TMZ Sports - Page 38

Angel Reese just keeps stackin' up trophies ... the LSU hoop star and 2023 NCAA champ just won a BET Award -- and she was hyped!

The annual ceremony went down Sunday at the Microsoft Theatre in downtown Los Angeles ... where some of the top rappers, singers, and entertainers won awards.

That included 21-year-old Reese, whose squad won the 2023 NCAA championship, beat out female stars like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Candace Parker, for the Sportswoman of the Year award.

"Thank you BET!" Reese said on Twitter after the announcement. "So sad I couldn’t be there but I really appreciate this! This means a lot!"

The 21-year-old forward couldn't be in L.A. to receive her award in person ... 'cause what else -- she was hooping.

"I’m at USA basketball right now trying to win a gold medal when I could be at the BET awards," Reese tweeted to a fan.

Reese was named to the Team USA roster for the 2023 women's FIBA AmeriCup, a tournament held every two years with top female players from around the globe.

The US women's first game is against Venezuela on July 1.

When it comes to male athletes, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts took home BET's Sportsman of the Year award, beating LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, Steph Curry, Aaron Judge, Gervonta Davis, and Bubba Wallace.

Paige Spiranac says the reaction a pair of shirtless baseball players got for a viral video over the weekend showed off a sexist double standard ... and she wasn't one bit pleased to see it.

The golf star -- who's gained fame for both her swing and her looks -- unloaded on the situation in a fiery tweet on Saturday morning.

She reposted footage of the Savannah Bananas players dancing on the diamond without their tops on ... and said female commenters who praised the men in the clip but bash her when she wears revealing clothing are nothing more than hypocrites.

"Interesting how different the reaction is online when men choose to show off their bodies," the 30-year-old said.

"Not one comment on this video calling them attention whores or sluts. Just a ton of women saying baseball is now their favorite sport but those same women harshly judge me."

"The hypocrisy," she added. "lol."

In her meteoric rise to becoming the most-followed golfer on Instagram -- Spiranac has had to deal with trolls in her comments regularly. They often go after her for the low-cut tops she wears -- and the photos that she posts in them.

But, she's made it a point to call them out frequently -- usually taking to Twitter to defend herself.

Daniel Jones apparently can't go to a concert without getting crap from Eagles fans ... 'cause the New York Giants star got trolled by country star Zach Bryan -- all while he was onstage in front of thousands of fans!!

The moment went down during the "Something In The Orange" crooner's big show at Forest Hills Stadium in NYC over the weekend ... when Jones hopped on the mic and lent his own vocals during Bryan's hit song, "Revival."

But, little did Jones know, it ended up being a setup ... 'cause right in the middle of the tune, Bryan yelled out, "Go Birds!!"

As it turns out, Bryan started backing the Giants' big rivals when he started dating a girl from Philly. They've since broken up, but the musician reportedly still lives in the City of Brotherly Love.

It's gotta sting for Danny Dimes -- after all, Bryan's Eagles got the best of the G-Men in 2022 ... taking three wins, including a postseason victory.

Marshawn Lynch and Lance Armstrong turned the heat all the WAY up while out on "Mars" ... wielding some massive flamethrowers -- and the video of them chucking fireballs is awesome!!!

The dudes got armed with the weapons for a challenge on the latest episode of the Fox show, "Stars on Mars" ... and the former athletes sure seemed to love being fungus-killing pyros for a few minutes.

Check out the clip ... as Lynch went to extinguish his foe with a massive blaze, he channeled his inner Al Pacino -- screaming out, "Say hello to my little friend!"

Armstrong, too, handled the big gun well ... though he did note the thing was hot as hell!!

It was a cool change of pace for the guys ... because in last week's episode, some of the show's contestants were seen really feeling their separation from the real world.

In fact, Ronda Rousey actually broke down in tears while FaceTiming with her fam.

But, everyone seemed to enjoy the most recent hot challenge ... especially Lynch!!

Ice Cube says he is not part of the elite Hollywood "club" that so many others apparently are -- and he's airing some grievances about challenges he says he faces because of it.

The rapper posted an ominous video Sunday where he's talking directly to the camera ... and the dude goes on this long rant about being on the outs with the elites and "gatekeepers" in showbiz and sports ... at least that's what it sounds like he's referring to.

Ice says flatly ... he's not part of that crowd, nor does he want to be -- and goes on to say that that fact actually makes folk on the inside angry, 'cause he's resisting a mainstream thing for someone in his position.

It also seems Cube might be talking politics here too ... 'cause he references his contract with Black America -- something he put forth ahead of the 2020 presidential race, and which he said he felt Donald Trump actually appeared to take more seriously than Joe Biden.

In the wake of that, IC says certain groups have been "f***ing" with him -- and the way he's describing it ... it sounds like he believes certain hurdles have been thrown up around as backlash to his stance. Cube says he doesn't care though, 'cause he vows to overcome.

He mentions his Big3 league ... and says it's grown prosperous despite what he characterizes as getting the cold shoulder from powerful institutions -- like the NBA, for example.

Cube also says he's planning to do a massive podcast tour in the near future where he talks to "everybody" -- and he makes it seem like that itself is going to ruffle feathers as well.

Lance Armstrong wants to have his say on the transgender sports debate -- and he's partnering with Caitlyn Jenner to do it ... but people online are telling him to shut it.

The former champion cyclist -- whose accolades were, by and large, rescinded after he was found to have been doping through a decent amount of his career -- teased a new project he appears to have in the works ... one in which he's getting into the polarizing topic.

His key subject, it seems, is going to be Caitlyn ... who's been very outspoken on having trans women competing in women's sports, and who's obviously transgender herself.

Right off the bat, LA's tone to this whole thing has turned people off. He writes, "Have we really come to a time and place where spirited debate is not only frowned upon but feared? Where people’s greatest concern is being fired, shamed, or canceled? As someone all too familiar with this phenomenon, I feel I'm uniquely positioned to have these conversations."

He followed up with more tweets, sorta answering his own Q ... and plugging this new series he's got coming out. One tweet that's got a lot of reaction reads, "Is there, not a world in which one can be supportive of the transgender community and curious about the fairness of Trans athletes in sport yet not be labeled a transphobe or a bigot as we ask questions?

He continues, "Do we yet know the answers? And do we even want to know the answers?"

Now, Lance is trending on the Bird app ... for all the wrong reasons. You can hop into the trend to see what people are saying for yourself -- but it essentially boils down to ... dude, you're the last person who should be commenting on fairness in sports. Like, c'mon.

Of course, they're referring to his PED scandal in the early 2010s ... which he denied for a long time -- but ultimately confessed to. As most of us know, a majority of his titles between '99 and 2005 were stripped ... and his legacy as an inspirational winner was dinged.

Conor McGregor was met by a huge group of supporters in NYC as the UFC superstar left a swanky hotel with his fiancée and kids, thanking fans for sticking by his side ... as The Notorious continues to be investigated for rape in Florida.

"Thank you so much for the support, appreciate the support," 34-year-old McGregor responded when TMZ Sports asked what message he would send to his millions of fans.

Of course, McGregor is being investigated in Miami after a woman claimed the former UFC double champ sexually assaulted her after Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and Nuggets at the Kaseya Center.

McGregor has adamantly denied the allegations and has not been arrested or charged ... and judging by the number of people outside The Penisula, a luxury hotel in Manhattan, Conor's fans clearly believe him.

Conor hasn't fought since UFC 264 in July 2021 -- when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier -- and some have speculated he will never again step foot in the Octagon.

But, when we asked The Notorious what he had planned for the future, it certainly seems like Conor wants to fight again.

"Fighting. Looking to get a fight going."

McGregor is currently coaching opposite Michael Chandler on "The Ultimate Fighter" ... and is supposed to fight the lightweight contender after the show ends, though a date has not yet been announced.

Bill Bidwill Jr. -- a former Arizona Cardinals exec and the brother of the NFL team's current owner, Michael Bidwill -- was allegedly involved in a wild dispute with his wife earlier this month ... one in which he told cops she hit him in the head with a glass cup.

According to a Paradise Valley Police Dept. incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Bidwill Jr. made the allegations to officers at his Arizona home back on June 9.

In the docs, cops say Bidwill Jr. called police at around 6 PM ... telling them his wife, Nicole Kugler Bidwill, had just broken a glass over his head during a fight -- causing him injuries.

Bidwill Jr. claimed the altercation started because Nicole was upset that he hadn't been home when carpet installers had arrived earlier in the day. Bidwill Jr. said that when he eventually came home, he poured himself a glass of beer ... but before he could drink it, Nicole snapped on him.

According to the docs, Bidwill Jr. claimed his wife hit "him with her hands about a hundred times" ... before she picked up his cup and cracked him with it, causing it to shatter.

Cops say Bidwill Jr. admitted to striking Nicole's arms to defend himself ... before he ultimately got away from her and dialed 911.

In the call with dispatch, which we also obtained, you can hear Bidwill Jr. -- seemingly out of breath -- explaining that he had just "had a glass broken over my head." He said in the call, though, that his neighbor, who's a surgeon, checked out his wounds and "he doesn't think it's bad."

Officers eventually arrived on the scene ... and after questioning the two, they arrested Nicole. Jail records show she was booked on June 10 on one count of assault.

According to the police report, however, Bidwill Jr. did not want to press charges.

Bidwill Jr. served as the vice president of the Cardinals for several years when his dad, Bill Bidwill Sr., owned the team. Reportedly, he helped take over ownership duties in 2019 with his brother, Michael Bidwill, following their father's passing. Jr. does not currently have any role/responsibility with the team.

We've reached out to the Cardinals for comment ... and they sent us the following statement.

PETA didn't find Drew Rosenhaus' wrestling match with a shark this week impressive, amusing or entertaining ... telling TMZ Sports it wishes the NFL super agent would have just left the creature alone.

The animal rights org sounded off on the 56-year-old just days after he was seen on video yanking a dusky shark by its tail in the middle of the ocean near Miami ... straight-up calling the guy a "wannabe macho man."

"Spending so much time around top athletes must have Drew Rosenhaus feeling like he has something to prove," PETA said in a statement.

"Aquatic animals already suffer at the hands of anglers who impale them, yank them out of the water, and gut them or leave them to suffocate, so they don't need some wannabe macho man yanking on their tails for a few Twitter 'likes.'"

Rosenhaus, though, hasn't appeared to be remorseful for his actions ... in fact, just a couple hours after he posted the first video of him with the sea beast, he threw up another one showing him putting his hands on the animal again.

He also seemed to gloat about it all in one of the vid's captions ... writing, "Went fishing with [Tyreek Hill] ⁩today and decided to get up close to this Dusky Shark."

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is a man of his word ... after vowing to help UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo, who is struggling financially, the MMA fighter tells us the two plan to meet up very soon!

"It's surreal, to be honest, that The Rock wants to meet me," the 32-year-old fighter told TMZ Sports this week.

"I mean it's everyone's dream to meet The Rock but this is the other way around -- The Rock wants to meet me! I'm so excited!"

ICYMI, ESPN shared Gorimbo's (11-4) story last month ... and the world learned he had just $7 in his bank account before his UFC Fight Night fight in Las Vegas.

The tweet hit close to home for Dwayne. He famously had 7 bucks in his pocket after his football career came to an abrupt end with the Canadian Football League in 1995.

Obviously, The Rock signed with the WWE, started acting in movies, and became the biggest entertainer in the world. He started a production company, too ... which he named Seven Bucks Production.

"I once had $7 bucks too. I’ve been there on that grind.," The Rock tweeted. "Got your back, brother. I’ll help. You got this. I’ll be in touch."

Now, the two are going to meet face-to-face, according to Gorimbo ... and he's stoked!

"Me and him, we are the seven bucks boys," Gorimbo said. "Seven is my lucky number."

The Zimbabwean fighter says he has some ideas for Johnson when they finally meet in person ... he'd like a movie made about his life!

"He's the man that can do my story properly, so that's the only thing I'm going to ask, mostly."

Adam Sandler congratulated Happy Gilmore on his big golf news this week -- and no, this ain't a joke.

As it turns out, there's a young guy who actually goes by the same name as the famed Sandler movie character -- and yes ... the dude knows a thing or two about swinging clubs. Happy is a high school golfer, but on Friday -- he announced the next chapter of his career.

Happy took to Twitter and wrote, "I am very excited to announce that I have committed to continue my academic and golf career at Ball State University. I am very grateful for the opportunity Coach Fleck has given me! I would like to thank my family, my friends and coaches who push me everyday!"

Seems like somebody notified AS about the surreal development, and he responded. Adam quote-tweeted this and wrote, "Go get em Happy. Pulling for you." HG replied to that, saying ... "my life is complete." BTW, the "Happy Gilmore" jokes didn't end there though.

An account identifying itself as the "real" Shooter McGavin -- Happy's archnemesis in the movie -- responded to Happy's declaration as well, dropping a line from the film ... in true Shooter fashion.

Now, there doesn't appear to be much film on this kid ... so there's no telling how good he is. However, it looks like he's an avid golfer and has even attempted at getting in some pro tourneys. If he's going to school to continue playing the game -- he's gotta be kinda decent.

One last thing worth mentioning ... Happy isn't this guy's real name. He was born as a "Landon" -- but started going by Happy at a young age once he took up golf.

He definitely milks this whole thing too ... his Twitter bio says, "yes i can do 'the happy gilmore' swing" -- presumably, that means he can drive the hell out of the thing/go long.

Bam Margera left detox early and is telling friends he's going to spend the weekend in Las Vegas ... sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ.

The former "Jackass" star had been detoxing in San Diego at a place Lamar Odom helped him get in, but we're told Bam didn't want to complete the program ... and on Monday he bounced.

Our sources say Lamar was desperately trying to get Bam to return to the detox center and finish up at Odom Wellness Treatment Centers, but Bam instead agreed to stay at Lamar's home in Calabasas this week, with Lamar continuing to encourage Bam to finish treatment.

Despite Lamar's best efforts, we're told Bam bolted Thursday ... and he's since been telling friends he's planning a weekend trip to Sin City.

Bam dined at Nobu in Malibu with a friend Thursday ... shortly after leaving Lamar's place ... but it's unclear who is joining him on his Vegas trip.

It's a sharp turn for Bam, who started the detox June 7 after cops put him on a 5150 psychiatric hold following a video rant where Bam threatened to smoke crack until he died or saw his son, Phoenix.

Mark Zuckerberg may have Jon Jones in his corner, but Elon Musk's potential coach isn't too shabby himself ... the legendary Dominick Cruz, the G.O.A.T. bantamweight, tells us he's down to get the Twitter owner ready to fight!

38-year-old Cruz joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... where Dom offered his services.

"I would coach and train Elon Musk in a heartbeat. I would start with him immediately. I'm a fan of that guy and the things that he's doing for the world and the things that he stands for," Dom told us.

"He's a special guy in the world right now and so I would love to be in his corner to watch him execute martial arts which brings us all together."

Musk could do a lot worse than 24-4 Cruz ... who has beaten the likes of greats such as Urijah Faber, T.J. Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson.

Remember, Jones offered his services to Zuck, writing ... "You already know I am Team Zuck ... Let me know if you need a training partner!"

As for the naysayers who say Musk vs. Zuckerberg is a bad idea and disrespectful to martial arts, Cruz (and many others) believes the opposite.

"If you're gonna say this is gonna be the highest level of sport and we're gonna call it that, that might be disrespectful, but nobody's saying that. This is just fun. This is just making fun, and letting people get their aggressions out and their differences in a healthy way."

Of course, we broke the story on Thursday ... UFC president Dana White spoke to both billionaires, who he told us are "absolutely dead serious" about fighting each other in an Octagon.

The UFC honcho said he believes it'd be the biggest fight, by far, in combat sports history.

We reported on Friday ... the biggest holdup at this point is the roughly 50 lbs. size advantage that Musk enjoys.

Assuming the kinks can be ironed out, some of the most dangerous men in the world are ready, willing, and able to whip the rich guys into shape.

Gilbert Arenas says Ja Morant's NBA punishment does not fit the crime ... insisting the 25-game ban that Adam Silver hit him with earlier this month is complete BS.

The former Wizards star took aim at the Association in a passionate conversation with TMZ Sports earlier this week ... explaining he believes Ja's suspension for wielding yet another firearm on video should have been significantly less than what it ultimately ended up being.

"It's too harsh," Arenas said bluntly.

As for why ... he said he thinks it was all based on subjectivity -- not precedence.

Arenas told us ... most guys that he's seen get popped by the league in the past for gun-related offenses have only received 1 to 7-game bans -- making Morant's lengthy suspension super unfair.

"It's public perception," Arenas said. "The public wants him to be stopped. So, now the NBA comes in and says, 'All right, we have to make it look reasonable.'"

Arenas said Morant already suffered greatly off the court -- something he believes Silver should've factored into his punishment.

"He's already taken Ls," Arenas said, noting the small breaks that Nike and Powerade took from Morant. "He's taken Ls on his public image."

Arenas told us he thinks it's all so unfair, he expects Ja to appeal ... and win.

Of course, Gilbert has plenty of experience in this field -- you'll recall, he ultimately lost 50 games of his career following his infamous 2009 gun incident.

He said he's actually down to help Ja learn everything that he gained from that big ban ... telling us if Morant reached out, he'd definitely answer.

For the Memphis star's part, he apologized for his actions that led to Silver's decision ... saying to his fans, "I hope you'll give me the chance to prove to you over time I'm a better man than what I've been showing you."

We also talked to the former NBA star about the incoming rookies. Arenas offers advice to the young hoopers ... and gives his scouting report on Victor Wembanyama.

Victor Wembanyama's ceremonial first pitch at the Yankee game was a flop ... but things are looking up for the NBA phenom, 'cause he's getting a chance to redeem himself -- courtesy of San Antonio's minor league baseball team!!

Remember, the 19-year-old French superstar showed off his arm at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday ... and it definitely didn't go as planned, as his toss sailed wayyy wide of home.

But the 7'5" giant won't have to live in embarrassment forever -- TMZ Sports has learned the San Antonio Missions (the San Diego Padres Double-A minor league affiliate) are set to provide the new Spurs hooper with an opportunity to settle his score.

The Missions tell us Victor has an "open invitation" from the team's president to throw out the first pitch at one of their upcoming games ... so he can (hopefully) hurl a strike this time around.

The team added ... "The entire city of San Antonio, as you can imagine, is incredibly excited about Victor being a Spur."

FYI -- it would be a pretty convenient trip for Wemby, as the Missions play ball just 15 minutes away from AT&T Center.

Wembanyama seemed serious about wanting retribution for his first pitch earlier this week ... telling JJ Redick during ESPN's 2023 NBA draft broadcast, "I wish I could do it again, man ... I'm gonna do way better."

Boxer Albert Ochoa will be channeling his inner Michael Jackson when he steps into the ring this weekend ... 'cause he just copped some insane custom "Thriller" shoes to pay homage to the King of Pop!!

Ochoa -- who famously took Kylie Jenner to prom -- is set to fight TikTok star Xavier Long at Academy LA in Hollywood on Saturday ... and TMZ Sports has learned he plans to show out with his moves AND his shoes.

We're told the 23-year-old wanted personalized gear for the fifth fight of his career ... so he reached out to his close friend, artist Aztek Kustoms, with the idea of making kicks similar to the loafers on Jackson's feet in the iconic "Thriller" music video.

Aztek Kustoms -- who also made Rolly Romero's Frank Ocean boxing shoes -- says the kicks feature over 4,000 pearl-white rhinestones and black glitter paint ... and Ochoa is thrilled with the finished product.

Ochoa tells us "Thriller," which is his all-time favorite song, will be playing for his walkout to the ring.

"He's an icon, he's a legend," Ochoa told us. "For me to wear these shoes and to come out with that outfit and his music ... it's dope."

Boxing is something Ochoa is taking very seriously ... in fact, he says he's training with former boxing champ Joel Casamayor and former Olympian boxer Vicente Escobedo.

"It's a great team -- having a world champion and an Olympian and two people that were successful in their sport at the start of my career is a blessing," Ochoa said. "It's a dream come true."

Of course, many still doubt the reality star, like they did YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but the 3-1 super welterweight tells us he's the real deal.

"I'm a real fighter," Ochoa said. "I put in the work and I've improved so much in this camp. I'm on my way to becoming a great star in this sport."