TMZ Sports - Page 50

Angel Reese went from "you can't see me" to "you can see me everywhere" ... 'cause the LSU superstar is front and center in Latto and Cardi B's new music video!!

The 21-year-old hooper has been on top of the world ever since the Tigers beat Iowa to win the national championship in April ... securing huge opportunities like posing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and raking in millions of dollars through endorsement deals.

Now, Reese can add yet another accomplishment to her list -- starring alongside Latto and Cardi in their visuals for the song, "Put It On Da Floor Again" ... which dropped Thursday night.

Reese makes several appearances during the grocery store scenes in the 3-minute video ... pushing Latto in a shopping cart and holding up a makeshift hoop as the Atlanta M.C. dunked a stuffed heart.

But the biggest highlight comes during Cardi's verse ... when she raps "I been ballin' so damn hard, coulda went to LSU" as the camera cuts to a mean-mugging Reese.

Reese tweeted about the cameo ... saying, "i told y’all i wanted to be a video vixen😭"

It's not the only LSU/Latto connection -- Reese's Flau'jae Johnson also dropped her own cover of the same song last month.

Ja Morant will have to wait at least a couple more days to learn his fate following his second gun video ... Adam Silver said Thursday the NBA will not announce anything regarding the Grizzlies superstar until after the Finals.

The commish spoke at length about Morant with reporters just before Game 1 of the Nuggets vs. Heat series ... and he made it clear, the league has basically wrapped its probe into the 23-year-old.

But, he said they don't want to announce any of their findings just yet ... out of respect for the Denver/Miami championship.

"We probably could have brought it to a head now," Silver said, "but we made the decision -- and I believe the Players Association agrees with us -- that it would be unfair to these players and to these teams in the middle of this series to announce the results of that investigation."

Silver added that because it's the offseason -- and Morant has already been suspended indefinitely by Memphis -- he didn't see any need expedite a ruling that could possibly overshadow the Finals.

"It seemed better to park that at the moment," he said.

Silver did not indicate whether or not Morant would be receiving a hefty suspension -- though he did say "the history of prior acts" and "the individual player's history" would factor into any sort of punishment.

Of course, Morant has already been suspended once for flashing a gun on camera back in March ... and many expect a more lengthy ban to be coming following his most recent gun incident.

"My sense now is that shortly after the conclusion of the Finals," Silver added, "we will announce the outcome of that investigation."

Kim Zolciak allegedly assaulted her estranged husband Kroy Biermann and the cops responded to their Georgia home ... but she wasn't arrested.

Two officers arrived at the couple's house in Atlanta on May 4 after receiving a call of a domestic dispute ... this according to the NY Post, citing a police document.

Kroy told police Kim punched him in the head during a heated argument over their assets, but had no visible injuries and refused medical treatment.

Per the police report ... Kroy decided not to press charges against "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" alum despite having a recording of their encounter.

But that's not all ... the report states Kroy locked Kim's pricey pocketbooks and jewelry into a safe, claiming it was all joint marital property. He said he planned to sell the items to offset losses incurred by Kim's gambling addiction, noting she had recently suffered a heavy loss.

On the other hand, Kim told cops she owned all the goods -- totaling $175,000 -- having acquired them before she tied the knot with the ex-NFL linebacker.

The officers checked out the contents of the safe and found some valuables -- such as Kim's passport in a Louis Vuitton case -- but no fancy purses.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says he's put aside his years-long beef with "Fast & Furious" star Vin Diesel ... confirming his ass-kicking character, Hobbs, will be back in the driver's seat.

DJ let fans in on his big return Thursday, saying Vin's been like a bro to him for a while -- adding the idea of them resolving their differences was big for him, and what the series has cookin' in its final stretch is way more important than their spat.

He also says Luke Hobbs' return to the silver screen was hard as hell to keep under wraps, and is loving seeing people's reactions to his character -- who entered the game way back in 2011 -- make his big comeback after being last seen in 2019's "Hobbs & Shaw."

As we reported, Dwayne's return came in the form of a post-credit scene in the latest flick, "Fast X" ... despite the actor wanting NOTHING to do with Vin or the franchise.

For those unaware, Vin begged Dwayne to come back to the car-racing family in 2021, telling him online he has "a very important role to play." Dwayne clapped back after the public plea -- saying his cries were just a bunch of "manipulation" and there was "no chance I would return."

Sounds like Dwayne DOES have an important role to play in the end of the series -- there's no other way to read his decision to return.

Just before he killed himself, Jeffrey Epstein tried but failed to connect with -- of all people -- fellow pedophile Larry Nassar ... according to a new report.

The Associated Press filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the federal Bureau of Prisons and obtained 4,000 documents, detailing Epstein's life and declining mental health inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in NYC.

Epstein's attempt to reach out to Nassar -- who was also locked up in federal prison -- was part of the avalanche of docs released Thursday by the AP.

The records state Epstein wrote a letter to Nassar and mailed it to him while the two were incarcerated in separate facilities. The letter was apparently received by Nassar's prison, but correction officials sent the note back to Epstein, yet he never saw it again.

The docs say Epstein's letter was found unopened in the mail room of his prison weeks after he hanged himself in his cell in August 2019. The words, "Return To Sender," were stamped across the envelope.

A prison official wrote in an email to a colleague ... "I am not sure if I should open [the letter] or should we hand it over to anyone?”

The contents of the letter were not publicly disclosed.

As we reported, Epstein was facing decades behind bars before his suicide after the feds indicted him on charges of sex trafficking minors.

Anthony Rendon will not face charges over his altercation with an Athletics fan ... cops tell TMZ Sports they've closed their investigation into the Angels star after they say a victim never came forward.

The Oakland Police Department initially launched their probe into Rendon on March 31 -- one day after the L.A. third baseman was seen grabbing an A's fan's shirt on video following a loss at the Coliseum.

In police documents, cops say they investigated Rendon for misdemeanor assault as well as misdemeanor battery ... but on Thursday, they closed the matter.

A spokesperson for the OPD did say, however, the case would be reopened if an alleged victim were to come forward.

Even though Rendon is now in the clear criminally, he was still punished by the MLB over the incident ... the 32-year-old was slapped with a five-game ban and a fine in April.

Gervonta "Tank" Davis is currently behind bars in Maryland -- TMZ Sports has confirmed he was taken into custody after an "impromptu" court hearing.

28-year-old Davis was booked at Baltimore Central Booking Thursday afternoon.

The Baltimore City Sheriff's Office confirmed to TMZ Sports Davis was taken into custody after an "impromptu hearing" ... but would not disclose any additional information.

Just weeks ago, Davis struck a plea deal with prosecutors that was intended to keep him out of jail following the November 2020 incident where he allegedly ran a red light and slammed into a Toyota.

Prosecutors claimed the woman in the Toyota was pregnant at the time ... and accused Davis of fleeing the scene without helping her.

Davis -- 29-0 as a pro boxer -- was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest on May 5 ... and was ordered to 200 hours of community service.

Davis' attorney told the Baltimore Banner the boxer will now serve the remainder of his 90-day sentence in jail.

Davis' troubles come on the heels of his recent 7th-round TKO victory over Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas.

Churchill Downs, the largest and most famous horse racetrack in the world and site of the Kentucky Derby, is instituting a new "safety initiative" after a rash of thoroughbred deaths on the track, effective immediately.

The new protocols were announced on Thursday after a meeting between track officials and horsemen from Churchill Downs and Trackside Training Center Louisville ... all aimed at preventing catastrophic injury on the dirt track.

Horses will now be limited to four starts during a rolling eight-week period ... limiting how often the animals are pushed to the max.

There will also be ramifications for animals that aren't competitive ... "Horses that are beaten by more than 12 lengths in five consecutive starts will be ineligible to race at Churchill Downs" until they're given a clean bill of health by approved vets.

CD will also pause "track-based incentives such as trainer start bonuses" for all who finish races ... instead only paying out the top five finishers.

The new rules come after a rash of on-track incidents at Churchill Downs, leading to the euthanization of 12 horses ... and a lot of outrage among animal lovers.

"Any decision must be made first and foremost with the long-term well-being of the horse in mind," Churchill Downs Equine Medical Director Dr. Will Farmer said on Thursday.

"It is imperative that all available, educated and informed options can be efficiently, confidently and thoroughly relayed to the owners."

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to investigate the wave of deaths and the condition of the track.

"HISA continues to monitor this situation closely and will evaluate any additional next steps as appropriate."

Bam Margera is having a meltdown because he hasn't seen his son in over two months ... threatening to smoke crack until he's dead, unless he gets to see his kid.

The former "Jackass" star just posted an alarming rant on his newest social media account, ripping his family and his estranged wife, Nikki.

Bam says Nikki and his relatives are driving him to drink ... and he says waking up every day knowing he's probably not going to be able to speak to his son, Phoenix, makes things even worse.

At the end of the video, Bam threatens to go down to the boardwalk to smoke crack with the bums until he's dead or until Nikki allows him to see his son.

Remember ... Bam's desperate to have a relationship with Phoenix, who he hasn't seen since the end of March, with Bam's legal team claiming Nikki won't even let them talk over FaceTime.

Meanwhile, Nikki just filed new legal docs this week seeking sole physical and legal custody over Phoenix, plus $15k a month in child support.

In those docs, Nikki says visitation for Bam can be on the table as long as it's supervised and he completes rehab programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

But, Bam's throwing a fit and demanding to see Phoenix ASAP.

Bam's also addressing his beef with his brother, Jess Margera ... remember, Jess claimed Bam attacked him at his Pennsylvania home and now Bam's barred from the property.

10x MLB All-Star Steve Garvey -- who won the World Series with the LA Dodgers in 1981 -- is considering throwing his cap in the political ring ... with a run for U.S. Senate in California.

Republican strategist Andy Gharakhani spoke to the L.A. Times, confirming the 74-year-old Dodgers icon is contemplating running for one of the most powerful political positions in the country.

“He is being contacted by leaders up and down the state," Gharakhani said.

"They’re recruiting him to run from both sides, Republican and Democrat, and he’s seriously considering it. We should have a decision made here in the next few weeks.”

Despite never holding elected office, Garvey -- who spent 14 seasons with the Dodgers (and 5 with the San Diego Padres) -- has reportedly been meeting with GOP donors and leaders in California, in preparation for the campaign.

If Garvey were to run, the 1974 NL MVP would reportedly make quality-of-life issues the focus of his campaign ... namely, the cost of living and public safety in CA.

Steve will have his work cut out for him if he ultimately runs ... several high-profile Democrats have reportedly amassed massive campaign war chests.

It's also worth mentioning Republicans haven't won a Senate race in California for decades ... but Garvey reportedly believes a high-profile candidate like himself could buck the trend.

After a major false start, Antonio Brown says he's for sure suiting up for his National Arena League team this month ... guaranteeing he will play for the Albany Empire on June 17.

The Super Bowl champion and new Empire owner confirmed the news in an interview with local Albany station WNYT on Thursday ... saying he will make his big debut at his team's home matchup against the Jacksonville Sharks.

Of course, AB initially said he was going to throw on a helmet and pads when the Empire hosted the Fayetteville Mustangs on May 27 ... but those plans fell through after he claimed his physical paperwork wasn't turned in to the league offices on time.

It was a huge disappointment for the larger-than-usual crowd in attendance ... as the team advertised the game as AB's first return to the field since his bizarre, shirtless exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January 2022.

AB says the game will also be a celebration for Juneteenth ... and he's planning to make it a "party," including a proper halftime show.

He also acknowledged those who may doubt his words given how things played out last month ... but Brown says it's 100% happening this time around.

The fire that ravaged Mike Breen's home last year destroyed nearly everything he owned ... but he revealed this week that, somehow, an invaluable jersey that Kobe Bryant had signed for him was able to be salvaged.

The NBA announcer -- who will broadcast this month's Heat vs. Nuggets Finals series -- shared the amazing news while talking with The Athletic about the September blaze that burnt his Long Island home to the ground.

In the interview, Breen explained he had gotten the jersey from his ESPN family way back in 2014 ... in honor of the NBA allowing its players to wear nicknames on the backs of their uniforms.

Breen's custom jersey was a Brooklyn one -- he was broadcasting a Nets game at the time -- and it featured "Gray Mamba" on the back.

The 62-year-old loved it so much, he eventually had Kobe -- the Black Mamba -- sign it for him ... adding that Bryant had written in his autograph, "From one Mamba to another."

Breen said he thought the prized possession was turned to ashes by the fire ... but he explained to The Athletic his wife was able to somehow locate it in the rubble, and have it restored.

Breen, though, did lose countless other belongings in the fire -- clothes, NBA memorabilia, a piano, and just about everything else -- but he said he was just grateful no one was hurt, and he was thankful for the outpouring of thoughts and prayers he received in wake of it all.

Damian Lillard agrees with former head coach turned broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy ... halftime's pointless, and the league would be wise to eliminate the 15-minute break!

"I’m w [Van Gundy] on halftime lol… I do not fw it," the 7x All-Star proclaimed on social media, responding to the former Knicks coach's proposed rule change.

It was during a recent interview with The Athletic that Van Gundy suggested several substantial ways to speed up/improve the game.

"This whole idea of what goes on at halftime, I think is so misunderstood," Jeff told the outlet. "It’s a lot of either praising what just happened or correcting. But you could do that in two minutes out by the bench in an elongated timeout."

Bottom line, Jeff feels halftime is too long and drawn out, describing it as "the biggest waste of time," adding players only need time to go to the bathroom and possibly make a few adjustments, which could be done within 5 minutes.

The 61-year-old analyst didn't stop at halftime ... JVG also said the NBA should save free throws for crunch time.

“So my most radical one is to eliminate free throws until the last four minutes,” Van Gundy said. "If you get fouled on a shooting foul, you just get the points. You don’t go to the line. And you don’t go to the line for technical free throws."

While the networks probably won't love Jeff's halftime idea (commercials!) -- likely making it a nonstarter -- Van Gundy is adamant his free throw rule change needs to be adopted.

LeBron James is giving his stamp of approval to the actors who played him and his high school teammates in an upcoming movie ... saying the talented group of guys knocked it out of the park.

The NBA superstar and the rest of the St. Vincent-St. Mary "Fab Five" squad attended the "Shooting Stars" premiere in Los Angeles on Wednesday ... and King James was super complimentary of the final product as he addressed the crowd before the start of the flick.

James admitted it was a weird experience for him, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton, Willie McGee and Dru Joyce III to see their lives played out on the screen ... but said the cast perfected every last detail.

"You guys did an unbelievable job," James said.

Of course, the Peacock project -- produced by Bron's SpringHill Entertainment -- is based on the book James released alongside Buzz Bissinger in 2009 ... which focuses on James and Co.'s journey to winning high school state championships.

Tom Brady is NOT coming out of retirement to play quarterback for the team he'll soon own ... emphatically saying a return to the football field simply ain't happening, despite endless speculation.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the 46-year-old 7-time winning Super Bowl champ made it clear he's done for good ... and there will be no unretirement this time around.

"I'm certain I'm not playing again. I've tried to make that clear and I hate to continue to profess that 'because I've already told people that lots of times but I'm looking forward to my broadcasting job at FOX next year," Brady said.

Tom, who retired for the second time in February, continued ... "I'm looking forward to the opportunity ahead with the Raiders and we're in the process of that along with the other different things I'm a part of professionally and in my personal life."

Brady recently agreed to terms with Mark Davis and is in the process of becoming a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

During a conversation with Troy Aikman last week, the NFL legend told us he could envision a situation where Brady came down from the owner's suite, threw on pads, and played QB for the team.

The 3-time Super Bowl champ was far from alone in considering the possibility. Add to it, the NFL allows owners to play, provided 75% of the teams approve via a leaguewide vote. Getting the votes would presumably not be a problem ... as Brady is great for business.

But, it's all just talk ... 'cause Tom says it simply isn't going to happen. His days as a signal caller are over.

As for what he will do, Brady's plans center around his children.

"Just spending as much time with my kids as I can and seeing them grow up and support the different things that they have going on. That's a very important job. I take them all pretty seriously."

Longtime NBA referee Eric Lewis won't be needing his whistle anytime soon ... the league just announced he will not work the Finals amid an investigation into claims he used a Twitter burner account to defend himself and his colleagues.

The Association just announced the officials for the Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat series ... and Lewis, who previously worked the last four NBA Finals, was not one of the 12 individuals selected for the matchup.

NBA spokesperson Mike Bass confirmed the omission is directly related to the investigation ... saying, "Regarding Eric Lewis and the social media posts, we are continuing to review the matter, and he will not be working the Finals."

The NBA launched a probe into Lewis, a 19-year veteran who has officiated over 1,200 regular and postseason games, after a Twitter account responded to posts on league officiating, seemingly defending Lewis and his contemporaries.

The tweets in question have reportedly been deleted, but the account, listed under "Blair Cuttliff" with the handle @CuttliffBlair, is still active.

It's unclear if Lewis was really behind the burner account. It's a big problem if he was ... as the NBA has a rule prohibiting referees from publicly commenting on officiating without authorization.