid," Roethlisberger said.

"He deserves every penny that he wants and asks for. T.J. Watt is that guy that should get whatever he wants."

Watt has made the Pro Bowl in 3 of his 4 seasons with the Steelers ... piling up 49.5 sacks in 62 games. His next contract is expected to make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

"He was here every single day and he didn't need to be, working, busting his butt," Roethlisberger said. "He should get taken care of."

The Baltimore Ravens can't catch a break.

Running back Gus Edwards might be out with a season-ending torn ACL on Thursday ... just days after starter J.K. Dobbins AND backup Justice Hill suffered serious injuries.

The news was just made official minutes ago ... with Adam Schefter reporting the injury happened at practice.

Of course, Dobbins -- who was poised to have a huge role in the offense this season -- tore his ACL on Aug. 28 ... and Hill (who the Ravens waived this week) tore his Achilles on Sep. 2.

To make matters worse, star cornerback Marcus Peters also reportedly tore his ACL at Wednesday's practice.

Seriously ... so brutal.

So, what's that mean for fantasy football?? Expect newly signed Le'Veon Bell to be a hot commodity in pretty much every league ... as well as Ty'Son Williams.

Donald Trump thinks he'd knockout Joe Biden EASILY in a boxing match ... saying the current POTUS wouldn't stand a chance.

#45 faced the media at the Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort presser before his big commentary gig for Saturday's event ... when he was asked who he'd want to face off against in the ring for a hypothetical fight.

"If you said if I had to box somebody, I think probably my easiest fight would be Joe Biden," Trump said. "Because I think he'd go down very, very quickly. Very, very quickly."

Of course, Trump ain't shy about his hate for Biden ... often referring to #46 as "Sleepy Joe."

DT's refused to accept the fact Biden beat him fair and square in the voting booths during the 2020 presidential election ... so it's no surprise he'd want to duke it out in the ring.

As we previously reported, The Donald is getting paid MILLIONS to call one of three broadcast options for the Triller fight on Saturday alongside his son, Don Jr.

Part of his duties included being the "honored guest" during the bout's final press conference at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort on Thursday ... but only Trump Jr. was actually present.

DTJ said the gig is a natural fit for the Trumps -- they grew up loving combat sports and would probably end up calling the fight to themselves if it weren't for the opportunity.

Trump will be joined by UFC's Jorge Masvidal and Todd Grisham in the broadcast booth on Saturday ... but if you aren't interested in that, there's always the main broadcast with 50 Cent.

As for a fight between Trump and Biden?? Don't hold your breath -- both guys are in their 70s ... among other obvious reasons.

But hey, we can dream.

WWE is makin' a splash of its own ... 'cause it just signed 21-year-old Olympic gold medal winner Gable Steveson to its roster!!

"WWE today announced it has signed Olympic gold medalist and reigning NCAA wrestling champion Gable Steveson to an exclusive agreement," the company said.

"In the company's first-ever NIL deal, Steveson will join the WWE roster while defending his NCAA title for the University of Minnesota."

Of course, Steveson had a TON of options in addition to World Wrestling Entertainment ... multiple NFL teams reached out to Gable, and UFC honcho Dana White told us a few weeks back he planned on meeting with the Olympic hero as well.

Gable will still wrestle in college ... but it's unclear if the other options are now off the table, or if Steveson could also fight MMA if he so desires.

Either way, Steveson was PUMPED to officially put his pen to WWE paper ... saying Thursday, "Childhood dream accomplished.. I have  officially signed with the @WWE!!! Thank you for the opportunity!! LETS WORK"

As for how WWE stars will welcome him ... it seems it'll be with open arms -- 'cause just a few weeks ago, Seth Rollins told us he'd be down to train the Olympian!

Keyshawn Johnson says he was NOT the biggest diva on the Cowboys during his tenure in Dallas ... explaining that honor actually belonged to Tony Romo!!!

The former wide receiver made the claim on ESPN's "First Take" on Wednesday ... saying while he was a Cowboy in 2004 and 2005 -- Romo was full of drama.

"Tony Romo was one of the most diva-ish dudes that I've ever been around at that position!" Johnson said.

What's interesting ... Romo wasn't even the starter during Johnson's two years with the Cowboys -- the QB was actually a backup to Vinny Testaverde in his rookie year and then Drew Bledsoe the next season.

"I think Tony might've even been on the practice squad," Johnson said. "Major diva, though!"

Johnson didn't elaborate on what exactly made Tony such a problem to be around ... but the rant was all part of a tangent Keyshawn went on while trying to explain how QBs have more "diva" tendencies than wideouts.

"Can't say anything bad to the quarterback," Johnson said. "If you say something to him -- if you scream at him or yell at him -- you're a problem."

There will be NO lack of star power in the announcer's booths at the Holyfield vs. Belfort fight Saturday night, 'cause TMZ Sports has learned 50 Cent will be joining Triller's coverage of the big event.

But, before you start dreaming about Fiddy sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Donald Trump ... the hip-hop star and former POTUS will be on a different broadcast.

Sources tell us 50 will be filling Snoop Dogg's usual role doing color commentary ... which in previous fights has been nothing short of hilarious.

Of course, 50 -- a huge boxing fan -- is also known for his antics ... so the entertainment on the main broadcast should be top-notch.

Even though Trump won't have 50 by his side ... DT won't be alone. UFC star Jorge Masvidal WILL be in the booth with Don Jr., providing analysis.

It makes sense ... the former prez and Jorge go back. Masvidal even hit the campaign trail for Trump in Florida during the lead up to the election.

They were last seen together publicly, where they embraced, backstage at the Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier fight in July.

In addition to DT, DT Jr., and Gamebred ... longtime play-by-play man, Todd Grisham will handle a lot of the heavy lifting in the booth (think Jon Anik).

A bodybuilder sent Kobe Bryant a letter in 2003 offering to kill his rape accuser ... and the guy later asked for $3 MILLION to do the deed -- this according to newly released FBI docs.

The papers -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- were released by feds earlier this month ... and they reveal new details from the '03 case against Patrick Graber.

The docs, in which Graber's name is redacted, show how feds say they got Graber to fess up to attempting to get cash from Bryant in exchange for making his "problem" disappear.

Federal investigators in the docs say Graber -- who they say was a gym rat -- mailed a FedEx letter to Bryant with the offer ... adding that Bryant's team immediately turned it over to local authorities.

In the docs, officials say they then set up meetings with Graber ... and he allegedly told them the price tag he wanted in order to make Kobe's "problem" go away.

Investigators in the docs say deputies traveled to Kobe's accuser's residence in Colorado to tell her of the possible threat.

Graber was eventually arrested after a lengthy investigation ... and was hit with several charges, including solicitation to commit murder.

Bengals rookie Ja'Marr Chase is giving an interesting explanation for his preseason blunders ... saying he's been dropping so many passes because the NFL balls don't have white stripes.

It's safe to say the ex-LSU star has stumbled out the gate to start his pro career ... dropping an eye-opening amount of passes after barely having any issues in college.

Chase -- who sat out the 2020 NCAA season to prepare for the draft -- opened up on his struggles this week ... and while he says he's not making any excuses for his performance, he explains the differences he's had to face so far as a pro.

"I don't want to blame it on me sitting on my butt the whole year, but it probably had something to do with it, of course," the #5 overall pick in the draft told Bengals.com.

"There's a bigger ball adjustment, so I don't want to make excuses but I've just got to be a pro and make the catch."

Chase describes other differences with the NFL ball that could be impacting his game -- the white stripes.

"The ball is different because it is bigger," he added. "It doesn't have the white stripes on the side, so you can't see the ball coming from the tip point.

"So, you actually have to look for the strings on the ball at the top, which is hard to see because the whole ball is brown and you have the six strings that are white."

"But, for the most part, just have to get used to it and find out what I am comfortable with catching."

Chase also says he has to do a better job concentrating on the ball ... and has been working overtime after practice to adjust his issues.

L.A. Clippers rookie Brandon Boston Jr. is paying tribute to his friend Terrence Clarke in an amazing way ... by getting a tattoo in honor of his teammate.

Boston and Clarke were inseparable as freshmen at the University of Kentucky this past season ... before both hoopers took their talents to the pro level and entered the 2021 NBA Draft.

However, Clarke was killed in a car accident in Los Angeles on April 22 -- three months before the draft -- and Boston had been training with him prior to the tragedy.

Boston decided to carry Clarke's legacy with him for the rest of his life ... and this week, he got a special ink job to honor his beloved friend.

The rookie guard shared the tribute on Wednesday --with tat artist Wix Tatts immortalizing Clarke's UK basketball photo on the lower left part of his leg ... featuring "TC World" under the image.

The finished product got Clarke's mother's stamp of approval ... with Osmine saying, "This is what you call real love."

"This tattoo is really amazing BJ!"

Many have paid tribute to the 19-year-old since the tragedy -- including NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who selected Clarke as an honorary pick in the 2021 draft.

Donald Trump is doing way more than calling a fight this weekend ... he's bragging about making an outrageous amount of cash for the gig, and his deal has a crazy perk.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Trump says he's making an "obscene" amount of money providing "live, alternative commentary" on the Evander Holyfield/Vitor Belfort fight. We're told Triller, the media company behind the event, is paying a fortune ... millions and millions for his blow-by-blow analysis, though our sources would not be more specific.

And there's more. Trump says Triller is providing him with a G-5 jet to take him back and forth. What's unclear ... Trump lives in West Palm Beach, a stone's throw from the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida where the event is taking place. So that's a car drive, not a plane ride.  It's possible Trump's going to New York City earlier in the day to commemorate 9/11.

We don't know what Triller is paying Don Jr., who will join his father providing commentary.

We're told the deal was sealed over Labor Day weekend ... a deal Trump just couldn't refuse.

Our sources say not everyone connected with the event is pleased, and some are downright angry.

Tiger Woods is gunning to eventually come back to the golf course ... so says his pal Steve Stricker, who said Wednesday the legend is rehabbing with the intent of playing again.

Stricker -- the captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team this year -- made the revelation during a chat with Dennis Paulson and Carl Paulson, explaining El Tigre has been making strides toward picking up his clubs again.

"I've talked to Tiger a lot," Stricker said. "He's a part of this Ryder Cup family. He won't be able to be a captain's assistant this time around just because of his ongoing rehabilitation to try to get better and to try to play golf again, and that is going well."

Stricker added, "[Tiger] is progressing. He's doing well, things are moving in the right direction."

Many have doubted Woods would ever compete in a golf tournament again after he suffered horrific leg injuries during a car crash last February.

The 45-year-old shattered and broke bones in his right leg -- needing a rod, screws and pins to fix the damage -- and he was still on crutches and moving gingerly as of July.

Stricker, though, made it clear Wednesday that Tiger is hoping to play again ... and has still been very involved in the Ryder Cup process.

The woman who accused Delmon Young of domestic violence made several calls to police prior to the ex-MLB star's arrest Monday ... and in one of them, she said she believed Young was "trying to kill" her.

It's all in police audio, obtained by TMZ Sports, in which you can hear the woman tell multiple 911 dispatchers that she needed help because Young was in her Florida home terrorizing her.

It should be noted Young also put in a call to law enforcement ... one in which he told an operator that his accuser was "drunk" and breaking his stuff.

"She tried hitting me and started doing a bunch of s***," Young said on the call ... before adding, "I'm just trying to avoid her."

As we previously reported, Young was arrested Monday night after cops say a woman, who ID'ed herself as the former baseball player's ex-girlfriend, told them he punched her in the chest and shoved her.

In the police report, cops say they saw surveillance video showing Young hitting her and "screeching in pain."

In her 911 calls prior to the alleged punch and shove, you can hear the woman claim Young was attacking her.

At one point in one of the calls, the woman said, "He broke my TV and he punched me in the face." She later added, "I have blood all over me."

In the calls, you can hear Young in the background denying ever hitting the woman.

Young was ultimately arrested and booked on four charges, including domestic violence.

You're looking at Bradley Chubb's mugshot ... taken shortly after the Denver Broncos star was arrested (albeit briefly) for failing to show up to court for several traffic violations.

TMZ Sports obtained the booking photos for the 25-year-old, 2018 1st-round draft pick ... and the LB understandably looks pretty bummed.

Chubb was supposed to be in a Colorado court on Monday ... to face charges stemming from a May 6 traffic stop where cops say he was driving with a suspended or revoked license (misdemeanor restraint) and without valid tags.

However, the Broncos' 5th overall pick never showed up to the courthouse, so a failure-to-appear warrant was issued.

The next morning (Tuesday), Chubb was stopped for a minor traffic infraction. When cops ran his name, they discovered the warrant and took him into custody, before bringing him to the Douglas County Detention Center.

Bond was set at $250 (not an issue for Chubb, who signed a $27+ million deal in 2018) ... before he posted the money and was released.

Jake Paul's time off after the Tyron Woodley fight started off with a bang -- literally -- 'cause the boxer/YouTuber says he's having some WILD fun ... from getting custom guns to private jet hookups with his girlfriend!!

The 4-0 fighter just posted an update on all the shenanigans he's been getting into after his split decision win over the ex-UFC champ ... and it sounds like nothing short of a movie.

"Finally back home after another major W in the books thinking about how this past week created enough memories and stories to last a lifetime."

Those memories include selling out Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with Dave Chappelle in the crowd, raging at his afterparty in Cleveland and at Miami clubs, getting an insane customized "PRBLM CHILD" AR-15 (which he says is worth $50k) and buying his GF Julia Rose "a Lamborghini's worth" of Cartier jewelry.

Oh yeah, and then he said he hooked up with her on the way home.

Yeah, serious baller moves.

While Jake is living it up, he's still getting called out by potential future opponents -- Tommy Fury told us he'd finish off the Paul Bro in 3 minutes!!

And then there's Woodley, who really wants a rematch ... but won't get his "I Love Jake Paul" tattoo until after the fight agreement is in writing.

Triple H required surgery last week after suffering a cardiac event ... but, fortunately, the WWE star says he's expected to fully recover.

The wrestling org. made the announcement Wednesday ... saying the 52-year-old superstar -- real name Paul Levesque -- had the procedure at Yale New Haven Hospital.

WWE officials added, "The episode was caused by a genetic heart issue and Paul is expected to make a fully recovery."

Triple H has been wrestling for roughly three decades ... and has been an ironman in the sport -- only suffering one severe injury in his career, back in 2001 when he tore his quad.

The wrestler has recently taken a bit of a step back when it comes to action in the ring ... as he's been more involved in the business side of the WWE.