TMZ Sports - Page 50

Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle, is absolutely livid she didn't get to talk to the WNBA superstar on their 4-year anniversary this past weekend ... claiming the U.S. government botched a long-awaited, scheduled call between the two.

Cherelle says Griner -- who recently had her detention in Russia extended yet again by a court in the foreign country -- tried calling nearly 12 times on Saturday, but did not get through to her, according to the Associated Press.

Cherelle says she's "very pissed" over it ... because the call had been scheduled for close to two weeks, and she had been told it would go through. And, it obviously meant the world to her -- as she's still yet to hear Griner's voice since the basketball player was taken into custody back in February.

But Cherelle says the U.S. government dropped the ball ... and didn't staff someone to work the phone on Saturday -- leaving all 11 of Griner's calls to go unanswered.

"I was distraught. I was hurt. I was done, fed up," said Cherelle, who told the AP that she later learned that the phone line is generally only staffed on weekdays, not weekends.

Cherelle said a contact from the State Department apologized to her for the mishap. The AP, meanwhile, reported the State Dept. said in a statement it's "aware of the issue and was looking into it."

However, despite the apology, Griner's wife said she's now very skeptical of the government moving forward ... saying she has "zero trust" in U.S. officials at this moment.

"If I can’t trust you to catch a Saturday call outside of business hours, how can I trust you to actually be negotiating on my wife’s behalf to come home?" Cherelle asked. "Because that’s a much bigger ask than to catch a Saturday call."

Cherelle -- who previously said she was hoping to personally meet with Joe Biden over Griner's status -- said she's losing faith that that meeting will actually go down now.

"At this point," she said, "it's starting to feel like a no."

Draymond Green had a secret weapon up his sleeve this championship season ... spiritual guidance from none other than the iconic Deepak Chopra!

And now their journey together -- which was filmed over the course of a few months -- has been turned into a new TV show on Prime Video called The Sessions: Draymond Green.

TMZ Sports talked to Gotham Chopra, one of the 4x NBA champ's other spiritual advisors, and Deepak's son, about 32-year-old Green's journey.

"When athletes physically hurt themselves, you tear an ACL or your rotator cuff or whatever, there's a very clear, you see the doctor, you get the scans, okay got it, you have the surgery. There's a roadmap," Gotham says.

But, what's the course of action when you're dealing with mental or emotional issues? Unfortunately, there really isn't a well-known plan in that circumstance.

"Fortunately, it's become destigmatized -- athletes have mental or emotional breakdowns and they're dealing with the pressure or the media or losing, etc. and they just need help. Where do they go? Historically, you don't talk about it, let alone treat it."

Gotham says Draymond -- who was going through some stuff on and off the floor -- realized he could better harness his emotions (a difficult line to toe because that's partially what makes DG special on the court) ... and thankfully Green had the courage to seek guidance.

The episodes will show Green as he learns to meditate ... and goes through a bunch of other treatments.

Ultimately, the hope is other people, not just athletes, open up to the possibility of working on mental health and spirituality.

"It's not just athletes. We all lived through 2.5 years of a pandemic. We've all lived on Zoom calls. We're all dealing with the same sets of issues. Elite athletes on the biggest stage is great for television, but I think it's actually relatable," Gotham says.

"What happens when your young daughter gets sick? What happens when your career gets derailed by something outside your control? These are actually relatable things, and these tools of going inward and finding some silence, they're helpful to everybody."

FYI, Draymond also worked with spiritual healer Devi Brown ... who works with Deepak.

Green's clearly pumped for the show -- which is out now -- to be seen by his many fans ... and anyone who may be struggling.

Warriors star Draymond Green just dropped 2 f-bombs at the team's championship parade ... and, as expected, the crowd absolutely loved it!!

Green was on stage with his teammates -- who just won the NBA Finals in 6 games over the Boston Celtics -- to celebrate the Warriors' 4th title in 8 years.

And per usual ... Green didn't hold back when he hopped on the mic.

"I don't know what y'all want me to tell you, that we better than everybody," Green said. "This has been an amazing year. I told y'all don't let us win the f***king championship."

"Clearly, nobody could stop it. I warned y'all," Green added.

Dray opened up his speech by admitting he was trying to think of the most controversial thing to say ... and boy did he deliver.

The 4-time NBA champ -- who is quite outspoken on social media -- vowed to "continue to destroy people on Twitter" ... then went on to say how much he loves the guys he plays with.

In vintage Draymond fashion, Green ended his speech to the crowd with an emphatic message to anybody not in Dub Nation.

"I just want to say thank you all," Green said, "and as always f*** everybody else," he added.

But, before the festivities got underway, Green's teammate, Klay Thompson, lost his championship hat while boating on his way to the parade.

"Oh, no," Thompson said. "I lost my hat."

Klay's running mate and fellow Splash Brother, Steph Curry, pulled up to the parade donning some serious bling ... a necklace with the 3 rings he won from 2015, 2017, and 2018 on it.

Oddly enough, that wasn't even the best part of the day so far ... a fan showed up with an actual goat dressed in a Curry jersey.

What's interesting -- Warriors players called out the Boston fanbase for chanting expletives during the heated series ... but it all must be a context thing for them.

The only action going down at the World Cup will be on the pitch ... 'cause local authorities are reportedly enforcing a strict sex ban for single fans in Qatar this year.

The conservative Arab country -- where premarital sex is illegal -- is set to be a no-bone zone for all spectators planning to hit up the massive event in November ... with officials saying if you're not married, ya can't do it like they do on the Discovery Channel.

Get this -- Any rule-breakers lookin' to score could face a severe punishment if they get caught ... with the Daily Star reporting fans could face up to 7 years behind bars.

"Sex is very much off the menu, unless you are coming as a husband and wife team," a police source told the outlet. "There definitely will be no one-night stands at this tournament."

"There is essentially a sex ban in place at this year’s World Cup for the first time ever. Fans need to be prepared."

Oliver Luck and Vince McMahon's beef won't go to trial after all ... the two sides have just settled, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

As we previously reported, Luck -- who McMahon hired to be commissioner and CEO of the rebooted XFL back in 2018 -- sued the WWE honcho in 2020, claiming McMahon had wrongfully terminated him after the league folded earlier in the year.

Luck -- Andrew Luck's dad -- claimed in his suit that he did nothing wrong ... and that McMahon had essentially fired him to avoid paying him the millions he said he was owed.

McMahon later countersued, claiming Oliver was indeed fired for cause. The case was slated to go to trial on July 11.

But, according to court documents filed in the case last week, the parties "reached an agreement to resolve this case on June 16."

Specific details of the settlement were not revealed ... though attorneys for Luck said in a statement to TMZ Sports, "The parties have amicably resolved this matter, and wish each other well in future endeavors.

U.S. women's soccer legend Megan Rapinoe believes it's "disgusting" to ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports ... saying people need to "get a grip on reality and take a step back."

The 36-year-old made the comments in an interview with TIME shortly after FINA -- the swimming world's governing body -- voted to restrict female swimmers who transition after turning 12 or have started puberty from competing against biological women.

Rapinoe says these sorts of bans are a serious issue ... and voiced her stance against the decision.

"I’m 100% supportive of trans inclusion," Rapinoe said. "People do not know very much about it. We’re missing almost everything."

"Frankly, I think what a lot of people know is versions of the right’s talking points because they’re very loud. They’re very consistent, and they’re relentless," she added.

Rapinoe pushed back against the perception that transgender participation in sports is a "free-for-all" ... saying there has been regulation at the collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels.

The 2-time Women's World Cup champion says the focus is no longer on how peoples' lives are being affected ... but more about sports.

"We’re talking about kids," Rapinoe said. "We’re talking about people’s lives. We’re talking about the entire state government coming down on one child in some states, three children in some states."

NCAA champion Lia Thomas has been at the forefront of the conversation ... after some politicians claim her participation in women's sports destroys the spirit of competition.

Megan strongly disagrees.

"Show me the evidence that trans women are taking everyone’s scholarships, are dominating in every sport, are winning every title," Rapinoe said.

Houston Baptist men's basketball star Darius Lee was tragically shot and killed while at a gathering in New York on Monday, the university confirmed.

He was just 21 years old.

According to the NYPD, the shooting occurred at what appeared to be a barbeque in Harlem at around 12:40 AM.

Cops say when they arrived on the scene following reports of gunfire, they found nine people -- seven males and two females -- suffering from gunshot wounds.

Lee, who was ID'ed by Houston Baptist as one of the seven injured males, was transported to a nearby hospital after being struck in the chest by a bullet. He was sadly pronounced dead there, cops say.

Police say a firearm was recovered at the site of the shooting, but no further details regarding the incident were revealed. Cops say they've yet to make any arrests and an investigation is ongoing.

Houston Baptist officials mourned Lee's death on Monday, with men's basketball head coach Ron Cottrell calling the 6-foot-6, 230-pound wing "a remarkable young man."

"We are in shock and cannot wrap our heads around this news," Cottrell said. "My heart breaks for his mom, his sister and his entire family, and for our basketball team. The only thing we find comfort in right now is knowing where Darius is. He is in the arms of Jesus… we know that as fact. And we will see him again some day."

Lee was Houston Baptist's best player last season ... averaging 18.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. The rising senior was expected to graduate in December, the school said.

"As great of a basketball player as he was, he was an even better person," Cottrell said. "I can't even think of basketball right now. I can only think of what a light Darius was during his short time on earth. He was a joy to coach and we loved him so much."

If Antonio Brown ain't performing on the field, he's damn sure doin' it on stage -- 'cause the NFL star just put on a dope show at the Summer Smash festival in Chicago.

And, he even jumped into a pit of fans for some crowd surfin'!!

Brown -- rap name AB -- hit the stage this weekend in Chi-town for the hip hop festival that featured some of the big names in rap like Quavo, Lil Yachty, and Playboi Carti.

AB pulled up in an all-white fit and rapped his single 'Pit Not The Palace' off his 'Paradigm' album that was released in April.

The concertgoers went completely nuts when AB jumped on stage -- and, the 33-year-old showed 'em love right back by crowd surfin'!

It wasn't the cleanest surf ... but at least he tried, right?!

Of course, Brown has been all about his rap career since infamously walking off the field during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NY Jets game in January.

Browns been enjoyin' the free agency life ever since ... hangin' out with stars like Kanye West, Floyd Mayweather and Madonna to performing his music at clubs and festivals.

The emergency protection order that was filed against Rajon Rondo last month after he was accused of pulling a gun on the mother of his kids has been dismissed, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

A judge ordered the dismissal of the petition on June 16, according to court records.

Court documents show the reason for the move was Rondo and his accuser, Ashley Bachelor, "reached an agreement." No further details surrounding the pact were revealed.

As we reported, the emergency protection order was initially filed on May 13 after Bachelor claimed Rondo became enraged after she interrupted a video game session between the NBA player and his son in Kentucky on May 11.

Rondo allegedly smashed a bunch of items around the house ... and, according to court documents, told Bachelor "You're dead" before leaving the residence.

Bachelor claimed Rondo eventually came back with a gun, scaring her and their kids.

Bachelor was eventually granted protection for herself and her two children, and Rondo had to temporarily stay at least 500 feet away from Ashley and their kids.

Logan Paul says his relationship with The Rock was completely ruined amid the fallout from his suicide forest vlog in 2017 ... revealing his idol asked him to remove any traces of them together from social media following the controversy.

The 27-year-old YouTuber/boxer had celebs and politicians calling for him to be canceled after posting footage of a man taking his own life to his channel after a trip to Japan ... but claims one person, in particular, left him truly hurt.

"This was one of the saddest moments of my life, what I'm about to say." Logan said on the True Geordie Podcast.

"After Japan happened, I obviously found myself in a hole -- rightfully so -- that I had never been in before. Extremely low, mentally, and I got a call from my publicist, who also repped Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson."

"She's like 'Hey, Dwayne has asked that you remove every video and picture that you've done with him. Maybe in the future, the relationship can be reconciled, but for now, he basically wants nothing to do with you.' Which I also understood. I get it. I made a grotesque error."

"He has had things happen in his life where that incident has affected him in a vastly different way," Logan added.

Johnson has previously opened up about his mother's suicide attempt when he was just 15 years old ... calling for people to look out for and take care of each other.

Logan says he wishes The Rock had reached out to him personally to explain his decision to cut ties ... saying, "I feel like we had a healthy relationship, an open line of communication. I was so sad that my hero wanted nothing to do with me."

"I was sad because I understood it. I really f***ed up."

As for their relationship now, Paul says Johnson recently hit him up via Instagram DM and pretended like nothing happened ... but he didn't respond.

Johnson also reacted to Logan's recent WrestleMania appearance, saying he was very proud of the Maverick's work .... but it sounds like this relationship is far from fixed.

No tools or cologne for Dejounte Murray's dad on Father's Day ... instead, the NBA baller surprised Dad with a brand new truck -- and Pops' reaction was priceless.

Murray's father was outside their family home this month when the San Antonio Spurs guard pulled up in the white ride ... and what happened next was super sweet.

Everyone had their phones out and shouted at Dejounte's dad, "That's you!"

"Happy Father's Day! That's you, man!"

Murray's dad was overwhelmed with emotion -- and he immediately gave his son a huge hug. Eventually, he began crying.

Murray shared the awesome father-son moment on his IG -- revealing he and his pops haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but they're working on their relationship.

"We had our differences for almost 7-8 years and I just want a relationship with my dad before it's too late," Murray said, "and not have one of us living with regrets of not being a man and fixing the problems we had."

Murray added that he loves his dad and he respects him "for taking ownership on why you wasn’t there as much as I wanted you to be as a kid."

"Happy birthday and happy early Father's Day," Dejounte said, "and I hope you love the truck."

If Michael Jordan memorabilia from his time in Chicago doesn't excite you, then check this out -- a ticket stub from his first-ever game as a UNC Tar Heel has just hit the auction block ... and, it's believed to be the only one in existence!

The extremely rare piece is from the November 1981 UNC vs. Kansas game -- which was Jordan's debut on Dean Smith's Tar Heels hoops team.

The ticket is tattered and torn and has been given a poor 1 grading ... but since it's believed to be the only surviving stub from the night -- it could net a small fortune.

In fact, experts at Heritage Auctions say it could go for over $10,000!!

Jordan ticket stubs have been hot on the auction block recently ... earlier this year, a Chicago Bulls stub from Jordan's 1984 debut (one of 23 available) sold for $99,000.

As for Jordan's career at UNC, it was legendary ... during his three seasons, he averaged 17.7 points per game and shot 54% from the field. He also won the Naismith and Wooden College Player of the Year awards in 1984.

Of course, MJ's most memorable Tar Heels moment was when he made the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship against Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas.

Lia Thomas' participation in women's swimming has reached a breaking point -- because the world's governing body for the sport has weighed in ... and their ruling is against her.

FINA -- French for the the International Swimming Federation -- came down with their decision this weekend regarding transgender athletes (specifically trans women) partaking in elite women's swimming ... and they say it's a no-go going forward, with caveats.

The org's new policy says male-to-female swimmers who transition before age of 12 or before the Tanner Stage 2 of puberty -- whichever comes later -- can compete in women's events. The reason ... they say there's no question a trans female athlete that has already gone through male puberty has an unfair physical advantage over cisgender females.

They reached this conclusion based on multiple studies, reports and presentations by 3 specialist groups, who offered their findings to FINA -- made up of members from 152 national federations -- which then voted ... with a 71% majority in favor of this decision.

In the wake of this coming down, a rep for the Prez of FINA told AP, "This is not saying that people are encouraged to transition by the age of 12. It’s what the scientists are saying, that if you transition after the start of puberty, you have an advantage, which is unfair."

The spox adds, "They’re not saying everyone should transition by age 11, that’s ridiculous. You can’t transition by that age in most countries and hopefully you wouldn’t be encouraged to. Basically, what they’re saying is that it is not feasible for people who have transitioned to compete without having an advantage." They clarified there are no trans women currently competing in elite levels of swimming ... presumably, meaning international competition.

One thing FINA is considering to be inclusive to trans swimmers ... an "open competition" category. It's ill-defined at this point, but they're tasking a team to investigate it further.

It's unclear if FINA's new rules are going to be adopted by agencies like the NCAA, which currently permits people like Lia to compete in collegiate swimming. She made history this year by winning a national title in women's swimming, the 500-meter freestyle.

In any case, some people are welcoming the news ... including Caitlyn Jenner, who's been advocating for such change for a while now -- saying trans female athletes have an undeniable physical advantage over their cisgender competition, as have many others.

She wrote, "It worked! I took a lot of heat - but what’s fair is fair! If you go through male puberty you should not be able to take medals away from females. Period."

Khloe Kardashian has hard feelings for Tristan Thompson, at least when it comes to romance, but she's clearly not letting that stand in the way of co-parenting their child.

Khloe and Tristan got together Saturday with 4-year-old daughter True in tow for lunch after a dance recital.

Their destination -- the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas. They weren't alone either, which makes this even more interesting. Kris Jenner, Kylie and Travis Scott along with Khloe's nieces Dream, Chicago and nephew Psalm were all there, breaking bread or whatever at the table.

By surface glances, they all seemed to be getting along. Khloe eviscerated Tristan on a recent episode of the Kardashian's Hulu show, but she's able to somehow compartmentalize things --- they're not only co-parenting ... they also seem to be friendly. Remember, that episode was shot a while ago, so things had time to reset.

ICYMI, Khloe unloaded her feelings about Tristan on Kim during the show, first with Kim telling her sister, "If that were me and I was really trying to redeem myself and I was trying to be a better person, I would definitely keep my d*** in my pants." Khloe agrees, "You would think, you either wear a condom, get a vasectomy or you don't f*** random people that you meet in other states."

"Jeopardy!" champ Amy Schneider says she's gonna take Fox Sports at its word, that they did not intentionally cut out her first pitch at a Giants game celebrating Pride Day at the stadium.

Amy tells TMZ ... "They say the reason they misled their viewers was for cross-promotion, not anything to do with me, so I'll take them at their word." The director of the broadcast reached out to her personally to apologize and reiterate it had nothing to do with her identity. She believed him and accepted his apology.

ICYMI, Amy, the 1st openly transgender "Jeopardy!" champ, was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Dodgers/Giants game. Problem was ... Amy's pitch never made air. Instead, Fox Sports ran another first pitch from several days earlier ... at the hands of Kurt Busch.

Fox Sports said the video of that pitch was part of a promotional package for an upcoming NASCAR race in Northern California.

They made it clear ... the intention was not to disrespect Amy, adding first pitches are rarely aired on the Network during games.

There are doubters on social media who aren't buying the story, but Amy is taking the explanation at face value.

Despite getting into a physical altercation with an overzealous fan on a plane in April ... Mike Tyson is still flying commercial -- telling TMZ Sports he's got no worries about similar situations in the future.

We got the legendary boxer on his way to what appeared to be another commercial flight at LAX on Friday ... and had to ask -- is he at least somewhat concerned about flying with normies going forward just three months after he punched a man on a plane for annoying him.

Tyson, though, said it's absolutely not crossing his mind ... telling us, "No way!"

The 55-year-old former fighter insisted he's more zen now.

"You know about [my weed brand] Tyson 2.0?" Tyson said. "That's what I'm about now, man. I'm all about Tyson 2.0."

It's interesting ... because Tyson previously said his wife was urging him to strictly fly private now.

As for the advice he'd give to celebs who will deal with similar overly excited fans like the one he faced in April -- Iron Mike said there's only one solution ...