TMZ Sports - Page 6

Shohei Ohtani's historic 50/50 ball has a new owner -- the highly coveted piece of baseball memorabilia just sold for a whopping $4.39 MILLION at auction ... making it the most valuable ball in sports history.

Bidding on the item -- which was cosigned with Goldin Auctions -- ended on Tuesday ... and the final number far surpassed the $3 million paid for Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball from 1998, the previous record holder for balls sold at auction.

The winning offer was $3.6 million ... but including the 22-percent buyer's premium, it reached a staggering $4,392,000 price tag.

Former Super Bowl champion Derrick Ward will not spend time in prison over allegations he robbed L.A.-area businesses ... TMZ Sports has learned he's been placed on mental health diversion instead.

Court records show a judge ordered Ward to enroll in the program at a hearing back on Oct. 10.

Ward, according to court documents, will now have to comply with any mental health treatment recommendations from "Find Your Balance Center" and "Brain Health USA Center" for a period of two years.

Fernando Valenzuela, the iconic Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher turned team Spanish broadcaster, has died, the team announced Tuesday night.

The legend played 17 seasons in MLB ... with much of his tenure spent with the Dodgers, who he helped to win a World Series in 1981, when L.A. defeated the New York Yankees.

The Mexico-born superstar became the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in the same season! A nearly unmatchable feat.

The James family just made history!

LeBron and Bronny James just shared the court during the Lakers season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves -- becoming the first father-and-son duo to do it in the NBA!

Both men checked in together with 4 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter ... with the Lakers up 16 points.

It happened in the 2nd quarter when Bronny -- the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft -- joined his dad on the Crytpo.com Arena hardwood in downtown Los Angeles, in front of a sellout crowd.

Fans, including Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. (the first father-and-son duo in Major League Baseball), were hyped for the historic moment.

Ivanka Trump is spilling her fitness secrets, sharing the 5 workout moves that keep her in tip-top shape and give her that sculpted look.

In her Tuesday IG video, Ivanka took fans through her workout routine, demonstrating barbell back squats, deadlifts, TRX rows, lat pull-downs, and banded deficit curtsy lunges -- and she even broke down the weights she used and the number of reps for each move.

Ivanka was giving serious fitspo vibes in her baby blue two-piece, barely breaking a sweat as she nailed each move like a pro to the beat of Megan Thee Stallion's "Mamushi" featuring Yuki Chiba.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis posted a farewell message to his fans on Tuesday just before he was thrown behind prison bars ... and the former NBA star was surprisingly in good spirits despite what's in store for him.

Check out footage that Davis posted to his Instagram page while he said he was on his way to FPC Duluth in Minnesota ... he had a big smile on his face -- even though he's now about serve the 40-month prison sentence he was hit with earlier this year for his role in a scheme that defrauded the NBA's Players' Health and Benefit Welfare Plan.

Davis held up a peace sign in the vid and told his followers he'll see them around.

LeBron and Bronny James are expected to make history as the first father-son duo to play in the NBA together on Tuesday ... that is, if Bronny can even make it to the game on time -- 'cause the King completely filled the rookie's car in cereal!!

The Lakers teammates starred in a new Nike commercial that dropped just hours before their home opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves ... in which the G.O.A.T. takes part in a little rookie hazing at his own son's expense.

In the clip, LeBron is shown filling up his son's whip with boxes of Fruity Pebbles before scurrying out of sight once Bronny walks out of the house and toward the driveway.

Baker Mayfield was spotted poppin' a ZYN during "Monday Night Football" ... but if you thought the company behind the nicotine pouches would be thrilled with the free promotion -- think again!!

Swedish Match -- which manufactures ZYN -- got wind of Mayfield catching a buzz before the second half of the Buccaneers vs. Ravens game at Raymond James Stadium ... and let's just say it had a mixed reaction to the moment.

"Swedish Match appreciates its loyal consumers and encourages them not to show the product in any situation where someone under 21 years old could see it," a ZYN spokesperson told TMZ Sports.

Lou Williams can't wait to see LeBron and Bronny James taking the court together ... but only if the special moment isn't forced -- telling TMZ Sports he hopes the Lakers rookie earns his playing time.

The NBA season kicks off on Tuesday ... with Los Angeles -- led by new head coach J.J. Redick -- going up against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bronny is by far the most notable newbie for the Purple and Gold ... and like most NBA fans, Lou Will -- who we spoke with earlier this month -- is anxious to witness history when the 20-year-old guard plays with his pops.

Brianna LaPaglia is opening up about her heartbreak following her split from country singer Zach Bryan ... sharing she had no idea he planned to publicly announce their breakup so soon.

The Barstool Sports personality posted an emotional video response on her YouTube channel after the country crooner shared their relationship status update on his Instagram Stories today ... where he indicated he made the decision to call off their romance amid a troubled year.

While Brianna confirmed their breakup, she noted the split only happened Monday ... which is why she initially said she was "blindsided" by Zach's social media activity.

Jon Gruden's split with the Raiders was UGLY ... but that doesn't mean the Super Bowl champion-winning former head coach is down on his old employer in Las Vegas!

In fact, Gruden says he not only watches the team, but he still actively pulls for his old squad!

"You know my son [Deuce Gruden] is on that staff. He's one of the strength coaches, so I watch every single play. I still root for 'em like I was still on the staff," the Gruden told Pacman Jones and Evan Rosenblum on BetOnline's "The Pacman Jones Show."

Aaron Rodgers says he's never once eaten one of his boogers ... even if it sure looked like he did during the Jets game Sunday night.

The star quarterback was adamant about the matter when Pat McAfee brought it up to him during Tuesday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show" ... insisting he's never, ever dug for gold and then shoved it down his mouth.

"I've actually never eaten my boogers," he told Pat, matter-of-factly. "That's one thing I'm very proud of."

10:10 AM PT -- Brianna LaPaglia responded to the breakup news stating she's feeling "really blindsided" and going to hop off social media while she tries to heal privately.

She thanked everyone for their kind words, and says she'll be back when she's ready to talk.

Zach Bryan has confirmed his relationship with podcaster Brianna LaPaglia is over ... announcing his new relationship status on social media.

Amid ongoing gossip about the pair, Zach posted to his Instagram Stories Tuesday, announcing his decision to end things with the Barstool Sports personality (AKA Brianna Chickenfry).

1:06 PM PT -- Halton Regional Police informed TMZ Sports that they did investigate the altercation at the Pure Muscle Fitness location on Sunday and charged Van Wyck with two counts of assault.

Bodybuilding star Jeff Nippard was assaulted by another fitness guru while recording a workout sesh at a gym in Canada this week ... and the attack was caught on video!

Nippard -- known for his scientific approach to bodybuilding -- broke his silence on the incident after video surfaced showing Nippard being violently pushed to the ground by Mike Van Wyck at Pure Muscle and Fitness gym in Ontario.

"Mike Van Wyck jabbed me in the throat twice in the middle of the gym and then shoved my cameraman," Nippard said Monday on social media.

Paul George says it's time to move on from journalists inside of NBA locker rooms ... claiming he's seen at least one reporter gawking at penises while in the players' changing areas.

The Philadelphia 76ers star made no bones about the topic while on his "Podcast P with Paul George" show this week ... explaining he agrees with NFL players who want to rid themselves of media members in the immediate vicinities of showers.

George stated he has a multitude of issues with the practice ... but one of his biggest pet peeves is clearly the way he believes some have looked at his and his teammates' private parts while trying to conduct their post-practice and postgame interviews.

Kristin Cavallari is wishing Jay Cutler "nothing but the best" after his recent run-in with the law ... saying she hopes her ex-husband seeks support in the wake of his DUI arrest.

The former reality TV star briefly addressed the retired NFL quarterback's legal troubles at the top of her 'Let's Be Honest' podcast this week ... explaining she recorded the episode prior to the "very public" news of Cutler's arrest -- and would not be commenting on what happened later on in the show.

"I do, of course, wish Jay nothing but the best and I do hope that he gets the help that he needs," Cavallari said during the intro. "But that's the only thing I will be saying about it publicly."