TMZ Sports - Page 15

It's almost the weekend, but another busy day of big news hit Thursday ... and, TMZ was there to cover it all.

On "TMZ Live," Charles and Jason break down O.J. Simpson's death ... discussing the life of an incredibly polarizing public figure.

The news of O.J. Simpson's death is sparking a wave of commentary -- much of it coming in the form of humorous memes based on the most controversial aspects of his life ... because the Internet is gonna Internet.

Almost immediately social media users rushed to upload their hot takes/jokes, going in hard on Simpson ... with several focused on the infamous low-speed Bronco chase from 1994.

Several people photoshopped the Bronco into a hearse ... while others used footage of the chase to create imagery of the cops following a hearse down L.A.'s 405 freeway, and joking that Simpson's funeral procession should look just like that.

Ron Goldman's family describes O.J. Simpson's death as a "mixed bag of complicated emotions" ... because now that he's gone, so is their hope for true justice.

Ron's sister, Kim, and father, Fred, put out a joint statement late Thursday, saying ... "For three decades we tirelessly pursued justice for Ron and Nicole, and despite a civil judgment and his confession in 'If I Did It,' the hope for true accountability has ended."

The statement -- referring to Simpson's 2007 book, "If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer" -- makes it clear the Goldmans, like millions of others, have no doubts about who murdered Ron and Nicole Brown Simpson ... no matter what the jury said back in 1995.

10:48 AM PT -- Kato Kaelin -- who was a key witness during the O.J. Simpson trial -- just posted a video responding to the news ... and he sends thoughts and prayers to O.J.'s children, as well as the families of the victims, including Nicole Brown Simpson.

He doesn't say much else about O.J. himself.

A Planet Fitness gymgoer was arrested after allegedly walking around totally naked in the women's locker room ... claiming they identified as a woman, something the gym didn't buy.

Christopher Miller -- identified as male by online booking records -- was arrested in Gastonia, NC Thursday for indecent exposure after gymgoers claim he walked into the women's locker room at a local Planet Fitness.

A shocked woman reportedly called the police when she saw Miller, telling the 9-1-1 operator a fully naked man wouldn't leave the room ... adding he identified himself as a woman when asked to do so.

Nicole Simpson Brown's ex-boyfriend is relieved now that O.J. Simpson has died -- saying the news has left him with a smile on his face ... this, 30 years after her tragic murder.

Keith Zlomsowitch -- who dated Nicole in the early '90s, after she'd divorced O.J. -- dropped by on "TMZ Live" Thursday to talk about the news ... telling us he's glad O.J.'s now gone from this Earth, ending a long and painful saga for him.

Keith says with O.J. dead ... he won't be able to inflict any more pain or emotional stress on anyone else -- it goes without saying .. Keith is in the camp of folks who believe he did it.

Two of the attorneys connected to O.J. Simpson's infamous criminal trial are reflecting on the case's lasting impact on the justice system, and society at large ... and they view key issues from the trial very differently.

Gloria Allred, famed attorney and women's rights advocate, joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live" to share her memories of representing Nicole Brown Simpson's family.

Allred recalled the moment Simpson was acquitted -- she was in court, sitting next to Nicole's father and her sister, Denise -- and despite the verdict, she says she was confident he had killed Nicole and Ron Goldman.

George Mikan was one of basketball's original stars, and although it's been nearly 70 years since he suited up for the Minneapolis Lakers, fans now have a chance to bid on a historic piece of memorabilia ... the Hall of Famers sweat-stained, game-worn, signed warm-ups!

6'10" Mikan, known as "Mr. Basketball," starred for the Minneapolis Lakers from 1947 to 1954 (and briefly in 1956), years before they moved out west. He averaged over 23 points a game as a pro, leading the league in scoring in 3 of his 7 seasons. He won 7 titles (2 in the NBL and 5 in the BAA/NBA).

GM was named to the NBA's ultra-exclusive 50th Anniversary team in 1996 ... joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Now, Mikan's royal blue warm-ups -- pants and zip-up jacket -- worn around 1950 on multiple occasions and signed (twice) by the all-time great, are on the block at SCP Auctions.

The outfit reads "MLPS LAKERS" in gold block letters and shows heavy use, including sweat stains, according to SCP.

Mikan gifted the pants and jacket to someone in the '70s... and they held them for many years before recently deciding to cash in.

Bidding on the Mikan warm-up ends Saturday night ... where they're expected to rake in north of $400k!

O.J. Simpson went to prison for robbing a guy at gunpoint -- and in the wake of his death, the victim from that case says he's gonna miss The Juice ... yes, seriously.

Bruce Fromong -- whom O.J. confronted in 2007 with a bunch of goons in tow in an attempt to recover sports memorabilia he believed had been stolen from him -- tells TMZ ... it's a sad time right now for family and friends of O.J.'s, and for those who really knew him.

He tells us O.J. was a good father and a good man, and that he "will be sorely missed by many." Fromong not only forgave O.J. -- he befriended him too.

It's the Ford Bronco behind one of the most jaw-dropping moments in TV history ... transporting O.J. Simpson and his friend Al Cowlings during a wild 90-minute police chase back in '94.

But, the infamous vehicle's no longer in the fast lane, as it's simply on display at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee ... where visitors can get a close-up look at the ride that captivated the country.

It's been a bumpy journey, though, going from L.A.'s 405 freeway to its final resting place in Tennessee -- it's a path that was detailed on a 2017 episode of "Pawn Stars."

Believe it or not, there was a point in Tom Brady's life where he wouldn't have minded being more like Tommy Lee ... saying this month his childhood crush was none other than the drummer's ex, Pamela Anderson!

Brady made the revelation while he was getting a haircut from VicBlends ... on the social media star barber's "DeepCut" podcast which is produced by Shadow Lion.

Vic, who fired questions at the future Hall of Famer for around an hour as he trimmed the former quarterback's hair, asked straight up ... who did TB12 fantasize about when he was a youngster??

Brady paused for a brief moment ... before he admitted it was none other than Anderson.

The 25-year-old scissor wizard -- real name Victor Fontanez -- didn't have much of a clue who that was ... which surprised Brady.

He told the young entrepreneur she was the star of "Baywatch" ... adding, "She was nice!"

He then implored Vic's dad to "show your son" what he was missing.

Tom -- who's now 47 years old -- would have been in his mid-to-late teens at arguably the height of Anderson's acting career ... which means there might have been at least some chance the ex-Patriots signal-caller could have had a realistic shot with her at some point.

But Brady, of course, never ended up on Anderson's radar ... he dated Bridget Moynahan in his 20s ... before he ultimately married Gisele Bundchen in his 30s.

Brady, however, is single now ... and 56-year-old Anderson appears to be as well -- so it ain't too late, we suppose!

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are launching 2 new shows for the streaming giant -- this after a lot of questions about their ability to produce.

According to Deadline, the former senior royals are in production for a new cooking/gardening/lifestyle show starring Meghan ... seemingly inspired by the actress' new American Riviera Orchard business, which will dabble in a lot of the same stuff.

Meghan is enlisting the help of foodie pros to launch her new Netflix series ... as the producer of "Selena + Chef" and director of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" are being brought on to help shepherd the project. Meghan is executive producing this one.

Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has just been charged with a felony ... after federal prosecutors say they discovered he stole nearly $20 million from the MLB superstar to, in part, pay off his massive gambling debts.

The United States Department of Justice just announced the filing ... saying at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday they were formally hitting Mizuhara with one count of bank fraud.

Prosecutors say he faces a maximum of up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

According to the DOJ, an investigation into allegations that Mizuhara had stolen from Ohtani revealed Ippei snatched some of the Dodgers star's funds via an account he had helped the two-way player set up back in 2018.

Authorities say Mizuhara illegally accessed the account after amassing a gambling debt. They said he then wired transfers from it totaling around $16 million to bookmakers. They added that from January 2024 to March 2024, he also used the account to buy roughly $325,000 worth of baseball cards.

The DOJ said during its investigation, they found Ohtani had no knowledge of what was going on.

"In an interview last week with law enforcement," the feds said in a statement, "Ohtani denied authorizing Mizuhara’s wire transfers. Ohtani provided his cellphone to law enforcement, who determined that there was no evidence to suggest that Ohtani was aware of, or involved in, Mizuhara’s illegal gambling activity or payment of those debts."

Prosecutors said they believe Mizuhara never made any bets on baseball.

For Ohtani's part, he's been adamant throughout this entire process that he committed no wrongdoing ... saying in a press conference last month, "I'm very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this."

Ex-NFL superstar Todd Gurley says the football community lost an all-time great in O.J. Simpson ... praising the former running back for being like family to him.

"RIP To The Legendary O.J. Simpson," the former Rams All-Pro said on Thursday. "Your favorite RB favorite RB ... Appreciate you Uncle O/Juice you'll be missed."

Gurley didn't just acknowledge Simpson's success on the field ... he also made note of his recent endeavors -- including his usual appearances as an analyst on rappers Cam'Ron and Ma$e's "It Is What It Is" podcast.

"Thanks for the past year being on It Is What It Is!!," Gurley added. "Heisman, #1 pick, NFL MVP & the first ever 2000 yard rusher let alone to do it in 14games the list goes on & on!🙏🏾🕊️."

Gurley isn't alone in mourning Simpson's death ... as we previously reported, numerous pros took to social media to share positive messages on the former Bills star -- and retired receiver Torrey Smith called on news outlets to show more respect by avoiding using images from his infamous trial.

Some social media users have taken issue with their support ... after all, despite his acquittal in the criminal case, he was found liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in the civil case.

Caitlyn Jenner -- who used to be tight with Simpson -- sided with those upset over all the love for O.J. on Wednesday ... saying simply, "Good riddance."

Everyone seems to be reacting to the O.J. Simpson death news -- and the White House was no exception ... but their response to his passing is raising eyebrows, at least to some.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed O.J.'s passing Thursday during a press briefing -- but only when she was asked by a reporter ... at which point KJP directly acknowledged it by saying the administration was thinking of the family ... his brood, specifically.

She says, "Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Obviously with his family and loved ones. And I say this, I know that they have asked for some privacy -- and so we're going to respect that."

Ron Goldman's father says he's not focusing on O.J. Simpson today -- instead, he says he's remembering his son, and using today to think about how long he's been gone.

Fred Goldman spoke with People Thursday, hours after news of Simpson's death broke, and he told the outlet he's only thinking about how Ron died nearly 30 years ago ... and, not about how the man acquitted of his murder has finally died.

Goldman says he's focused on all of the pain he's dealt with over the years since his son died ... and, added the only important thing is remembering Ron and Nicole Brown Simpson today.