TMZ Sports - Page 10

Chicago Bulls player Nikola Vucevic will have to cough up some dough for giving somebody the middle finger during Wednesday's game ... getting hit with a $15K fine for the "obscene gesture."

The 6'10" center was pissed when a ref called him for traveling in the 1st quarter of the Bulls vs. Pelicans matchup ... and was so fired up, he let the middle finger fly.

Unfortunately for Nikola, the cameras caught the 2-time All-Star red-handed on the broadcast ... pretty much solidifying an impending punishment.

Joe Dumars -- the Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations of the NBA -- announced the penalty on Friday ... forcing the hooper to shell out the $15K.

It's unclear whether Vucevic -- who signed with Chi-Town in 2021 -- was flippin' off the referee who made the call or a fan in the stands ... but ultimately, it doesn't matter in the Association's eyes.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell's cars will look a little different during the Brazilian Grand Prix ... Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team has removed the logo of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX after the company went belly up this week.

The MB F1 team, currently in 3rd place in the Constructors standings, made the announcement on Friday, just days before Sunday's GP, saying they'd suspended their partnership and removed the FTX logo from their cars.

FTX was one of the world's biggest crypto exchanges ... keyword was. The company, valued at over $30 billion just weeks ago, became insolvent after they were unable to pay out users. Basically, they didn't have enough money to cash users out.

It's particularly infuriating for many customers because as recent as Thursday, the company insisted they were "100% liquid," tweeting "Every user could fully withdraw [their money]."

One day later ... bankrupt.

And, Mercedes F1 isn't the only team or athlete affected by FTX's demise. Tom Brady was heavily invested in the company. TB12 and Gisele even appeared in a commercial for FTX.

Steph Curry, Naomi Osaka, Shohei Ohtani and others were also involved with the company. The Miami Heat even play at FTX Arena ... which the crypto company promised to pay $135 million to rename back in 2021. It's likely they default on that agreement.

On Friday, FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried resigned, and the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Many people, including some of the biggest celebs, lost an immense amount of money.

LeBron James' sons put on an absolute dunking clinic at a high school event on Thursday night -- and Pops couldn't have been prouder ... catching the show from a courtside seat with a huge smile on his face!!!

18-year-old Bronny and 15-year-old Bryce took flight over and over again at Sierra Canyon's "Midnight Madness" tip-off extravaganza in Chatsworth, Calif. ... and, despite nursing a lower-body injury, LeBron didn't miss a second of it.

The four-time NBA champ sat courtside with his wife, Savannah, as both boys routinely tore down the rim with a series of athletic dunks.

The two Sierra Canyon hoops stars looked a lot like their father in his prime ... even managing to pull off a few slams where they put the ball between their legs.

The James gang had the crowd in awe at their athleticism ... drawing the biggest cheers of the night.

Baker Mayfield lost his mind -- and maybe even pieces of his forehead and scalp -- following the Panthers' win on Thursday ... headbutting his helmeted teammates -- repeatedly!!!

Carolina's backup QB performed the insane act just seconds before his squad officially beat the Falcons, 25-15, on "Thursday Night Football" ... and the move was so weird, even his own teammates appeared to be caught off guard.

Check out the footage from the game's broadcast -- you can see Baker, in nothing but a baseball cap, slamming his head into his teammates' over and over again as they came off the field.

Nearly every guy that he hit looked at him with a "what're you doing, bro" expression ... but Mayfield didn't seem to care.

Of course, the Panthers had only won one game since September prior to Thursday night -- and Baker's had a brutal year, getting hurt and then being benched in favor of P.J. Walker -- so maybe he didn't quite remember how to act following a victory?

C.T. Tamburello, one of the longest-running competitors on MTV's "The Challenge," is pulling the plug on his marriage.

C.T. beelined it to a Florida courthouse Monday and filed for divorce from Lilianet "Lili" Solares after more than 4 years of marriage.

It's unclear what led to the split ... but earlier this year C.T. revealed he was "in the doghouse" with Lili as he shot down rumors of a breakup.

There've been documented marriage issues ... back in 2020, C.T. said on an episode of "The Challenge: Double Agents" that he and Lili had separated the year before ... but they ended up getting back together.

C.T. and Lili tied the knot in 2018 on an MTV special. They have one child together, Christopher Jr., who was born in 2016.

The former couple seemed to be going strong this summer ... C.T. posted a photo of him and Lili at an MTV event, captioning the snap "date night with my babe."

Following a meeting between Adam Silver and Kyrie Irving this week ... the NBA commissioner now says he has "no doubt" that the Nets star is not antisemitic.

The Association's honcho and the controversial Brooklyn point guard caught up on Tuesday ... and while Silver declined to get into the specifics of their chat during an interview with the New York Times on Thursday ... he did say he came away from the meeting sure that Irving was not full of hate.

"He's someone I've known for a decade," Silver told the outlet, "and I've never heard an antisemitic word from him or, frankly, hate directed at any group."

Silver requested the meeting with Irving after the basketball player had tweeted out a link to "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America!" -- a film filled with antisemitic tropes.

The commish had called Irving's decision to press send "reckless" ... while blasting him for his refusal to immediately apologize. Irving was eventually hit with an indefinite ban from the Nets -- and ultimately said he was sorry.

Silver admitted the league and the Nets should have acted sooner regarding a suspension for Irving over it all ... telling the NYT, "We may have been able to get there faster. I accept that criticism."

But, he did say he believed both the Nets and the league got the suspension right in the end.

Irving is eligible to come off the ban later this week -- though it's unclear if that will actually happen ... as Brooklyn has imposed a myriad of conditions the 30-year-old must meet in order to return to the floor.

Silver also took aim at Amazon during his talk with the NY Times ... clearly believing the film Irving tweeted out shouldn't have a place in the org.'s marketplace.

For its part, Amazon has not yet removed the film ... and has not commented on the situation.

Tommy Fury, returning to the squared circle this weekend in Dubai, has a message for rival Jake Paul -- who is expected to be ringside -- you better not step foot in the ring, or else.

23-year-old Fury, a perfect 8-0 as a pro boxer, is the co-main event on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Deji card ... going down Saturday from Dubai (DAZN PPV). Tommy's taking on Paul Bamba, an American fighter from NYC, who enters the ring with a 5-2 record.

Speaking of entering the ring ... that's something Fury warns Jake he should NOT do.

"I'm not bothered if [Jake's] at ringside, anyone's at ringside. KSI, Jake Paul, whoever's there, I'm not interested cause my full focus is on Paul Bamba and when I beat Paul Bamba and I come through him, then I'll revert my attention to them at ringside. But until then, it's Paul Bamba, he's got my full attention on Sunday night."

"But, if they are there, better not get into the ring after the fight 'cause I'll be nice and warmed up, put it that way," Fury cautioned.

As for the fight ... Tommy says Bamba isn't much of a threat to him.

"Paul Bamba presents a challenge in he's southpaw. But apart from that, that's pretty much it."

"I mean he's knocked a few people out at super middleweight. He's not the biggest light heavyweight that's out there. At the end of the day I've been sparring southpaws this whole camp. I been sparring the best southpaw in the world in Tyson, so there's not a lot that I'm not prepared for."

Of course, Tommy's brother is Tyson Fury ... the best heavyweight fighter in the world, and one of the greatest ever.

"I been sparring Tyson, I been sparring heavyweights, middleweights for speed, I've covered every box, so on fight night, there's no good building it up in the head about something it's not. It's another day in the gym because I've sparred better people than this man."

And, Fury tells us he's pumped to fight on the same card as 50-0 Mayweather ... who's boxing KSI's brother in an exhibition.

The rap track Eli Manning has been working on with Fivio Foreign is finally here ... and let's just say, the former New York Giants star was spittin' some crazy bars!!!

Just kiddin' ... but the song is still fun nonetheless!!!

The ex-quarterback, Fivio, and Eli's former center, Shaun O'Hara, officially dropped the song on Thursday ... with a hilarious video accompanying it.

In the song -- a "Giants on 3" remix to the NY rapper's "1 on 3" tune -- Manning and O'Hara take turns rappin' over Fivio's beat.

Neither former Giants player is all that great on the mic -- but, hey, at least Fivio killed it!

The video, meanwhile, is pretty awesome ... Eli and Shaun rocked colorful outfits and did their best to at least pretend to look like they belonged in the booth.

Eli, Shaun and Fivio initially began working on the music earlier this week ... when all three were seen in the studio taking shots together.

LeBron James says he knows what Kyrie Irving did was wrong ... but the Lakers superstar still came to the Nets point guard's defense Thursday, claiming the punishment KI is now facing is just too much.

James, who played with Irving for several seasons in Cleveland, took to Twitter to relay his stance on the matter to his fanbase ... writing out several tweets while he was in the middle of rehabbing a lower-body injury.

"I told you guys that I don’t believe in sharing hurtful information," James said. "And I’ll continue to be that way, but Kyrie apologized, and he should be able to play. That’s what I think. It’s that simple."

Irving was suspended by the Nets last Thursday after he repeatedly refused to apologize for tweeting out a link to the antisemitic film, "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America!"

The team called the ban indefinite -- saying Irving would have to satisfy "a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct" in order to return to the floor.

According to Shams Charania, some of the stipulations included sensitivity training, antisemitic training and meetings with Jewish leaders.

James clearly feels it's all too much ... adding, "Help him learn- but he should be playing. What he’s asked to do to get back on the floor I think is excessive IMO. He’s not the person that’s being portrayed of him."

Daniel Snyder, Roger Goodell and the NFL have all been sued ... after D.C. attorney general Karl Racine claimed they "colluded" to deceive fans about an investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct that went down for years in the Washington Commanders' org.

Racine announced the suit's filing at a news conference on Thursday ... using stern language while insisting Snyder, Goodell, the NFL and the Commanders all covered up probe findings in order to "protect their profits and their image."

Racine told media members that following his office's own investigation of the Commanders -- which he said included a reviewal of thousands of internal documents produced by the team and the league -- "clear wrongdoing and violations of D.C. residents' consumer rights" were found.

Yet, Racine claimed Goodell, Snyder and other officials lied about the findings ... accusing them of "secretly" entering into an agreement in order to protect everyone involved.

"Mr. Snyder was not only aware of the toxic culture within his organization," Racine said in announcing the suit, "he encouraged it and he participated in it."

As we previously reported, Snyder and the Commanders had been accused of wrongdoing for over a decade by multiple ex-employees.

The league said it investigated it all, and ultimately fined the team $10 million.

Following the penalty, Snyder said the org. would be making sweeping and progressive changes, including naming his wife, Tanya, the new co-CEO.

Racine clearly believes more should have been done ... and as part of the suit, is seeking "financial penalties" as well as a court order to force the NFL to release the findings of their probe into the Commanders.

AEW star Max Caster threw shade at Tom Brady, Kyrie Irving and Herschel Walker while rapping right before his match on Wednesday -- targeting three of the most controversial athletes of the moment.

Max and his tag team partner, Anthony Bowens, were walking to the ring to take on The Gunns and Swerve In Our Glory ... when the 33-year-old got busy on the mic.

Caster wasted no time going after TB12, who's struggled all season (game-winning drive on Sunday, aside) as he deals with his high-profile divorce from ex-wife Gisele.

Check out the performance.

"Acclaimed on the mic got the place going crazy, ya'll about to take more L's than Tom Brady," Caster rapped.

"Keep the fence work (???) it's awkward, we got the receipts like he's Herschel Walker."

"I'll make you cry til' you're eyes are burning, I'mma make you say sorry like Kyrie Irving."

Sheesh!

Of course, Tom's Bucs squad is 4-5 ... and after struggling on the field at times, some fans have wondered if he should have stayed retired.

Meanwhile, Herschel, a football legend and current U.S. Senate candidate in Georgia (his race is going to a runoff in early December), has been under attack after he was accused of reportedly paying for a woman's abortion ... despite running on a pro-life platform.

As for Kyrie ... he recently apologized to the Jewish community (though many were unfulfilled by his words) after he posted a link to a controversial film containing antisemitic messaging.

Adidas' announcement it will sell Yeezy designs without Yeezy branding should be money to Kanye West's ears ... TMZ has learned he has that in writing, but he's not getting a dime.

Sources with direct knowledge of the deal Ye signed with Adidas ... tell us there's a clause in the contract that calls for the rapper/designer to get a reduced fee if Adidas sells his designs without his branding.

That's interesting because when Adidas cut ties last month with Ye -- over his antisemitic and bigoted statements -- it said it would not pay him a single cent from that day forward. Of course, that was before Wednesday's announcement it will roll out some of Ye's shoes in 2023 ... just with the Adidas name and markings, instead of Yeezy.

TMZ asked the German shoe co. if it planned to follow through on paying Ye's reduced fee, and a spokesman said he's getting zero, zilch, null ... bupkis.

Now, there's most likely a morals clause in the contract as well -- and Adidas could easily say Ye's hate speech constituted a breach which nullified their deal. Adidas is providing no further explanation, so we've gotta read the tea leaves.

Christmas came early for a nurse in Minnesota ... 'cause Adam Thielen surprised her at work -- naming her 2022 Vikings Fan of the Year, and gifting her TWO Super Bowl tickets!!

The heartwarming moment was caught on video, showing the 2-time Pro Bowler walking to the health center's courtyard with a custom 22 jersey for Shirley Bowden.

The nurse -- who's worked at the hospital for nearly 20 years -- is a huge fan of the purple and gold team ... and was in complete shock when she saw the wide receiver at her job.

"Oh my God!" she yelled while surrounded by her colleagues.

Thielen gave her the presents ... and told her he hoped he and the Vikes would be the NFC team playing in the Big Game.

"You will be!" Bowden quickly said.

Bowden says she's been a fan of the Vikings fan since she was a little kid ... and goes to every game -- adding, "If you look at my row, I guarantee you I'm standing up."

The Vikings are known for this cool gesture ... just last year, Justin Jefferson surprised a female youth football coach -- who's also a nurse -- at practice.

The Charlotte Hornets unveiled their brand new "CLT" jerseys on Thursday ... and, unsurprisingly, it didn't take long for the internet to lambaste the team with sophomoric sexual jokes.

Social media erupted at the sight of the front of the uniforms ... giddily giggling over the fact that at a quick first glance, the "CLT" could look like the slang term for a part of a woman's anatomy.

"I'm ordering mine custom w/ 'Found It' on the name plate," one fan wrote.

"A CLT vs Cream City game would've been legendary," another posted.

The NBA org., though, clearly was proud of the kits nonetheless ... explaining the "CLT" is actually an abbreviation used throughout their home city -- including by Charlotte's own airport.

It is the first time the Hornets will use the abbreviation on their unis -- on previous alternate jerseys, they had stitched "CHA" on them.

Gisele Bündchen is makin' moves ... setting up her homestead right next to her ex-hubby.

TMZ has confirmed ... Gisele closed on an $11.5M home in the Miami Beach area, right across the creek where Tom Brady is building a house.

Sources connected with the former couple tell TMZ ... Tom knew Gisele was buying the house and it all has to do with co-parenting -- making it easy for the kids to go back and forth.

Gisele's home is 6,600 square feet and has all the bells and whistles ... a home theater, a gym and a playroom for the kids. It has a dock out back, just like Tom's. Page Six first broke the story of Gisele's purchase.

Kyrie Irving's relationship with Nike is "likely over," says Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman of the manufacturing conglomerate.

In an interview with CNBC, the billionaire commented on Irving's future with the Swoosh, saying, "I would doubt that we go back. But, I don't know for sure."

"Kyrie stepped over the line. It's kind of that simple. He made some statements that we just can't abide by, and that's why we ended the relationship. And, I was fine with that."

As we reported on Friday, the shoe giant announced it was suspending its relationship with the Nets' superstar point guard after he refused to apologize for tweeting a link to a controversial film containing antisemitic messaging.

"At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech, and we condemn any form of antisemitism," the company said.

Nike's move to press pause on its partnership with Irving came after the Nets suspended Kyrie for at least five games -- the team felt that the 30-year-old wasn't contrite when he apologized for the harm he caused the Jewish community.

Like the Nets, Nike, too, was disappointed in Irving's seeming reluctance to disavow the antisemitic content in the film he tweeted, which left the company no choice but to suspend Kyrie's deal.

Knight told the outlet that when signing athletes, they consider not only how good the athlete is ... but also the kind of character the individual displays.