TMZ Sports - Page 50

Galveston, TX is returning fire after Charles Barkley took a shot at their "dirty" beaches on national television ... with the city clapping back, saying millions of people visit for their "beautiful shoreline."

ICYMI, the NBA legend roasted the city, nicknamed the "Queen City of the Gulf," located about 50 miles southeast of Houston ... after the New Orleans Pelicans disappointing 106-85 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

"They didn't even try, man," Barkley said on NBA on TNT. "We're not giving them no plane ticket to the beach."

The fighting world is rallying around Francis Ngannou following the death of his son ... with many combat sports stars -- including Manny Pacquiao and Anthony Joshua -- sending their prayers and condolences his way on Monday.

The heartfelt notes were left on Ngannou's Instagram page ... in the comment section of a post where the former UFC champ mourned the loss of Kobe, his 15-month-old son.

"How do you deal with such a thing?" Ngannou said in the post. "How can you live with it?"

LeBron James says he's yet to make a decision about his NBA future following L.A.'s playoff exit Monday night ... telling media members he's not sure if he'll return to the Lakers in 2024.

LBJ played coy when he was asked multiple times about his plans for next season ... even at one point ducking a question from a reporter who wanted to know if he considered the possibility of the Game 5 loss to the Nuggets being his last in the Purple and Gold.

"I'm not going to answer that," he said.

Logan Paul got an assist from the biggest superstar in the NFL during WWE's "Monday Night Raw" ... using Patrick Mahomes' "Super Bowl Rings" like brass knuckles in the middle of a match -- but the plan totally backfired!!

The Chiefs quarterback was a surprise guest at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City ... where he had a front-row seat for all the wild action.

But Mahomes wasn't just a bystander -- he played a huge role in Paul's showdown with Jey Uso ... when the Maverick decided to help his Judgment Day friends JD McDonagh and Finn Balor in a scrap.

Jake Paul's fighting Mike Tyson in July, and many people are worried about The Problem Child's safety. But, it's Iron Mike who should actually be concerned, according to the legendary Oscar De la Hoya.

TMZ Sports ran into the Hall of Fame boxer in New York City last week, and we asked ODLH about the upcoming scrap between 57-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul.

"I'm gonna pray for Mike Tyson, 'cause I love Mike Tyson. I think Jake Paul, look, he's a real fighter. He really is. It's a dangerous fight. Mike Tyson, be careful, please," De La Hoya told us.

A YouTuber is lucky to be alive after falling 85 feet in a paraglider crash ... which left him with several broken bones, and practically paralyzed on the ground as he called for help.

Check it out ... Anthony Vella filmed himself recently enjoying a motorized paraglide ride in Texas, when something went terribly wrong -- resulting in the internet personality plummeting to the ground. Anthony screams out in pain before calling out to Siri on his phone to call 911.

2 eyewitnesses come to Anthony's aid ... assisting him in contacting first responders as well as his wife, Leandra. Anthony -- who was going about 50 mph before his fall from the sky -- was rushed to the hospital ... where he was diagnosed with a fractured neck, back, pelvis, and a broken arm. His injuries will require surgery.

Johnny Manziel and Josie Canseco aren't being subtle about their romance anymore -- the Heisman Trophy winner and model just went full-send with their relationship ... sharing some PDA pics after attending Stagecoach together.

The new couple simultaneously posted snaps from the country music festival on their Instagram stories a few minutes ago ... with both images showing them wrapped in each other's arms during Morgan Wallen's headlining performance.

Johnny also documented their group jamming to the singer's "Ain't That Some" ... and it's clear everyone had a helluva time.

12:58 PM PT -- Francis Ngannou released a statement on the loss ... and it's incredibly emotional.

"Too soon to leave but yet he's gone," he said. "My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now, he's laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he's not responding."

Ngannou added Kobe made him his "best self" ... and he's now lost without him.

Travis Kelce was already having an amazing 2024 ... he won Super Bowl LVIII, he's dating the biggest star in the world, and now he's getting a new, fat contract extension -- making him the richest tight end in the NFL!

The 34-year-old perennial Pro Bowler agreed to a two-year extension on Monday ... and even though the amount hasn't been disclosed, reports say it's enough to make him the highest-paid TE in the league.

Of course, it's well deserved. Kelce is arguably the best tight end in the NFL -- and one of the greatest ever -- already racking up 74 receiving touchdowns and 11,328 yards since being drafted in 2013 (3rd round pick).

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann could be out on their ass soon -- their lender is letting them know loud and clear that they plan to foreclose on their house ... unless they make some moves in court.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Truist Bank's attorneys sent a clear and decisive message to Kim and Kroy -- as well as to the court -- and they say they're finally ready to take back ownership of their Milton, GA mansion.

Per the paperwork, Truist is giving notice that it plans to initiate a non-judicial foreclosure proceeding on or after May 3 ... which is literally a few days away. It doesn't necessarily mean Kim and Kroy have to be out by that date -- but that's certainly when the ball gets rolling officially on the legal side of things.

It apparently didn't take long for Jason Kelce to find work in retirement -- the Philadelphia Eagles great is reportedly joining ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" pregame show this season ... after getting interest from pretty much every major network.

The Athletic shared the All-Pro center's next move on Monday ... saying ESPN landed the big fish over NBC, CBS, Amazon and more.

It's really a no-brainer -- Kelce is one of the most charismatic athletes out there ... and he already has experience breaking down games on his "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Travis.

Singer Olivia O'Brien is capitalizing off her viral fame after attending the Lakers game this weekend ... telling all the horn dogs following her for her boobs to stream her music.

The "Josslyn" artist was present for L.A.'s home playoff game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday ... and at one point in the contest, she was spotted in the background of the broadcast.

Screenshots quickly made rounds on social media ... and eventually, O'Brien was ID'd as the fan that got NBA Twitter/X all excited.

It didn't matter how long it took for Josiah Ezirim to get drafted ... 'cause the offensive lineman freaked out when he was picked late in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his reaction was priceless!

Ezirim's family and friends were recording him when he received a phone call during the last round of the draft ... and you can see the former Eastern Kentucky OT literally shaking, talking to his new coach.

"Thank you so much," Ezirim said. "You won't regret this!"

Jake Paul's boxing match against Mike Tyson will be the real deal -- the two sides just announced their upcoming fight is a sanctioned professional bout.

Paul's Most Valuable Promotions shared the news on Monday ... saying the big event will count on their official career records.

The heavyweight fight will consist of 8 2-minute rounds ... and they'll wear 14-oz. gloves (instead of the typical 10-oz. mitts).

NFL Sundays are going to look a lot different this season -- CBS is moving on from Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason after a combined 48 years on its pregame show ... with recently retired Matt Ryan slated to join the desk in their place.

The two longtime analysts confirmed their departure Monday morning ... with Simms saying on social media that part of his career is officially over, but it was a "great" 26-year run.

Esiason also addressed the move on his WFAN radio show ... hinting it wasn't his decision to leave "The NFL Today" after 22 seasons, but he'll still be part of the CBS Sports family.

The Wells Fargo Center looked and sounded more like Madison Square Garden on Sunday ... 'cause Knicks fans took over the Sixers' arena for Game 4 of their NBA Playoff series -- and Joel Embiid's pissed!

The Knicks beat the Sixers, 97-92, taking a 3-1 series lead ... and their fanbase let their presence be known.

During the live broadcast, you could hear the Knicks faithful cheering -- louder than the Sixers fans -- as the Knicks won the pivotal game behind Jalen Brunson's epic 47-point performance.