TMZ Sports - Page 50

Alabama born Mia Hamm was in her 20s when she shot to stardom after becoming the face of U.S.A.'s Women's soccer team as a midfielder and forward in both the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Summer Olympics.

Mia Hamm played alongside an incredible roster on American athletes referred to as the Fab Five -- including Julie Foudy as the big-blocking midfielder, Joy Fawcett as the daring defender, Kristine Lilly as the fast-moving forward and of course, Brandi Chastain as the iconic shirt stripping game-winner.

Hamm's last match as a U.S.A. representative was at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

4:12 PM PT -- Peete is ADAMANTLY denying the allegations in a new statement to TMZ Sports ... saying through a rep, "There was no scam."

Here's the statement in its entirety:

"First of all, the investor in this venture in question was not Carlos Rogers the NFL player but another Carlos Rogers altogether. Unfortunately, the error in naming the incorrect Mr. Rogers in the initial reporting caused him unnecessary involvement, confusion and inconvenience.

In 2016, Rodney Peete -along with other former NFL players as well as business and community leaders teamed up to create a dynamic coalition to craft a proposal to keep the Raiders from leaving Oakland, California, acquire a new stadium and develop the surrounding property.

The effort was a well documented, noble and hard fought one. It lasted about two years. There were several enthusiastic investors involved and hopes were high especially among the many Oakland Raiders fans and the Oakland community who had a strong emotional investment in keeping their beloved team from moving again. Tremendous amounts of hard work, sweat, passion, time, energy and money went into this effort. There was no scam or anything fraudulent or illegitimate about this venture or the people involved whatsoever.

It was and still is crushing to so many that it didn’t succeed but it was not from lack of effort.

Investors understand that not all investments pan out, but everyone who invested in the efforts for the Raiders to remain in Oakland fought with integrity to make that time and effort worthwhile, in honor of the millions of fans in Oakland and throughout the West Coast who have supported the team since 1960.

Rodney is very proud of the work he put into this project and would do it all over again

Currently attorneys are in active talks on a resolution to this matter."

1:25 PM -- We initially reported the man behind the suit, Carlos Rogers, is the former NFL star -- but that is not the case. The ex-NFL player named Carlos Rogers DID not file the lawsuit.

The Carlos Rogers who DID file the lawsuit is a real estate and business investor.

Ex-NFL star Rodney Peete is being sued for allegedly running a scam on an investor in a failed plot to keep the Raiders from moving to Las Vegas.

It's all in court docs obtained by TMZ Sports ... in which a man named Carlos Rogers says Peete approached him in 2016 to invest in a group that would provide financing for football facilities that would help sway the Raiders to stay in NorCal.

In his lawsuit, Rogers says Peete provided him with a real investment plan that looked solid -- and if the Raiders decided to move to Vegas, he was promised he'd get his investment back in full.

In fact, Rogers says Peete personally guaranteed that he'd get paid back -- a point he reiterated in emails. One read bluntly, "Everyone will be paid back."

Rogers says he wired $350,000 to Peete in 2017 -- but when the Raiders announced they were moving to Vegas, he never got his money back as promised.

Rogers says he pressed Peete, but Rodney repeatedly stalled and came up with excuses -- and he still hasn't been paid back.

Now, Rogers is suing for fraud -- claiming Peete never ever intended to pay back the money ... it was a scam all along.

He's seeking all of his money back PLUS $100,000 in punitive damages.

The Super Bowl ring didn't happen ... but the engagement ring did!!

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay just proposed to his smokin' hot Ukrainian model girlfriend, Veronika Khomyn ... and (shocker!) she said YES!

The two have been on vacation in the French Riviera -- where the 33-year-old busted out a diamond ring the size of Veronika's knuckle and popped the question.

"Can't wait to call him my husband," Khomyn said.

Sean and 29-year-old Veronika started dating somewhere around 2011 ... when she was a student at George Mason University in Virginia and he was an assistant coach on the Washington Redskins.

Since then, the two have been super tight ... she moved out to L.A. with him when he took the job to coach the Rams. They live together in a home in the San Fernando Valley.

UFC champ Daniel Cormier is keeping it all the way real when talking about Brock Lesnar -- telling TMZ Sports he's genuinely "disappointed" the guy pulled out of fight negotiations.

"I wanted to fight Brock," DC tells us ... "but you can only really worry about things that you can control. I can't control that he doesn't want to fight anymore. He's done."

Cormier says he appreciates the UFC and Lesnar for trying to make a deal -- but at the end of the day, Daniel thinks the WWE offered Lesnar too much money to stay out of the Octagon.

"I just think the WWE gave him such a great deal, they really always take care of this guy."

"Ultimately, you get paid that much money to go and wrestle as opposed to fighting me? There's no predetermined outcome there. I'm gonna try to kick your ass. So, I think he made the smart decision."

Cormier says he was friends with Lesnar before the fight talks began in July 2018 -- and says now that Brock's not a potential opponent anymore, they can go back to texting and talking on the phone.

"Maybe I can start going to watch him wrestle and do all that other stuff again."

Cameras caught the moment when Dikembe Mutombo's fancy Rolls-Royce was smashed in Sunday night ... and the video appears to show a person messing with the NBA legend's car for several minutes.

The incident took place at Landmark Diner in the Atlanta, Georgia area on Father's Day ... when cops say the windows on Mutombo's 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom were damaged by a vandal.

In the video, obtained by TMZ Sports ... you can see a person back into the parking spot next to Mutombo's car around 10:30 PM -- and then get out and appear to damage the pricey ride.

We're told Mutombo's car was hit along with several others in the parking lot that night ... and the Atlanta Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

For their part, the restaurant's general manager says he's tired of the criminal acts ... and is vowing to hire private security.

A San Francisco 49ers player is releasing a new rap song in support of Colin Kaepernick ... and says he has "no fear" of any possible negative repercussions.

The player is Antone Exum -- a 6th year NFL safety who writes and produces rap music when he's not playing in the league.

Exum says the song he's most excited about releasing is titled, "Officer Kaepernick" -- which addresses police brutality and "injustices in the police force."

As Exum puts it, "I feel like if [Kaepernick's] whole movement had a score, it would be this song."

The 28-year-old says he understands there are "good cops that we have" -- and appreciates them -- but says it's important to call out the bad cops who operate out of a place of fear and hate.

When asked about a possible backlash from NFL owners, teammates and fans -- Exum told us he is drawing strength from the former 49ers quarterback ... who he considers an inspiration.

"Kaepernick didn't have any fear when he first took a knee," Exum said ... "I think I'll be okay no matter what happens."

Anthony Davis WILL bring L.A. another championship ... so says Zach Randolph -- who tells TMZ Sports, "The Lakers are going to be on top again."

Of course, LeBron's squad just picked up AD from the Pelicans in a trade that sent just about everybody in L.A. to New Orleans for the All-Star center.

But, Z-Bo thinks that's the move that'll shift the power in the NBA to the City of Angels ... telling us out at LAX this week he expects the Lakers to win it all very soon.

In fact, Zach sure seems like a guy who'd now be interested in playing alongside AD and Bron!!!

As for Randolph's old Grizzlies teammate, Mike Conley ... Zach says he's stoked for his friend to join up with Donovan Mitchell in Utah ... saying, "the sky is the limit for him" with the Jazz.

How does it feel to have LeBron James rock a pair of shoes you created???

You'll probably never know, but someone who does is "Fear Of God" shoe designer Jerry Lorenzo, who said he was totally humbled to see the King rocking his creations.

If you don't know who Jerry is, you probably dress like trash, seriously. Dude is one of the most sought after designers in all of fashion, with everyone from Justin Bieber to Kevin Hart rocking his threads.

We got Jerry at LAX and asked him how it felt to see LeBron rocking a pair of unreleased lime green Nike Fear Of God 1's recently, shoes Jerry sent to James personally.

"Humbling moment, had no idea he was gonna wear them."

Rock them LeBron did at his Memorial Day get together this past May, and Jerry says even though his brand is one of the most sought after in the world, it still meant a lot.

"My shoe is centered around basketball, right now he's the greatest player in the world. I just send them and hope that he would wear them one day."

David Ortiz's recovery from a shooting continues to go well -- the former Red Sox slugger is no longer in the intensive care unit of a hospital, according to his wife.

The health update came Sunday, courtesy of the team on behalf of Tiffany Ortiz, who says David is out of the ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital ... adding that he "remains in good condition and continues to recover under the care of Drs. David King and Larry Ronan."

That's great news, as David was still hospitalized in the ICU as of Tuesday -- 9 days after he was shot in the back at point-blank range earlier this month in the Dominican Republic.

As we reported ... David health status was upgraded from serious to good after he'd been transported from a D.R. hospital to one in the Boston area after undergoing surgery -- where doctors found the bullet struck his liver, his small and large intestines. Ortiz also had his gall bladder removed so the medical staff could work on the affected organs.

According to D.R. officials, David was NOT the intended target -- but got shot after a case of mistaken identity. Police say a man named Sixto David Fernandez was the guy the shooter wanted, allegedly because he'd once ratted out a drug runner to cops.

Wanna feel old? Just watch these young NBA Draft picks struggle mightily to identify what rap group Andre 3000 and Big Boi were in together ... it'll get ya right in the wrinkles.

This is actually hilarious ... ESPN put together a BTS web segment called "Name the 90's," in which a handful of players from the 2019 NBA Draft class were asked to identify people, items and shows from that glorious decade. Safe to say, they all had a hard time.

Guys like Coby White (Bulls), Jarrett Culver (Timberwolves) and Rui Hachimura (Wizards) shuffled through a bunch of cards with photos of stuff like a Super Nintendo, an Easy-Bake Oven, a fanny pack, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Destiny's Child and, of course, OutKast.

That last one really tripped up the young bucks, as most couldn't even say A3 or BB's names. Darius Garland (Cavs) is the ONLY one who said OutKast outright, and Coby did say the MCs' names correctly -- assuming we heard him correctly (Andre 2000???).

Funny enough ... almost all the players were quick to ID Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell's classic 1997 flick, "Good Burger" -- without skipping a beat, really.

Cristiano Ronaldo is so rich, he's vacationing on a massive yacht that costs more than $200,000 per week to rent ... and it won't even make a DENT in his bank account!!!

The soccer superstar is currently sailing with his family in the French Riviera on a boat called "Africa I" -- a 155-foot yacht with 6 cabins, dining room, wet bar, hot tub, gym area ... and a MOVIE THEATER!!!

CR7 is on the ship with his girlfriend and kids -- relaxing after leading Juventus to another Serie A championship. He posted from the yacht a few days ago showing off his insane abs.

Money ain't an issue for 34-year-old Ronaldo -- the guy just clocked in at #2 on the Forbes list of highest paid athletes of 2019 ... with an estimated $109 MILLION in earnings over the past year.

Ronaldo reportedly made $65 mil in salary from his soccer contract and another $44 mil in endorsement cash.

If Hollywood decided to green-light a movie about heavyweight boxing champ Andy Ruiz -- there's another huge star who's already making his pitch for the role ... Gabriel Iglesias!!!

The superstar comic is a big-time boxing fan -- and says he was STOKED when Ruiz put a beating on Anthony Joshua in the upset of the decade.

In fact, Ruiz says he REALLY wants to see Joshua sign on for the rematch so Ruiz can prove to the world it wasn't a fluke, and he's the real deal.

"It wasn't a lucky punch," Fluffy says ... "He got dealt with that night!"

Ruiz's story is pretty amazing ... he was a massive underdog who took the fight on short notice and put on the performance of his life to upset the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world.

Iglesias says he'd LOVE to play Ruiz on the big screen ... but he knows he'd have to drop a few lbs before getting in front of the camera.

"Every actor says they gotta gain weight ... I gotta lose weight to play Ruiz!"

Jrue Holiday -- New Orleans Pelicans

Justin Holiday -- Memphis Grizzlies

Aaron Holiday -- Indiana Pacers

Yes, all THREE of Toya and Shawn Holiday's sons are CURRENTLY on NBA rosters -- it's an AMAZING feat -- and now, they've got some advice for LaVar Ball on how to make it happen for him!!!

Crazy part is ... Toya and Shawn actually KNOW LaVar and his family because of the UCLA connection -- where Aaron and Jrue played their college ball.

Remember, Lonzo played at UCLA ... and so did LiAngelo (for a short time).

So, how did Toya and Shawn help their kids make it all the way to the pros?

"We didn't get the 3 in there. They got THEMSELVES in there from their talent and hard work," Shawn tells TMZ Sports ... "We just kinda coached them."

Toya noted, "It's by God's grace."

But, when it comes to LaVar -- who's been highly criticized for the way he's managed his sons' careers -- the Holidays SUPPORT everything he's doing.

"I think as parents, you know your children. He has to do what he has to do to get his children there."

He's 41-years-old ... but MMA legend Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida says he ain't ready to stop fighting any time soon!!!

In fact, Machida says he's got another 3 to 4 years left ... at least!!!

Of course, Lyoto just beat up Chael Sonnen at Bellator 222 -- extending his win streak to 4.

Now, Machida is gunning for a fight with Bellator champ Ryan Bader -- who holds TWO belts -- the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles.

"I'll be ready for him," Machida told us in Beverly Hills ... "I feel so good and so athletic."

After the Sonnen fight, Chael announced his retirement from Mixed Martial Arts -- and Machida tells us it was an honor to share the cage with such a "legend" in the sport.

Machida is a legend himself -- dude's got a 26-8 pro record with wins over some of the best fighters of all time ... including B.J. Penn, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans, Randy Couture, Dan Henderson and Shogun Rua.

Listen up, Giants fans ... STOP BOOING DANIEL JONES -- so says Tiki Barber, who tells TMZ Sports the quarterback is going to be a star!!!

"He's got the smarts, he's got the physical ability, he's an athlete," the legendary Giants RB says ... "and I think he's surrounded by some good talent."

Of course, there ain't many agreeing with Tiki right now ... the consensus after NY selected the Duke QB with the No. 6 overall pick in April's NFL Draft is the G-men WAY overpaid.

In fact, most doubt the pick so much ... Jones was actually BOOED when he showed up to Yankee Stadium a few days ago!!!

But, Tiki is telling Jones not to make too much of all that, saying, "It's his indoctrination into New York fandom, but he'll be OK!"

The Edwin Encarnacion trade was a STEAL for the Yankees ... so says NY legend Tino Martinez, who tells TMZ Sports, "It's a great move!"

"He's a home run hitter," Tino says ... "He's the best!"

Encarnacion was just traded from the Mariners to the Yankees in a move that only cost the Bronx Bombers a low-level prospect and some cash.

And, Tino -- who was also famously dealt from the Mariners to the Yankees before NY's 1996 World Series-winning season -- is fired up for the move.

As for Clint Frazier -- the stud outfielder who was demoted back to the minors in order to make room for Edwin -- Martinez says he's confident the 24-year-old will be just fine.

"Clint Frazier is an awesome player, man," Tino says ... "He'll be back!"