Interview

Aliyah Boston -- the top pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft -- believes NIL deals for college hoops stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark could change the league ... and by that, she means bigger paychecks for the players!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the former South Carolina forward/center recently in New York City ... just as the "NIL deals vs. WNBA salaries" conversation started to trend over Reese's reported income from brand deals

According to On3, the LSU star's projected earnings grew to $876k after her Final Four performance ... which is more than any WNBA player's 2023 salary, including Diana Taurasi, who'll make $234,936 this year.

This revelation was met with a lot of criticism, considering pros like Taurasi and A'ja Wilson make less than college student-athletes. But, Boston -- who will play for the Indiana Fever this upcoming season -- believes it could actually force the league to increase their salaries.

"Everything that's happening is to grow the game," the 21-year-old said. "I just think no matter how it goes, I just think it's all just to grow the game."

The 2022 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year also believes it's a personal decision whether a college athlete wants to stay in school or not ... saying they must do "what's best for them."

Google now has an AI program to sell just like everybody else in tech -- but its own top dog is still giving a blaring warning to society regardless ... saying we need to brace for impact.

Sundar Pichai said as much Sunday on "60 Minutes," where he sat down for an interview and offered startling insights into the rapidly evolving technology that's taking Silicon Valley -- and the rest of the world -- by storm ... which is only going to get more jarring, he says.

Check out this snippet from the chat ... where Pichai is asked if he thinks society is ready for what's ahead. He's pretty frank, saying ... no, not really. But, there's some optimism too.

SP goes on to explain that while he doesn't think everyone's quite prepared to deal with how advanced artificial intelligence/machine learning already is and where it's headed -- he does note that the concerns about AI have been widespread and frequent early and often.

To him ... that means everyday folks can see the dangers ahead of time, and he hopes that'll spur some to act in our best interest -- namely, elected officials who pass laws on this stuff.

Ironically enough, Google was sorta plugging their own AI tech on "60 Minutes" here ... including Bard -- which is their answer to Microsoft's ChatGPT -- albeit, with seemingly more guardrails in place, for now, than what the competition is rolling out ... aka, smart robots.

Pichai says Google's got other stuff they're tinkering with in this department -- but he promises to do so with humanity in mind ... while also calling on mass regulation of AI.

BTW, this issue goes way beyond just tech ... it's already starting to affect the music industry -- including big artists like Drake and others. It's bound to all come to a head in due time.

Mike Tyson isn't 100 percent done with boxing ... the former heavyweight champ -- who last fought Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 -- tells TMZ Sports he's still open to fighting again if the price is right.

We spoke with the boxing legend this month about a potential rematch with Jones Jr. -- who just lost to former UFC star Anthony Pettis on April 1 -- and he didn't close the door on a return to the ring against the Hall of Famer at all.

In fact, the 56-year-old told us, "I could be persuaded."

Then, when we asked about another possible rematch, one that would pit him against his former rival, Evander Holyfield -- Tyson said the same thing.

Iron Mike wouldn't reveal the dollar figure that it would take to persuade him to agree to future bouts with the boxing legends ... though he did say he has been recently approached by people in Saudi Arabia who want "me to do this stuff too."

"I don't know," he said ... before adding, "When I see the money people for the end of the product, my mind works clearer. I can't express myself right now financially."

Tyson fought Jones Jr. in a wildly successful exhibition match back in 2020. He also fought Holyfield twice in two memorable tilts in 1996 and 1997, but lost both bouts.

Tyson had previously agreed to an exhibition match with Holyfield in 2021, but negotiations fell through.

Blueface and UK bad boy TikToker Ed Matthews are fighting in a week ... and the social media star from across the pond isn't looking to put in a full night's work -- he says he'll starch the American rapper in the first round!

TMZ Sports talked to 19-year-old Matthews earlier in the week ... just days after the bout was added to the Kingpyn Boxing card, going down April 22 at OVO Arena Wembley in London, Ed's home turf.

"It's a big fight, obviously a lot's on the line. Last minute, as well. Usually I'd be in a 6-week camp, but it's been a 2-week camp. Not that that's gonna change anything. I'll still have the same gameplan," Matthews told us.

But, that doesn't mean he isn't ready to go ... Ed, who's 1-0 in the boxing ring, says he's not only in the "best shape" of his life but, "I'm definitely the best I've ever been."

26-year-old, 6'3" tall Blueface has experience in the ring, too, but Ed says it won't matter.

"It's a first-round knockout, I've already seen it, trust me."

Matthews says he's actually a fan of Blueface, and admitted while it's likely the rapper doesn't know who he is, he will soon enough.

"It's weird actually because I used to listen to his tunes, but I feel like he fell off from the music scene a bit. I ain't heard any of his tunes in a sec, but they used to bang. it's weird, it's a bit nostalgic fighting him," Ed said.

"He definitely don't have a f****** clue who I am, but he's gonna!"

LaRussell has zero fear of AI rap recordings blocking his shine amid his breakout season ... and that's because he's confident AI can't recreate the human experience!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the Oakland rapper on the music video set of his "Hell of a Feeling" collab with Symba ... who stressed to us why both hip hop culture and the Bay Area need the track.

The thought of AI made LaRussell LOL as we gauged his thoughts on the industry's hotly debated topic ... and turns out he has no concerns, despite major labels putting up roadblocks!!!

Universal Music Group recently sent out demands to Spotify, Apple Music and all the top streaming services to block AI companies crawling their platforms ... and Drake was none too pleased hearing his AI mimicked vocal rapping Ice Spice's hit "Munch."

LaRussell makes his bread as an independent artist and thinks AI can only increase his cash flow if used correctly.

Daniel Snyder needed to sell the Commanders ... so says the team's former star running back Brian Mitchell, who tells us former Washington players, him included, are thrilled the embroiled owner is finally selling the organization.

"When Dan [Snyder] came along, he had this mindset where, yeah, he needed us when he needed us, but he didn't want to have us around a lot," Brian, who was at a "Bye Dan" event celebrating the sale, told Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1).

Even more so than the former players, Mitchell, a former All-Pro, says Commanders fans wanted Synder out, adding he hasn't heard a single person voice support for the 58-year-old owner, which speaks volumes to how people feel about him.

"I think a lot of fans are happy because they just wanted to get rid of him," Mitchell said. "You get to a point where you just don't think you can have success with a certain person, and it got to that point."

The Super Bowl champion said Washington went from a storied franchise to the laughing stock of the NFL under Snyder's tutelage and felt "something needed to change" for the fans and players to have some pride in the team again.

Mitchell -- who spent ten seasons with Washington -- recalled how the organization painted him to be a problem child and never hesitated to let him go ... a standard BM feels should also be applied to ownership.

Of course, DS' reign was plagued by scandal ... that got so bad Congress opened an investigation into the inner workings of the org.

Synder purchased the franchise in 1999 (for less than $800 mil), but after 24 years and a massive $6.05 billion bid from an ownership group featuring NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, 76ers owner Josh Harris, and billionaire Mitchell Rales, Snyder's tenure is coming to an end.

Biaggio Ali Walsh just picked up his third straight 1st-round knockout win, but despite his recent dominating performances, Muhammad Ali's grandson says he isn't ready to turn professional.

"Honestly, I don't think I'm that close. I think I need at least two or three more good wins under my belt and then I think I'll be ready to go pro," Biaggo told Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays FS1).

24-year-old Ali Walsh fought last Friday at PFL 2 (Professional Fighters League) ... where he dispatched Isaiah Figueroa in only 1 minute and 42 seconds, winning by TKO.

Considering how long his fight before went, Biaggio took forever ... in November, he knocked out Tom Graesser in 45 seconds.

Many fans assumed BAW would go pro after his latest contest, but that's clearly not going to be the case.

"I do know that, before I do turn pro, my last two fights I would like to have a very good challenge, you know, maybe go to war where both of us are just bleeding to the pulp and black eyes, and cuts and bruises, whatever."

"I wanna go through at least one or two wars before I'm ready to go pro."

Biaggio is new to the sport. He's only trained for a couple of years ... and has a 3-1 record. Ali Walsh lost his first fight by submission but hasn't looked back since.

"I haven't been through like a bloody back-and-forth war yet and that's what fighting is about. I have a theory where some of the best fighters can also take the most damage. You watch guys like Max Holloway, these are guys that can just eat shots and keep coming forward."

The celebrity jeweler who's suing Antonio Brown over $1 million worth of diamonds that he says the NFL star took from him tells TMZ Sports everything would be forgiven if AB would just send the stuff back.

Shuki International opened up to us on Thursday out in Los Angeles about the lawsuit he filed against the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver this week ... and he explained he has absolutely no bad blood with the 34-year-old at all.

In fact, he told us he still loves the guy, considers him a great friend ... and plans on hitting a rap stage with him soon.

But, Shuki says AB has really put him in a bind over some of the diamonds he lent him back in 2022 ... and now, he wants Brown to either pay him for them or return 'em.

"This is just a wakeup call," Shuki said of the lawsuit against Brown. "Call me. Bring back the baby."

According to Shuki's lawsuit, the jeweler gave several items to Brown last year -- including two diamond fingers that he said were worth $500K apiece.

Shuki told us on Thursday that when he handed them over to Brown ... he expected the former football player to wear them for a little bit before giving them back so Shuki could ultimately sell them.

The jeweler, though, said when he recently tried to get Brown to return them ... the dude straight-up ghosted him.

Now, Shuki -- who's designed pieces for many high-profile clients, including Floyd Mayweather -- is pleading with Brown to get in contact with him so they can resolve everything.

"He's just got to rotate the jewelry," Shuki said. "You cannot just hold it, you know what I mean? It's mine. I gotta look good."

Simone Joy Jones has her eye on the lead in Disney's live-action version of "The Princess and the Frog," and while she's hoping she scores the role ... she also says any Black woman would be iconic.

We caught up with the "Bel-Air" star and had to ask about her hopes for the remake ... after she posted her very own submission for the highly sought-after role of Princess Tiana.

Simone acknowledged she's up against many talented actresses -- including some of her "Bel-Air" costars -- and says every person auditioning for the role would bring something different. A diplomatic response, for sure, but don't get it twisted ... she's totally confident she'd be a fun fit.

Either way, Simone says she's going to watch the film, pointing to the impact of seeing a live-action Black Disney princess. As she put it, "It always changes the ecosystem of the culture when you see a Black girl being her everything."

BTW, she also gave her stamp of approval on a Princess Tiana-related change coming to Disneyland and Disney World!

Ne-Yo says Taylor Swift has all the inspiration to write her next hit song now that she's broken up with her longtime boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.

We got the "So Sick" singer at LAX and asked him about the silver linings to all the emotions involved in a romantic split ... and Ne-Yo told us some of his best songs are directly tied to heartache.

Ne-Yo says Taylor won't have to suffer through the breakup as much as a regular person ... because talented songwriters like them can take bad energy and turn it into something positive ... like hit records.

As Swifties already know, Taylor's got tons of songs about Joe and past breakups ... and Ne-Yo predicts she's gonna use this split for more tracks.

If NBA players are tryna get their hands on some top-notch cannabis -- after the league announced they won't be penalized for marijuana use -- then they need to hit up Mike Tyson who tells TMZ Sports he's got the best product in the world!

The NBA announced this month that they're going to remove weed from their drug tests and allow players to use marijuana under a new labor agreement.

The boxing legend -- who also runs a cannabis business called Tyson 2.0 -- loves the idea and told us NBA players should hit him up and cop some of his product.

"I would prefer [NBA players] to use my product," the 56-year-old said on Wednesday. "My product is the best product in the world."

"I'm not tooting my own horn -- it just is. Look at the write-ups from people that have tried it."

Tyson even has a couple of recommendations, including his favorite weed that he smokes on his 'Hotboxin'' podcast regularly ... Sour Diesel!

"If you want to go down and do some indica, you do some OG Kush. If you wanna stay up and enjoy the world, you do the stuff I always smoke, Sour Diesel. It keeps me thinking."

Tyson knows his stuff when it comes to good cannabis ... his brand is in 12 countries, the Mike Bites ear-shaped cannabis-infused gummies are sellin' like crazy and he just opened up the first Coffeeshop TYSON 2.0 in Amsterdam with his friend and CEO Adam Wilks.

"It's a real full Tyson 2.0 experience," Wilks said about the new café.

"You can buy cannabis, baked goods, ear-shaped cookies, and brownies, you can buy pre-rolled joints ... all different Tyson 2.0 cannabis products that you can experience in-house at our café."

What about the NBA and Tyson 2.0 partnering up since the adjusted drug tests??? Well, Wilks tells us there are some "open discussions to be had."

Canelo Alvarez may have an upcoming fight with John Ryder, but the Mexican boxing legend has his eyes set on Dmitry Bivol, telling TMZ Sports he wants to avenge his 2022 loss to the undefeated fighter!

Remember, Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) handed Canelo the 2nd career loss of his future Hall of Fame career by unanimous decision last May ... the only boxer to beat Alvarez outside Floyd Mayweather, whom the Mexican superstar fought at only age 23.

Alvarez, who went up to 175 lbs. to fight the 6-foot-tall boxer, clearly hasn't forgotten about the L ... and recently told Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs on FS1) that he wants a rematch after his upcoming May 6 scrap with John Ryder.

"Everybody knows I want that rematch with Bivol," Alvarez said. "That's my goal this year."

"We'll see but that's my goal this year."

Now, just because Canelo's thinkin' ahead doesn't mean he's not taking Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) seriously, nor is he considering it an "easy fight."

In fact, it's just the opposite ... Alvarez hears everyone saying he'll run through Ryder, but that's not how he's thinking.

"They said the same thing about Bivol -- it was an 'easy fight' and you saw what happened, right," Alvarez said. "Any fight is dangerous. You never know in boxing."

The Ryder fight is a special one for the sport's top pound-for-pound fighter 'cause it's happening in his backyard of Guadalajara ... and it's the first time he's boxed in Mexico in nearly 12 years.

"After all I've been doing in boxing, I think it's very special for me. This fight is very special for me to bring my people the same experience as me."

"I come to my hometown as the best fighter, not almost retired and everything. I'm coming from being the best and that's special for the people, too."

Brad Fischetti, the last living member of LFO, says he's not scared by the fact death seems to come early to those involved with the band ... he's alive and well, and touring in their honor.

Brad tells TMZ ... he was shocked and dumbfounded at the end of March, when original LFO member Brian "Brizz" Gillis suddenly died, leaving Brad as the last surviving member.

Lots of folks didn't even know Brian was in LFO ... and some thought it was really Brad who passed. Brian was LFO's third member when the band started, but he left before Devin Lima joined the group in 1999, the same year "Summer Girls" became a huge hit.

Remember ... Devin was only 41 when he died back in November 2018, and Rich Cronin was just 36 when he died in September 2010 ... with cancer taking both their lives. Brian's cause of death is still unclear.

Brad says it's not just LFO band members who have died young ... he says their OG record label head, keyboard player, choreographer and a producer they worked with are all dead too.

Still, Brad says he hopes there's not a death curse on LFO. He hopes he lives a long life and tells us he's got no plans to stop touring, viewing it as a way to carry on LFO's legacy.

Heather Graham says she's A-OK with the fact that she doesn't have children ... something she feels like most women haven't been able to say up until recently.

The star dished her thoughts on the subject to People, telling them ... "I think we all have different paths. You just have to embrace the one that you're on. If, somehow, I had had kids, I'm sure that would've been cool."

She adds, "But at the moment, not having kids, I do feel free. And I get a lot of sleep. That is pretty great."

HG also had this to say about the notion of being able to own the fact one might not want little ones, especially as a woman ... "I do feel like as a woman, culturally, you're not allowed to say, 'I didn't want to have kids. Because it's like, what's wrong with you?'"

She finishes her thought by saying, "I think as a man it's like, oh yeah, cool, you didn't want to have kids. Now, women are getting more free to just make their own choices."

Graham says she believes if she was meant to have kids, she would've. Instead, she focuses on film/TV projects, which she says she views as her "little kids." She finishes by saying she's fulfilled with her life and happy with the journey she's chosen as an actress in Hollywood.

Diamond Dallas Page says he was overcome with emotion watching Cody Rhodes fight Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship at WrestleMania ... and tells TMZ Sports despite Cody coming up short, he knows he'll eventually win the title.

We spoke to DDP at LAX on Wednesday ... and the king of the Diamond Cutter told us he thinks Cody losing to Roman on "The Grandest Stage of Them All" will make him even more popular amongst WWE fans.

"When you're really over ... When it's done right [and] when the people are behind it, it doesn't matter who wins or loses," Page said. "He went and made AEW. Came back to here [WWE]. They were so happy to have him back because they knew what a talent he was."

"I couldn't be any prouder of the cat," Page added. "Very emotional for me."

Of course, some wrestling fans were confused by WWE's decision to keep the title on Reigns instead of giving it to Cody, who won the Royal Rumble in January -- but Page believes it's inevitable Rhodes becomes WWE champ ... explaining this is a part of the process.

Page feels Cody has no reason to be disappointed he didn't win Sunday. DDP said Cody's father, Dusty Rhodes, is proud of his performance in the main event against Reigns, who needed help from The Bloodline and Paul Heyman to defeat the American Nightmare.

DDP praised Cody for how he responded after tearing his pectoral muscle last summer before a match against Seth Rollins ... and for rehabbing as hard as possible to put himself in a position to be in the main event at WrestleMania.

Lizzo and Jack Black's cameos in the latest episode of "The Mandalorian" is a casting choice 'Star Wars' icon Billy Dee Williams can get behind -- and he gives us his thoughts as to why the team picked them for the series.

ICYMI, spoilers -- Lizzo and Jack can be found in Episode 6 of the Disney+ series' third season ... appearing in a scene as the queen and king of Plazir-15. And, of course, people went nuts.

Billy tells us he's backing the choice wholeheartedly -- pointing out how franchises are always coming up with new ways to grab a younger audience.

He sees it as good business and understands what the crew was thinking with Lizzo and Jack, even if die-hard fans of the series are the ones marking it as a dumb move.

It's debatable, but some online think the two just aren't believable in the 'Star Wars' universe ... because of how recognizable they are. The franchise has had a slew of cameos in the past, but some fans seem to have had enough -- looks like Billy sure hasn't.

BTW -- Christopher Lloyd also popped up in the same episode, but people weren't as concerned with an unscheduled visit from Doc.