TMZ Sports - Page 30

Jim Irsay, the long-time owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has died, the team announced on Wednesday.

Irsay passed away "peacefully in his sleep this afternoon," the team said in a lengthy message posted on social media, which highlighted his love of the game, team, town and fans.

The billionaire inherited the Colts from his father, who bought the team when they were still based in Baltimore and moved them to Indy ... and the organization went on to win a Super Bowl in 2007 with the iconic Peyton Manning as quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers is making it clear, he doesn't believe transgender women should be allowed to compete in sports against biological females ... insisting this week anyone who disagrees with him "is actually anti-woman."

Rodgers broached the controversial subject while on Wednesday's episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience" ... and the NFL quarterback explained he thinks anyone who was born a male has too much of an inherent advantage when competing against those who weren't.

"You're not seeing trans men dominating anything," the future Pro Football Hall of Famer said. "It's because there's a biological difference."

President Donald Trump was dishing compliments left and right during the Florida Gators' national championship celebration ... making note of their good looks, hair and how some guys are taller than his son, Barron!!

No. 47 opened the doors of the White House to celebrate the top dogs in NCAA men's basketball on Thursday ... and he issued a few jokes as he recognized their journey to the school's third title in the program's history.

At one point in the meeting, Trump shifted from their skills to their appearance ... admitting they're all "good looking guys."

The biggest names in racing got an early look at the new "F1" movie starring Brad Pitt ... and they brought along their stunning partners for the fun!!

The official Formula One account shared a short vid of guys like Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Esteban Ocon arriving at the private screening -- and they were all hand-in-hand with their lovely ladies.

The Monégasque driver rolled through with Alexandra Saint Mleux, Russel had Carmen Montero Mundt right by his side and Ocon was accompanied by Flavy Barla.

Get hyped, Bills Mafia ... the NFL just announced who will be at the center of the training camp edition of "Hard Knocks" -- and the HBO cameras are heading to Buffalo!!

Roger Goodell made the announcement during the league's spring meetings in Minnesota ... saying the reigning AFC East champions will be documented as they prepare for the 2025-26 season.

While the majority of the show will focus on the team's practices ... there's a chance we get a cameo from Hailee Steinfeld -- who, of course, is engaged to the team's star quarterback, Josh Allen.

WNBA player Sophie Cunningham is adamantly denying she ever hooked up with Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein ... calling the claims made in a recent lawsuit "untrue and extremely hurtful."

The current Indiana Fever guard was named in bombshell court documents filed by former Suns and Mercury employee Gene Traylor earlier this month ... and among the numerous allegations laid out, he stated he heard of an affair between the hooper and exec when she was still on the team.

In the lawsuit, Traylor said he was notified of the inappropriate relationship by coworker Cornelius Craig, the organization's VP of security and risk management.

Donald Trump ain't screaming "fore" to give Bruce Springsteen a heads-up about his drive ... sharing an edited clip on social media where it appears he's hitting the singer with a golf ball.

The President of the United States shared a clip to Truth Social and X Wednesday ... kicking off with him taking a hack at a golf ball.

The prez -- clad in a white shirt and red MAGA hat in the archive footage -- gets the ball flying ... and, the clip cuts to Springsteen walking up the steps at a concert when an edited golf ball comes into frame and smacks him in the back.

The Dodgers' walk-off win over the Diamondbacks wasn't the only thriller at the ballpark on Tuesday -- there was also some action-packed wrasslin'!!!

The World Series Champions hosted Mexican Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium ... featuring live music, food and a jersey giveaway.

But the fun started before first pitch ... 'cause the team set up a ring right in center field and held a lucha libre match!!

More tushes will be pushed in the NFL in 2025-26 -- the league just shot down a rule that would have outlawed the controversial quarterback sneak play ... and the Philadelphia Eagles were quick to celebrate.

Several teams had called for a "Tush Push" ban this offseason ... but when league owners voted on the possible rule change Wednesday, those in favor of keeping it won out.

According to reporters at the scene, there were 10 teams who felt it should still be a part of the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went from beating the Timberwolves to cute father/son time on Tuesday -- hitting the court with little Ares after the Thunder's big Game 1 win!!

The adorable moment happened on the Paycom Center hardwood in Oklahoma City ... fresh off the home team's 26-point win over Minnesota to kick off the Western Conference Finals.

SGA greeted his family in the crowd after the win ... but his son, Ares, apparently wanted to show his pops he's not the only one with skills.

A supporting actor in the upcoming "Madden" film quit on Friday -- just two weeks into production -- allegedly over the use of the N-word and full frontal nudity ... but sources close to Amazon Studios tell us the allegations are being twisted.

Here's the deal ... TMZ spoke with five members of the cast and crew for the upcoming film starring Nicolas Cage as the NFL legend, and Christian Bale as Raiders owner Al Davis ... and they independently leveled some serious claims about the film's director, David O. Russell.

Crew and cast members told us that on Friday, Russell was working with the unnamed actor on an impromptu monologue when the director allegedly said the N-word ... and that upset the actor, along with others, who allegedly walked off set before they broke for lunch, and subsequently wrapped for the day.

Bill Belichick's ex-girlfriend, Linda Holliday, ran into his current one, Jordon Hudson, while the two were at a Christmas party late last year ... and TMZ Sports has learned their meetup was anything but friendly.

The intense encounter went down on Dec. 6 ... at a "Stroll Party" in Massachusetts hosted by Dreamland -- which describes itself as "Nantucket Island's Year-Round Nonprofit Film, Performing Arts & Cultural Center."

Holliday's daughters -- Ashley and Kat Hess, AKA The Hess Twins -- were DJing the bash ... which started at around 7 PM.

Travis Kelce might've forgotten his razor at home before heading to Florida ... 'cause the NFL superstar's offseason workouts are quite the hairy situation.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end got in a sweat sesh with buddies Ross Travis and Kumar Ferguson in Florida on Tuesday ... and as he made his way to a luxurious black car, he elected to pop his top and towel off before getting in the whip.

Kelce -- who was wearing all-black sportswear for the occasion -- appeared exhausted after the workout ... and as he lifted his shirt, he put his back fur on full display.

If Team USA wants Gunnar Henderson in its infield during the 2026 World Baseball Classic -- the Orioles superstar tells TMZ Sports he'd happily accept the invitation.

In fact, the Baltimore shortstop said in a sit-down with us on Tuesday it's actually one of his career goals to suit up for the Red, White and Blue in the prestigious baseball tournament.

"Anytime you have a chance to do that," he said of playing for America in the WBC, "it's pretty special. That's something that I definitely look forward to and hopefully can do one day in the future."

Ben Shelton gave a special shoutout to his soccer star girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, on Tuesday ... telling the world how much he loves her on her 23rd birthday.

The No 13-ranked tennis pro took to Instagram to deliver his romantic note ... saying, "Happy birthday beautiful girl. I love you."

Shelton published a pair of pics to go along with his mushy words -- a steamy shot of them moving in for a kiss, and another snap of the Washington Spirit forward's birthday dress.

The 2028 Olympics are still three years away ... but it's time to get pumped, NFL fans -- 'cause the league just announced its players will be able to go for gold in the flag football festivities in Los Angeles!!

The NFL dropped the news Tuesday afternoon ... stating team owners unanimously approved the resolution to allow players to participate in the Games.

"It is an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport," Roger Goodell said.