TMZ Sports - Page 27

An expatriate American hotel owner from a prominent surfing family in California was brutally killed in Costa Rica this weekend … and local police are on the hunt for suspects.

Kurt Van Dyke -- a 66-year-old Northern California native who owned a tourist hotel in Costa Rica -- was found stabbed and strangled in bed in an apartment in Hone Creek, Cahuita, Talamanca, according to local reports ... his girlfriend was found tied up but otherwise uninjured at the scene.

Police responded to a report of a break-in and attack at an apartment at 10:50 AM local time Saturday in Cahuita, on the Caribbean coast near the Panama border … about 10 miles from the hotel Van Dyke owned. They found Van Dyke with multiple stab wounds and signs of asphyxiation.

Logan Paul's bank account just got a whole lot bigger thanks to his Pikachu Illustrator card ... 'cause his rare card just sold at auction for a whopping $16.492 million!

Not too shabby a return on what was a $5 million investment ... which Paul spent on the card in July 2021.

The moment the auction closed -- which also included the diamond necklace he used to wear it -- confetti rained down on Paul and Ken Goldin ... whose company, Goldin, oversaw the entire proceedings.

Former NFL star Tre Johnson -- an All-Pro offensive lineman -- suddenly passed away on Sunday while on vacation with his family, his wife confirmed ... leaving everyone in shock.

He was only 54.

Irene Johnson announced the devastating news on her Facebook page Sunday, saying Tre died earlier in the day while on a brief family trip. The cause of death was not revealed.

"His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ, and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock," Irene said.

Jaylen Brown says Beverly Hills screwed up -- and he’s not staying quiet about it.

Beverly Hills police shut down his All-Star Weekend panel event on Saturday night, and the Celtics star isn't holding back ... going scorched earth on the city following Sunday's All-Star Game festivities.

“Beverly Hills is so trash," Brown posted to X. "I’m offended had a great panel about the future of culture with great guest people worked hard for this how dare yall.”

He then tagged the city's police department ... saying "300k down the drain."

It wasn't the first time Brown -- who started for runner-up Team USA Stripes in the All-Star Game -- went in on Bev Hills this weekend ... after organizers suggested he applied for a permit, was denied, and moved forward anyway.

He says that version is flat-out wrong.

Nate Diaz has his sights set on kickin' ass on one of the most unexpected stages possible: the White House.

The MMA star tells TMZ Sports he’s all-in if talk of a potential fight card tied to the nation’s capital ever becomes reality … making it clear the idea of scrapping under a red, white and blue spotlight has his full attention.

“Yeah, that’d be dope, too,” Diaz said. “America gang, baby. You already know what’s popping.”

The Daytona 500 honored Greg Biffle in a tear-jerking 3-minute video Sunday after the late NASCAR driver tragically perished in a plane crash that also claimed the lives of his wife and children last year.

In the clip, which aired live and was later shared on X, friends and loved ones poured their hearts out, painting the picture of what a gifted and thoughtful person Greg was.

Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines, said, “Greg Biffle was the most talented guy I’ve ever worked with... He had speed, he was fearless, he was smart ... He never found himself in a situation that he didn’t think he could win.”

Cain Velasquez -- a former UFC heavyweight champion -- has been reunited with his family after spending 11 months locked up for allegedly attempting to shoot a man accused of molesting one of his family members.

In video shared to X, you see the moment Cain gets dropped off by a shuttle and greets his kids after leaving a California prison Sunday. A mariachi band launched into a festive tune upon his arrival, making it an all-out welcome home party for the retired mixed martial artist.

Cain was released on parole.

Lindsey Vonn is fresh off her fourth surgery following her devastating Winter Olympics crash, and she has a message for fans ... keep the sympathy to a minimum.

The ski legend revealed Saturday her latest procedure went well and she'll be heading back to the United States soon to continue recovering. Posting from her hospital bed, Vonn reflected on the flood of support she's received but made it clear she doesn't want anyone feeling sorry for her.

"I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad," she wrote. "Please, don't be sad. Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy."

Jerry Jones is the most powerful owner in the NFL ... but he tells TMZ Sports things could ended up much differently for him if Michael Irvin never played for the Dallas Cowboys.

We caught up with the Hall of Fame owner at the Fanatics party during Super Bowl week ... and he spoke highly of his former superstar receiver -- not only for his athletic abilities, but also the mindset he brought to the whole franchise.

The praise came up when we asked if Irvin should bring his signature "belt to ass" celebrations to the Cowboys ... after it became a bit of a phenomenon for his Miami Hurricanes this past season.

Livvy Dunne and Paul Skenes are taking relationship goals to a whole 'nother level -- 'cause the ex-LSU gymnast says she trusts her MLB boyfriend completely -- even when he's throwing fastballs in her direction!!

We caught up with the social media sensation out at the Fanatics Super Bowl party last weekend ... and had to ask about her experience getting in the batter's box for some practice with the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher.

While Dunne admitted it was scary -- considering Skenes can hurl up to 102 freakin' MPH -- she claims she was confident enough in her man's accuracy that she wasn't in harm's way ... despite the fact he threw his fastest pitch of the day against her.

Super Bowl 50 champ T.J. Ward is doubling down on the Denver Broncos ... predicting his old squad will be playing for it all next year.

And he’s not whispering it -- he called his shot when TMZ Sports caught up with him Super Bowl week at SI The Party.

“They'll be in the Super Bowl next year!!!” Ward said.

The former “No Fly Zone” hammer says Denver is sitting on something most NFL teams would kill for: continuity. In a league where rosters flip overnight, the Broncos are bringing back their quarterback, running backs, defense, coaching staff -- the whole engine.

Shaquem Griffin is buying all the way in on the Seattle Seahawks -- and he says their championship is the start of an NFL takeover.

The former Seahawks linebacker told TMZ Sports on his way to the Seahawks' Super Bowl afterparty that there might be more than one Lombardi trophy coming to the Emerald City ... because the blueprint is already working.

Is a dynasty brewing???

Travis Kelce's used to big hits while playing sports ... but he's not usually the guy doling them out -- and certainly not with a golf ball!

The Kansas City Chiefs star played the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Friday ... but ran into some trouble on the 18th hole -- when he shanked a ball that smacked a bystander.

Check out the clip ... the woman is being attended to by several staff members when Travis wades through the crowd.

Parker Sutherland -- a college football standout at the University of Northern Iowa -- has died ... the school announced Saturday.

The college freshman passed away Saturday morning -- just 10 days before his birthday -- the school announced ... declining to provide a cause of death out of respect for the family.

UNI head coach Todd Stepsis said his heart goes out to the Sutherlands ... adding the young man "embodied everything we look for in a UNI Football Panther." He highlighted Parker's character, humility, toughness, and love of others.

3:20 PM PT -- Canada has released a statement in the aftermath of the incident ... stating in part, "Curling Canada fully supports fair play, respect and sportsmanship, values that are fundamental to our sport."

Marc Kennedy has also apologized for using the language he did during the tense moment.

Canadians might generally be known for their polite manners, but those apparently didn't travel with one curling competitor to Milan for the Winter Olympics ... because he threw some NSFW language at an opponent.

Marc Kennedy -- a four-time Olympian for The Great White North -- got into a shouting match with Sweden's Oskar Eriksson during a tense match Friday.

Eriksson claimed Kennedy -- the athlete throwing the rock in curling -- was touching it again after initially releasing it ... a violation of the rules.

The Canadian flew into a rage when the Swede called his integrity into question ... telling his opponent, "I haven't done it once. You can f*** off."

Travis Kelce's love was the key that opened Taylor Swift's thighs ... and he's looking to pass that on this Valentine's Day in the form of a virtual card!

See it for yourself -- the official X account for "New Heights" -- Travis and Jason Kelce's hit podcast -- shared a photo of a grinning Kelce from the podcast on a red background.

The card reads, "Wood you be my Valentine?" ... and features a prominent redwood tree in the upper left corner.