Breaking News

Magic Johnson just dropped a bombshell before the Lakers play their final game of the season ... announcing he's stepping down as the team's president of basketball operations.

Magic held court with reporters before the Lakers took on the Portland Trailblazers, and in a stunning move he revealed he's walking away from the role he held for 2 years.

The decision totally blindsided everyone ... Magic says he hasn't even informed Lakers owner Jeanie Buss that he's stepping away from the team.

As for why he's stepping down from his influential role ... Magic says he wasn't having fun running the Lakers, and he was happier before he took the job.

UFC star T.J. Dillashaw has just been hit with a 2-year suspension for failing a drug test before his January 19 title fight against Henry Cejudo.

Dillashaw tested positive for Erythropoietin -- aka EPO -- which is a synthetic hormone that's considered a cleaner alternative to blood doping, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has announced.

EPO is often used by athletes to increase oxygen transport and aerobic power, according to USADA.

Dillashaw has accepted the suspension -- which means he won't be eligible to fight until Jan. 2021.

Dillashaw provided the dirty sample on Jan. 18 -- one day before the fight.

What's even worse for T.J. ... he lost the fight against Cejudo in a 1st-round stoppage.

The 33-year-old fighter had issued a statement on the situation last month saying he was "disappointed" and was trying to figure out what happened.

"While words can't even begin to express how disappointed I am at this time, please know that I'm working with my team to understand what has occurred and how to resolve this situation as quickly as possible," Dillashaw said at the time.

After the positive test, Dillashaw relinquished his UFC bantamweight title so he could "deal with the matter."

Before the Cejudo fight, Dillashaw had defeated Cody Garbrandt twice.

The NHL has just suspended Slava Voynov for the entire 2019-20 season over a domestic violence incident from 2014 ... the league has announced.

As we previously reported, Voynov pled no contest to misdemeanor corporal injury to a spouse -- stemming from a 2014 altercation with his wife at their Redondo Beach, CA home.

Cops said Voynov's wife told them the hockey player kicked, punched and choked her -- and also slammed her head into a TV. Cops said she was bleeding when they arrived to the scene.

Voynov was ultimately sentenced to 90 days in jail and 3 years probation, which he completed last year.

The L.A. Kings terminated Slava's $25 million contract in 2015 -- and he moved back to his native Russia where he resumed his hockey career.

But, now that his probation is over, he wants to play in the NHL again -- and recently met with NHL officials to discuss possible reinstatement.

Enter NHL Commish Gary Bettman ... who says if Slava wants to return, he needs to be punished by the league for his actions -- even if those actions are almost 5 years old.

Bettman decided a 1-year suspension was sufficient and made the announcement on Tuesday.

"I have determined that Player Slava Voynov engaged in acts of domestic violence directed at his wife,” Commissioner Bettman said.

"Today’s ruling, while tailored to the specific facts of this case and the individuals involved, is necessary and consistent with the NHL’s strongly-held policy that it cannot and will not tolerate this and similar types of conduct, particularly as directed at a spouse, domestic partner or family member."

Cincinnati Reds star Yasiel Puig and Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Chris Archer have both been hit with suspensions for their roles in a crazy bench-clearing brawl ... MLB announced.

Archer intentionally threw at Reds infielder Derek Dietrich after he had previously homered off him earlier in the game. The pitch went behind Dietrich, pissing off Reds players who stormed the field.

The angriest Reds player was Puig -- who jogged right over to Archer and got in his face. Several players restrained Puig as things escalated. He continued to run after Pirates players like a wild man until he was eventually pulled back into the Reds dugout.

Now, Joe Torre, Chief Baseball Officer for Major League Baseball, says Puig will be suspended for 2 games starting Tuesday night. He will also be fined an undisclosed amount.

Archer was hit with a 5-game suspension. He was also fined. Archer will be allowed to appeal his suspension.

Reds manager David Bell was also suspended 1 game for running on the field after the wild pitch. His suspension will also begin Tuesday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants no part of a role in LeBron James' "Space Jam 2" ... saying he'd rather focus on basketball than his movie career.

"I don't like being Hollywood," Antetokounmpo told ESPN ... "I don't like all this extra drama. I am just going to try to be me."

Of course, LBJ is working on a sequel to the ultra-popular Michael Jordan flick ... and getting NBA studs for an on-screen battle with the Monstars is pretty necessary for the new movie.

But, Bron's reportedly having trouble locking up top-tier NBA talent for the roles ... and now, he'll have to move forward without the Greek Freak, one of the best players in the league.

According to ESPN, Giannis says he ain't down to give up 2 weeks of his summer training to join up with LBJ on the silver screen.

Which begs the question ... who will step up for Bron?

We know he's tight with Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul -- but those guys ain't exactly the young superstars taking over the NBA.

Guessing he's got names like Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis on his wish list.

Jordan had Hall of Famers like Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing in his version of "Space Jam" ... and if LBJ can't at least somewhat match that cast, ya know the criticism will be flyin'!!!

Did you know ... German soccer superstar Mario Gotze is married to a ridiculously attractive German bikini model?

It's true. And fortunately for us, Ann-Kathrin Gotze put her talents on display during a bikini photo shoot in Ibiza this week.

The 29-year-old has been modeling for years -- and she even appeared on "Germany's Next Top Model" way back in 2012.

She's also modeled for everyone from GQ to FHM, and she's done some lingerie work for Lascana.

As for 26-year-old Mario -- the guy who famously scored the winning goal for Germany during the 2014 World Cup -- his career stalled after clinching the cup.

Now he plays for Borussia Dortmund where he's trying to prove he can still be a dominant force on the field ... and with 4 goals and 6 assists this season, it looks like he is on the right track.

Virginia won the title, but NO ONE had more fun than Travis Kelce ... 'cause the NFL star was pounding brews while supporting Patrick Mahomes' team!!

Kelce's Cincinnati Bearcats were eliminated in the 1st-round of the tourney, so with no horse in the race, he decided to show love for his QB's Texas Tech squad as they took on the Cavaliers.

Mahomes was SUPER into the game, constantly cheering and firing up his TT fans. Kelce was the perfect wingman -- making sure no beer got left behind.

Of course, Texas Tech lost in overtime. Still, a helluva run for the Red Raiders.

As for the winners, NFL star Chris Long was also in the house cheering on his alma mater -- while clutching a Coors Light -- and after the game, he had a message for Virginia coach Tony Bennett.

"Tony’s way too stable a person to have a twitter and he won’t read this but when I see him I’m going to hug him and tell him he’s the single most important figure in UVa athletic history."

Long also had some nice words for the enemy -- saying, "Everyone from Texas Tech I met was super classy and cool."

"Great run. Knocked off some great teams. A game for the ages tonight."

He's only got ONE more NBA game left in Miami -- so some of Dwyane Wade's most famous friends threw him a huge bash to celebrate the end of his amazing 16-year NBA career ... and the pics are GREAT!!

Huge rap stars like Rick Ross and Meek Mill partied with NBA stars like Jimmy Butler and Chris Bosh Monday night at the official "One Last Dance" bash at the Prime 112 steakhouse in Miami Beach.

D-Wade's mom and dad showed up to the party too -- along with Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra, Fat Joe and more!!! Of course, Dwyane's wife, Gabrielle Union, was front and center.

The guys had champagne, personalized bottles of whiskey ... and D-Wade even got a massive bottle of wine during the Miami bash!!!

Ya gotta see the crane machine game that was stocked with Dwyane's designer socks from his sock line.

Of course, Wade announced this season will be his last ... and his final game in Miami is Tuesday night against the 76ers. His last-ever game is Wednesday in Brooklyn against the Nets.

It's been a hell of a career for the future Hall of Famer ... dude was a 3-time NBA champ, 13-time NBA All-Star, 2006 NBA Finals MVP AND the 2008-09 NBA scoring champion.

In fact, the career was so legendary ... ya gotta check out the FIRE fishnet shirt Jimmy Butler broke out for the party!!!

The IKEA furniture didn't stand a chance in Charlottesville after Virginia won the NCAA championship Monday night ... because there was a SOFA INFERNO right on the streets!

The Cavaliers defeated Texas Tech in an overtime thriller in Minnesota to clinch the school's very first national title -- and the fans back home in VA went crazy to celebrate.

Check out this footage of UVA fans setting fire to a couch and dancing around while chanting "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes in video shot by reporter Austin Kellerman.

Fortunately, no one was hurt and cops reportedly didn't make any arrests -- so all in all, pretty harmless fun.

Other students and fans flooded campus to chant and cheer -- the videos are insane!

4/9 8:32 AM PT -- Eric just tweeted about the incident, stating, "We are all safe. Thank you for your concern."

He finished by saying, "You don't know how much you're loved till times like these" and then quoted himself from his old "Monty Python" days -- "Always Look on the Bright Side of life..."

4/9 5:41 AM PT -- According to LAFD, the investigation found that "there was no hazard" and two people were taken to a hospital only as a precaution.

An employee of comedian Eric Idle called 911 after opening a letter containing a suspicious white powder ... triggering a heavy police and fire response to Idle's Hollywood Hills home.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the employee discovered the powder while opening a certified letter shortly after 6:30 PM Monday night. LAPD, fire and hazmat units were quick to the scene ... it is not believed that Idle was home during the incident.

At this time, it's unclear exactly what the powder inside the letter is, units are still on scene investigating.

Idle's career has stretched over the span of several decades ... including being a member of the British comedy group "Monty Python" and being the author of the Broadway musical "Spamalot."

Story developing ...

Here's a photo of soccer legend Pele at the airport in France on Monday -- right after he was released from a Paris hospital where he spent the past 6 days battling a urinary tract infection.

The 78-year-old was pushed through Charles de Gaulle Airport while being accompanied by 4 people. We're guessing he's now on a flight back home to Brazil.

Pele was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday after appearing at an event in Paris with French soccer superstar Kylian Mbappe.

His reps insisted the UTI was nothing serious -- but clearly, doctors felt it was in his best interest to keep him hospitalized while he being treated for the infection.

"I want to thank you deeply for your positive thoughts and get-well wishes," Pele said in a statement to the Brazilian news media.

"Thanks to the great affection of the medical team at the American hospital of Paris, I am travelling home soon."

Just before he was released from the hospital, Pele was visited by Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar -- and they both smiled for a quick photo in his hospital room.

4/9 -- At least one of Felicity's productions is on hold -- the Netflix comedy "Otherhood," co-starring Patricia Arquette and Angela Bassett, was supposed to be available April 26. We're told it no longer has a launch date.

She's co-starring in another Netflix film, "When They See Us" -- about the Central Park Five -- and that's still slated for a May 31 release.

3:23 PM PT -- Felicity's plea deal WILL include prison time after all, IF prosecutors get their way ... but only a little.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, federal prosecutors are recommending a prison term at the "low end of the sentencing guidelines."

In the docs, the feds say that would be somewhere between 4 to 10 months -- however, Felicity is reserving the right to argue the range should be 0 to 6 months. All of this should be sorted out in sentencing, and it's important to note, these are just the recommendations from prosecutors. The judge will have ultimate say at sentencing.

BTW, they also suggest she pay a fine or penalty of $20k, plus a TBD restitution amount and one year of probation.

Felicity Huffman has thrown in the towel in her college admissions cheating scandal ... agreeing to plead guilty, along with 12 other parents and one coach.

The former "Desperate Housewives" star was one of 14 people who entered guilty pleas Monday. She pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud as well as honest services mail fraud.

Felicity Huffman, 56, of Los Angeles, Calif, paid Rick Singer $15,000 to rig her daughter's SAT test. The girl had twice the amount of time as normal to take the exam and the proctor corrected her answers afterward.

Huffman released a statement saying, "I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions."

She continues, "I am ashamed of the pain I have caused my daughter, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the educational community."

As for sentencing ... no word. TMZ broke the story, our sources in the prosecutor's office say they wanted some prison time. The prosecutor recommends a sentence to the judge, and the judge has the final word.

The maximum sentence is 20 years in prison.

Lori Loughlin and her husband were not part of the plea deal.

Bret "The Hitman" Hart is speaking out about that crazy attack during his WWE Hall of Fame ceremony Saturday ... saying, " I want to let everyone know that I am okay and was not injured."

GREAT NEWS!!!

Of course, the 61-year-old legend was blindsided by a violent idiot who snuck on stage and tackled Bret while he was delivering his induction speech alongside Natalya Neidhart ... the daughter of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Jim was also part of the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame class.

"What a wild weekend to say the least," Bret posted on social media Monday.

"If there’s one thing I want everyone to take away from the Hall of Fame ceremony is not so much what happened, but how I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from completing my tribute to my best friend and our team."

Bret added, "Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and words."

As for the attacker, cops arrested Zachary Madsen -- who's since been charged with assault and criminal trespassing. He was held on $1,500 bond.

Madsen was also pummeled by ex-UFC star Travis Browne -- who happened to be ringside with his wife Ronda Rousey during the attack.

After the incident, Madsen told police he decided to tackle Hart because "I just felt like it was the right moment."

There will be no triumphant comeback for the Auburn gymnast who broke both of her legs during a floor routine at the NCAA Regional Semifinals ... Samantha Cerio says she's retiring from the sport.

Cerio snapped both of her legs while trying to land a handspring double front on Friday -- she was stretchered off the mat with 2 air casts.

**WARNING -- THE VIDEO IS GNARLY AND GRAPHIC**

Auburn went on to advance to the Regional Final ... but Cero says Friday was "my final night as a gymnast."

Cerio issued a statement saying, "After 18 years I am hanging up my grips and leaving the chalk behind."

The Auburn senior says she learned a lot from the sport -- including hard work, humility, integrity and dedication ... but has ultimately decided to move on.

"It may not have ended the way I had planned, but nothing ever goes as planned."

"Thank you Auburn family for giving me a home and a chance to continue doing the sport that will always be my first love. I am honored to have had the privilege to represent the navy and orange AU for the past 4 years with my team by my side. Thank you for letting me share my passion with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of something bigger than myself."

Gabrielle Union was dancing her ass off at the Pride Festival in Miami Beach this weekend ... and it was all to show support for her 11-year-old stepson, Zion.

Zion is Dwyane Wade's son from a previous relationship but he lives with Dwyane and Gabby full-time and Gabby treats him like blood.

While Wade wasn't at the event -- the Miami Heat had a game in Toronto -- the NBA star was certainly proud of his family, saying:

"Zion had his own cheering section today. Wish I was there to see you smile kid."

The Pride Festival in Miami Beach is one of the biggest LGBTQ events in the country -- with more than 145,000 people flocking to South Beach last year to celebrate together.

Gabby was having a blast -- dancing, taking pictures with fans and signing autographs.

Zion was sporting a rainbow ribbon and a big ol' smile!

Dwyane posted a photo of his older son, Zaire -- a HUGE prep basketball star -- with Zion at the parade along with the caption, "We support each other with pride."

He added, "It's a family thing."

Conor McGregor is reportedly under investigation in Ireland -- again -- after allegedly punching a man Saturday in a pub in Dublin.

The UFC superstar was at the Marble Arch pub in Drimnagh (a suburb of Dublin) when he was approached by another patron who thought Conor was acting like a jerk, according to the Irish Mirror.

The patron reportedly talked trash to Conor about his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov saying, "The Russian battered you" ... and that's when Conor snapped and punched.

We called Ireland's Garda Síochána -- the country's police force -- who wouldn't identify Conor by name but did confirm an investigation of an alleged April 6 incident at the Marble Arch.

"No arrests, matter under investigation."

We also called the pub -- but an employee hung up on us as soon as we asked about Conor.

Calls to McGregor's rep have not been returned.

It's just the latest in a long list of legal problems for Conor ... who's also facing criminal charges for an alleged incident at a Miami hotel last month.

He's also reportedly being investigated in a rape probe in Dublin stemming from an alleged incident at a hotel in Ireland back in December. Conor's rep has called the report a "rumor."