TMZ Sports - Page 27

It's starting to heat up as we hurtle toward summer, and we've got more hot takes to boot. Check out the best from the Wednesday that was!!!

On "TMZ Live," Charles and Courtney talk about Kim Kardashian controversially saying "Free Everybody" in response to pro-Palestine protesters.

Our "TMZ on TV" crew reveals Tom Selleck's not actually in danger of losing his ranch despite his claim to the contrary.

And, "TMZ Sports" shakes their heads along with Dana White who caught a FedEx employee carelessly chucking packages into his truck.

Check your local listings for when TMZ is on in your area or catch up on past episodes!

Shohei Ohtani's ex-translator and best friend, Ippei Mizuhara, will plead guilty to multiple federal charges -- after admitting to taking nearly $17 million from the Dodgers superstar -- and now faces up to 3+ decades in prison!

On Wednesday, The United States Justice Department announced that 39-year-old Mizuhara would soon face the music after agreeing to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return for the extensive, multi-year fraud.

"The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said of Ippei's actions.

Paul Skenes is ready to make his MLB debut ... the Pittsburgh Pirates just revealed the flamethrower will get his first-ever start this weekend -- and his girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, is thrilled!

The Pirates announced Wednesday afternoon Skenes -- the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick -- will take the bump when Pittsburgh faces off with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.

And, while Buccos fans everywhere rejoiced ... Dunne did too -- writing on her Instagram page, "...here we go!"

Action Bronson says the best way to enjoy his KnicksTape is blunted on reality ... totally enhancing his courtside experience!!! 😵‍💫

We caught Mr. Bam Bam Baklava at LAX proudly waving the NYK banner, and he owned up to his viral moments of being completely blitzed inside Madison Square Garden.

No regrets for the Queens MC ... Action tells us that being stoned while sitting so close to the team's huddle gives his brain the 3D effect -- it's like Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau is drawing up plays from a spaceship!!!

Cops are now looking into the Patrick Beverley ball-throwing incident ... confirming to TMZ Sports on Wednesday the NBA player is currently under police investigation.

A spokesperson for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department tells us ... officers did end up taking a case report on May 2 after Beverley hurled a basketball not once, but twice, at Indiana fans toward the end of the Bucks' playoff game with the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

According to the rep, the report has since been forwarded to detectives, who are now trying to gain access to more video from the arena ... as well as interview the involved parties.

A racist posterboard featuring images of LeBron James and monkeys was somehow put on display at a school art exhibition over the weekend ... and officials are now investigating how in the world the offensive piece was allowed to make it there.

The project -- a parody of a cereal advertisement called "Monkey Premium" -- was done by a New Hartford Central School District student in New York ... and then showed off in a school gymnasium at the New Hartford Festival of the Arts event on Saturday.

It had a headline of "Eat Monkeys, Jump Like Monkeys!" ... with a picture of James mid-flight in his Lakers uniform next to a bowl of cereal.

Shaquille O'Neal has responded to Shaunie O'Neal, after the former Basketball Wives star revealed she's unsure she ever truly loved her legendary ex-hubby ... saying he's to blame for her feelings.

Shaq doesn't disagree.

Shaunie -- who was married to the NBA legend from 2002 to 2011 -- opened up about their relationship in Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning On My Own Terms ... saying the lifestyle is what kept them together, not necessarily love.

Ric Flair is sharing regret over losing his cool at a Gainesville pizza joint over the weekend ... saying he should've just walked right out the minute things got heated.

As we previously reported, the Nature Boy was caught on camera yelling at a Piesanos staffer over an alleged bathroom interaction with the kitchen manager ... and things got so tense, a patron offered to take things outside.

Naitch joined "The MJ Morning Show on Q105" to share his side of things on Wednesday ... and while he does feel bad for how things went down, he explained he also felt he needed to stick up for himself.

Jaden Smith isn't as skilled on his skateboard as he might've thought ... brutally wiping out during a night ride in NYC.

Will Smith's son was cruising Monday night on his skateboard -- with his bodyguard jogging alongside him for a couple blocks. What's really interesting is Jaden skateboarding amounts to the most chill Met Gala after-party we've seen ... he was actually chatting with photogs about what a good time he'd just had at the fashion event, which he attended with sister Willow Smith.

The good vibes didn't last long though, as Jaden took a tumble mid-chat! Check it out ... he falls to the side after picking up speed.

Los Angeles Lakers big man Christian Wood's ex, Yasmine Lopez, is accusing him of brutally attacking her in a physical encounter earlier this month, TMZ Sports has learned ... but his circle is adamant she's making the whole thing up in retaliation.

Wood was recently granted a three-year restraining order and sole custody of their 10-month-old son ... after he accused Lopez of abusing and stalking him, damaging his property (including two luxury vehicles) on multiple occasions, and keeping their child from him.

The social media influencer filed for a domestic violence restraining order of her own this week ... accusing the 28-year-old pro of grabbing her by the legs and dragging her -- with their child present -- on May 2.

Nikki Glaser's standing by her Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen divorce jokes ... saying she thinks the topic's fair game at a roast -- and joking Gisele actually had it coming.

We caught up with the controversial comedian outside "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in Hollywood Tuesday, and asked her if she thinks Brady's roast panel hit the divorce jokes a little too hard ... which is a feeling many had after each person hammered the topic home.

Glaser says she tried not to go too hard on GB ... and, she actually hopes the supermodel can forgive her one day if she's upset ... 'cause she says she loves her a ton.

Antonio Brown is attempting to bury the hatchet with Caitlin Clark ... sending a heartfelt message to the WNBA star with the clear intent of moving on from their beef.

If you missed it, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout kicked off a feud with the hooper with some inappropriate posts on X last month -- forcing the Indiana Fever point guard to block him on the popular social media app.

But, AB tried to extend an olive branch her way during an appearance on "Fearless with Jason Whitlock" on Tuesday ... saying he was simply playing around.

J.D. Martinez broke Willson Contreras' arm while swinging at a pitch Tuesday ... and if you're squeamish, you might want to skip this one.

The unfortunate scene played out in the second inning of the Mets' clash with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, when Martinez attempted to put his barrel on a Miles Mikolas slider.

The New York designated hitter, though, ended up making contact with Contreras' forearm instead -- and replays showed once the bat hit the catcher, a bone appeared to break instantly.

Johnny Manziel and Josie Canseco clearly have no issue putting their love out there for everyone to see -- the Heisman Trophy winner and Victoria's Secret model shared a passionate kiss on social media amid their new romance ... and seemingly professed their love for each other in the process.

Manziel posted the PDA-packed footage on Tuesday ... staring into the camera before turning to his lady and planting a few pecks.

It sounds like Manziel then says "I do love you" ... with Canseco returning the words.

If you miss Travis Kelce on the football field, in the podcast world or on a game show ... don't worry, there's now yet another way you can see the NFL star -- on the small screen in a new FX horror series.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed Tuesday he's scored a role in Ryan Murphy's upcoming show, "Grotesquerie."

It's not clear how big Taylor Swift's boyfriend's part will be ... although his co-worker on the project, Niecy Nash-Betts, appeared to indicate in videos from the set that he ain't exactly an extra.

Bob Saget's widow Kelly Rizzo is getting serious once again in the love department ... 'cause she's now gone Instagram official with boyfriend Breckin Meyer.

On Tuesday, Rizzo took to her IG account, posting the first photo of her with Meyer on the social media platform, which showed the smiling couple at the F1 Grand Prix in Miami this past weekend.

In the caption, Rizzo wished Meyer a happy birthday as he turned the big 5-0 and gushed over how he's so "kind, sweet, silly, thoughtful, completely hilarious, handsome, understanding, charming, forever curious, compassionate, witty, warm & wonderful." Sounds like true love!