Athletes

Blake Griffin traded poster dunks for bikini-filled boat days ... but he's still bringing serious heat overseas with fiancée Francesca Aiello!

Feast your eyes ... the retired NBA star and the Frankies Bikinis founder were spotted living their best Italian summer during a steamy getaway in Portofino ... soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine while packing on plenty of PDA in and out of the water.

Francesca showed off her killer figure in a tiny pink bikini while Blake flexed his muscular frame in bright red swim trunks ... looking straight out of a swimsuit ad.

Ray J is learning from the best as he prepares for his upcoming MMA fight against Supa Hot Fire ... because we have video of him training with MMA icons Chuck Liddell and Rampage Jackson.

"The Iceman" -- with an impressive 21-9 record -- got to teach the singer a thing or two about what he'll be in for inside the ring. They swapped the octagon for a dining room, but no worries -- the training looked just as effective.

In the fight prep footage, obtained by TMZ, Ray J looks super locked in ... working up a sweat and picking the brains of two icons who've spent years destroying people professionally.

Ray J posed for photos with Chuck, the founder of Creators Inc., Andrew Bachman, and Ray's longtime manager, David Weintraub.

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch passed away suddenly, according to an announcement from his racing team, Richard Childress Racing, and from NASCAR itself.

His "sudden and tragic passing" comes the same day his family revealed he'd been hospitalized with a "severe illness."

Kyle leaves behind an incredible legacy in the racing community. Keep reading to learn more and honor his memory.

Kyle was a Las Vegas native who was just 6 years old when he first fell in love with racing, often go-karting around his cul-de-sac.

He reportedly used crushed soda cans to create a makeshift track for himself and his brother, Kurt. Busch would even use the little tabs as targets to practice weaving in and out, according to ESPN.

Kyle's first popped on the NASCAR scene at only 16 years old ... racing for Roush Racing in a 2001 Craftsman Truck Series race, behind the wheel of a number 99 Ford.

While he finished 9th at Indianapolis Raceway Park, his debut was cut short ... thanks to a rule NASCAR implemented shortly after which banned drivers under 18 from competing in any of its touring divisions.

Once he was eligible, he went on to win Rookie of the Year twice -- in 2004 for NASCAR's Busch Series and again in 2005 for NASCAR's Cup Series.

Over the course of his 25-year career, Kyle won more NASCAR national series races than any other driver in history. He racked up 63 Cup Series wins, 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins and 69 Truck Series wins ... for a grand total of 234.

Busch also holds the records for most Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins. He's even been crowned Cup Series Champion twice -- in 2015 and 2019.

NASCAR made Kyle's GOAT status official ... naming him in their list of 75 greatest drivers. He's in good company, included alongside all-time greats and household names like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty.

This tracks, since Busch's list of accomplishments is longer than a CVS receipt. Not to mention ... he's taken home the top motorsports honor at the ESPYS twice ... having been crowned Best Driver in 2016 and 2019.

Kyle's young song, Brexton, is continuing the family tradition ... because he's a racer, himself. According to Brexton's bio, he started racing at just 5 years old, competing at the Beginner Box Stock division at Millbridge Speedway.

Just days before his death, Busch took to Instagram to wish Brexton a happy 11th birthday ... sharing sweet snaps of his son.

He wrote in the caption ... "You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day. Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!"

In addition to Brexton, Kyle is also survived by his wife Samantha and his 4-year-old daughter Lennix.

We first heard Kyle was sick when he radioed for medical help during his Cup Series race on May 10 at Watkins Glen in upstate New York, which he finished in 8th place.

And even though he was still under the weather, Busch raced again in a Truck Series race on May 15, where he won the EcoSave 200.

He was 41.

2:45 PM PT -- Barstool is taking umbrage with TMZ's use of the phrase, "juicy fart," and in a "Cease & Desist" letter claims we've mischaracterized what was simply Hank's "butt releasing an odorless pocket of air due to the physics of crossing his legs."

Translation: It was an SND ... Silent Not Deadly. Duly noted.

Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" had an explosive interview with Kellen Moore on Friday's episode ... when the whole sit-down was thwarted by a juicy fart.

The blooper went down as Big Cat and PFT Commenter were chatting it up with the New Orleans Saints head coach as part of the Netflix podcast's annual "Grit Week."

The crew certainly had to show some grit during the episode ... when producer Hank Lockwood broke wind mid-conversation.

Kyle Busch's shocking death at just 41 years old has devastated the NASCAR community ... with drivers sharing their grief on social media.

Brad Keselowski was one of the first to post about Busch's death ... saying, "Absolute shock. Very hard to process. Hug your loved ones."

Denny Hamlin also went to social media ... adding, "Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB."

Floyd Mayweather had a baby with a dancer at his Las Vegas strip club ... and now the boxing legend has been ordered to pony up a million bucks in back child support, in addition to $33K a month for the baby girl.

Mayweather, 49, was legally declared the father of the 4-year-old girl in March 2026 ... with a judge writing, "The court finds that Floyd Mayweather, Jr., is the father of Price Moorehead," according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

Floyd was ordered to pay $32,850 a month in child support ... in addition to $933,050 in back support.

Trevor Bauer's first words after his $600K McLaren was t-boned ... "dude, what the f***?"

TMZ Sports has obtained new video from moments after the crash in Scottsdale on Wednesday at 2:30 PM ... and the former Major League Baseball star was clearly confused about what just happened.

The bystander at the scene walks up to the McLaren 765LT, which had just been hit on the driver's side door by a sedan moments earlier and was resting against a street pole, facing the wrong direction on a dirt path next to the road, when Trevor slides across the passenger seat and exits the exotic supercar.

2:44 PM PT -- NASCAR legend Kyle Busch has tragically died at the age of 41.

Kyle Busch is in the hospital, battling a "severe illness," according to the NASCAR superstar's family.

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway," the family said Thursday morning.

"We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation,” the family said Thursday morning.

WWE star Ludwig Kaiser landed in a heap of trouble ... after cops say he and his girlfriend couldn't keep their sex drives in check. 

Kaiser (real name Marcel Barthel) was arrested Wednesday for battery after he got physical with his neighbor inside a luxury building in Orlando, Florida, where the two men live, according to a police report obtained by TMZ.

The report says the incident popped off on the night of April 23, when the neighbor stepped inside an elevator along with Kaiser and the woman he was with. 

Ray J, as you know, was recently on death's door with a bunch of serious health issues — but now the R&B singer is back and stronger than ever, training his ass off for his upcoming MMA fight against Supa Hot Fire.

TMZ obtained exclusive video of Ray getting into tip-top shape with his posse, which includes a couple of hot female influencers shaking their booties as Ray is pumping iron.

As you can see ... Ray is taking this Saturday's match up very seriously as he spars with a partner and practices various takedown maneuvers and even shows how he plans to choke out Supah Hot during their fight.

Ryan Lochte and his estranged wife have found something else they disagree on ... his upcoming coaching job with a college swim team.

The decorated Olympic swimmer recently announced he's taking a job at Missouri State University ... a move Kayla Reid Lochte thinks will be challenging for their three young children, who are staying behind with her in Gainesville, Florida.

Sources close to Kayla Reid tell TMZ … her main concern has always been the emotional well-being and stability of the children and it’s heartbreaking anytime young kids are faced with the reality of seeing a parent less often, especially at their age when they don’t fully understand distance or what a long-distance parenting schedule truly looks like long term.

William Davis, who was set to play football this season for Sam Houston State University in Texas after playing last season for West Virginia, died from gunshot wounds to the chest ... TMZ has learned.

Unclear if this is a homicide ... the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia, where William died, tells us the manner of death is pending.

As we reported ... SHSU announced William passed away Saturday, but there had been no details on a cause or manner of death.

Aaron Rodgers just confirmed this is his grand finale -- the future Hall of Famer told reporters he will retire at the end of the 2026 campaign.

The four-time MVP met with the media at Steelers OTAs on Wednesday ... when he was asked straight-up if the upcoming season will be his last.

"Yes," 42-year-old Rodgers replied. "This is it, yeah."

Jalen Hurts' absence from A.J. Brown's wedding might not be as spicy as folks are making it out to be ... 'cause NFL legend Julio Jones tells TMZ Sports he, too, got invited to the nuptials -- and even though the groom is a good friend, he unfortunately couldn't make it either.

The superstar Eagles receiver and Kelsey Riley tied the knot over the weekend in Laguna Beach ... and a lot of chatter has been about how his QB was MIA from the ceremony, despite their friendship dating back to high school and Jalen being A.J.'s daughter's godfather.

The popular narrative online is that their football issues might have caused a major rift in their personal lives.

The New York Knicks bulldozed their way through their opponents so far this postseason ... but will their dominant run come to an end against the Cleveland Cavaliers??

If you ask former Knicks superstar Amar'e Stoudemire, his answer is a big "heck no" ... 'cause he feels they're just getting started!!

We caught up with STAT prior to Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday ... and had to ask how a super-rested Knickerbockers squad will fare against a Cavs team that just finished off the Detroit Pistons less than 48 hours ago.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will almost certainly have inked a prenup before their summer wedding ... and if they do, it's all about location, location, location.

Taylor and Travis check all the boxes for a couple that needs a prenup ... there is so much money on the line, plus they are both active money earners. Taylor is worth an estimated $2 billion and Travis comes in at $90 million.

Picking a state where the prenup is drafted will be just as important as picking out a wedding venue. The laws governing prenups vary from state to state, and these prenups typically say the law of the state where it's written will apply, regardless of where they end up living.