TMZ Sports - Page 28

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."

MLB fans better start warming up the hot dogs and buttering the popcorn ... because according to Alex Rodriguez, the impending Yankees vs. Dodgers championship matchup will be absolutely must-see TV!!

"It's going to be a great World Series," the former Yankees superstar told TMZ Sports while leaving Craig's in L.A. on Monday night. "The best in 25 years!"

Of course, you won't find many in the baseball world who will disagree ... as the New York vs. L.A. series does seem to have it all.

There are many things needed on an NFL sideline to ensure players are ready to go ... water, medical tents, video tablets -- and a container of ZYNs?!?

Well, that was at least the case during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the Baltimore Ravens on "Monday Night Football" ... 'cause Baker Mayfield was spotted getting his nicotine fix on the bench.

The ESPN cameras captured Mayfield popping one of the popular pouches -- which are billed as an alternative to tobacco products -- right before the second half.

NBA fans, get ready to witness history on Tuesday ... LeBron and Bronny James are expected to play together on the Crypto.com Arena court during the Lakers season opener -- the first time it's ever happened during the regular season for a father-son duo!

Shams Charania revealed the plan hours before the Lakers tip off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in downtown Los Angeles, the first game of the 2024 season.

The father-and-son combo will "very likely" be on the court together early in the game -- but there's an "IF" -- assuming having both James' out on the floor makes sense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Chris Godwin suffered a leg injury that was so severe against the Ravens -- ESPN declined to show replays of it on its "Monday Night Football" broadcast.

It all went down in the fourth quarter of the Bucs' blowout loss to Baltimore ... when Godwin and Baker Mayfield were trying to make the most of their evening during some garbage time.

The 28-year-old wideout caught a pass from his QB over the middle of the field on third-and-long ... and as he turned up to reach for the first-down line, Roquan Smith dragged him to the ground from behind.

MLB fans looking to own Shohei Ohtani's historic 50/50 home run ball might need to break a few more piggy banks for it than they initially expected ... 'cause Ken Goldin just revealed to TMZ Sports it wouldn't surprise him if the baseball sold for over $10 MILLION later this week.

Currently, the memento -- which Ohtani smacked over a left field wall during a never-before-seen performance against the Marlins back on Sept. 19 -- is a few mil away from getting to eight figures ... but Goldin says it's totally possible it reaches the plateau by the time the final gavel drops on bidding on Tuesday night.

According to the auction expert -- whose auction house is actually overseeing the sale -- most bids usually come in the final hours ... and with it already being up over $2 mil, it can threaten the $10 mil threshold for sure.

Lamar Odom is recalling his own experiences with street drugs in the wake of Liam Payne's toxicology report ... telling us the substances could have made the late singer hear voices.

We got Lamar in Encino, CA and our photog asked if he had ever used the drug cocktail known as "pink cocaine" ... a mix of ketamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy that police say was found in Liam's system.

Lamar, a recovering addict who owns Odom Recovery Group, said he's done every drug Liam allegedly had in his body ... including cocaine and crack, which Lamar feels is the worst one.