Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder White House Is For Champs ... Come To Us Instead, Bidens!!!
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Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder is saying thanks, but no thanks to Jill Biden welcoming the Hawkeyes to the White House ... saying LSU should be the only team visiting because they're the champs.
Bluder dropped the friendly RSVP to Biden's suggestion on Tuesday ... tweeting, "I gratefully acknowledge the First Lady’s sentiments, but a day at the White House should belong solely to the champion, LSU and Coach Mulkey."
The 3-time Big Ten Coach of the Year then flipped the script ... saying the Bidens should jump on Air Force One and visit them instead!!!
"We would welcome the First Lady and President to come to Iowa’s 'House' – Carver Hawkeye Arena — any time!"
Of course, FLOTUS's proposal caused a lot of commotion since the whole point of teams visiting the WH is that they're the winners.
Biden's Press Secretary later clarified her words ... saying FLOTUS made the suggestion to admire "how far women have advanced in sports since the passing of Title IX."
LSU's Angel Reese wasn't buying the explanation ... and believes her team wouldn't be receiving the same treatment if they lost to Iowa.
"I just know if the roles were reversed, it wouldn't be the same," Reese said on I Am Athlete. "If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House."
The star forward is unsure if she'll go to the White House to celebrate LSU women's first-ever title ... but President Joe Biden says he looks forward to meeting them and UConn, who won the men's NCAA championship on Monday.
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WWE, UFC Two Orgs. Merge ... Form Massive New Company!!!
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3:39 PM PT -- We talked to WWE Hall of Famer, former WCW executive, Eric Bischoff about the news ... a move that surprised him, but he ultimately believes Vince McMahon made the right call.
The WWE and the UFC are merging into one ... now forming a $21 billion company.
Endeavor, the parent co. of UFC, announced the move on Monday morning ... revealing its shareholders will own 51 percent of the new org. WWE shareholders, meanwhile, will own 49 percent.
Vince McMahon will hold the title of Executive Chairman of the Board with the new group -- while Dana White will continue as the President of UFC. Ari Emanuel, the CEO of Endeavor, will be the head honcho of it all.
McMahon said in a statement Monday he was thrilled over the news.
"Together, we will be a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse with a collective fanbase of more than a billion people and an exciting growth opportunity," McMahon said.
"The new company will be well positioned to maximize the value of our combined media rights, enhance sponsorship monetization, develop new forms of content and pursue other strategic mergers and acquisitions to further bolster our strong stable of brands."
White also said Monday he was overjoyed with the merger ... adding, "Vince is a savage in the wrestling space, Ari is a beast at what he does, and then add what we at UFC bring to the table and there is no limit to what this company can accomplish in the next few years."
The move comes following a rocky year for McMahon, who retired as WWE CEO last July -- only to come back in January. At the time of his return, he revealed he would explore all opportunities for a sale of the company.
The newly formed org. does not yet have a name.
For more, tune into the TMZ Sports Podcast available on all podcast platforms!
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WWE's Finn Balor Head Busts Open At WrestleMania ... After Getting Hit With Ladder
Here's one for the "wrestling is fake" crowd -- WWE Superstar Finn Balor just showed off the aftermath of getting rocked with a ladder during his Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania ... revealing a massive gash on his head.
Balor suffered the injury in his showdown with Edge on Sunday ... which required WWE medical staffers to pause the match to get him checked out.
Balor and Edge were pretty much torturing each other in the squared-circle, but things took a turn when Edge yeeted a ladder at Balor.
Finn Balor gets busted open by Edge with a ladder inside Hell in a Cell. Finns skull got rocked! #WrestleMania #WrestleMania39 pic.twitter.com/OwUuX6kx2R
— WrestlingDad101 (@WrestlingDad101) April 3, 2023 @WrestlingDad101
To make matters worse for "The Demon," the match finally resumed ... just for Edge to end up taking the win over Balor.
"Just a flesh wound," Balor joked on social media as he put the cut on full display ... with many wondering in the comment section how he was able to fight through the pain.
This Hell in a Cell Match between @EdgeRated & @FinnBalor is a #WrestleMania spectacle! pic.twitter.com/p3dqJAV4Zy
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2023 @WWE
It wasn't the only injury to happen during the event -- Shane McMahon tore his quad shortly after entering the ring against The Miz, which led to Snoop Dogg finishing the job.
Here's hoping everyone heals up in time for WM40 in Philly next year!!
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Jake Paul, Jutta Leerdam Take Romance Public ... We're IG Official!!!
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The romance between Jake Paul and Jutta Leerdam has taken the next step -- the two are now IG official!!
The Dutch speed skater posted three pics of her and the YouTuber-turned-star-boxer in announcing their relationship status ... one of which showed the two holding hands on a boat.
Jake, meanwhile, threw up two photos of the couple on recent dates ... confirming their relationship as well.
"Im Dutch now," Paul wrote in his caption.
"That's it," Jutta said in hers.
Paul also shared a snap of the two on his IG stories Monday -- showing the couple cuddled up on a beach somewhere.
Of course, Paul was most recently linked to model Julia Rose until last year ... and Jutta previously dated fellow speed skater Koen Verweij.
We broke the story, 26-year-old Paul and 24-year-old Leerdam were spotted kissing on a dinner date in Miami last month ... but it was unclear if it was anything more than just two, hot young people enjoying each other's company.
Seems we've now got our answer ... and we're here for all of it!
For more, tune into the TMZ Sports Podcast available on all podcast platforms!
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Snoop Dogg Pins The Miz At WrestleMania ... 'My Bad!!!'
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Snoop Dogg just made matters worse for The Miz during WrestleMania 39 on Sunday ... doubling up on the Superstar's beatdown from the night before by wrecking him again!!
It all went down at SoFi Stadium ... when the rap legend brought out Shane McMahon for a surprise appearance.
Shane and Miz went at it for a bit ... but Snoop intervened and set his sights on the WWE Superstar himself!!
Snoop stood over Miz, showboating for a bit before dropping him with a vicious People's Elbow and ending him with a three count.
Hey @TheRock, @SnoopDogg just delivered a #WrestleMania style People's Elbow to @mikethemiz and it was AWESOME!!! pic.twitter.com/H0FiZo30Vw
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2023 @WWE
"This is humiliating!!!" the announcers said as Snoop finished Miz.
The whole interaction came as a surprise ... as Miz was fully expecting a casual interaction with the California icon.
Naturally, the hometown guy had the sold-out crowd losing their minds ... but Snoop played it cool as if he had been in the ring plenty of times before.
Of course, Miz took a beating just hours prior -- when George Kittle and Pat McAfee threw him for a loop to end night one of the annual festivities.
Night 2 of WM39 has been filled with a ton of amazing moments ... and we're only halfway through the show -- so stay tuned for even more highlights.
For more, tune into the TMZ Sports Podcast available on all podcast platforms!
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The Miz Seth Rollins Vs. Logan Paul Will Be Match To Be Remembered!!!
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The Miz -- host of WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium this year -- believes Seth Rollins and Logan Paul's match on "The Grandest Stage of Them All" will be nothing but fireworks ... telling TMZ Sports, "This is going to be a match to be remembered."
We spoke with Miz at LAX ahead of the most significant event in sports entertainment ... and he told us WWE fans are in for a history-making moment when Rollins and Paul clash in the ring.
Miz says Logan -- who he teamed up with for a tag team match against Rey and Dominik Mysterio at last year's WrestleMania -- will have a difficult time trying to beat fan favorite Rollins ... who he eliminated in this year's Royal Rumble match.
"Logan's got his hands tied up with Seth Rollins," Miz said. "Seth Rollins is one of the best technical wrestlers out there. The fans love him and will be behind him at WrestleMania."
"With 90,000 plus screaming for you, I don't think Logan is used to people booing him and telling him he's no good. I know the dedication and heart that Logan has. I've been in the ring with him."
The Miz's prediction that Seth and Logan's match might steal the show speaks volumes about the two competitors. After all, WM's two-night spectacle features superstars like the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and John Cena.
Speaking of Cena ... we asked Miz if there's currently anyone in the WWE who he sees making the transition from the squared circle to the movie screen like so many wrestlers, including John, did, and he answered in vintage Miz fashion.
"I'm still waiting for the role to break me," Miz joked. "The Marine 3,4,5, and 6 didn't do it. I'm waiting for Johnny Cage, but Mortal Combat hasn't called."
Pick up the phone, movie producers!!!
For more, tune into the TMZ Sports Podcast available on all podcast platforms!
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The Street Profits We're The Best Tag Team In WWE ... Says Angelo & Montez
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The Street Profits are the greatest tag team in WWE, according to half of the superstar duo, Montez Ford, who isn't going to lay on fake modesty to appear humble.
"This is not even being cocky or arrogant, man, but right now I feel like nobody's touching us, man. I feel like me and Dawks are the complete essence of what a tag team consists of," Montez told Babcock on Friday from the TMZ office.
Ford, along with Angelo Dawkins, stopped by to promote their Fatal 4-Way tag team matchup Saturday night on night one of WrestleMania 39 ... where they're taking on Alpha Academy, The Viking Raiders, and Ricochet and Braun Strowman.
"We got two hybrid athletes, a high flyer and powerhouse, both high flyers and powerhouses. Pretty much know everything he's doing before he even does it and vice versa. We've been doing this so long together it's kinda come like second nature," Montez explained.
The Street Profits -- the former Raw, SmackDown and NXT champs -- say they have a lot of respect for the tag teams they came up watching, but it's their time.
"Granted we idolized and looked up to The New Day, and The Uso's and everything, but there's a new sheriff in town, no pun intended," Ford said, flashing his Jordan 7 Retro "New Sheriff in Town" J's.
We also talked to The Street Profits about Logan Paul ... and the guys say they're thrilled to have him in WWE (not just because he's worked hard and is a cool dude), but he's also brought more fans to the screen.
"I like the fact that he tries to understand and get this and work hard. He loves this as much as we do," Montez said, adding ... "and he's bringing a whole new set of eyes to this."
There's much more ... we also talked to the guys about a possible future in Hollywood (WM is in L.A., after all), and what message they have for their competitors the day before the big match.
Montez also shared what it's like to watch his wife, WWE Superstar Bianca Belair, who is wrestling Asuka on Sunday, compete on the biggest stage.
WrestleMania 39 airs on Peacock on Saturday and Sunday night!!
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Jake Paul Locks Lips W/ World Champ Speed Skater ... At Dinner In Miami
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There's a new lady in Jake Paul's life -- the Problem Child was packing on the PDA with beautiful Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam while on a dinner date on Tuesday ... TMZ Sports has learned.
A witness at the venue tells us the 6-1 boxer and 24-year-old world champion were spotted getting cozy at LPM Restaurant in Miami ... and apparently kissing was on the menu, 'cause the two couldn't keep their lips off each other.
Our sources say 26-year-old Jake and Jutta met through Instagram late last year and began talking over the past couple months ... which evolved to spending a good amount of time together in Florida recently.
In fact, Jutta is slated to appear on the internet superstar's "B.S. With Jake Paul" podcast ... which she teased on social media earlier this week.
If you're not familiar with Leerdam, she's a superstar sprinter on the ice -- she won an Olympic silver medal in the women's 1000m race in Beijing in 2022, and has numerous world championships under her belt as well.
Jutta previously dated fellow speed skater Koen Verweij before splitting in August 2022 ... and Jake was famously tied to model Julia Rose until late last year as well.
It's unclear the current "status" of Jake and Jutta's relationship ... but they're both single, wildly successful and good-looking, so whatever it is -- it seems to be a great match!!!
We've reached out to Jake and Jutta's reps ... so far, no word back.
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Allen Lazard Rodgers Is 'A Big Reason' I'm A Jet ... Fully Expecting Trade To Go Through
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Allen Lazard tells TMZ Sports Aaron Rodgers was "a big reason" he's now a Jet ... and, no, he says he has zero concerns that a NY trade for the QB could fall through.
Lazard reached an agreement to play for the Jets last Tuesday -- one day before Rodgers publicly revealed he wants to be in NY too -- and it's clear the good pals/former Packers teammates had at least some conversations about linking up in New York before making their decisions.
Lazard revealed Rodgers' intent to play for the Jets was actually one of two big things that pulled him to Gang Green -- the other was that his former offensive coordinator in Green Bay, Nathaniel Hackett, is now the Jets OC.
He explained ... Rodgers is not only an elite thrower of the football, but he's also a guy who he believes can "light a lot of fire underneath" Jets players, helping their Super Bowl chances.
And, even though a trade for Rodgers hasn't officially gone through as both the Packers and the Jets appear to be at an impasse over compensation, he tells us he ain't sweatin' it one bit.
"There's no worry on my end," said the 27-year-old receiver, who inked a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets. "Especially knowing that Aaron has his full-on commitment to being a New York Jet this year."
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Tom Brady I'm A WNBA Team Owner!!! ... Buys Part Of LV Aces
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Tom Brady never played for the Raiders, but he still made his way to Sin City in retirement -- the 7-time Super Bowl champion just became a part owner of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces!!
Raiders and Aces owner Mark Davis made the announcement minutes ago ... saying, "Since I purchased the Aces, our goal has been to win on and off the court. Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces, and the WNBA, but for women’s professional sports as a whole."
The team says TB12 first got hooked on the Aces when he had a courtside seat as LV beat the Connecticut Sun during a home game on May 31, 2022.
Brady -- who also owns a Major League Pickleball team -- released a statement on the business venture ... saying, "I am very excited to be part of the Las Vegas Aces organization."
"My love for women’s sports began at a young age when I would tag along to all my older sisters' games -- They were by far the best athletes in our house! We celebrated their accomplishments together as a family, and they remain a great inspiration to me."
Brady added he loves what the players and coaches on the Aces, as well as the league as a whole, have been able to do to improve the sport and inspire young athletes.
"To be able to contribute in any way to that mission as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor."
Naturally, Brady joins a winning team -- the Aces secured the WNBA championship last season.
No word on how much Brady's piece of the Aces is worth -- reports have estimated the average WNBA team to be valued at $13.7 million -- but considering the guy made a ton of money on and off the field over the course of his 23-year career, he can spot the dough.
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Jimmy Garoppolo Offered 'Free Sex For Life' Deal ... From LV Brothel Workers
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Jimmy Garoppolo's Raiders career might start off with a bang -- that is, if he accepts a once-in-a-lifetime offer from two Nevada brothel workers ... who tell TMZ Sports they wanna hook him up with free sex forever!!
The two lovely ladies are Caitlin Bell and Alice Little of the famous Chicken Ranch brothel ... and they tell us they're really excited the "heartthrob" is moving to their neck of the woods after inking a 3-year deal with the Raiders last week.
The licensed workers wanna show Jimmy G just how grateful they are now that he's moving from The Bay to Vegas ... with a free-for-life sex package!!!
"I almost fainted when I heard Jimmy signed with the Raiders," Bell said in a statement.
"He deserves free sex just for joining our team," Bell said. "But he gets free sex for life from us just because he’s such a legit babe!"
Little also points out that next year's Super Bowl is at Allegiant Stadium ... so she wants to make sure the 31-year-old feels stimulated all season.
"Jimmy brought the Niners to the Super Bowl and he could do the same for the Raiders," Little said.
"The next Big Game is in Vegas, so I’m going to go all the way to inspire Jimmy to go all the way!"
If Jimmy G goes through with the offer, he's definitely in good hands -- Bell has been featured in several adult videos and was recently nominated for Best Sex Scene in the 2023 XBIZ Awards, while Little is a sex worker advocate and intimacy coach.
The offer seems to be right up Garoppolo's alley -- after all, he famously went on a date with adult film actress Kiara Mia back in the day.
These brothel workers aren't the only ones wanting to give Jimmy G a deal ... Sheri's Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada penned a letter to the QB, inviting him and a few of his new teammates to a VIP experience.
"A celebratory weekend blowout with you and a few of your new Raiders teammates to take advantage of the resort’s themed hotel suites, bar and restaurant, swimming pool, and Jacuzzi - all expenses paid, of course," a Sheri's Ranch spokesperson said in the letter.
"Sheri’s invites you into the VIP bungalows with your choice of on-site courtesans, as well as a special Playland with themed rooms to make you feel right at home."
Hey, they don't call it Sin City for nothin'!!!
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