TMZ Sports - Page 4

Shaquille O'Neal has returned to form -- at least in the EDM sense -- because the dude is out here in Europe head-banging with a bunch of normies ... at a festival he's performing in.

The NBA great was spotted moshing at Tomorrowland in Belgium -- where he's slated to hit the stage as his music persona, DJ Diesel, in a set that's sure to rock the crowd. Seems Shaq wanted a head start though ... 'cause he immersed himself in the crowd beforehand.

Check out this awesome video, shot by photojournalist Adam Glyn, in which Shaq is being mobbed by festival-goers ... this as he towers over them and matches their energy.

It's pretty surreal to see -- but then again, maybe not ... SON has proven time and again that he's very much so of the people, and Tomorrowland seems to be no exception. Of course, Shaq has done this before -- but not for a while ... last time he was out there was 2019.

We already know Shaq is a renaissance man -- with his hand in a lot of different ventures, business and otherwise -- so him in a setting like this really isn't all that crazy if you think about it.

Felice Herrig has turned her tootsies into cash cows -- the combat sports star tells TMZ Sports she's raking in the dough ... by selling her used socks and pics of her feet on OnlyFans!!

Yep, you read that correctly -- the newly-retired MMA fighter and current Bare Knuckle FC fighter tells us she's living very comfortably by snapping shots of her lil bulldogs ... and it's now given her the freedom to fight at her leisure.

Felice tells us all her fans with foot fetishes have asked for some up-close looks for a while now ... and she's more than happy to fulfill their requests.

But, some folks out there even want to possess some of her USED socks ... which she's shelling out for $150!!!

Pretty sweet gig, huh??

The money Herrig is making now has allowed her to fight whenever she wants ... unlike how things were previously in her long career.

As for her new transition over to BKFC, Felice tells us it's the perfect fit for what she's truly passionate about in fighting -- admitting her heart wasn't in MMA.

"Now, it's coming full-circle," Herrig tells us. "I get to go back to doing what I love. And actually, boxing has always been my number one."

Up first, AnEsonGib ... next up, KSI and Jake Paul?!

Austin McBroom tells TMZ Sports that's his exact plan ... saying after he makes quick work of Gib in their celeb boxing match later this month, he wants fights with KSI and Paul.

McBroom said ideally, KSI -- who's fighting YouTuber Alex Wassabi in a celeb boxing match of his own next month -- would be first up at the end of this year.

After that, McBroom, a former college basketball player turned YouTuber turned boxer, says he wouldn't mind a scrap with Paul.

"I'm more excited about KSI," McBroom told us out in L.A. this week while promoting his Gib fight. "Obviously, the winner of KSI [and I], maybe Jake will take that into consideration."

McBroom, though, knows he has to get through Gib first to make any of that happen -- and he made it clear, he expects that victory to go down with ease.

"I think I'm going to knock him out, or it's going to be a complete stop," McBroom said. "He's going to get hurt."

McBroom is 1-0 in his celeb boxing matches so far -- you'll recall, he pummeled Bryce Hall in a June 2021 event. Gib, meanwhile, is 3-1 in his celeb boxing matches, with his lone loss coming to Paul.

The two will fight on July 30 -- on the same card as Adrian Peterson, Le'Veon Bell, Nick Young and Blueface.

Shocked, honored, humbled ... just a few of the words MMA star Kayla Harrison used to describe being nominated for the Best MMA Fighter, telling TMZ Sports simply being included with the other fighters is fantastic.

The 32-year-old, undefeated (14-0, 11 KO + Subs) PFL star was recently nominated for an ESPY Award ... alongside UFC stars Kamaru Usman, Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira.

Usman, Volk and Oliveira have all dominated their respective division over the last year.

"I was initially shocked, and then ... honored, I think honored and humbled by it. Every one of those fighters is a Hall of Famer. They're legends, each in their own right. I'm a fan in each and every one of them, inside the cage, outside the cage. It was a big honor for me, huge honor," Harrison says.

And, you may have noticed Kayla is unique amongst the other nominees ... for more than one reason.

"It's awesome. To be the only female fighter nominated. To be the only non-UFC fighter nominated."

Kayla says even though her goal isn't to win awards, it's still nice to have hard work and success recognized by the fans.

"There are moments where in your career you question, does anyone understand? I'm working really hard, I'm trying really hard, I'm doing my best, I'm trying to get back, I'm trying to build a legacy, I'm trying to be dominant. I'm doing all this work."

Kayla says although it's not necessarily something based off "merit" -- you win by fans voting for you -- it's still nice to see people recognizing and appreciating all the hours of blood, sweat and tears.

Speaking of voting ... if you'd like to cast a virtual ballot Kayla, click here.

A bunch of other huge stars are also nominated for awards ... athletes like Steph Curry, Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Judge are up for awards.

Tristan Thompson is about to be a new dad again -- but instead of being in L.A. for the imminent birth ... he's halfway across the world, living it up with some lovely ladies.

TMZ has obtained footage of the NBA star at a club called Bonbonniere in Mykonos, Greece very early Friday morning (2:30 AM) -- where we're told he was surrounded by friends, plus, some female company ... a handful of women seemingly hanging around near him too.

The clip here isn't great lighting-wise, but we've brightened it up and slowed it down ... and sure enough, there's Tristan. Of course, he's also been photographed strolling around Mykonos the past few days -- so yeah, TT's in Europe right now.

As you can see, there's about four different women around him -- two of whom seem to be focusing their interactions on him specifically -- and even more hotties roaming about.

While you don't see any explicit PDA here in the footage, eyewitnesses tell us Tristan appeared to be getting cozy with at last one gal that was in the mix, and getting a little handsy throughout the night.

Of course, it's the dude's prerogative to do this. As we all know, he's officially unattached -- this after Khloe Kardashian dumped him amid yet the latest cheating scandal with Maralee Nichols, whom he also impregnated -- and they strictly have a co-parenting relationship now for True.

That's all fine and good, but as TMZ first reported ... this new baby is about to be born any day now, if it hasn't popped out already -- which it may well have by now.

NASCAR driver Bobby East was fatally stabbed this week by a drifter during a bloody altercation at a California gas station, police and media reports say.

Tattoo-faced Trent William Millsap is being sought by police in connection with East's murder, which occurred at a 76 gas station around 6 PM Wednesday, according to Deadline.

East reportedly got into a war of words with Millsap while the racecar driver was pumping gas. It wasn't clear what sparked the argument, but Millsap allegedly plunged a sharp object into the chest of East.

Cops were called to the scene and reportedly performed life-saving measures on East until paramedics arrived. East was then rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Millsap, who had an outstanding parole warrant, is a drifter who frequents motels in the usually safe and crime-free Westminister area. He is considered armed and dangerous.

East was a three-time U.S. Auto Club champion who snagged the USAC Silver Crown Championships in 2012 and 2013.

Bobby was 37.

RIP

LeBron James has something to say you Boston basketball fans -- you're SO racist.

LeBron went off on his latest episode of "The Shop," after being asked why he hates Boston. His blunt answer ... "Cause they racist as f***."

King James went on ... "They will say anything. And it's fine. It's my life, f*** I've been dealing with it my whole life. I don't mind it. I hear it. If I hear somebody close by, I check them real quick, then move onto the game. They're going to say whatever the f*** they want to say."

James offered receipts for his conclusion ... reminding folks about the 2012 incident at the Eastern Conference Finals, where Celtics diehards doused him with a drink as he walked toward the locker room.

LeBron's not alone. Other players have also groused about the way Celtics fans behave, Klay Thompson complained, "We've played in front of rude fans before. Dropping f-bombs with children in the crowd. Really classy. Good job, Boston."

Draymond Green's wife blasted them for chanting "f*** you Draymond" during the NBA finals.

Ukrainian Olympic gymnast Ruslan Mezentsev is auctioning one of his most precious belongings -- his silver medal -- and donating all the money to his home country ... so they have money to fund the fight against Russia.

Mezentsev competed in the men's artistic all-around competition in Sydney in 2000 ... personally taking part in the floor exercise, pommel horse, and still rings.

Ruslan scored a total of 28.725 ... bringing the team's total to 230.306, good enough for a silver medal. The Ukrainians finished just 1.613 points behind China ... who won the gold.

Now, that silver medal is on the auction block at RR Auction ... where it already has 8 bids. The current price is $3,000 ... but expect that to rise!

Mezentsev -- who's now 41 years old -- is from a town called Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine.

RR says not only will all of the money from the sale be donated to the war funds ... but even the buyer's premium (the money that typically goes to the auction).

Forget birdies and eagles ... a bunch of Canadian golfers had to deal with bears on the course last week -- as one surprised them during their outing, climbing right into their carts!!!

The incident was all captured on video, obtained by TMZ Sports, showing a hungry black bear walking up on four guys who were trying to enjoy their annual golf trip at Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler, B.C.

You can see in the footage -- as the foursome was getting set to take swings on the course's sixth hole -- the animal walked right up to them in search of food.

According to David Kelso, the bear was drooling as he got near them ... and, eventually, the beast rummaged through their things!!

Kelso, though, says the bear wasn't aggressive -- and after a few minutes, they were able to scare it off.

And, get this, Kelso tells us he and his playing partner, Kyle McNamara, were able to go on to make birdies on the hole!

NBA star Zach LaVine is giving Ja Morant all the props in the world for thinking he'd "cook" prime Michael Jordan in 1-on-1 ... but tells TMZ Sports if his money was on the line, he's rolling with the GOAT all day!!

The Grizzlies guard made headlines this week after saying he'd love to face off against '90s MJ ... praising #23 for his mindset and work ethic -- but making it clear he thinks he could take him on the court.

We spoke to the Bulls' high-flyer about Ja's take ... and he's laughing it off.

"I wish I had Ja's confidence," LaVine told us at LAX.

"I think it's all just love and fun at the end of the day. We're talking about stuff that you'll never know because you never get to play him."

But, if he had to pick a side in the hypothetical matchup ... ZL is sticking with the easy answer.

"Michael Jordan, man -- he's the best of all time."

Brian Ortega says his bout against Yair Rodriguez is putting Mexico on the map at UFC Fight Night ... telling TMZ Sports it will be one of the biggest Mexican events the promotion has ever seen.

T-City is going up against his friend, El Pantera, in New York on Saturday ... and he tells us it's going to be a monumental night.

"This is one of the biggest first Mexican on Mexican fights to ever, ever be on UFC," Ortega tells us.

"For the first time in a long time, if not one of the first times ever, us Mexicans are on the map. Mexico's on the map."

"So, to be that Mexican and he's the other one, it's an honor, it's a f***ing privilege, and I can't wait to give the world a show."

Ortega (15-2) is coming off a hard-fought loss to Alexander Volkanovski ... and he says like with every fight, he's going to come out with a better and smarter version of himself against Yair.

John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh -- two years after legally marrying -- are finally getting the blowout wedding bash that was postponed by COVID ... and TMZ Sports has a photo of the couple!

The photograph captured 45-year-old Cena and 33-year-old Shay as they headed into The Vancouver Club -- one of the nicest venues in the city -- Friday afternoon in Canada.

It's unclear if John and Shay were headed to the actual wedding ceremony or a rehearsal.

Shay -- who is from Vancouver -- wore a white halter cut, backless dress ... and John rocked a navy suit with camel-colored oxfords.

As we previously reported, the couple tied the knot during a private ceremony in Tampa on October 12, 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a damper on the couple's plans ... and they couldn't have a big party to celebrate the nuptials.

Fast forward to this weekend ... and it's finally time to bring the family and friends together, for what's expected to be a star-studded event.

John and Shay began dating in 2019 ... following Cena's split with former fiancée Nikki Bella in 2018.

It's no surprise John and Shay wound up taking a walk down the aisle. The relationship seemed destined for success from the start ... proof being a makeout sesh at a local restaurant shortly after they began seeing one another.

Lia Thomas, the openly transgender NCAA championship swimmer, has been nominated by the University of Pennsylvania for one of the most prestigious awards in college athletics ... NCAA Woman of the Year.

UPenn nominated 22-year-old Thomas for the honor ... designed to recognize "female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers."

Thomas, of course, was dominant this season for the Ivy League school -- even winning the 500-yard freestyle event at the NCAA championship meet (she defeated Olympic silver medalist Emma Weyant by nearly 2 seconds) ... but it wasn't without controversy.

Lia, prior to transitioning, was a member of the men's swimming team at UPenn ... however, Thomas didn't enjoy nearly the same success.

Many people, including 16 people from Lia's own team, penned a unanimous letter to university officials asking them to support stricter rules for Thomas and other future transgender athletes.

"However, we also recognize that when it comes to sports competition, that the biology of sex is a separate issue from someone’s gender identity," the letter read, "Biologically, Lia holds an unfair advantage over competition in the women’s category, as evidenced by her rankings that have bounced from #462 as a male to #1 as a female.”

As a result of the backlash, the NCAA did alter rules governing transgender athletes ... however, the regulations -- which would've prevented Lia from competing so soon after transitioning -- were not in effect last swim season.

The 2022 MLB Home Run Derby winner will walk away with more than just bragging rights ... TMZ Sports has learned they'll also get a custom chain and pendant featuring the words "Derby Champ" in 525 Gypsy set Swarovski crystals.

We're told the chain was hand-made in NYC by jewelers Kenny Hwang, Xavier Murillo, and John Luongo ... and MLB will present it to the player who smashes the most homers Monday night.

The chain's 25 inches long (and can be extended to 29 in.) ... and is platinum-plated with 650 handset cubic zirconia.

The crown, which sits atop a baseball design, is plated in 18-karat gold ... and features 5-prong set Emerald cut Lab Grown Sapphires -- totaling 25 carats of total weight.

The Home Run Derby is arguably the most popular event during the All-Star festivities. Last year, New York Mets star slugger Pete Alonso took home the trophy, with Orioles' first baseman Trey Mancini coming in second place.

This year's contest is expected to live up to the hype ... with superstars like Kyle Schwarber, Juan Soto, Jose Ramirez, Ronald Acuna Jr., Corey Seager, Julio Rodriguez, and Pete Alonso (the reigning champ), and soon-to-be-retired legend Albert Pujols participating.

The Home Run Derby goes down at Dodgers Stadium in L.A. on July 18.

LSU star gymnast Olivia "Livvy" Dunne ditched the leotards and the balance beams for pom poms and a cheerleader 'fit for Walker Hayes' new music video -- and she crushed the role!

Hayes -- one of the biggest stars in today's country music scene -- dropped his vid for his hit song "Y'all Life" on Friday ... and Dunne made several appearances in it.

Throughout the football-themed video, the athlete and social media star -- who has 5.6 million followers on TikTok and another 1.9 million on Instagram -- flipped on the sidelines and cheered on the fake action on the field.

Hayes, meanwhile, sang about growing up in the South as one of the team's coaches.

Dunne was pumped to see the final results drop on Friday ... writing on her social media page, "Thank you @walkerhayes for including me in your music video for Y'all Life!"

The cameo is just the latest cool thing to go down in Dunne's life -- Livvy, one of the best gymnasts in the country, signed massive NIL deals in the past year and has appeared in multiple ads and commercials recently as well.

Awesome scene at USC's campus on Thursday ... injured Trojan hoops recruit Aaliyah Gayles made a surprise visit to one of her future team's workouts -- and their reaction to seeing her was priceless!

The heartwarming moment was caught on video, showing Gayles -- who was shot multiple times at a house party in April just months after committing to USC -- popping up on the Trojans women's basketball team.

You can see in the clip, the team was stoked for the visit ... with sophomore guard Bella Perkins jumping for joy before the rest of the team came together for a group hug.

Gayles' father, Dwight, tells TMZ Sports this was Aaliyah's first time with the team since she was shot at a North Las Vegas house party on April 16. As we reported, she was hit by bullets 10 times in both her arms and legs.

Dwight says Gayles -- the #8 ranked player of the 2022 class -- and her Trojan teammates hit up the Los Angeles Sparks game later Thursday ... and they had a blast.

"Aaliyah said the DJ was super cool," Dwight said. "They treated her like a superstar."

When it comes to her recovery, Dwight says Aaliyah is progressing well.

"Her recovery is epic," he said. "It's unreal! You'll see!"

Gayles has had plenty of ups recently on her road to recovery -- she graduated from Spring Valley High, took her first steps out of her wheelchair, and made her first basket earlier this month.