TMZ Sports - Page 3

Former NFL RB LeShon Johnson is facing years behind bars for allegedly running a massive dog fighting operation ... marking the biggest bust of its kind in U.S. history.

The Department of Justice announced a 21-count indictment against Johnson -- who played six seasons in the NFL -- accusing the 54-year-old of possessing 190 "pit bull-type dogs" for "use in an animal fighting venture."

The DOJ says the animals, from Johnson's "Mal Kant Kennels" in Oklahoma, were seized in October 2024 -- in what the Feds say was the largest dog fighting bust in history.

Johnson, in part, is accused of strategically breeding "champion" pits -- animals that won several fights against other dogs, to produce offspring that could also fight.

The beef between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith is still clearly sizzling ... the Lakers superstar just shaded his nemesis on live TV -- with a Taylor Swift quip!

The King joined Pat McAfee on Wednesday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show" for a lengthy sit-down interview ... and at one point, his now-viral, in-game spat with Stephen A. came up.

James quickly took a dig at the ESPN analyst to kick off the topic ... dissing the 57-year-old for the way he's gone on multiple television shows to talk about their March 6 Crypto.com Arena quarrel.

Saraya -- FKA Paige in WWE -- has announced she is parting ways with All Elite Wrestling.

The English wrestler made the announcement in her upcoming podcast "Rulebreakers With Saraya," which drops on Thursday.

"I'm here to tell you that me and AEW's relationship has come to an end," Saraya said. "I had an amazing time there. There's no bad blood between us. I had such a magical time."

Joe Rogan is riding hard for Justin Baldoni ... tearing into Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for lawyering up against him.

It all went down on "The Joe Rogan Experience" over the weekend, where Joe called out Blake and Ryan for screwing up big time -- his guest, Brendan Schaub, agreed, saying the backlash they’re getting is well-earned for trying to weaponize the #MeToo movement against Baldoni.

Joe slammed Blake and Ryan for trying to hijack "It Ends with Us" -- the movie where all this drama started -- saying plain and simple, it’s Baldoni’s film ... and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, owns the rights to the film and its sequel.

Former Duke football player Brandon Braxton was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the July 2024 death of a North Carolina real estate agent -- with investigators saying he owned up to committing the crime.

Braxton was charged last Thursday with the murder of Charlotte-based realtor Whitney Hurd -- eight months after she was found dead inside her townhome.

According to the New York Post, the former wide receiver confessed to the act while being held at the sheriff's department after being arrested for trespassing -- one of his seven arrests following the murder.

Things got intense on the Grizzlies' bench in a matchup with the Jazz on Tuesday ... with Desmond Bane forcefully shoving his own teammate during a timeout.

The incident went down early in the contest at the Delta Center ... when Utah came out the gates strong offensively.

As Memphis called for a break in the action, Bane was caught on video yelling at Santi Aldama to get a stop on defense ... and then extending his arms to push him into a seat.

Russell Wilson is taking his talents to the New York Giants ... and his wife, Ciara, is certainly on board with the move out of Pittsburgh -- giving her big stamp of approval on social media.

After spending one season with the Steelers ... the 10-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal worth $21 million with the Giants on Tuesday, where he will potentially be the team's starting quarterback.

Wilson expressed his excitement to call MetLife Stadium his new home ... as it's the same place he won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show had some viewers wanting to turn their TV off to the point of writing to the FCC about it ... with complaints being made about inappropriate lyrics, raunchy dance moves and apparent anti-American themes -- and a few even taking issue with the Drake beef getting thrown into it.

TMZ Sports obtained all 125 complaints sent to the Federal Communications Commission following K. Dot's Feb. 9 performance ... and the overwhelming majority of them felt it was far from a family-friendly experience.

Many in the bunch accused Kendrick of having a potty mouth, only using Black performers and being divisive with his set ... with several making note of the split American flag visual at one point in the show.

John Cena invoked Ric Flair's name when declaring his 17th World Championship during "Monday Night Raw" this week ... but the Nature Boy tells TMZ Sports he's not irked one bit by the slight -- admitting he's just happy to be alive to hear it!!

We caught up with the man Cena's attempting to surpass for the most world titles in WWE history ... about 24 hours after the 47-year-old told fans he'd be old news by the time he ends his farewell tour.

"At WrestleMania, I make history by winning a 17th Championship, and I finally force you to forget the name of the fun machine jet flying woooo Ric Flair," Cena said Monday. "You will forever say the name John Cena."

Damian Lillard has been ruled out indefinitely with a serious medical issue -- a blood clot -- but the NBA superstar isn't calling it quits on the season ... we're told he hopes to return for the playoffs.

The team announced that the 34-year-old was diagnosed with a blood clot -- deep vein thrombosis (DVT) -- in his right calf and has been put on a blood-thinning medication. Serious stuff. The good news is the team says it has stabilized the clot.

But, with only 11 games left in the regular season, the timing is unfortunate for Dame and the Bucks.

The good news? Our sources tell us Lillard hopes, and plans, to return this season ... as long as he's cleared by the docs.

We're told DL will be reevaluated next week ... and there's hope he will show progress.

Lady Gaga is being dragged to court by a surfboard brand who claims she straight up jacked their logo for her new album ... according to a new lawsuit.

Lost International is suing Lady Gaga for trademark infringement for her "Mayhem" album ... claiming they own the rights to the term as used in the surf company’s distinctive logo and that Lady Gaga’s use is basically identical.

In the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Lost says they've been slapping a stylized version of "Mayhem" on their surfboards and merch for over a decade ... and Gaga ripped off the design for her latest album.

Shailene Woodley has a type ... she's all snuggled up in Paris with a new man ... and he's an actor who bears a striking resemblance to her ex-fiancé Aaron Rodgers.

The "Big Little Lies" actress set off a new couple alert Sunday when she was spotted in the City of Light with the "Emily in Paris" actor.

Check out the photos and video ... Shailene and Lucas are all hugged up ... they're holding hands, he's got his arm around her shoulder and they're attached at the hip.

Luke Rockhold believes it's a serious injustice that Cain Velasquez is back behind bars ... and now, he's urging Donald Trump to step in and help remedy the issue.

Rockhold told TMZ Sports on Tuesday he believes Velasquez's attempt to seriously hurt Harry Goularte on a Northern California roadway back in February 2022 was "somewhat justified" -- as the MMA legend believed the man had molested one of CV's close relatives.

Velasquez ended up spending one year behind bars and an additional two under house arrest after he was thrown in jail for the alleged attempted murder ... and Rockhold told us that punishment should have been enough.

The racket Roger Federer used during his iconic French Open final against Rafael Nadal is up for auction ... and it could go for a big chunk of change, TMZ Sports has learned.

The Swiss tennis superstar went up against Rafa on the iconic Roland-Garros clay courts on June 5, 2011 ... a contest that became an instant classic.

Although Federer lost to the defending champion (7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1), it remains one of the most exciting matches ... and the Wilson racket he used is now available through Goldin Auctions.

Livvy Dunne will forever be an LSU Tiger, but she tried on some zebra and cheetah for her return to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue this year ... and check it out, she sure can make anything in the animal kingdom look good!!

SI shared some visuals of Dunne's trip to Bermuda for its annual swimwear edition ... and the gymnast looked stunning in a pair of jungle-themed 'fits.

The first was a tiny cheetah-print bikini that she rocked with some serious pride on a stone wall. The next was an itty-bitty, zebra-print one-piece that she adorned with a backward, baby blue ball cap.

Love is in the air -- Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham just took a trip to beautiful Santa Barbara, California ... and totally vibed out with the stunning scenery and romantic ambiance!

The duo -- who tied the knot in 2022 -- shared a series of snaps on social media, which included kisses on kisses on kisses, and horseback riding on the beach, of course!

Sippin' on Santa Barbara's finest red, the two lovebirds clearly can't get enough of each other, and we are here for the cuteness overload!!!