Zach LaVine, Wife Baby Boy's Here!!! ... Welcome, Saint Thomas

Amazing news for Zach LaVine and his wife, Hunter Mar -- the couple just welcomed their first child together ... Saint Thomas LaVine!!

The LaVines revealed their little nugget on Wednesday ... saying the baby boy was born on Sunday.

"My heart in human form," Hunter said on Instagram. "I love you, baby boy! 💙"

Zach added ... "Best feeling I’ve had is now being a Father."

As we previously reported, the duo broke the news of their new addition earlier last month ... saying, "God has blessed us with the most special gift and we couldn’t be happier."

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Zach and Hunter have been together for a long time now ... and first got engaged back in April 2020.

The couple will have no problem finding a babysitter ... as all their friends shared their excitement over Saint's big introduction.

"Congrats broski 🙏🏾," Tristan Thompson said ... with Dejounte Murray adding, "I Love This For Y’all!!!! 🖤 @zachlavine8 @hunter_lavine."

Even the city of Chicago's Instagram got into the comment section to congratulate the LaVines ... saying, "👏👏👏."

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G Leaguer Perri’on Callandret is already thinking of the important things ... joking, "Anyone in these comments know what size shoe babies this size wear? 😂"

Congrats to the couple -- and welcome to the world, Saint!!

Tyson Fury Calls For Castration Of Knife Criminals ... After Cousin's Death

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Tyson Fury is still calling for harsher penalties for knife crime in the UK in the wake of his cousin's tragic death ... insisting officials should straight up castrate perpetrators.

The boxing superstar didn't mince words when expressing his outrage on talkSport on Wednesday ... demanding government officials do more to deter knife crime in his home country after his cousin was stabbed to death following an altercation outside of a bar earlier this month.

"What the government needs to do about this knife crime, anyone caught with a knife or stabbing someone needs castrating," the 34-year-old fighter said.

"It cost as a government too much money to house them in a prison. It costs them 50-to-60-grand a year to put these scumbags in jail. Castrate the little bastards. Castrate them."

Fury initially sounded off on the matter on his Instagram page on Sunday -- just hours after his relative, 31-year-old Rico Burton, was killed in Manchester.

Fury called for a big crackdown then -- but he expounded on it all on Wednesday ... saying people who are caught even carrying knives should be locked away behind bars for "5-to-7 years."

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"We're supposed to be one of the safest countries in the world," he said. "But yet we can't go down the street with a watch on or anything because we're going to get stabbed."

"The government needs to make this tougher on these little cowards who carry knives and weapons."

He added, "What little scumbag coward needs to carry a knife around with them in our country?"

According to authorities, a 21-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with Burton's death. It's unclear how much time in prison he's facing if convicted of the charge.

Ex-NFL Coach Rex Ryan Competing On 'Amazing Race'

Rex Ryan is putting his beloved feet to the test -- the ex-NFL coach is slated to compete on the newest season of "The Amazing Race" ... in hopes of winning a million bucks.

The former Bills and Jets coach will be teaming up with his partner, Tim Mann ... and the duo will be traveling around the world and competing in several challenges.

If you haven't seen the show, it's been on the air for 33 seasons ... so it might be too late to bring you up to speed. It's basically a scavenger hunt on steroids.

59-year-old Rex coached in the NFL for decades -- he won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive line coach ... and led the New York Jets to back-to-back AFC championship games.

He most recently had an analyst job with ESPN ... appearing on "Sunday NFL Countdown."

40-year-old Mann is Ryan's friend of 6 years/golf buddy ... and is a probation officer.

Ryan's team has gotta hope they do better than TMZ's duo did back in 2015.

Sylvester Stallone Wife Files for Divorce ... Claims Sly is Taking Marital Assets

UPDATE

8:37 AM PT -- Sly's rep, Michelle Bega, tells TMZ Sylvester says the following ... "I love my family. We are amicably and privately addressing these personal issues."

Sylvester Stallone and his wife are calling it quits, she's filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage ... and is accusing the actor of moving assets from marital funds.

Jennifer Flavin filed docs Friday in Florida ... unclear exactly why she decided to pull the plug on their marriage, but some fans started to sense trouble thanks to a recent tattoo coverup -- the "Rocky" star removed an image of Jennifer's face from his arm.

Flavin wants exclusive domain over their house in Palm Beach while divorce proceedings wind their way through the courts.

She also made clear ... she believes Sly is hiding marital assets. In the divorce docs, obtained by TMZ, she says, "Upon information and belief, the Husband has engaged in the intentional dissipation, depletion and/or waste of marital assets which has had an adverse economic impact on the marital estate. Pursuant to Section 61.075, Florida Statues, equity dictates that the Wife be compensated and made whole by receiving an unequal distribution of the marital assets in her favor. Moreover, the Husband should be enjoined from, selling, transferring, assigning, encumbering, or dissipating any assets during the pendency of proceedings."

Jennifer wants to restore her last name -- Flavin. She also wants a judge to put the brakes on Sly moving assets from the marital pot. Closer Weekly first reported the split.

Stallone used to have a portrait of Flavin on his bicep, but recently got it covered by an image of his late dog, and "Rocky" costar Butkus.

When asked about the reasoning behind covering the ink of Jennifer, Stallone's rep told Daily Mail, "Mr. Stallone intended to refresh the tattoo image of his wife Jennifer; however, the results were unsatisfactory and, unfortunately, unfixable."

What's more ... Jennifer took to Instagram to post a photo with the three daughters she and Sylvester share, with the caption, "These girls are my priority <3 nothing else matters. The 4 of us forever."

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WHERE IT WENT WRONG

Jennifer and Sylvester got married in 1997.

We reached out to Sly's rep ... so far, no word back.

Originally Published -- 8:00 AM PT

Gilbert Arenas I Cost Irv Gotti, Ja Rule $175k Bet ... 'Happy I'm Still Alive'

Retired NBA star Gilbert Arenas says he's happy to still be breathing after he cost Irv Gotti and Ja Rule $175k ... claiming he purposely busted up a bet they had on a game he was playing in -- and they were FURIOUS over it!!

Arenas -- who was on the Warriors at the time -- said he was playing a road game against the Rockets when he overheard Gotti and Ja mentioning they had bet on the Dubs to cover the spread that night.

Agent Zero says he had no idea what the spread was, but made it his mission to spoil their night ... knowing he had to score some more points to kill the bet.

Arenas said his Warriors were losing to the Rockets, led by Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, and with the game out of reach, he came down the court and threw up a half-court three-pointer.

Naturally, the wild shot went in ... sinking any hopes Gotti and Ja had of cashing out that night.

"[I] came down and shot it," Arenas said. "And I could see the disappointment in their face. I won. I won the game. We're going back to the locker room, and I'm sitting there like, 'Yeah, I hurt somebody's feelings today.'"

"I didn't know how much money they had on the game. I didn't really know it was about betting, but I knew I hurt [Gotti's] feelings. I knew I hurt his feelings. He was disappointed even though they won. He was disappointed, so that means I won."

Thanks to a recent interview on the "Drink Champs" podcast, we now know that Gotti and Ja bet $175K on the Rockets to cover the spread against Gilbert's Warriors.

"We wanted to kill Gilbert Arenas after that," Gotti said on the podcast. "The whole arena knew we had 175 [thousand dollars] on this. The refs knew. Everyone knew."

Gotti said Arenas "crushed our soul" ... but he ultimately blamed Ja Rule, who heckled Arenas repeatedly during the game, for motivating Gilbert to want to get back at them.

Megan Thee Stallion Grilling Time for J. Prince and Carl Crawford!!! Depositions Ordered in Contract Dispute

Megan Thee Stallion's following up her "Traumazine" album release by playing some legal hardball -- forcing J. Prince and Carl Crawford to sit for depositions in the lawsuit over her contract.

Megan filed docs Tuesday notifying the court her lawyers will be grilling 1501 Entertainment honcho Crawford, as well as Prince ... the Rap-A-Lot Records founder, who Megan claims has been advising Crawford on business dealings.

The date and place are already set ... J. Prince goes first on October 24, and Crawford follows the next day -- both depos will be taken at an office building in Houston, and they will be recorded on video.

It's a major power move for Megan, who, as we've reported ... is suing her label, 1501 Entertainment, because she believes she satisfied the terms of her contract with her last 2 albums -- "Something for Thee Hotties" and last week's release, "Traumazine."

Megan says Crawford and co. aren't viewing those projects as albums, simply to keep her tied to 1501 -- but she says she's done with the label. She wants out, and she wants a judge to force Crawford to cough up royalties and other money she says 1501 owes her.

She says that number is at least $1 million, but wants a proper accounting to determine the actual damages.

Tensions boiled over on Tuesday morning ... when Megan, Prince and Crawford all volleyed accusations that ranged from the 2 men mishandling her business to Megan conspiring with Roc Nation to get out of her contract.

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Getting an industry powerhouse like Prince to sit for a deposition is no easy task, and Megan's hope could be this forces Crawford to settle the lawsuit beforehand.

Stay tuned ...

Kobe Photo Trial Soccer Star Sydney Leroux ... Attends Court W/ Vanessa & Natalia Bryant

Vanessa Bryant has endured two weeks of emotional testimony ... thankfully, she hasn't done it alone 'cause her support system is strong -- with U.S. soccer star Sydney Leroux joining VB and Natalia Bryant in court Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner was photographed walking into a Los Angeles courtroom this morning with Kobe's 19-year-old daughter, Natalia, and Vanessa ... for closing arguments in the trial over photographs taken by L.A. County Sheriff's Deputies, who are accused of taking and showing off gruesome photos from the crash scene.

Leroux, who also attended court late last week, is a longtime friend of the Bryant family. In fact, Kobe was a mentor to the 2012 London Olympics and 2015 Women's World Cup winner.

After Kobe and Gianna tragically died, Leroux, who like Gigi, wore #2 ... the soccer star got the number tattooed on her body as a tribute to Vanessa's daughter.

Sydney isn't the only famous friend supporting Vanessa. Ciara and Monica have also attended the trial this week.

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The attorney for Chris Chester, the co-plaintiff in the lawsuit, who tragically lost his wife and daughter in the helicopter crash, has asked for up to $32.5 million from L.A. County, calling the county's actions "inhuman and inhumane."

Vanessa Bryant has not specified the amount she is seeking.

Jurors will likely start deliberating on Wednesday.

F1 Star Daniel Ricciardo Leaving McLaren After 2022 ... Not Retiring

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THE RACE CONTINUES

F1 star Daniel Ricciardo is currently without a seat for 2023 -- the McLaren driver just announced the two sides have "mutually agreed" to part ways at the end of this season.

33-year-old Ricciardo joined McLaren on a three-year deal in 2021 ... and gave the team its first win in nearly a decade at the Italian GP in Monza.

Daniel says it's "bittersweet" to be moving on at the end of the season ... but makes it clear he's going to keep competing until the very last race.

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It's been a challenging year for the former Red Bull and Renault driver -- his best finish is 6th at his home race, the Australian GP ... and he's only accumulated 19 overall points.

Ricciardo was clearly emotional in a video posted to Twitter ... reminiscing on all his memories throughout his career, but saying he still has the fire to compete.

The move allows McLaren to pursue rising star Oscar Piastri, who is currently fighting to get out of his situation with Alpine.

While Ricciardo says he doesn't know what happens next, he assures his fans "this is not the end for me."

'The Masked Singer' Is That Tom Brady?!? New Season Insinuates He IS a Contestant

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Tom Brady is denying he left Bucs camp to be a contestant on the newest season of "The Masked Singer," but the show is definitely leaning in to the possibility he DID exactly that!!!

Check out this clip from the upcoming season TMZ Sports obtained ... it shows Ken Jeong, a judge on the show, guessing that TB12 is one of the new undercover, crooning celebs this year.

In the footage, you can see Jeong trying to guess who's in the Hummingbird costume. The comedian says the look and performance is "screaming out like a football legend."

Initially, he believes it could be Peyton Manning, but then he moves on to a different theory -- "I think this could be the greatest of all time."

Ken even adds ... "He just got fined for not showing up to training camp because he is here on 'The Masked Singer'. This is seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady!"

Of course, the clip cuts off before we see who the contestant actually is ... we're not THAT good. Season 8 officially wrapped taping on Aug. 20, but the show won't start airing until Sept. 21 -- and Fox notoriously keeps all the celeb IDs under lock and key.

For what it's worth, Tom just happened to show up at Bucs camp on Aug. 22 ... 2 days after taping ended.

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BRADY IS BACK
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Brady, though, has insisted it ain't him ... saying on his Twitter page Monday that despite disappearing from Bucs training camp for 11 days earlier this month, "[I] wasn’t on the masked singer last week."

The first rule of the show is ya don't talk about the show ... so could it really be him?!

Stay tuned ...

Pro Biker Rab Wardell Dead At 37 ... Days After Winning Title

Sad news in the cycling world ... pro mountain biker Rab Wardell has passed away just days after winning the MTB XC Championships in Scotland.

He was only 37.

Scottish Cycling confirmed the news on Tuesday ... Wardell died in his sleep two days after winning the championship race on Sunday in Dumfries and Galloway.

Wardell's partner, Olympic cycling medalist Katie Archibald, says she was lying in bed with him when it happened ... and she tried to save his life.

"I still don't understand what's happened; if this is real; why he'd be taken now? So healthy and happy," Archibald said on her Twitter page.

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"He went into cardiac arrest while we were lying in bed. I tried and tried, and the paramedic arrived within minutes, but his heart stopped and they couldn't bring him back. Mine stopped with it."

Archibald says she is devastated over Wardell's death and the pain she's suffering is indescribable.

"I love him so much and need him here with me. I need him here so badly, but he's gone."

Wardell -- who started cycling in his teens -- made his last appearance on BBC Scotland's The Nine show on Monday, describing how he was able to win the race after three punctures.

"I guess I still felt confident that I'd be able to catch the leaders and win," Wardell said, "so I just gave it my best shot. What more can you do?"

RIP.

Shaquem Griffin Retires At 27 ... First One-Handed Player Drafted In NFL

Shaquem Griffin -- the first one-handed player to be drafted by an NFL team -- is walking away from the sport at 27 years old.

The inspirational linebacker was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 5th round in 2018 ... and spent 3 seasons with the organization, playing alongside his twin brother, Shaquill. He later joined the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal in 2021 ... but was released before the season.

He later rejoined the 'Fins on the practice squad ... and was waived in October.

Meanwhile, Shaquill signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 ... and while Shaquem had interest from several teams, he says he didn't want to continue playing if it wasn't alongside his brother.

"Football had already given me so much, and the only thing I still really wanted from the game was to play with my brother again," Griffin said in the Players' Tribune.

"I know a lot of people might not understand that approach. There are so many guys out there working hard, just hoping for an opportunity, any opportunity, and here I am limiting them. Believe me, I get it."

Shaquem says he met with Roger Goodell, who offered him a position with the NFL Legends Community ... which will give him the opportunity to mentor young players.

Griffin -- whose left hand was amputated at 4 years old after it did not fully develop -- says he will continue to share his story and motivate people for years to come.

Los Angeles Lakers Give UCLA Newborns Kobe Gear ... On Legend's 44th Bday

The Los Angeles Lakers paid tribute to Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 44th birthday, giving UCLA newborns -- who were born on the same day as Mamba (8/23) -- gear inspired by the Hall of Fame legend.

The Lakers posted pics of the babies wearing white hats featuring Kobe's iconic No. 8 ... along with a welcome note from the team and staff at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

"WELCOME TO THE WORLD!” the note reads. “One of your family’s most special days has landed on one of our organization’s most celebrated days."

"On this year's Kobe day, here's to your next-generation Lakers fan. They've already got a little of the Mamba Mentality in them."

This is the second straight year the Lakers have donated the KB24-inspired care package to babies born on the Mamba's bday ... since he tragically passed away in 2020.

Kobe -- who won five NBA championships and broke numerous NBA records -- played 20 seasons, all with the Lake Show ... retiring in 2016 after dropping 60 points in his final game.

Kobe's legacy continues to live on even after his death ... and gestures like these show how much he meant to the city of Los Angeles.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Fans Brawl At Wrigley Field ... Man Hurled Down 3 Rows Of Bleachers!!!

UPDATE

9:34 AM PT -- Cops tell TMZ Sports ... there was only one arrest made at Wrigley on Tuesday night -- though it appeared to be unrelated to the brawl in the bleachers.

The Cubs vs. Cardinals game Tuesday night was a snoozer -- but the action in the outfield seats sure as hell as wasn't ... 'cause fans got into a wild tiff there where one man ended up being hurled down several rows of bleachers.

The chaos appeared to happen in the eighth inning of the Cardinals' 13-3 blowout of the Cubs ... when several fans got into an altercation at Wrigley Field.

It's unclear what started the tiff -- but you can see in video of the fracas, a guy wearing an Anthony Rizzo jersey was pushed so hard during the scuffle, he actually fell head over heels down a few rows of seats.

Fortunately, he was able to get up seemingly uninjured ... but the same couldn't be said for another dude who was involved in the fight -- 'cause footage shows that guy was bleeding from his eye area.

Multiple security guards raced to the scene to try to restore order -- and after a few moments, it looked like they succeeded.

Unclear if any arrests were made, we've reached out to cops, but so far, no word back yet.

Originally Published -- 6:36 AM PT

Hall Of Fame QB Len Dawson Chiefs Legend ... Dead At 87

UPDATE

6:42 AM PT -- Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes is mourning the loss ... saying in a note to the former QB on his Twitter account, "The legacy and impact you made on Kansas City will live on forever."

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"Prayers to his family," he added.

Sad news in the football world ... Kansas City Chiefs legend Len Dawson has died, his family announced on Wednesday. He was 87 years old.

Dawson's family said in a statement the Hall of Fame quarterback passed away with his wife, Linda, at his side.

"He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend," Dawson's family said. "Len was always grateful and many times overwhelmed by the countless bonds he made during his football and broadcast careers."

"He loved Kansas City and no matter where his travels took him, he could not wait to return home."

Dawson had reportedly entered hospice care in Kansas City earlier this month ... and in the family's statement, they thanked his doctors and nurses for showing him "tremendous amounts of love and compassion."

"The franchise has lost a true legend," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt added in a statement Wednesday. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Linda and his family."

Dawson -- who was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft -- eventually became the starter for Dallas Texans in 1962 ... and went on to become one of the franchise's all-time greats after the team moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs in 1963.

The righty played for the org. for a total of 14 years -- and helped lead the team to Super Bowl I in 1966 ... but lost the game to the Green Bay Packers. He eventually got the Chiefs a Super Bowl win, though, beating the Minnesota Vikings in SBIV in 1969.

Dawson piled up 28,711 passing yards and 239 passing TDs in his career, and eventually retired following the 1975 season. He went on to become an ultra-successful football broadcaster.

Dawson was elected to the Hall of Fame as a player in 1987, and as a broadcaster in 2012. His #16 has been retired by the Chiefs as well.

#RIP.

Originally Published -- 6:00 AM PT

Hakeem Nicks Ex-NY Giants Star ... Selling Super Bowl XLVI Ring

A piece of NFL history can now be all yours thanks to Hakeem Nicks ... TMZ Sports has learned the former NY Giants star has decided to part ways with his Super Bowl ring -- putting it up for auction this month.

Bidding on the bling -- which Nicks helped Eli Manning and the Giants win in an epic game against Tom Brady and the Patriots back in 2012 -- is currently at $25,000, but officials at Heritage Auctions tell us it could ultimately get up to over $80,000.

The ring is massive, it's a size fifteen piece that's so loaded with diamonds and blue sapphires, it weighs in at a whopping 95 grams.

It also has plenty of history attached to it -- because Nicks was a huge reason why NY was able to upset Brady in the SBXLVI game.

The former first-round pick totaled 10 catches for 109 yards in the contest -- and had some huge grabs for Manning in the team's fourth quarter, game-winning drive.

It's unclear why Nicks is selling the piece -- but according to Heritage Auctions, the ring comes with a letter of provenance from the former wideout and we're told a portion of the proceeds will go to charity.

Bidding ends later this week ... good luck!

Kobe Bryant Photo Trial Plaintiff Seeks Up To $32.5 Mil In Damages ... Chris Chester Lost Wife, Daughter

Vanessa Bryant's co-plaintiff Chris Chester is seeking millions in damages as the trial over the Kobe crash photos nears an end ... with his attorney asking for up to $32.5 million in damages.

The Chester and Bryant family attorney's both made closing statements ... but only Chester's specified a dollar amount.

Craig Lavoie, Vanessa's attorney, asked the jury to hold the officers accountable for allegedly taking and sharing gruesome photos of her late husband and daughter.

Bryant's lawyer reiterated Vanessa will constantly live in fear, knowing the photographs could hit the internet at any moment.

"Anytime, any day, that can be the day," Lavoie said. "Every day they will live in the fear that that is the day they will resurface."

It's been an emotional couple of weeks for Vanessa ... who's been in the courtroom every day, forced to listen to painful details about the tragic accident and the subsequent investigation into whether law enforcement inappropriately shared the images.

But, Vanessa hasn't been alone. On Monday, Ciara and Monica were on hand to support Bryant, with the latter showing up on Tuesday, as well.

In Chester's attorney, Jerome Jackson's closing remarks, he asked for $2.5 million for his client ... citing emotional damages sustained over the last two years.

Jackson's also asking for between $100K and $1 million for the rest of Chris' life ... which based off life expectancy data, is 30 years.

FYI, Chester lost his wife and 13-year-old daughter in the crash.

Vanessa's attorney, while addressing the court, made it clear the case was not about the accident ... but rather the alleged improper behavior of the deputies.

"44 years ago, today Kobe was born. It’s an honor to stand here beside Vanessa and ask for justice. Tragedy took both Kobe & Gigi away. We’re not here because of an accident, here because of intentional conduct. We’re going to ask you to deliver justice."

The trial will continue on Wednesday in Los Angeles ... when L.A. County, the defense, are scheduled to make their closing argument.