TMZ Sports - Page 20

POTUS apparently has pull in the MLB ... Rob Manfred admitted Wednesday he did consider Donald Trump's opinion when making the decision to lift Pete Rose's baseball ban.

The commissioner made the revelation to a gaggle of reporters while out at an owners meeting ... explaining Trump's strong support of Charlie Hustle was something he "paid attention to" when mulling whether or not to reinstate the Cincinnati Reds legend last month.

"The President was one of a number of voices that was supportive of the idea that this was the right decision," he said. "Obviously, I have respect for the office, and the advice that he gave, I paid attention to."

Bill Belichick was assured by his book publicist just days before his now-infamous sitdown with "CBS Sunday Morning" that his interview for the show would closely stick to topics related to his new book ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us ... back on April 9, Simon & Schuster's senior director of publicity, David Kass, wrote to Belichick, "I can assure you that the conversation [will be] about the book."

"This is a book segment," Kass added, "that looks at your life in football and what people can learn from you to achieve success in their own lives."

Romeo Beckham and Kim Turnbull are officially through, TMZ has confirmed ... and, we'll have to wait and see if this opens up the door for Romeo to reconcile with his bro Brooklyn Beckham.

Sources close to Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz tell TMZ ... the two didn't know Romeo and Kim split because they haven't spoken to them in months. Our sources say they aren't shocked -- telling us the power couple saw this coming.

We broke the story ... Romeo and Brooklyn stopped talking a few months ago when Romeo started dating Kim, because Brooklyn felt she wasn't in the relationship for the right reasons.

The late Richard Simmons' posh Hollywood Hills pad just hit the market -- and it can be yours for a cool $7 million.

Check out the listing photos ... the Los Angeles area mansion is polished and pristine ... welcoming potential buyers with a stately front portico and welcome hall that offers a view directly into its lush backyard.

The 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom home -- listed by John A. Lucy of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills -- boasts just over 4,000 square feet of living space on a half-acre lot that features a unique circular swimming pool and pool house.

1:25 PM PT -- Ryan Lochte just opened up on the divorce ... writing on his Instagram page he believes the split is "the right step toward peace and well-being for us both."

"I remain committed to healing, growth, and co-parenting with care and respect as we move forward separately," he said. "Thank you to our family and friends for your continued support -- it truly means a lot as we begin this new chapter."

Ryan Lochte and his wife have split ... TMZ Sports has confirmed Kayla Lochte filed for divorce from the Olympic great earlier this year.

Donovan McNabb says Saquon Barkley landing the "Madden NFL 26" cover is "absolutely well-deserved" ... but breathe easy, Eagles fans -- the former face of the game tells TMZ Sports he doesn't believe in the infamous "curse" surrounding the honor.

We caught up with McNabb -- who graced the cover of the iconic series back in 2005 for "Madden NFL 06" -- and talked to him all about the running back joining him as the only other Philly great to receive the recognition.

McNabb believes the folks at EA Sports would have made the right call in either Barkley or quarterback Jalen Hurts ... especially after what they were able to accomplish in winning a Super Bowl this past season.

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's money woes are nothing new -- but now their daughter Ariana claims she was dragged into the mess... 'cause they dipped into her cash too!

In a clip from her new Bravo show "Next Gen NYC," Ariana spilled in a video confessional she started raking in big bucks from IG brand deals at just 14 years old -- but never saw a dime, 'cause her parents pocketed the cash.

Ariana, now 23, looked gutted -- saying she isn’t even sure how much she made over the years, but it doesn’t matter now ... 'cause two years ago, she found out it was all gone.

Reggie Bush is begging the NFL to go au naturel ... saying turf fields are "dangerous" for its players -- and quite frankly, everyone hates playing on them.

The former running back vented about artificial grass in a new GQ Sports interview ... and criticized the billion-dollar organization for ignoring players' repeated complaints about the surface and its apparent link to serious injuries.

He used Odell Beckham Jr. as an example for his stance ... saying the wide receiver never fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in Super Bowl LVI, which was played on turf at SoFi Stadium.

Looks like Brooklyn Beckham’s family feud is becoming permanent … or permanently covered -- 'cause he’s now seemingly obscuring the ink he once dedicated to his mom.

The heavily tattooed eldest child of David and Victoria Beckham posed shirtless for Glamour Germany with wife Nicola Peltz -- but eagle-eyed fans noticed something missing. That "mama’s boy" tattoo on his chest? Now buried among a bouquet of flowers that look suspiciously like Nicola’s bridal arrangement.

The OG quote was already on the smaller side, but now that it's drowned out by a much bigger tat -- yup, it sure does look like Brooklyn's trying to swap Mom for Mrs.

The Chicago Cubs fan who stumbled upon a meaningful Elly De La Cruz home run ball is hoping to reunite the keepsake with its rightful owner ... telling TMZ Sports he'll hand it over to the Reds superstar if he wants it.

The 23-year-old shortstop dedicated Sunday's performance to his older sister, who tragically died a day prior. He wore equipment with "RIP Manita, te quiero mucho" written on it ... which translates to "RIP Manita, I love you very much."

In the sixth inning of the matchup at Wrigley Field, EDLC hit a two-run dinger (the 50th homer of his career) that reached its final destination outside of the historic stadium ... and Cubs fan Brendan Daly just so happened to be in the right place at the right time.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are seemingly distancing themselves from Mason Rudolph's political allegiances after the quarterback hit a rally for President Trump on Friday ... emailing a reminder to fans that their current and former players' personal views do not speak for the entire organization.

Rudolph, as well as teammate Miles Killebrew and former Steeler Rocky Bleier, took the stage at No. 45-47's event near Pittsburgh ... and at one point, even gifted POTUS with his own custom team jersey.

According to Front Office Sports, their cameos ruffled some feathers with some season ticket holders ... and the team issued a response to anyone raising concern over it all.

The Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural in downtown L.A. -- just restored last week following previous vandalism -- has been defaced again ... and now the artist tells TMZ Sports he's likely going to move the artwork to a new location.

The mural, located (at least for the time being) on the side of a building at 14th and Main in DTLA, was targeted by vandals on Tuesday evening ... and we have video of the aftermath, showing white spray paint scribbled across the artwork.

The damage comes just four days after the artist, Sloe Motions, fixed his mural after an earlier incident of vandalism ... the apparent result of a feud between rival street artists.

Mariners star George Kirby was drilled in the face by a 102.7 MPH line drive on Tuesday night -- but somehow, he was able to leave the game under his own power.

The scene unfolded in the fifth inning of Seattle's tilt with the Orioles at T-Mobile Park ... when Ramón Urías smacked a Kirby four-seamer right back at the All-Star pitcher.

Kirby wasn't able to move out of the way quickly enough, and the ball hit him right in the jaw. It ended up caroming to first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who secured the inning-ending out -- but all eyes then turned toward Kirby.

Travis Kelce is cheering on Taylor Swift days after she announced she officially owns her first six studio albums.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end supported his pop superstar girlfriend on Wednesday's episode of his and his brother Jason Kelce’s "New Heights" podcast, with special guest Shaquille O’Neal.

Turns out Shaq is a major Swiftie, and he began playing his "favorite song in the world" -- her "Red" track "I Knew You Were Trouble" -- on his phone, receiving an elated response from TK.

The New York Knicks can stop their head coaching search ... 'cause Metta World Peace says he's the guy for the job!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the former NBA star following the shocking firing of Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday ... and MWP explained he's dead serious about leading the N.Y. sidelines.

"I would love the opportunity just to coach," the 45-year-old said. "I'm not interested in nothing else. I've been preparing for this."

John Brenkus -- the host of the Emmy-award winning show "Sport Science" -- died by suicide last week, the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner tells TMZ Sports.

Brenkus' family announced the passing to the public on Sunday -- writing in a statement on X that Brenkus "had been battling depression."

"John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025," they said. "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help."