TMZ Sports - Page 50

The Super Bowl of fashion is here ... celebs are flocking to the Met Gala, each making a grand entrance draped in some of the world's most luxurious designers.

The annual event is going down right now in NYC at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Roger Federer and Michaela Coel are serving as co-chairs alongside Anna Wintour.

This year's Met Gala theme honors Karl Lagerfeld, the late iconic fashion designer ... and celebs are wearing pieces from the fashion houses where Karl worked ... including Chanel, Balmain, Chloé and Fendi.

The invitation-only gala features a star-studded guest list, and celebs are starting to pour in ... we've already seen Emily Ratajowski, Emma Chamberlain, Phoebe Bridgers and Rita Ora.

There's a lot of hype around Gisele Bundchen's appearance ... she's at the Met Gala for the first time as a single woman since 2006, following her split from Tom Brady, wearing Chanel as a nod to her working history with Karl, which includes her becoming the face of Chanel N°5 perfume back in the day.

Paris Hilton is attending the Met Gala for the first time in her life ... which is fitting because she used to be really close with Karl.

Ice Spice is another first-timer ... Anna personally invited the rapper as a guest of Vogue, and she's wearing a custom Balmain piece.

Serena Williams just dropped a bombshell at the Met Gala, but it's got nothing to do with tennis or fashion ... she's got another baby on the way!

The retired tennis superstar revealed her pregnancy as she and husband Alexis Ohanian arrived at the gala -- and just to make sure everyone got it, he put his hand on her baby bump.

Guess they didn't want folks guessing about what they were seeing ... a la Rihanna during her Super Bowl Halftime surprise announcement.

Serena also made it official on social media, posting a bunch of pics with the caption, "Was so excited when Anna Wintour invited the 3 of us to the Met Gala."

This will be the second baby for Serena and Alexis -- their first, daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., was born in September 2017.

Serena's wearing a mostly black Gucci dress ... slimming, but you can still make out the bun in the oven in several photos snapped during her arrival.

Mike Perry wants a BIG fight ... a big fight against Conor McGregor.

Just days after 31-year-old Perry defeated former UFC champ Luke Rockhold at BKFC 41 in Colorado, and then came face-to-face with "The Notorious," the former UFC star from Florida tells TMZ Sports he's looking to put a whoopin' on the biggest star in combat sports.

"I think a fight [with Conor] looks very entertaining. The build-up. The s*** talk," Mike says, before explaining, despite residing in different promotions, the fight could really happen.

"You know he's still in with the UFC. Let's hope he beats Michael Chandler, then we can really make the biggest fight date in the world, 'Platinum' Mike Perry vs. 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor."

Perry says if the world didn't know he was a badass in the ring before Saturday night, they do now after forcing Rockhold to give up after sustaining an injury during the bout.

"Luke helped with this. The world knows he was a serious threat. A very strong competitor. A 2x world champion and I made it look easy."

(We also talked to Perry about the fight with Rockhold.)

If Conor doesn't work out, Mike has a couple other opponents in mind.

"Tommy Fury is interesting. Logan Paul. These are good popular fights. Possible fights as well."

But, McGregor is the fight, as far as MP's concerned. We asked him if he had a message for Conor.

"Conor, 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor vs. 'Platinum' Mike Perry is the only fight to make. It is the number one fight in the world. All the fans want it. We'll throw hands, Southpaw vs. Orthodox. Big power punchers. I'm the better boxer, and that's no disrespect on you mate," Platinum Perry said.

The Met Gala isn't the only spot with questionable fashion statements on Monday .... 'cause James Harden was turning heads with his unique pregame 'fit all the way in Boston.

The Philly star pulled up in the tunnel at the TD Garden for Game 1 of the Sixers-Celtics semifinals matchup in an oversized sweat suit that had some type of blue fur all over it.

The pregame drip looks pretty comfortable, but it didn't stop fans from roasting the 10-time All-Star ... with one of 'em tweeting, "dude looking like he skinned the cookie monster."

Another person added ... "The Celtics are advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals."

But, there are some who actually like the 'fit and believe it means Harden's gonna go off ... 'cause one fan said, "The Cookie Monster is going to cook the Celtics tonight".

Another added ... "garbage fit = 30 piece."

The Sixers will need those points in Game 1 as superstar and MVP candidate Joel Embiid is out with a knee injury.

Even though the 2023 Met Gala is goin' on in NYC at the same time, Harden still found a way to get people talking about his style.

Mission accomplished.

A baseball signed by John F. Kennedy sold at auction for a whopping $166k over the weekend ... making it the most expensive ball ever signed by a president!!

As we previously reported, the "Associacion Venezuela de Baseball Professional" ball is from a reporter named Julio Messuti ... who was covering JFK and the First Lady's visit to Venezuela to meet President Romulo Betancourt in December 1961.

The trip was part of the "Alliance for Progress" project, which aimed to help economic ties between the U.S. and Latin America.

Messuti was able to meet JFK during the initiative, and POTUS was happy to sign the ball. In fact, you can see the exact moment between Kennedy and Messuti in a photo published by the El Universal.

Kennedy -- who was an avid baseball fan -- praised then-White Sox star shortstop and future Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio when he signed the ball.

SCP Auctions put the one-of-a-kind JFK memorabilia on the market last week ... and after 19 bids, it sold for exactly $166,818 on Saturday -- making it the new all-time high for a baseball signed by a president.

FYI, the first POTUS-signed ball to hit over six figures was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Hancock in 2020.

Former UFC fighter Felipe Colares tragically died at 29 years old on Monday after he was hit by a bus in Brazil.

Colares -- aka "Cabocão" -- was struck in the streets of Guaratiba, a large neighborhood in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, according to Globo Esporte.

The Brazilian outlet reported Colares had just finished a training session when the accident occurred. The MMA fighter's teammate, Kleydson Rodrigues, confirmed the awful news to Sherdog reporter Christian Stein on Monday afternoon as well.

Colares began his professional MMA career in 2013 ... and dominated early, winning his first eight fights. He later debuted in the UFC in 2019 against Geraldo de Freitas Jr.

Colares fought for Dana White's fight promotion several more times ... until he was released in 2022.

Colares gained national fame back in January ... when he helped thwart a robbery in Brazil. He said he used his jiu-jitsu skills to corral the suspect ... before police arrived on the scene to take the man into custody.

Colares piled up an 11-4 record in his career ... and following his passing, ARES Fighting Championship -- where he last fought -- sent its condolences to his family and friends.

Joakim Noah is doing his part to give back to Chicago -- the former NBA player is launching a basketball league to unify young men amid the city's violence epidemic.

The 13-year NBA vet revealed his plans in an interview with Shams Charania ... where he explained his decision to join forces with 28 violence prevention groups to launch "One City Basketball League."

Noah -- who played 9 seasons with the Bulls -- said the league aims to bring young men aged 16-25 living in the west and south sides of Chicago together to compete in a tournament.

"Chicago is a place that gave me everything I had, playing for the Chicago Bulls," Noah said. "So I always wanted to do work in the city. The city is divided in a lot of ways."

"One of the ways to unify the city is through hoop. Some of my best friends, to this day, are from playing basketball. That's what we're trying to do. We're trying to unify the city."

Noah believes the tournament will entice kids to participate, but feels the real prize is the financial incentives for players, off-court programs, and job opportunities.

38-year-old Noah -- who announced his retirement from the NBA in 2021 -- said former United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is helping launch the league.

Ryan Reynolds has some competition in his quest to buy the Ottawa Senators ... and it's none other than rap legend Snoop Dogg!!

According to the Athletic, the Dogg Father has joined the group headed by Neko Sparks in hopes of becoming the next big celebrity sports team owner.

Sparks, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, first became known as a bidder for the team back in January 2023. Since then, he has rounded up a dozen people to join his efforts to not only buy the team ... but make history as the first black owner in the NHL. The group also reportedly has Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as a member.

In case you didn't know, Snoop is a massive fan of hockey. In 2018, he teamed up with the NHL to release a weekly video series called "Hockey 101 with Snoop Dogg."

On top of that ... in 2020, he called a whole period of NHL action for the L.A. Kings during the team’s matchup with the Colorado Avalanche. If you want to dig even further, in his famous "Gin and Juice” music video ... Snoop is rocking a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey.

While adding Dogg to his ownership group certainly bolsters its cause, it will still be a battle for Sparks' group to win the Senators. Reynolds and real estate mogul Christopher Bratty are rumored to be preparing a $1 billion dollar bid to buy the team. They would also build a new stadium for the org., although it's unknown if Sparks and his group would do the same.

Reynolds is no stranger to owning a team. Back in November 2020 ... Reynolds and actor Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham FC for $2.5 million dollars. Back on April 22nd, the team earned promotion to the English Football League after falling out 15 years ago.

Terrifying moment during a collegiate baseball game Saturday ... a player was struck by a bullet while he was standing in the bullpen -- and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital.

It all went down during Texas A&M University-Texarkana's game against the University of Houston-Victoria at George Dobson Field in Texarkana, Texas ... after authorities say an argument in the streets near the diamond erupted into gunfire.

According to the Texarkana Texas Police Department, two men shot at each other in front of a home as the game was happening nearby ... and an errant round "traveled about 400 yards and struck the innocent victim at the ball field."

Cops say after collapsing, the TAMUT baseball player -- whose identity has not yet been publicly revealed -- was hospitalized. Thankfully, both the school and police said in statements the 18-year-old is now in stable condition.

Authorities say they believe 17-year-old Kamauri Butler and 20-year-old Demarco Banks were the shooters during the incident. Banks, cops said on Monday morning, turned himself in on Sunday night on a felony deadly conduct warrant. Police said they're still on the hunt for Butler, who's wanted for felony aggravated assault.

As for the game -- which was stopped in the fifth inning as trainers tended to the injured baseball player -- TAMUT said it's been officially declared a no-contest.

It might have taken a day longer than expected, but Will Levis' girlfriend is just as excited for her man's NFL future ... congratulating the quarterback with a mushy love note after getting drafted by the Tennessee Titans!!

"Let the adventure begin," Gia Duddy said on Monday. "Nashville here we come!!"

Of course, Duddy became a star in her own right after the draft on Thursday ... with many football fans gushing over her appearance as she patiently waited for Levis' name to get called.

Now, it's time for Levis to pack up and move to the Volunteer State ... and it sounds like Gia's going to be along for the ride.

"It’s hard to put in words what it’s like watching your best friend’s dreams come true," Duddy added. "Proud would be an understatement -- I don’t know anyone more deserving. Time to get back to work @will_levis. TITAN UP❤️‍🔥🤠💙"

The QB elected to not return to the venue for Day 2 of the draft ... but it looked just as fun at home, with Levis popping a bottle of champagne and donning his new team's merch.

Levis hit the comments section to show love to Duddy as well ... saying, "Love you 💙 new chapter starts now."

Vanessa Bryant is remembering her daughter on what would have been her 17th birthday ... penning an emotional tribute to Gigi on social media.

"Happy 17th birthday, baby girl," Kobe's widow wrote on Instagram. "I love you and miss you so much, sweet Angel."

Bryant also shared several snaps of Gigi ... showing her smiling from ear to ear at Disneyland and other vacations.

"Te Amo Mambacita ❤️," she added. "We love you to the moon and back infinity +1. Forever & Always. ❤️."

Vanessa's friends showed love as well ... including Candace Parker, La La, Taraji P. Henson and more.

Gigi's birthday marks the release of the Kobe IV Protro "Mambacita" ... a special colorway of the NBA superstar's signature shoe that will benefit the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.

Gisele Bundchen is going to the Met Gala tonight -- and she'll be going by herself in what we're told will amount to a major fashion statement since her split with Tom Brady.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ the supermodel will join the annual pageant in NYC, dressed to the nines with all the other celebs streaming into the museum. We're told she'll be wearing Chanel in honor of its late creative director Karl Lagerfeld.

Karl and Gisele had a long relationship, and our sources say her appearance will be a nod to their working history ... which might have reached its peak when Gisele was tapped to be the face of Chanel N°5 perfume almost a decade ago.

Gisele's return to the Met's a big deal for a couple reasons. One, it's her first time since divorcing Tom Brady. Secondly, it's her first time going as a single woman since 2006.

The ex-power couple attended together for years, but as many know, Gisele had a history of showing up and owning the moment well before she ever got with Tom -- and we're told she'll be returning to fashion first mode with tonight's appearance.

The last time Gisele went was in 2019 ... on Tom's arm -- but tonight she'll have the spotlight all to herself.

Of course, one can't help but wonder about her new may-bae -- the jiu-jitsu instructor, Joaquim Valente, with whom she's spent a lot of time in Costa Rica. Our sources have insisted they're not romantically involved whatsoever, but even if they are secretly dating ... it sounds like he's gonna have to sit this one out.

USF running back Michel Dukes -- who scored five touchdowns for the Bulls last season -- has been suspended from the school's football team indefinitely ... after he was accused of strangling a person in a domestic violence attack over the weekend.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened on Saturday near USF's campus ... after a victim alleged Dukes had gotten physical with them following a verbal argument.

Police said the victim told them Dukes had strangled them during the encounter. The 22-year-old football player was then arrested and booked on a charge of domestic battery by strangulation.

He's since been released.

"We have taken the immediate step of suspending him indefinitely from the team as we continue to gather more information and the proper authorities investigate the matter," USF athletics said in a statement following the arrest.

"We will have no further statement at this time."

Hillsborough County sheriff Chad Chronister, meanwhile, added in a statement of his own, "We do not tolerate domestic violence. There is never a reason or excuse for this type of behavior. Our Victim Advocates will ensure this individual gets connected with any and all resources."

Dukes -- a 5-foot-10 tailback -- initially began his college football career at Clemson in 2019 ... but went on to transfer to USF before last season.

WWE star Carmella -- the Princess of Staten Island -- announced Monday she and her husband Corey Graves are expecting a child ... after previously suffering two miscarriages last year.

The 35-year-old former WWE Smackdown Women's Champion shared the exciting news by posting pics of her and Graves together, showing off her growing baby bump.

"After every storm there is a rainbow 🌈 our little miracle is due this november and we couldn’t be more thrilled," she wrote on Instagram.

Carmella -- whose real name is Leah Van Dale -- told "Good Morning America" she's been trying to main a positive mindset now that the couple is expecting after experiencing miscarriages in September and October last year.

"It's just all been such a whirlwind," Carmella said. "I think because of my past, it was hard to get excited off the bat about this one, but I was cautiously optimistic."

In February, Carmella revealed on Corey's 'After The Bell' podcast with Kevin Patrick that she had to step away from WWE because she had an ectopic pregnancy.

Carmella said she was "in a deep depression" for a while because she didn't know if she'd ever feel healthy enough to compete again. However, support from Stephanie McMahon kept her grounded and gave her the confidence she needed to return to the WWE.

Despite feeling nauseous and more tired than usual, Carmella told GMA this pregnancy has "been really good." Still, her excitement is mixed with apprehension because of her recent medical scares.

Meanwhile, Graves was "shocked" and "surprised" when Carmella told him their family was increasing, but the 39-year-old WWE commentator is excited to be a father!

English rugby player Michael Allen was tragically killed in a horrifying mass stabbing incident outside of a popular nightclub on Sunday morning, police announced.

He was just 35 years old.

According to Devon & Cornwall Police, the attack happened at 3:15 AM -- just minutes after attendees had poured out of Eclipse Nightclub in Cornwall.

Police said when officers arrived on the scene, they found eight people, including Allen, suffering from stab wounds. Cops said Allen was pronounced dead at the scene. The seven other victims, which included both women and men, were rushed to a nearby hospital. Five have since been released.

No motive for the stabbings has been publicly revealed yet ... but cops said they arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the attack.

Tributes for Allen, meanwhile, have poured in from all over ... including from his Bodmin Rugby Club -- which called him "a big part of our squad."

"His humor and kindness has left a mark on us all and we will miss him dearly," the team said in a statement, adding Monday that a memorial for the slain player has been set up outside of their club. "Our thoughts are with Mike's family at this devastating time."

Allen's family said in a statement of its own, "Mike was simply a much-loved son, brother, grandson, and uncle who loved his dogs. His family would like to respectfully request privacy at this time."

The star of "Juwanna Mann," Miguel A. Núñez Jr., tells TMZ Sports a sequel to the 2002 hit basketball movie is in the works ... and NBA superstar Draymond Green has been asking for a role in it!!!

Miguel talked all about the new project out at LAX earlier this week ... promising the movie is, in fact, actually happening.

He said while he can't give away specific details of the new plot, they've already got some great ideas in mind for it.

"It will be coming," Núñez Jr. insisted.

The first movie was a smash hit -- you'll recall, it features Miguel playing a character named Jamal Jeffries, a star basketball player who decides to dress up as a woman and play for a women's pro league after he's suspended from a men's team.

The flick was adored by hoops fans ... especially since it boasted guest appearances from a ton of NBA players including Muggsy Bogues, Vlade Divac, Dikembe Mutombo, and Rasheed Wallace.

Núñez Jr. said he wasn't sure who all would be in the new feature ... but he did tell us Green definitely wants in somehow.

"I talked to him," Núñez Jr. said of the Warriors star. "He wants to be in it as well!"

No word yet when it will all officially hit the silver screen ... but Núñez Jr. did at least give us one detail on the planned feature -- saying his Jeffries character would likely be in the reboot in some capacity.