TMZ Sports - Page 50

Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime performance on Sunday is so highly anticipated, it's bringing out the inner fan in several of his industry peers ... including Gayle King.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Gayle and OG human beatbox Doug E. Fresh as they were both leaving a Grammy shindig -- and both highlighted just how loaded Usher’s catalog is with hits.

In fact, they have 2 different tracks at the top of their wish lists.

Gayle didn’t have much of an opinion on the response to Nicki Minaj’s “Big Foot,” but tells us her top pick for Usher’s SB is "Confessions" ... and even gave us a little of her vocal seasoning to let you know she’s serious!!!

Doug, on the other hand, is confident his pick -- “Yeah!” with Lil Jon and Ludacris -- is what the people want to see the most.

All signs point to Jon joining Usher on stage Sunday in Vegas, because he’s releasing a mediation album a few days later ...  most likely to capitalize on the Super Bowl buzz.

Luda’s been making his interview rounds as well, so seems highly like Doug's music request dreams will come true!!!

Doug and Gayle are also pining for the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, to snag the victory.

Rich people are gonna feast like it at the Super Bowl this weekend ... 'cause the luxury suite that comes with a $2.5 MILLION price tag will be fully stocked with the finest grub!!

Some lucky media members got an inside look at the expensive box that'll house 20 wealthy football fans when the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs face off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Super Sunday ... and they certainly won't have empty stomachs by the end of the night.

The spread consists of some bomb-lookin' items ... from a surf-and-turf buffet with wagyu beef and lobster to carne asada fries, seafood stuffed potatoes, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, cheesecakes and your classic souvenir popcorn, according to reporter Luke Sawhook.

There will be plenty to drink, too ... with a full-service bar complete with bartenders.

For those less financially blessed, StubHub says the get-in price is currently $5,300 -- a bargain from last week -- and the average ticket is going for $8,800.

A special week for Lakers fans just got better ... the same night the purple and gold unveil the Kobe Bryant statue outside Crypto.com Arena, LeBron James and Co. will rock Mamba uniforms, designed by the late legend himself!

The Lakers made the announcement Tuesday morning, saying the squad would wear their Black Mamba uniforms vs. the Denver Nuggets on February 8, the same night the team will introduce Bryant's bronze statue in Star Plaza outside of the arena.

Aside from the jerseys looking fresh, they're extra special because Kobe actually helped create them back in 2017 ... borrowing elements from the Lakers uniform he wore during his rookie season in 1996-1997.

The Mamba unis, which the team will wear on 2/8/24 (another nod to the legend), feature a black, snakeskin-like print ... and also include "LA 24" on the belt, with Kobe's number 8 and 24 stitched on the leg of the shorts.

It won't be the first time the Lakers have worn the uniforms ... they debuted them in January 2018. They also wore them again during the 2020 championship season following Bryant's tragic death.

As cool as the uniforms are, the statue is also a huge honor.

Kansas City Chiefs fans seem way more amped up for Super Bowl LVIII than their San Francisco 49ers counterparts ... at least in terms of interest in short-term rentals in Las Vegas.

The good folks over at Airbnb tell TMZ ... searches for rental listings in the Las Vegas region are up by more than 65% for the week of the Super Bowl, and most of the potential renters are flocking in from K.C.

Airbnb says Chiefs fans were in a frenzy looking up places to stay in Vegas after Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce beat the Baltimore Ravens to secure a spot on SB LVIII ... the day after the AFC and NFC Championship Games, total Airbnb searches were 3x higher from K.C. than SF.

The numbers make ya wonder if there's a Taylor Swift effect at play here ... the Chiefs are playing in the Super Bowl for the 4th time in the last 5 years, so it's nothing new to them and their fans, and Taylor's bringing in new fans and tons of extra interest.

No matter which team's fans are booking short-term rentals, Las Vegas looks like the big winner here ... Airbnb says the rental interest is bringing big economic potential to the region.

The Kansas City Chiefs offensive linemen arrived in Las Vegas in style ... thanks to Donovan Smith who gifted his teammates brand-new matching fits before their departure!

TMZ Sports is told the OT -- who signed with the Chiefs in May 2023 -- reached out to popular L.A. fashion designer Daniel Patrick last week ... and he wanted jumpsuits that the O-line could wear on the plane as the team traveled to Sin City for Super Bowl LVIII.

Patrick, who has worked with many big stars like Usher, Jimmy Butler, and Deshaun Watson, was able to put it all together overnight ... and the hog molly's got to rock their new Loop Terry sweatsuits on the plane.

"The guys loved it," Patrick told us, "and were super excited!"

We're told 13 sets were made, up to 4XL, with each carrying a $475 price tag.

This isn't the first time Patrick has made something special for the Chiefs ... Travis Kelce hit him up to make custom velour jumpsuits as a team Christmas gift.

Deion Sanders famously said, “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good,” and the Chiefs are lookin' good.

Cody Rhodes was showered with love during "Raw" on Monday ... with fans shouting their support after the WWE Superstar seemingly got shafted out of a major storyline at the hands of The Rock.

The American Nightmare returned to the squared circle for the first time since Friday's controversial SmackDown stare-off between Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns ... and the folks in attendance in St. Louis made it known they are on his side.

A bunch of spectators chanted "We want Cody" and "Rocky sucks" during the event ... and after the TV broadcast came to a close, Rhodes addressed his diehard backers.

"For you to want me is special, because I have always wanted you," Cody said on the mic.

"I love you guys so much. I'm sorry I'm an emotional mess."

Rhodes also went to X to acknowledge the outpour of support ... and possibly hinted things may not be as they seem.

"Appreciate the passion, God bless y'all …but Trust me," Rhodes said.

As we previously reported, fans believe Rock jumped the line and will go up against Roman at WrestleMania ... an opportunity Cody earned after winning the Royal Rumble last month.

In fact, San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle -- a massive WWE fan -- addressed the whole ordeal during his Super Bowl presser ... sharing his favorite theories on what might actually happen with Cody's storyline.

Patrick Mahomes says his father is "doing good" following his DWI arrest ... but the Chiefs star didn't want to reveal much further about his dad's legal issues, explaining, "It's a family matter."

The quarterback opened up briefly about Patrick Mahomes Sr.'s situation while he was on the podium at Super Bowl Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium on Monday ... after he was asked twice about his pops' run-in with cops on Saturday in Texas.

He kept things short and sweet ... saying at first, "I don't really want to get into it too much, but he's doing good for whatever the situation is."

Then, he shut down the line of questioning ... adding in a follow-up, "It's a family matter. So I'll just keep it to the family. And, that's all I really have to say at this point."

As we reported, Mahomes Sr. was booked on a charge of driving while impaired over the weekend after authorities claimed he showed signs of being intoxicated during a routine traffic stop in Tyler.

Authorities wrote in police documents that Mahomes Sr. admitted to having "a few beers while watching a game at a local bar" before getting behind the wheel. They added he also had an open 16-ounce can of Coors in his center console.

It's Mahomes Sr.'s third DWI -- and if he's convicted this time, he's facing up to 10 years behind bars.

Great news, Swifties ... Travis Kelce says he's heard some of Taylor Swift's new album -- and so far, "it is unbelievable!!"

The Chiefs star made the revelation while chatting with reporters at Super Bowl Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Monday ... sharing with the world that he's grown so close to his pop star girlfriend, she's actually allowed him to listen to some of her top-secret, unreleased tunes.

And, Kelce said he's been loving what he's been hearing up to this point.

"I can't wait for her to shake up the world when it finally drops," he said.

Swift revealed at the Grammys on Sunday night that her new project, "The Tortured Poets Department," will be dropping on April 19. On Monday afternoon -- just before Kelce took the podium in Sin City -- she unveiled the titles of the songs ... sending the internet into a frenzy.

Kelce didn't want to say much more about his GF's new work -- adding only "I can't give you anything; I leave that up to her" -- but he did heap a ton of praise on her throughout his Monday evening Q&A regardless.

The Kansas City tight end said he was proud of her for winning her 13th and 14th Grammys ... saying, "She's rewriting the history books herself." He then said he was hoping to add another Lombardi Trophy to match her new honors.

"I told her I'll have to hold up my end of the bargain and come home with some hardware too," he said.

Kelce did not confirm whether or not Swift would be in attendance Sunday ... though he called her the Chiefs' "No. 1 fan" -- implying that she'd somehow make the lengthy trek from Tokyo to watch him in action.

Bryant McKinnie says it'll be time to start putting some serious respect on Brock Purdy's name if the QB scores a victory on Sunday ... telling TMZ Sports he'll consider the signal-caller "elite" if he's able to beat Patrick Mahomes at Super Bowl LVIII.

McKinnie -- who won an SB of his own back in the 2012 season -- said he's been impressed with what Purdy's done so far in his first two years in the league ... and if he's able to showcase it one more time in Las Vegas, the former Ravens O-lineman says BP's detractors better get their flowers ready.

"At a certain point," the ex-left tackle said, "you have to start giving him respect and credit for what he's been doing."

"Winning a Super Bowl is definitely going to put him at a different level because a lot of quarterbacks haven't won one."

McKinnie said fans will simply have no choice but to slot Purdy in their top-10 rankings if he outduels Mahomes at Allegiant Stadium.

As for if the Chiefs star gets the dub over Purdy -- McKinnie said that'll put Mahomes in some seriously rare air ... telling us the 28-year-old will be "in conversations" for a spot on the NFL's Mt. Rushmore if he gets it all done.

There's more ... McKinnie also spoke with us about his former Baltimore team, and it's not hard to see he's a bit disappointed with how the Ravens bowed out of the playoffs.

He told us he wished Lamar Jackson had used his legs more in the AFC Championship game against K.C. ... saying straight up, "if he stayed true to his game, it would have been a different outcome."

Authorities claim Patrick Mahomes' father was driving around with an open can of beer in his car before he was arrested for DWI on Saturday night.

The allegation is spelled out in an arrest affidavit from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office ... according to the New York Post.

The outlet reported Monday that in the docs, an officer wrote Mahomes Sr. was found with an open, 16-ounce Coors beverage in his center console after he was pulled over around 8:30 PM in Tyler, Texas.

The officer added that Mahomes Sr. told them during the stop he "had a few beers while watching a game at a local bar" before he got behind the wheel.

Officials wrote in the docs they initially pulled over Mahomes Sr. after they discovered his car had expired tags after he was seen driving slower than the rest of traffic in the area.

The arresting officer alleged Mahomes Sr. failed field sobriety tests once they got him out of his vehicle ... writing in the docs, "I believed Patrick was impaired to a perceptible degree while operating a motor vehicle in a public place."

Mahomes Sr. was ultimately booked on a felony charge of driving while impaired. It's his third DWI -- and if he's convicted this time, he's facing up to 10 years behind bars.

Mahomes Sr. will, however, still be allowed to travel to watch his son play in the Super Bowl this weekend ... TMZ Sports has learned no travel ban was imposed on him as part of the conditions of his bond -- although it remains unclear if the Chiefs quarterback will now want him in attendance.

Oscar De La Hoya and Holly Sonders are gearing up to make a return to television ... the famous couple recently shot a pilot for a reality show which is currently being shopped around, TMZ Sports has learned.

And, we're told the show's getting a lot of interest.

De La Hoya teased the TV show on Monday, captioning a photo of the boxing legend standing in the buff (abs on point!) at an ironing board, writing ... "Reality show coming soon"

Of course, Oscar and Holly are both TV vets.

Sonders worked in front of the camera for years -- over a decade -- including jobs at NBC and FOX ... and De La Hoya fought in front of millions and millions of people throughout his historic career.

As for what the show will focus on, we're told it'll follow the couple's busy life ... including a potential political run in Las Vegas for Oscar. The show will also highlight Holly's Exposed Sportz league ... as well as their Golden Boy Promotions business where ODLH reps some of the biggest stars in boxing.

From what we're being told, it sounds like a matter of when, not if, the show will air.

Kim Zolciak is apparently sick of reading about herself in the press -- something she believes Kroy Biermann may be behind ... and now she wants a judge to step in and rectify.

The reality TV star just filed new court docs, obtained by TMZ, in which she's asking the court to issue a protective order in their ongoing divorce case ... so she can redact sensitive info like certain names and financial records in the docs she's handing over as she and Kroy continue to hash out their issues.

Long story short ... Kim says there's a lot of interest in this case -- and sure, there is -- and notes that there's been press coverage at every juncture as their divorce continues to play out.

Along the way, however, Kim says some embarrassing info about herself and Kroy has surfaced amid these proceedings ... stuff that she claims she most definitely doesn't want out for the masses to read, but which she says is getting out anyway.

Thing is ... Kim here in her new docs claims she's attempted try and get on the same page with Kroy over a confidentiality order that she says she's attempted to get Kroy to agree to.

According to her ... KB flatly rejected her proposed confidentiality order ... and she says that led her to believe Kroy is actually the one leaking things to the media.

As a result, she's now begging a judge to step in with some court-ordered discretion that would help ensure sensitive info doesn't make its way into the public record.

The "Taylor Swift effect" is real ... just ask NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who straight-up credited the pop superstar's relationship with Travis Kelce for bringing a ton of new eyes to the whole league.

Commish gushed about Traylor during his annual Super Bowl press conference in Vegas on Monday ... saying there's no denying the positive impact the coupling had on this past season.

While Goodell initially chalked it up to the good competition on the field -- noting 70% of games this season have been within one score in the fourth quarter -- he did admit Taylor's presence has been massive for the organization.

"Having the Taylor Swift effect is also a positive," Goodell said minutes ago. "Listen, both Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people. They seem very happy."

"She knows great entertainment, and I think that's why I think she loves NFL football."

Commish added it's "great" to have Swift -- and her diehard Swifties -- on board ... as it creates a buzz and inspires young women to tune in to games.

As for whether the relationship was scripted, Goodell joked there's no way the league could come up with something THIS good.

"I don't think I'm that good of a scripter -- or anybody on our staff," he said with a laugh.

The Rock's daughter -- NXT Superstar Ava -- says her inbox has been flooded with hate over WWE's new storyline involving her famous pops ... claiming she's been on the receiving end of death threats over the whole ordeal.

Wrestling fans have been up in arms following Dwayne Johnson's appearance on SmackDown last week ... with many criticizing the move as it seemingly derailed what was brewing between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

Ava is seemingly catching strays in the process ... 'cause she went to social media to address the backlash on Monday.

"can ya'll just leave me out of this ffs i'm busy running a SHOW," Ava -- NXT's General Manager -- said on X ... adding, "death threats over a situation i have nothing to do with … bffr."

Nothing is set in stone when it comes to Rock and RR, but there are rumblings the two could face off at WrestleMania in April ... which would piss a lot of fans off, as Cody earned that right after winning the Royal Rumble last month.

One of the prosecutors who was on the O.J. Simpson case is now trying to put on a robe and sit behind the bench -- and he's got the backing of one of the victims who was slain.

Chris Darden is running for an open seat on the L.A. County Superior Court -- and ahead of election day in March, his campaign has announced a new endorsement ... coming from none other than Kim and Fred Goldman, the sister and father of the late Ron Goldman.

Kim says of CD's bid ... "Christopher Darden was a friend to my family during one of the darkest times in our lives. He helped change the focus of a 'celebrity murder trial' and made it about the victims."

She adds, "My family has never forgotten that, and I am sure it is remembered by countless other family members for whom he has been an advocate and a champion."

One last note from KG about Darden ... "He not only has the legal skills but also the humanity and empathy for victims, along with a true dedication to ensuring
justice for all. My family wholeheartedly supports him and encourages everyone
else to do the same. He will be an outstanding judge."

This is just the latest vote of confidence he's received from someone connected to the O.J. case --- which Darden lost alongside his co-counsel Marcia Clark in the '90s. Back in November, Chris secured another endorsement from one Lance Ito ... the retired judge who presided over the double murder trial.

Darden has snagged a number of other endorsements as well in recent months -- including a bunch of other judges ... as well as his old boss, ex-District Attorney Gil Garcetti.

He seems to have a good shot at winning -- only two other candidates are running for Seat No. 130 ... and Chris has a ton of support carrying his sails at this point. The one person who hasn't come out for him just yet is Marcia herself.

Tyreek Hill and Keeta Vaccaro are staying together after all ... TMZ Sports has learned the Miami Dolphins star's divorce case has been dismissed.

Broward County court records show the wideout filed to drop his petition on Jan. 30 ... just eight days after it was initially filed.

The records now show the matter has been "dismissed, settled or disposed before hearing."

Of course, Hill told the public late last month this would be coming ... saying on a live stream that he never gave his people the green light to file the papers in the first place.

He added at the time that he "fired the f***ing bonehead that did that mistake."

Hill also said in a post on his X page that he and Keeta "are happily married and gone stay that way."

The two have presented a united front ever since the divorce filing went public -- Keeta shared some loving snaps of them on social media ... and she even traveled with him to last weekend's Pro Bowl Games in Orlando.