TMZ Sports - Page 44

TMZ Sports has obtained video that shows Conor McGregor taking his rape accuser by the hand and leading her into a bathroom ... where she says he sexually assaulted her.

The footage was shot inside the Kaseya Center in Miami at around midnight on June 10 ... just after the Nuggets had beaten the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9.

In the video, you can see McGregor -- wearing a black tee -- leaving a restroom area to speak with a woman in a white shirt. After appearing to exchange words with the woman, Conor grabs her by her hand and makes a path for her to go with him inside of a bathroom.

A few seconds later -- the restroom door shuts, without anyone else appearing to go inside. The footage then ends.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... earlier this week the accuser's lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, sent a demand letter claiming NBA and Miami Heat security "physically forced" the accuser into the restroom, where McGregor proceeded to rape her while security refused to let her exit or allow her friend to come into the bathroom with her.

However, the video does not appear to show anyone forcing her into the restroom with Conor (he is instead leading her by the hand), but three men who seem like security guards do assemble in front of the door in a manner that would prevent anyone from entering or exiting.

According to Mitchell ... McGregor's accuser and the UFC star had been partying together at a club inside of the NBA arena just minutes before our video was taken.

At one point during their nightclub celebration, Mitchell tells us her client took a selfie video with Conor.

Mitchell says, though, their partying was halted when McGregor said he had to use the restroom -- but shortly after he got up, a man in a Denver Nuggets jersey walked up to her and told her, "Conor told me to come get you."

"My client was under the belief they were leaving and going to the Four Seasons Hotel, as Conor had previously asked her to join him at his hotel room," Mitchell said in a statement.

"The man with the braids then stopped at the door of the bathroom, when Conor grabbed my client (as seen in the video). My client believed they were leaving, but instead Conor took her into the restroom."

It's alleged McGregor then sexually assaulted the woman.

"My client remembers having no less than six drinks that night and has admitted the parts she recalls," Mitchell said. "My client did not even recall who led her into the restroom until seeing this video."

McGregor has denied the accusations against him ... with his reps saying in a statement on Thursday, "The allegations are false. Mr. McGregor will not be intimidated."

We reached out for further comment from McGregor regarding the new video, but have not heard back yet.

Cops, meanwhile, told TMZ Sports on Thursday ... they have been investigating the allegations since June 11 -- and a probe remains ongoing.

McGregor had been at the arena earlier in the night participating in some of the game's entertainment -- punching a mascot as part of a break-in-the-action skit.

New video shows McGregor was also partying in the venue's nightclub with other patrons at halftime of the game as well ... looking like he was having a great time with a drink in his hand.

A second gun video and yet another suspension won't cost Ja Morant his deal with Nike after all ... the Swoosh just announced it's still backing the NBA superstar.

In a statement released just minutes after Adam Silver banned Morant 25 games for waving a firearm on Instagram Live for the second time this year ... Nike announced it will not be severing its ties with the Grizzlies hooper.

"We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being," the shoe giant said. "We will continue to support him on and off the court."

For a while following the second gun video, it appeared the relationship was in jeopardy ... as the co. had wiped all of his signature athletic shoes from its app and website. But now, it's clear -- the two are moving forward in lockstep.

Of course, Ja has had a relationship with Nike dating back to 2019 ... and he's become one of the faces of the company -- releasing his first-ever Ja 1 shoe a few months back.

It all clearly makes a ton of dollars and sense for both sides regardless ... as even with all of the controversy surrounding him, Morant's Ja 1 "Hunger" colorway drop sold out in a matter of minutes back in late May.

Longtime NBA player Tony Snell is opening up on a recent health discovery ... revealing he was diagnosed with autism last year.

The 31-year-old shared the news with "Today" on Friday ... saying his son's own diagnosis gave him the courage to get checked out as well.

As it turns out, Snell says the signs were there throughout his life ... explaining he was often independent and alone, and struggled to connect with people on a personal level.

"I was not surprised because I always felt different," Snell said. "I was just relieved like, 'Oh, this is why I am the way I am.' And it just made my whole life, everything about my life make so much sense."

"It was like a clarity, like putting some 3-D glasses on."

Snell believes if he knew his diagnosis earlier, he would have not made it in the NBA ... because people would have "put a limit or cap on my abilities."

The former 20th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft has played 9 seasons in the league ... suiting up for the Bulls, Bucks, Pistons, Hawks, Trail Blazers and Pelicans.

He currently plays for the G League's Maine Celtics.

Patrick Mahomes is apparently a savage both on the field AND off of it ... 'cause he just responded to some Ja'Marr Chase shade this week with a legendary clapback!!

If you aren't familiar ... Chase -- the Bengals' superstar wideout -- dogged Mahomes a bit on Tuesday when he was having a conversation with a reporter about who's the best player in the NFL.

The receiver said it was his quarterback, Joe Burrow -- but then when he was informed the Cincinnati QB believed it was actually Mahomes ... Chase threw out a big, wet blanket.

"Pat who?" the 23-year-old quipped.

The response then drew a loud laugh from those in the locker room who had heard it.

Well, Mahomes certainly got wind of the barb ... and on Thursday at the Chiefs' Super Bowl ring revealing ceremony -- he tossed out a massive jab of his own back at Chase.

On a picture of him posing with his two Super Bowl rings pressed to his face ... he wrote in the caption, "That's Who."

Chase has yet to respond to the spike ... but let's be honest, is there anything more he could say to top it?

A surprise guest on Jordan Rodgers and JoJo Fletcher's Instagram Live session turned out to be a real d*** ... 'cause a complete rando decided to crash the party in his birthday suit.

The wild moment went down as the married "Bachelorette" couple was interacting with their fans on social media this week ... when they accidentally allowed the wrong person into the stream.

It's unclear who was supposed to join the interaction, but it's safe to say they were not expecting to come face-to-face with a dude's family jewels.

The former football player and Aaron's younger bro shared screenshots of the NSFW interaction ... showing the man move from his bathtub to the floor as they watched in horror.

Fans who were watching it happen live flooded the comments with their own shock ... with many freaking out over the whole thing.

"When you click on the wrong person to join your IG live…😳😂," Rodgers said in a follow-up post. "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!? 😂😂😂"

As it turns out, the naked guy might be a repeat offender ... as blogger Keli Rabon claimed she had the same thing happen to her.

Ja Morant will miss more than a quarter of the 2023-24 NBA season as a result of his second gun-flashing incident -- the league just slapped the Memphis Grizzlies star with a 25-game suspension.

Adam Silver announced the punishment just minutes ago ... saying, "Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games."

"The potential for other young people to emulate Ja's conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated."

Morant was initially suspended without pay after showing a gun while at a Colorado strip club in March ... which he later apologized for and vowed to seek help.

Just two months later, the All-Star was spotted holding a weapon during an Instagram Live session with his friend.

The suspension begins immediately ... and Ja is forbidden from attending any team events, including preseason games prior to the start of the 2023-24 campaign in October.

The punishment will also hurt Morant's pockets -- he will lose approximately $12 million in salary during his time away from the court.

"For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time," Silver added. "Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior."

There were rumors Morant's team was claiming the gun shown in the video was actually fake ... but the Association said Friday it concluded the firearm was real.

As part of the punishment, Morant will be required to meet certain conditions before he will get the green light to return to the court.

If he hits the criteria, Morant will be available to play in December.

Michael Jordan's run as owner of the Charlotte Hornets is coming to an end -- the basketball legend has agreed to sell the team to a group that includes several A-list stars.

The Hall of Famer will hand the reins over to businessmen Gabe Plotkin (who already owns part of the Hornets) and Rick Schnall.

The buyer group also includes rapper J. Cole and country singer Eric Church, the team announced Friday.

MJ initially bought a minority stake of the franchise back in 2006 ... and took the position of Managing Member of Basketball Operations.

He became a majority owner in 2010 ... buying the rest of the team from BET founder Robert L. Johnson for $275 million.

The two sides will put pen to paper in the next few days, according to reports.

Plotkin bought part of the Hornets back in 2019 ... a move that, in hindsight, is now considered the first step in phasing Jordan out of ownership.

Plotkin is the founder of Tallwoods Capital ... and Schnall is co-president of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, a private equity firm.

A huge matchup between the U.S. men's national soccer team and Mexico on Thursday night was stopped early ... after fans in the crowd continuously chanted anti-gay slurs at players.

The shouts could be heard throughout the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal contest at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas ... and when the game entered the 89th minute, referee Ivan Barton paused the action to try to get it all under control.

Minutes after play resumed, however, the chants continued ... leading Barton to call it all off.

Following the game, CONCACAF officials condemned the fans' actions ... while American goalkeeper Matt Turner told reporters it all "goes against everything that we stand for on our side."

"We've been very vocal and open about the strength of our team being our diversity, the strength of our nation being its diversity," Turner added. "So, to use something so divisive during a game, a spirited game -- and maybe the play sort of set the flares off in the stands, but it has no place in the game."

As for the action on the pitch, it, too, was marred. Four red cards were doled out -- as the two squads repeatedly got into wild skirmishes.

In fact, during one of the melees, USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie had his jersey nearly ripped off his torso.

"It was a mess," U.S. captain Christian Pulisic said following the contest. "But I was disappointed in the end. I really wish some of our guys kept their heads a little bit better. It just turned into something that wasn't this beautiful game that we love."

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs finally got their Super Bowl LVII rings ... and they were understandably STOKED -- it's got over 600 diamonds!!

Mahomes, his wife Brittany, Juan Thornhill, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and the rest of the squad pulled up in their best fits to receive their new bling Thursday night ... the 2nd ring ceremony in the last four seasons.

The ring is pretty insane. It holds 609 round diamonds, 16 baguettes, 4 marquises, and 35 custom-cut genuine rubies ... a total of 16.1 carats!

Not only does it have a ton of diamonds, but the top of the ring can also be removed and turned into a pendant.

Once the ring top is off, there's a miniature Arrowhead Stadium, featuring Lombardi Trophies and a quote from Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, "Arrowhead Stadium is my favorite place on earth".

Each ring also has the player's signature, and scores from the 2022 playoffs on the interior, as well as Andy Reid's motto, "EDGE."

"The Chiefs Super Bowl LVII ring features thoughtful details and incredible craftsmanship," Chris Poitras, the GM of Jostens Professional Sports Division, said.

"This ring captures their unique championship story and commemorates the team's third Super Bowl victory."

In addition to the sweet jewelry, the Chiefs got a fancy meal, too ... eating surf and turf, with filet mignon and grilled lobster tail.

Of course, earning the ring wasn't easy. In the Super Bowl alone, the Chiefs were pushed to the brink, narrowly winning a 38-35 nail-biter in Arizona.

Mahomes won his second SB MVP after throwing three touchdown passes and hitting a clutch 26-yard run late in the 4th quarter, setting the Chiefs up for the game-winning field goal.

Former college football player Ray Lewis III -- the son of Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis -- has tragically passed away, TMZ Sports has confirmed. He was 28 years old.

Details surrounding Lewis III's death have not been released.

Ray was a star running back at Lake Mary Prep H.S. in Florida, rushing for 1,898 yards and 20 touchdowns, as well as 676 yards and four touchdowns receiving during his senior season. He went on to play at the college level for the Miami Hurricanes, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Virginia Union Panthers.

We spoke with Virginia Union Associate Head Coach Diego Ryland about Lewis III's passing ... and he said it's "very unfortunate."

"Great young man and a better teammate. The entire Virginia Union University community is praying for the family as they deal with the loss of Ray."

Lewis' younger brother, Rahsaan, shared the news in a heartbreaking farewell Thursday afternoon ... saying, "Really can't believe I'm even typing this but RIP big brother."

"A true angel I pray your at peace now because IK how much you was rlly hurtin. I don't and won't ever have the words man cuz this pain right here....I love you I love you I love you."

He added ... "Your niece gone miss you but she will hear about u over and over just watch over us all big bruh be our guardian I promise I'll make you smile and proud."

Lewis III most recently suited up for the Wyoming Mustangs of the Champions Indoor Football league.

Lewis III was also pursuing a career in the music industry.

Cycling star Gino Mader has tragically died ... succumbing to serious injuries he suffered in a horrifying crash at the Tour de Suisse on Thursday.

Mader's team, Bahrain Victorious, announced the sad news Friday morning ... explaining the Swiss rider was initially hurt after he lost control of his bike while traveling at a high rate of speed on a downhill portion of the race's Stage 5.

Tour de Suisse organizers said Mader tumbled into a ravine as a result of the wreck ... and when medical personnel first found him, he was laying motionless in a body of water.

Mader was able to be resuscitated at the scene and then airlifted to a nearby hospital ... but he passed away hours later.

"Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff at Chur hospital, Gino couldn’t make it through this, his final and biggest challenge," Mader's team said, "and at 11:30 a.m. we said goodbye to one of the shining lights of our team."

Bahrain Victorious officials added, "Gino was an extraordinary athlete, an example of determination, a valued member of our team and the whole cycling community. His talent, dedication, and passion for the sport has inspired us all."

Despite the tragedy, the Tour de Suisse will continue ... and before Friday's Stage 6 kicked off, other cyclists gathered in a circle to pay their respects to Mader.

"Gino," Mader's team said Friday, "thank you for the light, the joy, and the laughs you brought us all, we will miss you as a rider and as a person."

Mader was just 26 years old.

Conor McGregor has been accused of raping a woman at Game 4 of the NBA Finals earlier this month ... but the UFC star says the allegations are not true.

According to demand letters, authored by attorney Ariel Mitchell, that were sent to McGregor, the NBA and the Miami Heat this week ... the incident happened just after the Nuggets had won, 108-95, on June 9 at the Kaseya Center in Florida.

McGregor played a big part in the entertainment at the game -- he sat in courtside seats  and even participated in a halftime skit where he punched a Heat mascot multiple times while promoting his Tidl Sport recovery spray.

But, according to the letters, obtained by TMZ Sports, at one point later on during the evening ... he "violently" sexually assaulted a woman inside of a men's bathroom.

In the letters, Mitchell claims that NBA and Heat security helped separate the woman from her friend ... and then forced her into a restroom that McGregor and his security guard were already inside of.

In the letters, Mitchell says "security refused to let [the woman] exit or allow anyone else, including her friend, inside the bathroom." The lawyer then claims McGregor emerged from inside of a handicap stall "and shoved his tongue in the victim's mouth and aggressively kissed her."

According to the letters, the woman was able to get McGregor off of her by telling him she had to urinate ... but then McGregor allegedly forced her to have oral sex with him.

McGregor, 34, is then accused of grabbing the woman and pinning her against the wall ... before attempting to sodomize her.

Mitchell says in the letters the woman was able to elbow McGregor repeatedly -- which gave her a window to escape. However, she allegedly fled in such a hurry, she left her purse -- which Mitchell says McGregor's security guards "held hostage" until she pleaded with them for its return.

According to the letters, the woman finally got away from it all ... and went on to report the assault to local authorities on Sunday morning. Mitchell tells us an officer then encouraged the woman to seek out an attorney.

In the letters, which were sent following the woman's meeting with cops, Mitchell said the woman is seeking settlements with the NBA, the Heat, and McGregor in lieu of litigation.

Reps for McGregor, however, said in a statement Thursday morning the "allegations are false."

"Mr. McGregor will not be intimidated," they added.

The Heat released a statement Thursday afternoon saying the org. is aware of the allegations and is "conducting a full investigation" into the matter. The NBA added in a statement of its own, "We are aware of the allegations and are working with the team to gather more information."

The UFC also addressed the alleged incident ... saying it, too, is aware of the claims and is working on getting more information.

"UFC will allow the legal process to play out before making any additional statements."

The Denver Nuggets championship parade just took a somber turn ... a police officer was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a firetruck that was participating in the ceremonies.

According to the Denver Police Dept. ... the incident happened just minutes ago while the truck was driving along the parade route in the Mile High City.

You can see in video from the scene, Nuggets superstars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray -- as well as the Larry O'Brien trophy -- were on the vehicle when the accident occurred.

It's unclear how exactly the officer was hurt ... but cops said in a statement Thursday afternoon they have launched an investigation into it all.

Jokic and Murray were not harmed during the incident -- and both were escorted off the truck by officials. The two are now up onstage addressing the huge crowd of supporters that have been out since early Thursday morning celebrating the team's first-ever title.

Busta Rhymes' 30-year career in the rap biz will be honored in full at an upcoming event, presented by Netflix.

The veteran rapper will be receiving the Icon Award at the 7th annual Culture Creators Innovators and Leaders Awards Brunch ... which won't have a shortage of star power in the spotlight this year.

Chloe x Halle will be granted the Innovators of the Year Award ... while LSU b-ball champ Flau'jae Johnson, Stephen Hill, Troy Carter, Karl Kani, Laurieann Gibson, Chris Robinson and Candace Rodney will all be recognized for their areas of expertise.

The event goes down on Saturday, June 24 inside the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom and is also sponsored by Lexus.

Antonio Brown's tenure as owner of the Albany Empire has hit an all-time low -- the ex-NFL star's team was just kicked out of the National Arena League.

The organization announced the decision on Thursday ... saying Brown repeatedly failed to pay his team's monthly assessments, which are used to support the league's operating budget.

In a statement, the NAL explained the Empire made its first assessment payment in April, but it was later challenged. The Super Bowl champ's team then refused to cough up the money in May.

The league says it was in contact with Brown's accountant, who claimed his client did not plan to fulfill his assessment responsibilities, nor would he pay a $1,000 fine he was handed for Conduct Detrimental to the League after recent comments he made.

The NAL held an emergency phone conference with the other team owners to address the fiasco ... and decided to give Brown until noon on Thursday to make up the payments, which he did not.

As a result, the league has severed ties with the Empire.

Brown took over the team in March, and it's been nothing short of a disaster -- he faced accusations of failing to pay players and coaches, getting in heated exchanges with members of the organization and broken promises of suiting up and playing in games.

Brown's father, Eddie, was a star for the team back in the day ... and the ex-Pittsburgh Steeler vowed to be hands-on as a member of the organization.

Fans expressed their displeasure with the team ... with game attendance tanking in the process.

The Denver Nuggets' NBA championship parade is officially underway ... and things are already off to a hot start -- with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope getting into a beer-chugging contest with a fan in the crowd!!

The awesome moment went down as the team made its way through the streets on firetrucks ... when KCP decided to hop off and down some brews with a lucky supporter.

The basketball player destroyed his competition ... but no one seemed to really be keeping score, as the two hugged it out at the end -- and the fan lost his damn mind.

Not everyone was guzzling the beers on hand, though -- Christian Braun did a sort of Triple H/"Stone Cold" Steve Austin combination by spitting out his drink as his truck cruised down the street.

Finals MVP Nikola Jokic has his whole family with him for the celly ... so we take it he'll mostly be on his best behavior -- but we're hoping he decides to let loose a bit.

The parade will end at Civic Center Park ... where the team will hold its rally.

Hopefully, there will be some boozed-up speeches on the horizon!!