TMZ Sports - Page 50

The big winner at the Oscars was "Anora," but Ben Stiller was more focused on something happening thousands of miles away on Sunday ... the New York Knicks' matchup against the Miami Heat.

Stiller was a presenter at the biggest night in Hollywood ... experiencing a stage "malfunction" while announcing the Best Set Design category -- an obvious ploy to get some laughs.

Despite having a big job in the festivities, it's clear the "Severance" director wasn't gonna let it get in the way of his diehard Knickerbockers fandom ... as he sent out a celebratory social media post after New York narrowly beat Miami in overtime, 116-112.

University of Pittsburgh football player Mason Alexander -- who just joined the Panthers' team in January -- has tragically died at 18 years old.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said Sunday that Alexander -- a freshman cornerback -- was a passenger in a 2016 BMW that crashed into a tree on Saturday night on an Indiana roadway in an apparent effort to avoid an oncoming car. Authorities say the vehicle caught fire following the collision ... and Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement he was devastated to learn of Alexander's passing early Sunday.

All eyes are on Travis Hunter ahead of the NFL Draft ... and while there are plenty of questions marks surrounding what position he'll play at the next level, Patrick Peterson has a solution.

The eight-time Pro Bowler -- widely regarded as one of the greatest cornerbacks of his time -- spoke with TMZ Sports with April 24 approaching ... and got his thoughts on the potential top pick.

Peterson recommends whoever gets the Colorado Heisman trophy winner makes the most of his dual-threat abilities ... instead of picking one side of the ball.

Conan O'Brien's confusing the Academy Awards with the Super Bowl ... 'cause he says the show's halfway done -- so, it's time for someone to quote Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."

The show just came back from break ... and, Conan let everyone know the Oscars are at the midway point -- which means it's "time to call Drake a pedophile."

Conan's referencing Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime show performance last month ... when he rapped the song which calls Drake a predator. During that show, he did censor himself and didn't rap the word.

Michelle Manziel -- mother to former NFL QB Johnny -- has been arrested for driving while intoxicated ... TMZ has learned.

Manziel was arrested Saturday night in Kerrville, Texas ... a town about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.

We've obtained Michelle's mug shot ... no smile, but she does have a look on her face that seems almost shocked to be in the situation.

Some Americans are fed up with being booed by Canadians ... and that includes WWE commentator Pat McAfee who went ballistic on our neighbors to the north during a live broadcast.

The sparks began to fly Saturday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada ... McAfee and two other commentators, Michael Cole and Wade Barrett, were seated at the announcer's desk when things quickly took a turn for the worse during the World Wrestling Entertainment's "Elimination Chamber" event.

As American singer Elizabeth Irving belted out the U.S. National Anthem with Drake sitting ringside, the Canadian crowd started booing — pissing off McAfee bigtime.

Paige VanZant was a star in the UFC, but she says her MMA-fighter husband's debut win with the promotion was sweeter than any moment she had in the Octagon!

TMZ Sports talked to VanZant about hubby Austin Vanderford's UFC Fight Night 252 win against Nikolay Veretennikov by second-round TKO ... a fight AV took on less than one week's notice.

Wifey couldn't be prouder.

A special piece of Jackie Robinson memorabilia is about to hit auction ... and TMZ Sports has learned it could fetch over $400K!!

The 1948 Leaf card is regarded as Robinson's true rookie card ... and Heritage Auction has acquired one of only eight that has received a "superior assessment."

The card has an image of Robinson wearing his Brooklyn Dodgers cap in front of a yellow background ... and it's graded a PSA NM-MT 8.

Paddy Pimblett is locked in for his co-main event fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami ... but the MMA star can't help but dream about what could come next -- including a potential mega-fight with Conor McGregor!

TMZ Sports caught up with Paddy "The Baddy" ahead of his big-time showdown with the seventh-ranked fighter in the lightweight division ... saying their scrap is what many consider the true main event.

"I don't think anybody has more entertaining fights than Michael Chandler," Paddy said.

J.D. Vance may have been hoping for a relaxing weekend of skiing up in Vermont ... but, instead he nearly got taken out by another skier -- and called "Putin's puppet" by someone else on the mountain.

The vice president headed up to Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont for a weekend away from D.C. ... and, he hit the mountain Saturday on a pair of skis.

Check out video of the Veep obtained by TMZ ... you can't see his face, but eyewitnesses swear it's him, and he's been photographed skiing in a similar jacket. He's making his way down pretty slow -- though his technique looks good as glides across the fresh powder.

If the boat's a-rockin', ya gotta come a-knockin' ... 'cause it might just be 50 Cent whipping the crowd into a frenzy onboard!

TMZ has obtained video of the rapper surprising a ship full of people Friday night ... after Flo Rida brought him out as a special guest during a performance at a party hosted by Houston Rockets governor Tilman Fertitta's.

Check out the video ... Flo gives his longtime friend a wonderful intro -- calling him one of the greatest rappers ever -- before 50 struts out and drives the crowd wild.

Bethenny Frankel may need to have it out on her 'Just B' podcast with Alix Earle ... 'cause the popular influencer stood her up for dinner this week -- though Earle says she has a good reason for it.

The reality television star shared the news on her Instagram Friday night ... sharing a "get ready with me" vid to her IG before their scheduled dinner.

She talks about how she linked up with Alix originally before adding she's going to see both her and Braxton Berrios for dinner.

Opening Day is still a few weeks away, but President Donald Trump threw one high and tight Friday night ... torching baseball for not enshrining the late legend Pete Rose in Cooperstown!

POTUS, a big baseball fan, unloaded on MLB leadership and HOF voters, blasting commish Rob Manfred (although not by name) and writers for keeping the all-time hit leader out of the Hall, even in death.

"Major League Baseball didn't have the courage or decency to put the late, great, Pete Rose, also known as 'Charlie Hustle,' into the Baseball Hall of Fame," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

FBI Director Kash Patel wants UFC fighters to train his Agents ... and well there's one that is totally down! 🙋🏽 Justin Gaethje.

TMZ Sports spoke to 36-year-old Gaethje, who at the moment is a little tied up preparing for his co-main event scrap with Rafael Fiziev, who was plugged in for an injured Dan Hooker this week.

After the March 8 scrap in Las Vegas, the lightweight contender is down to help the country's top law enforcement agency in any way he can ... training personnel, or just kickin' the ass himself.

Abdul Carter's foot should have zero impact on his draft stock ... so says Manti Te'o, who tells TMZ Sports he still expects his name to be called first on April 24!!

We caught up with the former second-round selection out at LAX ... where we got his take on all things NFL Combine and how it'll impact how things play out in Green Bay in a few weeks.

One big storyline?? Carter's health status.