TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jim Pons -- the man who created one of the New York Jets' logos -- is now suing the team and the NFL ... demanding he be paid for their use of his design.

Pons filed the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, in New York on Monday ... claiming he made the now-iconic emblem way back in the 1970s, after he had been working for the team as a film and video director.

Pons says in '78, the Jets were looking for a redesign -- and when he submitted his logo that featured a jet plane above the letters "E-T-S" ... team officials loved it, and began using it.

The Boston Celtics are still riding high after winning their 18th NBA title ... and now the organization's majority owner has announced his intentions to sell one of the most valuable properties in American sports!

The C's released a statement Monday morning confirming reports that 63-year-old Wyc Grousbeck plans to sell his stake in the team for "estate and family planning considerations."

Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C -- the Celtics ownership group -- said they expect to unload a majority interest sometime between now and early 2025 ... with the balance of shares closing in 2028.

While it's unclear who any potential suitors could be -- there will obviously be a ton of interest in the NBA's most-winningest franchise ever -- after beating the Mavs 4-1 in the NBA Finals.

Grousbeck will remain with the team as governor until 2028 ... despite the future sale.

The Celtics -- with a current estimated value of $4 billion (according to Forbes) -- was purchased by Wyc's ownership group in 2002 for $360 million. Rest assured the team will cost exponentially more in '24.

While Grousbeck clearly has his exit plan in place, it isn't stopping him from retooling the team for the upcoming season in Beantown. The team has already locked up Derrick White and Jaylen Brown -- and is currently looking to sign Jayson Tatum to an extension -- as they begin their pursuit of back-to-back NBA titles.

"Hawk Tuah" girl's 15 minutes of fame ain't over yet -- and clearly, neither is her time spittin' -- 'cause the internet's newest star was seen over the weekend partying with Shaquille O'Neal in Nashville, where she, fittingly, coughed up some saliva on one of his microphones!!

The NBA legend -- who moonlights as a DJ -- was in the Music City on Sunday for a performance at Jon Bon Jovi's new JBJ's Nashville joint ... when, at some point, he crossed paths with Haliey Welch, aka Hawk Tuah.

The two chatted it up at the eatery and posed for some pictures ... and later in the evening, she joined the Big Diesel in his DJ booth.

Shannon Sharpe just issued a face-to-face apology to Megan Thee Stallion for the sexual comments he previously made about her ... saying he deeply regrets the negative impact his words may have had on her life.

The "Savage" rapper was the latest A-lister to join the "Club Shay Shay" podcast on Monday ... and the first thing he did was admit he was wrong for referencing her the way that he did on his "Nightcap" show with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson.

During the November 2023 episode, Sharpe verbally drooled over Meg ... saying he would have her "stretched out like a quarter to three" if he ever got the opportunity.

Haley and Hanna Cavinder continue to thrive in the NIL era in college sports ... the two stars were just announced as the newest brand ambassadors for Under Armour!

The apparel giant dropped the news this morning ... welcoming the University of Miami hoopers to the company. The deal marks the first exclusive apparel and footwear deal for the Cavinder twins, who boast 4.5 million followers on TikTok.

The twins called the partnership a "dream opportunity" to team up with Under Armour, saying the company is giving them a platform to inspire the next generation.

Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman's families are slamming O.J. Simpson's "In Memoriam" tribute at the BET Awards ... calling it entirely inappropriate.

Fred Goldman, Ron's father, tells TMZ he can't wrap his head around the O.J. tribute ... saying there was absolutely no positive spin on his inclusion in the segment, which was introduced as honoring Black excellence lost in the last year.

Fred insists, even though they probably won't, BET should issue an apology ... telling us, "I think they shouldn't include anyone of that caliber -- a wife beater, murderer … can't imagine why they would include someone like that."

Legally, some might say Diddy is up a creek without a paddle, but he's not looking the least bit panicked ... as he paddles his face off floating down a river, far from all his problems.

The embattled Bad Boy Records founder went white water rafting over the weekend in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and kinda looked like a natural.

Check out the video and photos of Diddy navigating some seriously rough waters, and living life on the edge.

Jonathan Owens' day job won't keep him from watching Simone Biles in her return to the Olympics ... the gymnastics star revealed Sunday the Bears are giving her husband time off to see her in France.

Owens had been slated to report for Chicago training camp on July 19 ... and then play in the team's Hall of Fame Game against the Texans on Aug. 1. But, with Biles officially qualifying for the Paris games at the U.S. Olympic Trials over the weekend, the gymnast told USA TODAY those plans are likely to change.

"The Bears are actually granting him a couple days off from training camp, so he'll be there, yes," Biles said. "For just a short little time."

ESPN is standing firm in its decision to honor Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at this month's ESPYs ... doubling down and saying the Duke of Sussex is a rightful recipient of the honor.

As we previously reported, Tillman's mother, Mary, was dissatisfied with this year's pick for the award ... saying there were plenty of lesser-known candidates that deserve some recognition -- and referring to Harry as "controversial and divisive" in the process.

ESPN talent Pat McAfee also dogged the selection ... claiming it felt like the network was purposely trying to strike a controversy.

12:23 PM PT -- BET is blaming an "audio malfunction" for Usher's muted speech and ponied up an apology via The Hollywood Reporter.

Usher got deep reliving hardships of his life and career during the 2024 BET Awards -- but the TV audience missed much of his Lifetime Achievement speech, because he made the censors work overtime!!!

Fans posted their frustration on social media and it was clear why they were upset -- BET was forced to mute big chunks of his speech, due to Usher dropping some colorful language.

Diana Taurasi is changin' her tune a bit on Caitlin Clark ... following their first on-court matchup this weekend, the WNBA legend had nothing but praise for the league's newest star.

Of course, Taurasi made headlines back in April ... when she said she anticipated big struggles from Clark once she arrived in the W. The Phoenix Mercury guard said on ESPN "reality is coming" for the then-Iowa superstar -- explaining she believed dominating in the WNBA was a far tougher task than tearing up the college ranks.

But, after Clark and her Fever squad got the better of Taurasi and the Mercury on Sunday at the Footprint Center in Arizona ... Taurasi had nothing but kind things to say about the 22-year-old.

Sorry ladies, Sexy Dexy's off the market ... NY Giants star Dexter Lawrence tied the knot with fiancée Donna McCain!

Dexter looked sharp, rocking a dark suit for the festivities, while Donna stunned, looking gorgeous in a white gown at the wedding late last week.

While it was an emotional ceremony, everyone had a blast at the party! A bunch of Lawrence's current and former teammates were in attendance, including Christian Wilkins (they played together at Clemson) and Leonard Williams ... in addition to other family and friends.

Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson wasn't about to let Pride Month come and go without a big celebration ... showing love for her LGBTQ teammates by getting them a hilarious cake!!

The two-time WNBA MVP showed off the special gesture on Instagram on Sunday ... saying it's something she does every year -- but this one took the cake. Literally.

The tasty treat is decked out in rainbows, disco balls and scissors ... and features the words "Hooray you gay" in the center.

Taylor Swift was over the moon when she spotted BF Travis Kelce ... after the NFL star surprised her during Sunday's "Eras" tour stop.

Check it out ... the Grammy winner smiled wide after she clocked the Kansas City Chiefs tight end in the crowd at her 3rd show at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

TK was at a California wedding over the weekend ... rushing to Europe to catch at least part of her Sunday concert in Ireland. Travis arrived in time for the "Folklore" era, as she performed her hit "August" in a red, flowing gown onstage.

O.J. Simpson was included in the 2024 BET Awards' "In Memoriam" segment ...

Check out the clip from the ceremony -- the audience was enthusiastically applauding Sunday as photos of the departed flashed onscreen ... but when O.J.'s picture appeared, labeling him  "Former NFL Player," an awkward silence enveloped the room.

As the shock wore off, a few hesitant claps could be heard ... but the atmosphere remained uneasy.

Jimmy Rollins says he wouldn't mind it if an MLB player never wore the No. 24 again ... telling TMZ Sports he'd be down to see Rob Manfred retire Willie Mays' famous number league-wide.

The possibility of the honor has been floated by baseball fans all over the country the past few days ... after Mays sadly died at 93 years old on June 18.

Seamheads have argued that due to his impact on the league, Mays' old number should get the same treatment that only Jackie Robinson's No. 42 has previously earned from the MLB.