TMZ Sports - Page 50

Los Angeles County is calling out Vanessa Bryant ... claiming she's subjecting Sheriff's deputies to harassment by revealing their names in the lawsuit she filed over photos taken at the Kobe helicopter crash site.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, attorneys for L.A. County say Kobe Bryant's widow is aggressively conducting a "fishing expedition that is taking first responders away from their jobs." The County is referring to the fact Vanessa posted the names of 4 deputies who allegedly took pics of remains.

As we reported ... she won a legal battle in March to obtain the names of the deputies and promptly put 'em on blast on her IG.

In the docs, L.A. County attorneys say Vanessa is going too far with a "straightforward case" ... and her social media posts are exposing the deputies to threats.

This is getting VERY interesting ...

Matt Barnes wants to settle his feud with Kwame Brown once and for all ... saying he's had enough of the Internet smack talk and wants to meet in person -- AND HE'S READY TO THROW HANDS!!!

Barnes is clapping back after the 2001 #1 overall pick has gone on a tirade this week ... saying he's caving in and giving Brown the attention he wanted.

"Kwame Brown, brother Brown, you've been ranting for about 5 days now," Barnes said Wednesday. "Your cry for help, your need for attention worked."

"I heard your Instagram following has grown over 30,000 the last handful of days since you had my d*** -- I mean, my name -- in your mouth."

Barnes gives Brown a personal invite to join his podcast to clear the air ... saying, "You got a story to tell obviously. You're hurt. Like I said, you can play it off with humor, but you're hurt and I get it. But, come on the show."

"Talk that s***, tell your story face-to-face."

But, Barnes is prepared to do much more than talking -- saying he's down to scrap with Brown to squash the beef.

"If me and you gotta box before, during or after and shake hands to get this s*** done, you know I'm always with the s***."

Remember, Brown went for Barnes' jugular earlier this week, saying, "The only joke you got is about basketball, I got a joke about your life, you punk bitch" ... referencing Barnes' infamous incident with Derek Fisher in 2015.

He also referred to Barnes as "Becky with the good hair" among other insults.

Now, it appears the two guys can settle things with their hands ... that is, if Brown is down for it.

Bryce Hall hasn't even thrown down in his first official boxing match yet ... but he's already planning #2 -- explaining Wednesday he wants a scrap with KSI badly!!!

The TikTok superstar -- who's all set for a celeb fight with YouTuber Austin McBroom next month -- said on "TMZ Live" he's got a beef brewing with KSI that he wants to settle in the ring next.

"KSI -- the one that beat [Logan Paul] -- was talking crazy about me," the 21-year-old said. "So, I mean, I'm down to do him next."

As for how the feud between the two social media stars started ... it's unclear, but they've exchanged verbal jabs repeatedly on Twitter over the last few weeks.

In fact, KSI trolled Hall after his wild brawl with McBroom in West Hollywood on Tuesday ... showing a picture of Bryce and asking, "You good?"

The fight would be an interesting one -- KSI is considered one the best boxers from the social media world -- but, of course, Hall's gotta get through McBroom first.

Charles Barkley's gotta do his best Oprah impression next time he visits his old high school -- 'cause the NBA legend is handing out $1,000 donations to every employee!!

The 58-year-old Alabama native gave back in a huge way for his alma mater Leeds City Schools during the COVID-19 pandemic ... donating laptops and WiFi hotspots for students learning from home.

On top of that, the school says Barkley wrote a check for $1,000 to each employee in the school district to help out during the tough times.

FYI -- that's reportedly 226 employees!!

ATTA JOB, CHUCK!!!

The school thanked Barkley for his continuous support over the years on Tuesday ... saying, "We are humbled and wish to express our sincere gratitude to Charles Barkley for providing a $1,000 gift to each and every Leeds City Schools employee for going the extra mile this school year."

The school adds Barkley has privately donated more than $3 million in scholarship money to Leeds graduates over the years ... and has remained supportive of the boys and girls basketball programs.

By the way ... Barkley was a superstar athlete for Leeds during his senior year ... helping the team reach the state semifinals in 1981.

"We are beyond thankful to know our hometown hero and benefactor, Charles Barkley, recognizes the hard work and dedication of the Leeds staff, even under the toughest of circumstances. Thank you, Charles!"

Welp, Aaron Carter's chances of beating Lamar Odom next month ain't looking great ...

Video of the pop singer getting destroyed by an amateur's body shot has just surfaced ... and, yeah, somewhere Odom's got to be smiling.

TMZ Sports has learned it all went down on May 4 ... when Carter was in a Santa Monica gym prepping for his June 11 Celebrity Boxing tilt with the ex-NBA star.

We're told Carter was mixing it up with Ian Feiner -- a fellow gym-goer who he had sparred with several times before -- when he got caught by a right hook to the gut.

The video shows Carter didn't exactly handle it well ... he crumpled to his knees in pain and the session ended just a few moments later.

We reached out to Carter for his side of the story, but so far, no word back yet.

Feiner tells us Carter was "fine overall" ... but it's clear, even though this was over two weeks ago, AC's going to need some work to avoid a loss to Odom.

You'll recall ... Odom's looking GOOD in his recent training sessions -- and was already the heavy favorite heading into the fight.

With Ben Affleck back in the picture, the Boston Red Sox clearly see an opportunity to land a huge (possible) free agent ... Jennifer Lopez!

Yeah, we know ... Jenny's from the Bronx, but since she split with A-Rod, it's hard to see her rooting for the Yankees any time soon.

Plus, the NY Mets rejected her offer to buy the team a few months ago -- guessing she ain't supporting them either.

So, leave it to Boston to make a move to win over one of the most famous celebs in the world ... and they might have a real shot!

The Red Sox posted a video to TikTok reflecting on the time J Lo took in a game at Fenway Park back in 2019 -- when the Sox played the visiting L.A. Dodgers.

A-Rod was working the booth for ESPN that night -- and while he was distracted, seems Jennifer really hit it off with the Red Sox mascot, Wally!

Now, with Lopez spending some quality time with Affleck -- one of the most diehard Boston fans on the planet -- the Red Sox are hoping she'll join him back at the Park the next time he catches a game in person.

"To the girl on the Monster from Sunday Night Baseball in 2019, We will never forget you," the Red Sox posted ... "Come back soon. We miss you."

Austin McBroom says Bryce Hall fights DIRTY ... the YouTube superstar tells TMZ Sports during his brawl with the TikToker on Tuesday, Hall tried to break his ankle!!!

McBroom explained the situation while hoppin' out of his flashy Lambo at Boa Steakhouse in L.A. hours after the melee ... accusing Hall of trying to get out of their June 12 boxing match by injuring him earlier in the day.

"At the end, he was like trying to twist my ankle," the 28-year-old said of Hall. "Like maybe he was trying, like, to cause me not to fight him anymore."

McBroom continued, "It was kind of weird. He was trying to break my ankle or twist my ankle so I couldn't fight him."

The fracas was insane ... as the two were attempting to promote their fight in front of cameras and a small crowd at Fred Segal in West Hollywood, they went after each other.

Hall sprang at McBroom, and they got in a shoving match that went straight to the ground.

And, at one point, things got so violent -- some dude was even cracked over the head with a bottle!!!

McBroom said he lost his chain the scuffle ... and claims he suffered a gnarly scratch on his neck during the incident as well.

All of it, he added, has now motivated him even more to try to destroy Bryce during their headlining fight on the "YouTubers vs. TikTokers" card in Miami next month.

Hilarious scene on the MLB Network on Tuesday night ... star analyst Dan Plesac didn't realize his mic was hot, and unloaded several f-bombs live on air!!!

The former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher -- and 3-time MLB All-Star -- was just beginning his shift on "MLB Tonight" when he thought he had some time before cameras began rolling.

Plesac was talking about Reggie Jackson, when the host of the show, Greg Amsinger, told him, "We're not on the air."

So, Dan then began to speak freely ... "He was still the only guy that when he walked into the box I'm like, 'God damnit, I made it.' Swear to God. I was like, 'I made it.' Like f***ing Reggie!"

The talk continued for at least another minute or two ... with Plesac unloading another VERY audible f-bomb!!

Finally, the guys realized they were on the air ... and they all let out a huge chuckle over their not-so-G-rated conversations being broadcast to the world!!

Plesac ended up having fun with it all night, he joked about the gaffe throughout the show ... and even made reference to it in a tweet later while Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull was in the middle of his no-hit bid.

"The Tigers Spencer Turnbull has a 'NO NO' thru 8IP," Plesac wrote. "@tigers lead 4-0 going B9th in Seattle .... I’m not 'F’ing' kidding."

Hilarious.

You down for a World Cup tournament every 2 years instead of 4?!

That's how Saudi Arabia wants to get down ... with officials formally proposing FIFA change the WC schedule -- for both the men's and women's tourney -- ASAP.

Don't get too excited ... even if the proposal is well-received Friday at FIFA's giant meeting of its 211 member federations, it could take YEARS to implement.

In fact, Saudi Arabia is first requesting FIFA launch a "feasible study" to see how shifting the World Cup to every 2 years would affect players, countries, and major soccer organizations around the globe.

The most compelling argument, it seems, is the money -- with the AP reporting the men's World Cup brings in around $6 BILLION in broadcasting and commercial deals.

Not too shabby!

Look, it's not the first time the 2-year plan has been pitched -- former FIFA president Sepp Blatter brought it up back 1999 ... and FIFA vice president Alejandro Dominguez brought it up again in 2018.

But, money talks ... and FIFA has been open to making significant changes lately.

Remember, FIFA agreed to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams ... a big change from the usual 32.

Charles Oliveira vs. Khabib?!

That's the fight many MMA fans are clamoring for ... believing the new UFC lightweight champ's style matches up favorably with the retired 29-0 superstar from Dagestan.

But, don't prematurely hand Khabib his 1st loss ... 'cause UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman -- who's friends with 32-year-old Nurmagomedov -- says he doesn't believe Khabib's any closer to returning to the Octagon after witnessing 31-year-old "Do Bronx's" impressive performance at UFC 262.

"I think Khabib did watch the fight. Was he intrigued? 'Yes, I wanna get back in there.' Probably not," Usman tells us.

"I mean, he's a man that's happy. He's happy with his life. He's happy with the direction that it's going and yeah, I think he's retired."

Of course, Khabib and Dana White met on multiple occasions over the last year ... but the former lightweight champ ultimately decided he was never going to fight again.

So, Charles vs. Khabib isn't happening ... BUT (hypothetically) does Oliveira have the necessary tools to beat the unbeatable fighter?!? Kamaru says no.

"More power to Charles Olivera. I'm impressed by him and I'm a fan for what he's able to do with his career but I just think there's levels to the game and I think Khabib is a different level."

Now, don't get it twisted ... Usman believes CO is a great fighter who went through hell to win the belt.

Bryce Hall and Austin McBroom couldn't wait 'til their fight date to get their hands on each other -- the two social media stars got in an all-out brawl Tuesday ... and it was violent.

Hall, one of the most popular characters on TikTok, and McBroom, a YouTube megastar, were promoting their June 12 celeb boxing match ... when suddenly fireworks ignited.

McBroom and Hall were trading jabs at Fred Segal in West Hollywood ... when Bryce got up and charged at Austin.

The two grabbed and shoved each other -- taking their violence to the floor ... and then damn-near everyone in the building hopped in to separate the guys.

At one point, someone even smashed a bottle over another dude's head!!!

Eventually, the guys all separated and the skirmish dispersed ... but it's clear -- these two HATE each other!!

In fact, after the brawl ... we got McBroom outside of the venue -- and he was PISSED at Hall for how the scrap went down.

"He out here trying to wrestle," McBroom said. "We got a fight June 12 -- he's wrestling me!"

"If he does that bulls*** on June 12, he's getting his ass knocked out. That's what's happening."

As for if the tussle was fake, McBroom told us point-blank, "None of this s*** was staged. This s*** is real. He's getting knocked the f*** out."

As we previously reported, 21-year-old Hall has promised to knock out McBroom during their headlining fight on the "YouTubers vs. TikTokers" card next month ... with Hall explaining to TMZ Sports he's going to use the K.O. bonus money to buy his mom a new house.

Horrifying moment in the Mets vs. Braves game Monday night ... NY outfielder Kevin Pillar was drilled in the face by a 94-MPH pitch, and he was immediately raced to the hospital.

The Mets star was at the plate for an at-bat in the 7th inning ... when Atlanta pitcher Jacob Webb unleashed a fastball that made a beeline straight for his eye socket.

Kevin, a 32-year-old who's known as one of the toughest dudes in the MLB, couldn't duck out of the way ... and was hit flush right in the middle of his face.

Pillar crumpled to the ground ... and you can see in video and pictures, blood was pouring out of what appeared to be multiple areas of his face.

But, after several moments on the ground, Pillar was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power ... though Mets manager Luis Rojas said his player required an immediate trip to the hospital for testing.

Fortunately, while the specific damage done to Pillar's face is currently unknown, it seems Pillar believes he'll eventually be all right.

The guy tweeted after the game, "Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine! #RBI #gamewinner."

Everyone on the field -- from Webb to Pillar's teammates -- were all shaken up over the pitch ... and even though the Mets went on to win, 3-1, the guys were visibly upset afterward.

"He gets hit by a pitch, and the last thing I'm thinking about is touching home plate," said Mets player James McCann, who scored as a result of Pillar's hit by pitch.

"Our thoughts and prayers are definitely with him."

Get well soon, Kevin.

Forget Green Bay and all the drama there ... Aaron Rodgers has just temporarily pressed eject on his beef with the Packers -- escaping to Hawaii with his fiancee!!!

The star quarterback and Shailene Woodley were spotted touching down in Oahu on Monday ... all while Rodgers' problems with the Packers continue to rage on.

But, it doesn't seem like the couple took any of that emotional baggage with them ... 'cause the two looked happy as hell hoppin' off the private jet and receiving their fresh leis!

Rodgers was all smiles ... dappin' up people on the tarmac and handing out hugs.

Of course, back in Green Bay -- it's a whole lot more stressful ... 'cause the Packers are trying like hell to get Rodgers to come back and quarterback their team.

Rodgers, though, has remained upset over his contract situation and some of the team's personnel moves ... and has reportedly already decided he doesn't want to play for Pack anymore.

Green Bay officials have insisted they won't let that happen ... declining trade offers and promising to try to meet all of Rodgers' demands by the start of the season in Sept.

In fact, head coach Matt LaFleur just told reporters last week "we want [Rodgers] back in the worst way."

Unclear if that'll happen ... but if it does go down -- we're sure Aaron's going to have the best tan in Wisconsin at this point!

By the way ... Rodgers and Woodley have been inseparable since the two announced their engagement earlier this year -- we've now seen them in Canada, Mexico, Disney World and Hawaii.

Tristan Thompson's had it with the woman insisting he's the father of her baby, despite a DNA test he says proves otherwise ... so he wants to make her pay.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ ... the NBA baller's seeking a default judgment against Kimberly Alexander -- the paternity accuser he sued for libel last year.

Thompson wants the judge to hit Alexander with $100k in damages plus additional costs, claiming the allegations seriously hurt his reputation.

In the docs, Tristan says he's a proud, loving and providing father to 2 children, and he claims Alexander's false accusations potentially cost him endorsement deals because companies and brands viewed him as a troubled athlete.

Thompson insists that if Alexander's child was his he would have taken his parental duties seriously, but again ... he claims a paternity test proved he's not.

BTW, as we previously told you, Tristan's acknowledged he did have sex with Alexander, but says it was years before she alleges and long before he was dating Khloe Kardashian.

Olympic gold medalist Torah Bright says she's "sad" to see the hate her handstand breastfeeding picture has received ... but she's vowing to not let it get her down.

The 34-year-old -- who's a snowboarding legend in Australia -- posted a series of photos on Mother's Day, including one of her breastfeeding topless while upside down.

The photo was pretty cool -- it's an impressive feat!!! -- but it was met with backlash on social media ... with people calling her a bad mother and an attention-seeker.

Bright, though, fired back on her social media page this week ... defending the picture and calling out all the trolls on Instagram.

"Reading some of these comments made me sad," Bright wrote in her now-expired IG story.

"In my world, mothers should be each other’s cheer leaders (it's hard enough). Embrace our quirkiness and finding the joy in every s****y thing that is motherhood."

She continued, "We all do it differently. It is not wrong or right. Motherhood is pure. I only now consider myself a Wonder Woman because I have joined the sacred MOTHERS club with you. Nothing but respect to all mothers."

The champ keeps on winning!!!

Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Fernanda Gomez, over the weekend ... just a few days after beating the crap out of Billy Joe Saunders.

So yeah, it's safe to say the dude was confident he was gonna come out without a scratch ... or the couple would've needed to hire a serious photo editor for the wedding pics!!

But, that wasn't the case, as Canelo looked spotless for his beautiful ceremony by the water ... with his wife sharing a quick snap of the setting on Instagram.

The World Boxing Organization also posted a kissy shot of the nuptials ... congratulating the new Mr. and Mrs. on their big day.

"The WBO Family wishes lots of love and happiness to the recently married couple, unified WBO Super Middleweight Champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Fernanda Gomez."

Canelo and Gomez have been together for about 5 years ... and have one child together -- Maria, born in 2017.