NFL'S STERLING SHEPARD Chanel Staying Put During Divorce ... His Gear's On The Move

Sterling Shepard is saying goodbye to his man cave ... at least while his divorce from Victoria's Secret model Chanel Iman is being hashed out in court ... we've learned she'll be staying put in the family home, and he's moving his stuff out.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... Chanel gets sole use of their pad in New Jersey as the divorce winds its way through the court, and he had to remove his personal items from the home, which will now occupy his bachelor pad.

Get a load of the items the New York Giants star had to pack up and ship out ... in addition to his wardrobe and bling, the haul includes his gaming systems, ping pong table, sauna, red light therapy system, all framed and loose football jerseys, plus a projection TV and couch from the basement, a computer and his KAWS dolls.

The docs say Sterling also moved out a bunch of weightlifting and other exercise equipment, but it sounds like Chanel will still be able to keep her model figure ... the Peloton treadmill and bike are staying put.

As we reported ... Sterling filed for divorce back in June after more than 3 years of marriage and 2 kids.

The docs say Sterling and Chanel want joint legal custody of their kids during the divorce proceedings ... and when Sterling plays football on the road on Sundays and can't get back to the family home by 8 PM that night, he'll pick up the kids the next morning.

While Sterling's not living at the North Caldwell marital home during the split, the docs say he will continue footing the bill for her monthly living expenses.

And, the docs say Sterling and Chanel agreed to not have any romantic third parties spend the night when they're parenting.

The final division of assets and parenting issues will be decided down the road at the end of the divorce ... but this is how they're operating in the meantime.

Derrick Henry Cops Insane 100-Ct Diamond Chain ... To Honor Legendary Football Career

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FIT FOR A TITAN
TheIceChamp/Instagram

Forget plaques and record books ... Derrick Henry has found a new way to show off his legendary football resume -- an insane iced-out diamond chain!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Tennessee Titans star RB wanted to turn all of his pigskin accomplishments -- starting from high school -- into some bling for his 28th birthday this week.

So, he hit up celebrity jeweler Ali The Ice Champ in Dallas ... and the dude delivered the amazing piece in time for Henry's cake day this week.

The bling is awesome -- it features a huge 6.5-inch "Y" pendant that represents Henry's days at Yulee High School in Florida. The pendant also features a little VS1 diamond-infused Heisman Trophy to immortalize the award that Henry won back in 2015.

On the chain, Ali tied together logos of the Yulee Hornets, Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Titans ... and then he added several beads to represent some of Henry's historical football moments.

We're told some of those feature a diamond 12K bead for his 12,124 rushing yards in high school that set a national record as well as a diamond 2K bead for his 2,000 rushing yards in the Titans' 2020 season.

Ali -- whose clients range from Ezekiel Elliott to Post Malone -- tells us that Henry's one-of-a-kind necklace carries 100 carats of VS1 E-F color diamonds and has over half a kilo of gold.

No word on what it all cost the King ... but Henry's made over $30 million in his NFL career, so he's certainly got the cash to spoil himself.

Happy birthday, indeed.

Kyrie Irving Mixed Reactions In Season Debut ... Gets Cheers and Boos

Kyrie Irving is finally back with the Brooklyn Nets -- the star guard just made his first on-court appearance of the season Wednesday night ... and his presence was met with a mixed reaction from the crowd.

Uncle Drew was introduced over the PA just minutes before tip-off against the Indiana Pacers ... and while some fans showed support for the point guard, others voiced their frustrations.

Of course, Irving's return is such a big deal -- he hasn't played a single game with the Nets this season as he remained sidelined for his refusal to get vaccinated.

The Nets initially played hardball with KI ... telling him to stay home if he refused to get the jab and be forced to sit out home games and select away games due to vaccine mandates.

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"REAL ENOUGH TO STAND UP"

But after several players on the roster went down with COVID-19, the Nets made an exception for Kyrie to bring him back for whatever games he can get into.

Despite a 23-12 team record, Brooklyn has dropped its last three games ... so Kyrie's return comes at a good time for a struggling Nets team.

Unclear how much Irving will actually play ... but his teammates Kevin Durant and James Harden will surely be happy to have him out there.

Novak Djokovic Denied Entry To Australia ... Visa Canceled

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4:35 PM PT -- Novak Djokovic's visa has been canceled and the tennis star is NOT going to be admitted to Australia, so says the countries top politician, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

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Morrison made the announcement on his social media page, saying ... "Mr. Djokovic’s visa has been canceled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules."

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The PM continued ... "Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant."

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Needless to say ... barring a minor miracle, it appears Djokovic will not defend his Australian Open title on the court this year.

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1:37 PM PT -- Australian officials have reportedly canceled Djokovic's Visa ... and are said to be planning to deport the tennis superstar on Thursday.

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However, Novak's attorneys are reportedly appealing the decision.

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The Australian Open -- which is why he's in the country -- kicks off January 17.

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7:37 AM PT -- Novak Djokovic has reportedly been denied entry into Australia ... where he was headed to play in the Australian Open.

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The tennis superstar landed in Melbourne on Wednesday after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption ... which would've allowed him to play in the tourney.

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However, when Djokovic landed, officials realized the tennis star requested the wrong visa, according to The London Times.

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Medical exemptions didn't apply to Novak's visa ... and because of that, he was not allowed to enter the country.

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It's unclear if there's any other method of entry for the world's best tennis player. But, right now, The Open isn't looking very promising.

Novak Djokovic isn't in the clear to play in the Australian Open just yet -- Prime Minister Scott Morrison is now demanding the tennis star show proof of his COVID vax medical exemption when he lands Down Under, or he'll be "on the next plane home."

Morrison made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday ... saying government officials will not treat Djokovic differently than any other person entering the country -- even if the tennis player has already said he has received a valid exemption to the COVID rules.

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NO SPECIAL TREATMENT
ABC News (Australia)

"We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that," Morrison said to reporters. "If that evidence is insufficient, then he won't be treated any different to anyone else and he'll be on the next plane home."

Morrison continued, "There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever."

As we previously reported, Aussie Open officials granted Djokovic -- the No. 1-ranked men's tennis player in the world -- a medical exemption earlier this month ... and Djokovic was pumped for the news.

The Serbian star wrote on his social media page on Tuesday that he was now headed to Australia to defend his tournament title ... showing a photo of him at an airport.

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Morrison, though, said the dude better come with the proper paperwork, adding, "The issue is whether he has sufficient evidence to support that he would qualify for that exemption."

Australian Open officials said earlier this week that Djokovic's application "was granted following a rigorous review process" ... insisting he received no special treatment.

The tournament is slated to begin in less than two weeks on Jan. 17.

Originally Published -- 7:18 AM PT

Aaron Rodgers Rips Reporter Over MVP Vote Stance ... 'He's An Absolute Bum'

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HE'S A BUM
Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers just unloaded on a reporter who said the QB does not deserve the MVP award this year ... calling the journalist "an absolute bum."

The Packers superstar ripped Chicago media member Hub Arkush for nearly two minutes on a conference call Wednesday -- just 24 hours after the reporter said Rodgers isn't his 2021 MVP because he's a "jerk."

"I think he’s a bum," Rodgers said of Arkush. "I think he’s an absolute bum."

"He doesn’t know me. I don't know who he is. No one knew who he was probably until yesterday’s comments."

If you missed it, Arkush said Rodgers wouldn't get his MVP vote this year because of the quarterback's COVID vaccine drama and his offseason gripe with Packers brass.

"I don’t think you can be the biggest jerk in the league and punish your team, and your organization and your fan base the way he did and be the Most Valuable Player," Arkush said on Chicago's 670 The Score.

Rodgers clearly wasn't happy to hear the comments ... saying, "His problem isn't with me being a bad guy or the biggest jerk in the league 'cause he doesn't know me."

"His problem is I'm not vaccinated."

FYI, the NFL's MVP is selected by 50 voters, including Arkush -- and it's supposed to be based solely on players' performances during the regular season. Rodgers is favorite to win it this year, despite Arkush's opinion.

For his part, Arkush actually apologized for his comments earlier Wednesday -- but not for blasting Rodgers. He said he's sorry for simply disclosing his voting plans.

"The only thing I can do going forward is respect what I failed to respect last night," Arkush said, "and just not talk about it anymore until after the awards have been given."

Youth Basketball Dad Violently Shoves Ref In Game ... Charged With Assault

A youth basketball player's father has been charged with felony assault ... after video captured him barreling over a ref during his son's game last month.

Prosecutors in King County, WA. tell TMZ Sports ... 31-year-old Mark McLaughlin has been hit with one count of assault in the second degree after they say he violently knocked over a referee in a Dec. 16 altercation, causing serious injuries to the official.

According to court documents, authorities say McLaughlin became so enraged after refs touched his son following an on-court incident at a middle school basketball game ... he ran onto the floor and forcefully shoved one of the officials to the ground.

Video of the alleged incident, filmed by a fan in the stands, showed how the scene played out ... and it's disturbing.

The footage allegedly shows McLaughlin, who prosecutors say is 6 feet 6, 215 pounds, racing in from the bleachers and walloping one of the refs.

In the video, you can see the ref hit the floor hard -- and needed help getting up while the suspect stormed out of the venue.

In the court docs, officials say it took nearly an hour and a half for the ref's face to stop bleeding ... and say he was ultimately diagnosed with a broken nose and a broken cheekbone after he was checked out at the hospital.

McLaughlin was booked into jail on Dec. 17 and posted bail on Dec. 18, according to prosecutors. He pled not guilty to the charge at a court hearing on Monday morning.

McLaughlin is facing up to 10 years behind bars if convicted.

Raiders' Nate Hobbs Expected To Play Vs. Chargers ... After DUI Arrest

Raiders rookie Nate Hobbs will likely return to the football field against the Chargers on Sunday ... less than a week after he was arrested for DUI.

Las Vegas interim head coach Rich Bisaccia updated the media on Hobbs' status Wednesday ... saying based on what the team knows at this time, the 22-year-old will not be punished prior to the Week 18 matchup.

"We take [the arrest] extremely serious, organizationally and certainly within our team," the coach said. "Based on what we've learned at this time, we expect Nate to play."

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Las Vegas Raiders

"It's a legal matter, and other than that I really have nothing else. We'll leave it at that."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Hobbs was arrested after cops say he was found passed out behind the wheel of his car parked in the exit ramp of a Vegas hotel early Monday morning.

Hobbs' attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, addressed the arrest ... saying, "The facts and circumstances related by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to the news media leave serious concerns that this does not qualify as a DUI under Nevada law."

It's a surprising move by the team, especially when Hobbs' former teammate, Henry Ruggs, was charged with 2 counts of felony DUI after he was accused of driving drunk and crashing his Corvette into the vehicle of 23-year-old Tina Tintor, who burned to death after her Rav4 caught fire, according to officials.

Despite the legal troubles Hobbs is facing, it sounds like he'll be ready to go in the Raiders' huge game ... with major playoff implications on the line.

Ex-Colts LB Gary Brackett Auctioning Super Bowl XLI Ring After Declaring Bankruptcy

Former Indianapolis Colts LB Gary Brackett is putting his Super Bowl XLI and AFC Championship rings up for auction ... all to rake in some cash after being forced to file bankruptcy 'cause COVID destroyed his small business.

Brackett -- who played for the Colts from 2003-2011 -- won his only Super Bowl ring in 2007 alongside Peyton Manning after the Colts defeated the Bears, 29-17.

Gary's SB ring will go up for bids during the Ripley Auctions Super Sports & Entertainment Sale ... which is scheduled to take place Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

"This auction gives buyers an incredible opportunity to own the pinnacle of achievement in professional sports, a genuine, player-issued Super Bowl ring," Dan Ripley, owner of Ripley Auctions, says.

"The fact that both rings in our auction were won by one of the most popular Indianapolis Colts players ever, Gary Brackett, makes them even more special."

Of course, Brackett's ring is expected to fetch some serious value -- the ring is one of about 70 produced in total that were issued to players on the Colts roster at the time of their Super Bowl win.

Since retiring from the NFL at age 31, Brackett ventured into the restaurant industry ... where he owned the Stacked Pickle restaurant, which had nine locations in Indiana and one in Ohio.

However, the 41-year-old closed the doors of his restaurant ... after filing for bankruptcy in 2020 due to the pandemic.

NFL's Sterling Shepard Splits From Model Chanel Iman ... Files For Divorce

Sterling Shepard and Chanel Iman are dunzo -- the NFL receiver has filed for divorce from the Victoria's Secret model, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

No word on what caused the split ... but we've confirmed the New York Giants star filed docs on June 7, 2021 to officially kickstart the process of ending their marriage.

The former couple first met at Victor Cruz's 30th birthday party back in 2016 ... and started dating shortly after.

They were practically inseparable ... going on lavish vacations in paradise with friends like Saquon Barkley and Baker Mayfield and their significant others.

28-year-old Shepard and Iman, 31, got married back in March 2018 ... and had their first child, Cali, that August.

They welcomed their second child, Cassie, in December 2019.

The clues were on social media for months -- both sides have scrubbed each other from their Instagram accounts ... while still posting pics of their kids regularly.

Story developing ...

NASCAR Rejects 'Let's Go Brandon' Car ... Team Pissed

NASCAR just put a stop to Brandon Brown's anti-Joe Biden car sponsorship ... rejecting the driver's deal with the "Let's Go Brandon" crypto company.

The racing org. has yet to confirm the decision ... but Brown's Brandonbilt Motorsports team was highly upset with the call, releasing a lengthy statement on Wednesday.

"NASCAR did not speak with Brandonbilt Motorsports prior to making their decision to rescind the approval and multiple attempts to set-up a conversation to address this matter went unacknowledged," the team said ... adding it went through all proper protocols to get the A-OK from the org. before Brown's new car debuted last week.

"We are disappointed that NASCAR leadership has chosen to rescind approval of this sponsorship and feel they should have the confidence to own their decision to backtrack and not gaslight a team or a driver."

As we previously reported, Brown -- whose name inspired the infamous "Let's Go Brandon" chant -- struck a deal last month with LGBcoin.io, which clearly took its name from the viral moment.

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THE MISHEARD CHANT
NBC

But, the deal was a bit of a head-scratcher, considering NASCAR decided it would not allow any "Let's Go Brandon" related sponsorships after the meme spread like wildfire in November.

Brandon's team also took a shot at NASCAR's leadership for putting them in an "awkward position" ... essentially saying Brown's getting screwed over.

We reached out to NASCAR for comment ... so far, no word back.

Blackhawks Players Video Shows 2 Cars Stolen At Valet ... During Dinner

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9:23 AM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained video of the incident ... showing the alleged carjacking unfold outside the restaurant.

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THE BOLD THEFT
TMZSports.com

The Chicago Blackhawks game against the Jets was postponed last Wednesday, so players Caleb Jones and Connor Murphy attempted to have a nice dinner ... but while in the restaurant, thieves allegedly stuck up the valet and jacked both players cars, TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us 24-year-old Jones and 28-year-old Murphy were having dinner just blocks from the United Center on December 29 around 8 PM. We're told while the men were inside, thieves approached the valet and stuck an unknown object in their back, demanding the car keys.

Murphy's 2017 Porsche Panamera and Jones' 2021 Jeep Trackhawk were both taken. When new, the Panamera runs about $100K+ ... and the Trackhawk, $90K+.

Chicago police are currently investigating the alleged crimes.

It's unclear if Jones and Murphy were targeted ... or if the theft was random.

As for the player's careers ... Caleb, a defenseman, was the 117th overall pick (Edmonton Oilers) in the 2015 NHL Draft. He's played in 11 games for the Blackhawks this season ... his first with the organization.

Caleb comes from an athletic family. His brother Seth Jones is also a member of the Blackhawks ... and his dad is former NBA player, "Popeye" Jones.

Connor, also a defenseman, was the 20th overall pick of the Coyotes in 2011. He's played in 29 games for the team this season.

We reached out to the Blackhawks ... but so far, no word back.

Originally Published -- 12:30 AM PT

Corey Gamble I'm Supporting Tristan ... After Khloe Apology

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BACKGRID

Corey Gamble looks like he's got Tristan Thompson's back amid all the Khloe Kardashian drama ... because he's got a jersey with Tristan's name on the back.

Kris Jenner's boyfriend was leaving Tuesday's Lakers and Kings game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles when he whipped out a Thompson No. 13 jersey from a bag he was holding. It was game-worn too -- Tristan handed it to him at the end of the game.

Corey made a point of showing the Kings jersey to the paparazzi ... sending the message that he's supporting Tristan in the middle of a very rough week for the NBA star -- which is kinda surprising.

CG and TT have run in the same circles for years with the Kardashians ... so there's a history here -- but, let's face it, Corey's loyalty has gotta be with Kris, and it's hard to imagine she's too happy with Tristan right now.

As you know ... Tristan revealed Monday he fathered a child with Maralee Nichols, and promptly apologized to Khloe, who he was publicly dating last year when Nichols got pregnant.

Tristan also delivered a bouquet of roses to True ahead of his apology to her mother.

So far, the Kardashians have yet to publicly respond to Tristan's confession and apology -- but Corey's sending a strong message by heading home with TT's jersey.

Of course, showing it to Kris is a whole other Oprah.

Patriots' Mac Jones Dinner Catches Fire In QB's Home ... Girlfriend Races To Put Out Flames!!!

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CAREFUL... IT'S ON FIRE!
@sophiescott9 / Instagram

Scary scene at Mac Jones' home earlier this week ... a dinner made for the Patriots quarterback caught on fire -- but, thankfully, his girlfriend was able to put out the small inferno.

The wild scene was all captured on Jones' in-home Furbo camera on Monday ... showing Sophie Scott scrambling to douse a sheet tray that had burst into flames.

In the video, posted by Scott on Tuesday night, you can see Jones' GF raced through the kitchen with the hot plate all while screaming Mac's name.

Fortunately, she was able to get a sliding glass door open and chuck the pan onto the lawn -- avoiding catastrophe.

Scott joked about it all afterward ... saying, "It's okay to laugh (everythings ok) I shared because I'm dying laughing about what the Furbo catches."

Sophie said there was no second attempt to make dinner -- the couple, who have been dating since 2019, safely ordered takeout instead.

Good call.

Urban Meyer Trayvon Martin Pic Was Used At OSU ... But I Was Unaware

Urban Meyer is now saying a Trayvon Martin picture was, in fact, used to try to help enforce a "no hoodies" rule at Ohio State -- but the ex-Buckeyes head coach claims he wasn't made aware of it until this week.

Former OSU defensive back Marcus Williamson had accused Meyer and the school of using the insensitive imagery at a team meeting in 2017 ... but Meyer had denied the claim.

"We did not, and never would show a picture of Trayvon Martin," Meyer said. "My gosh, no."

But, Meyer backtracked on those comments on Tuesday ... saying after talking it over with ex-Buckeye safety Tyvis Powell -- he learned the photo was actually used. Meyer insisted, though, it was not done under his orders.

"I didn't know about it until one hour ago," Meyer told The Columbus Dispatch, "until after talking to (Powell)."

"I wasn't there (in the meeting)," Meyer added. "None of the coaches were present. It was a support staffer who was in error and apologized."

Powell said former players had told him the member of the OSU staff who had used the photo "was truly uneducated on that situation & really didn't have any idea the story behind the image."

Powell added that the players told him "the person in charge issued an apology & they accept it."

LeBron James Yells 'I'm A 'Motherf***ing Problem' ... In Tristan Thompson's Face During Game

Tristan Thompson's rough week got a bit worse Tuesday night ... with his good friend LeBron James talking serious trash right in his face during the Lakers vs. Kings game.

It all went down in the closing minutes of L.A.'s matchup with Sacramento at Crypto.com Arena ... when LBJ drove the lane for a clutch and-1 layup to put the Lakers up 118-112 late in the game.

After the play, Bron headed right to the Kings' bench and yelled, "I'm a motherf***ing problem, bitch" ... with Tristan -- who didn't play in Tuesday night's game -- standing just feet away.

One of the game's announcers clearly thought it was a message directed for his ex-Cavs teammate ... saying James "looked right at him."

Tristan's reaction is priceless ... giving a sheepish look as the Lakers went on to take the win, 122-114.

Now, LeBron and Thompson have remained tight for years -- they played 4 seasons together (winning a title in 2016) ... and have remained close since LBJ joined the Lakers in 2018.

It's been a difficult stretch for Thompson -- on Monday, he revealed he fathered a child with a Houston woman and publicly apologized to his ex, Khloe Kardashian, and daughter, True, in the announcement.

LeBron's outburst most likely wasn't a personal jab at his buddy ... but still, it couldn't have felt good.

Jay Gruden On WFT ... They Should Have Never Dropped 'Redskins' Name

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Russell & Medhurst/The Team 980am

Jay Gruden is taking a page out of his brother's insensitive comment playbook ... saying Tuesday he believes the Washington Football Team should have never dropped its racist "Redskins" name.

Jay made the eyebrow-raising statement on the "Russell & Medhurst" radio show ... just three months after Jon Gruden was ousted from his Raiders gig for a pattern of highly offensive comments in emails.

"I don't want to ruffle any feathers," the former WFT head coach said while mocking the hosts for talking so much about the team's plan to officially adopt a new nickname next month, "but they should have never changed the name in the first place."

Jay didn't expound on why he felt that way -- he was never asked a follow-up -- but one of the hosts did tell him, "You just ruffled some feathers. I like that."

"Hey, Jay," the other host added. "With the fanbase here, that's probably the greatest thing you've ever said to them. Because I think 90 percent of the fanbase agrees with you 100 percent on that as well."

Of course, the WFT moved on from its longstanding moniker before the 2020 season began ... after it received a tidal wave of criticism for years over the name's racist ties.

Nike had stopped selling the team's merch on its official website ... and Native American leaders routinely blasted it for being offensive -- so Dan Snyder and the WFT moved on.

The team said Tuesday it's planning to finally unveil a new name for the franchise on Feb. 2.