TMZ Sports - Page 9

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce won't make their big debut at the Met Gala, because they're passing on soaking up the spotlight at fashion's biggest night ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the Grammy winner and NFL superstar were each issued individual invitations to the Met Gala, but both have RSVP'd "no" to the celeb-packed evening.

We know Taylor has a pretty good reason for skipping the event, which takes place on May 6 -- that's the same week she gets back on the road for her 'Eras' tour with a stop in Paris.

Ryan Garcia will live up to his King Ry moniker Saturday night in NYC ... 'cause the star boxer commissioned an insane iced-out crown -- with over 15,000 diamonds -- that he plans to wear as he walks to the ring!

TMZ Sports has learned celeb jeweler The Ice Champ is the man behind the royal piece ... making the crown for Garcia's highly anticipated boxing match with rival Devin Haney on Saturday night at Barclay's in Brooklyn.

"He was like 'let's create something where the champ of the boxing world and the champ of the jewelry world connect and make something unique,'" Ice Champ said. "We created a unique crown."

We're coming to the end of another jam-packed week full of stories for Swifties, sports fans and more. Here are some of our best from the Thursday that was!

On "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles address the purported Taylor Swift album leak ... including the lyrics aimed at one of her famous exes!

Caitlin Clark has clearly had enough of Antonio Brown's social media antics ... she just blocked the ex-NFL player after he posted inappropriate things about her on his X page.

AB took to the app not once but thrice on Wednesday to say crass things about the WNBA's newest star following her Indiana Fever introductory press conference ... in an apparent attempt to be funny.

But, most rolled their eyes at the posts -- including Clark ... who straight up blocked the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout for the behavior.

Don't stick a fork in Larcus after all ... Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan look like a couple once more -- as they were seen getting close Wednesday on a beach day date in Miami.

The on-again, off-again pair were spotted enjoying each other's company under the South Florida sun ... holding hands, snuggling on lounge chairs, and sharing beverages out of a coconut.

Marcus was also seen chattin' it up with a few other hotties in the area before Larsa arrived -- looking somewhat flirty -- but, take a peek at how he interacted with Pippen once she got to the sand ... it sure seems the spark between the duo has been ignited yet again.

Major League Baseball just handed down a two-game ban on Aroldis Chapman ... after it says his meltdown on Monday night was simply "inappropriate."

If you missed it ... Chapman went off on Edwin Moscoso in the eighth inning of the Pirates' 6-3 loss to the Mets at Citi Field -- after he felt the home plate umpire had botched a few balls and strike calls.

Chapman walked off the mound toward Moscoso after giving up a go-ahead, two-run double ... and had some words for the guy.

Angel Reese is no longer the "Bayou Barbie!"

Nope ... the new WNBA rookie says she wants to be called the "Chi Barbie" now instead.

The former LSU hoops star made the announcement Thursday ... just a couple days after the Chicago Sky selected her with the 7th overall pick in the draft.

The Jets are no strangers to bad luck (Exhibit A, Aaron Rodgers last season) ... and that's why star Gang Green fans went into a full-on panic when star CB Sauce Gardner posted a photo with Drake, fearing the famed Drizzy Curse would plague them in '24!

But, the young Pro Bowler is trying his best to assuage the fan's fears ... saying he's actually using the Drake Curse for good, to take down the 31 other NFL teams.

"I told Drake that he should bet on all other 31 teams each week," the lockdown corner wrote on X.

Damian Lillard's estranged wife was apparently not a fan of GloRilla recently shooting her shot at the NBA superstar ... the hooper's ex clowned the Memphis rapper shortly after she was arrested for DUI.

GloRilla was arrested in Georgia on Tuesday for suspicion of driving under the influence, consuming/possessing an open alcoholic beverage container, as well as another traffic charge.

Kay'La -- who was married to Dame from September 2021 until he filed for divorce in October 2023 -- saw the legal trouble as an opportunity to roast the rapper ... this after she said she wanted to be with the Milwaukee Bucks guard.

Father Time still clearly can't quite win his battle with Tom Brady ... 'cause the NFL's GOAT just showed, once again, he's still ripped!!!

The 46-year-old popped his top for a workout down in Florida on Thursday ... and you can see the dude's still got chiseled abs, bulging biceps and a pair of defined pecs -- even though he hasn't played a down in the NFL in nearly two years.

It's apparent the muscles ain't just for show, too ... check out the footage of Brady running some wind sprints -- the ex-quarterback can still move!

Taylor Swift's new album supposedly leaked early -- and if it's real, fans are shocked to hear some Matty Healy references ... this when everyone thought it'd be all about Joe Alwyn.

Here's the deal ... a Google Drive link has been floating around the internet for the past 24 hours or so that purports to have all of Taylor's songs from "The Tortured Poets Department" -- her new project that's dropping Friday.

It's unclear if these are the real McCoy or not, but a lot of people on X think it's a legit leak -- and, if true, there's a lot of Swifties who are shocked to hear quite a bit about Matty.

A baby Bubba is on the way ... NASCAR star Bubba Wallace and his wife, Amanda Carter, just announced they're about to become mom and dad in the fall!!

The couple revealed the awesome pregnancy news on their Instagram pages Wednesday evening ... sharing a photo of them in a car with a sonogram hanging from the rearview mirror.

"Spring has sprung. Summer will be rad," the duo said in the caption. "Fall is the first time, We'll be mom and dad!"

The Indiana Fever reporter who was dragged for a bizarre conversation with Caitlin Clark on Wednesday is now apologizing for his actions ... admitting he crossed a line with his behavior.

Gregg Doyel, a journalist for the Indianapolis Star, issued the mea culpa just a few hours after he went viral for shooting a heart-hand gesture at Clark and following it up with some cringeworthy commentary during her introductory press conference.

Doyel first said in a post on his X page he was "sincerely" sorry for the "oafish" encounter. He then posted a column on the Star's website where he tried to explain his conduct.

Comedy star Brad Williams says Blake Griffin could easily go from setting screens to setting up jokes now that he's retired from the NBA ... telling TMZ Sports the former hooper is legitimately good at standup.

Williams said out in L.A. on Tuesday -- just hours after Griffin announced he was hanging up his basketball sneakers -- that he's seen the ex-Clippers forward rock the mic before ... and he's been seriously impressed.

And, Williams told us if Griffin uses his newfound free time to really commit to standup -- he could be a real player in the comedy world.

It's only Wednesday, but TMZ's already reported on tons of hot topics this week. Check out some of the best clips below.

On "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles break down Hollywood producer Carol Baum's comments about Sydney Sweeney's looks and talent.

Former Albany defensive lineman AJ Simon, who was hoping to get picked in the upcoming NFL Draft, has died at only 25 years old.

The university announced the tragic news on social media on Wednesday, writing ... "The UAlbany football program was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Amitral "AJ" Simon this morning."

"AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout his time at UAlbany. he was a role model both on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years."