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Auburn assistant coach Chuck Person has been suspended without pay effective immediately, the university announced on Tuesday, following his arrest in the NCAA basketball corruption scandal.

“This morning’s news is shocking. We are saddened, angry and disappointed. We have suspended Coach Person without pay effective immediately," the school said in a statement.

"We are committed to playing by the rules, and that’s what we expect from our coaches. In the meantime, Auburn is working closely with law enforcement, and we will help them in their investigation in any way we can.”

As we previously reported, Person -- a former NBA star with the Pacers -- allegedly took thousands of dollars in bribes to steer players to a financial advisor and high-end suit-maker.

Ric Flair is half the man Wilt Chamberlain claimed to be -- admitting he's slept with roughly 10,000 women during his storied wrestling career.

Nature Boy reportedly confessed about his 5-figure conquest while shooting a "30 for 30" special for ESPN -- a special that's set to air in November.

But apparently Naitch, who's famously referred to his penis as "Space Mountain" for years while asking women if they want a ride ... is now embarrassed about his sex life.

"I wish I hadn't said that because of my grandkids," Flair told People ... insisting, "I only love one now" -- a reference to his fiancee, Wendy Barlow.

FYI, Flair is 68 years old -- so if he started banging at 15 ... we're talking an average of 188 women per year (or 3.6 women per week).

Chamberlain claimed to have slept with 20,000 women.

Chip and Joanna Gaines are calling it quits -- for their hit HGTV show -- after 5 seasons.

The "Fixer Upper" stars announced their decision to end the show's run on their blog Tuesday, saying ... "It is with both sadness and expectation that we share the news that season 5 of Fixer Upper will be our last. While we are confident that this is the right choice for us, it has for sure not been an easy one to come to terms with."

The power couple's show has been one of the network's most successful since premiering in 2013, and their announcement's a shocker for millions of viewers.

However, Chip and Joanna say they want to return to more of a normal lifestyle and handle their business out of the public eye for the sake of their 4 kids.

As for rumors that their marriage is on the rocks, or that the show's ending so Joanna can pursue a skincare line, the couple has this to say -- "Our marriage has honestly never been stronger. This has nothing to do with a fraudulent skincare line or anything else you’ll inevitably read. This is just us recognizing that we need to catch our breath for a moment."

Season 5 premieres in November.

USC athletic director, Lynn Swann says he was "shocked" to find out about the arrest of asst. basketball coach, Tony Bland ... but the University vows to "cooperate fully" with authorities.

"We were shocked to learn this morning through news reports about the FBI investigation and arrests related to NCAA basketball programs, including the arrest of USC assistant Tony Bland," Swann said in a statement.

"USC Athletics maintains the highest standards in athletic compliance across all of our programs and does not tolerate misconduct in any way."

"We will cooperate fully with the investigation and will assist authorities as needed, and if these allegations are true, will take the needed actions."

Zach Randolph says he feels he was "wrongfully arrested" during an August 9 incident in Los Angeles -- in which cops initially said the NBA star was in possession of a TON of weed.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Randolph was initially arrested for possession with intent to sell because of the large quantity of weed cops say he had. He eventually pled no contest to resisting arrest and the weed charge was dismissed completely.

Randolph finally broke his silence about the situation on Monday telling reporters, "I'm not speaking a lot about it but I felt that I was wrongfully arrested."

"Things that was put out there wasn't true. But I don't want to be a distraction to my team, my organization, so I'm just going to move forward and play basketball."

Randolph was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and was ordered to stay away from drug dealers. He's due back in court in December.

Donald Trump just sent a message to Roger Goodell -- saying kneeling during the national anthem should no longer be an option ... it needs to be a league rule.

Trump continued his Twitter attack against kneelers Tuesday morning -- first, saying the booing at the Monday Night Football game was the "loudest I have ever heard" ... due to the Dallas Cowboys protest.

"Great anger," Trump added.

Then ... a message aimed at Roger Goodell.

"The NFL has all sorts of rules and regulations. The only way out for them is to set a rule that you can't kneel during our National Anthem."

We're reaching out to the NFL for comment -- but the multiple statements from NFL team owners over the weekend suggest they would not support that rule.

Pat Tillman's widow is breaking her silence -- saying her husband fought and died for American rights such as freedom to protest ... even when you don't agree.

Marie Tillman broke her silence about the issue after Donald Trump retweeted a post that included the ex-NFL star turned solider -- along with the hashtag #StandForOurAnthem.

"As a football player and soldier, Pat inspired countless Americans to unify," Tillman wrote in a statement to CNN.

"Pat’s service, along with that of every man and woman's service, should never be politicized in a way that divides us."

Then she dropped this -- "The very action of self expression and the freedom to speak from one’s heart -- no matter those views -- is what Pat and so many other Americans have given their lives for. Even if they didn’t always agree with those views."

"It is my sincere hope that our leaders both understand and learn from the lessons of Pat's life and death, and also those of so many other brave Americans."

Cardi B -- who has the #1 song in the country -- says NFL owners need to hire Colin Kaepernick ASAP or she'll boycott NFL Sundays and start watching baseball instead ... on whatever day baseball is on.

The "Bodak Yellow" rapper told Billboard that people need to stop pressuring the NFL players to boycott because they need to make a living ... the real pressure needs to be on the owners.

"You can't really be mad at the players," Cardi said ... "These people need their jobs too. Are you gonna pay them? Be mad at these goddamned team owners."

She also trashed Trump -- referring to him as "Carrot Face."

As for Colin, he's in game shape -- at least he looked buffed up and ready to play out in NYC on Monday morning.

President Trump's under fire from Marc Anthony ... who's begging the commander-in-chief to turn his attention away from NFL player protests -- and toward the crisis in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

Marc is pissed off and bluntly called out Trump, saying ..."Mr. President shut the f**k up about NFL. Do something about our people in need in #PuertoRico. We are American citizens too."

The singer's anger stems from the humanitarian crisis in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The island's power grid remains crippled, a massive dam is crumbling, hospitals don't have running water and there's extremely limited communication.

Marc has joined his ex, Jennifer Lopez's efforts to send aid to the island -- but, clearly, he's screaming for POTUS to get on board too.

Kathy Griffin's neighbor war is so intense now, she's run to court to get protection from him -- but fears some serious consequences for doing so.

According to court docs, Kathy filed for a restraining order against Jeffrey Mezger ... the neighbor who went off on her and her bf, just over a week ago, with an expletive laced rant. Mezger shouted from his backyard on Sept. 16 over to Kathy and her boyfriend, Randy Bick.

Mezger was recorded saying, "Hey Randy, go f**k yourself ... you're stuck with a f**king bald dy** who Donald Trump kind of put the heat on. Now you're calling the cops? F**k you and f**k Kathy." Randy had apparently called police earlier to make a noise complaint.

In the docs, Kathy admits she's had several issues with Mezger over the last year -- including him allegedly throwing garbage in her yard, and blaring Johnny Cash tunes in the direction of Kathy's home. Good taste in music aside ... Kathy's fed up with the annoyances.

Ben Roethlisberger says he actually LOST SLEEP over the way the Pittsburgh Steelers handled the national anthem situation on Sunday ... and wishes he wouldn't have stayed in the tunnel.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had said before the game that the team would "not participate" in the anthem to protect the players from having to take a public stance on the issue.

All but one of the players stayed out of sight -- the exception being offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva (a retired Army Ranger) ... who stood on the field.

Now, Big Ben -- who stayed in the tunnel during the "Star Spangled Banner" -- says he regrets not joining Villanueva.

"The idea was to be unified as a team when so much attention is paid to things dividing our country, but I wish we approached it differently," Roethlisberger said.

"We did not want to appear divided on the sideline with some standing and some kneeling or sitting."

"As a team, it was not a protest of the flag or the Anthem. I personally don’t believe the Anthem is ever the time to make any type of protest."

"I appreciate the unique diversity in my team and throughout the league and completely support the call for social change and the pursuit of true equality."

"Moving forward, I hope standing for the Anthem shows solidarity as a nation, that we stand united in respect for the people on the front lines protecting our freedom and keeping us safe."

Anthony Weiner was done dirty by the judge who gave him 21 months in prison ... at least that's how he and his lawyers see it.

In fact, Weiner's team thinks he shouldn't have gotten ANY time behind bars, especially because the judge acknowledged Weiner's treatment program has shown promise. His attorney Arlo Devlin-Brown says the judge chose to make an example out of Weiner purely because of his celebrity.

Prosecutors had recommended up to 27 months, and the judge could have given Weiner up to 10 years -- so you'd think he'd be grateful for the 21-month sentence. Apparently not.

As Devlin-Brown puts it ... the judge used Weiner to send a message to other famous people to not follow his footsteps, but this "has resulted in a punishment more severe than it had to be given the unusual facts and circumstances of this case."

LeBron James says people who voted for Donald Trump made a mistake -- but it's okay, because even LeBron makes mistakes.

The NBA superstar spoke with reporters at Cavs media day and refused to say Trump's name -- or even call him the President. Bron repeatedly referred to him as "that guy."

James accused "that guy" of using sports to try and divide the country -- and he says he'll do everything in his power to fight back.

Then he dropped this ...

"If you voted for him or not, you may have made a mistake, and that's okay."

"If you voted for him, it's okay. I mean I've done things for my kids and realized I shouldn't have given my daughter that many damn Skittles. Maybe I shouldn't have done that. She won't go to sleep now."

Wizards star Bradley Beal just went off on Donald Trump ... trashing POTUS in a big way ... and essentially teasing more protests when the NBA season starts.

Beal used the mic at Wizards media day to call Trump a "clown" and voice his displeasure with everything the President is doing ... from race issues to Puerto Rico to Twitter.

"I disagree with what he's doing. I disagree with his thoughts. Hopefully as a nation we can come together better and really see things through the perspective of the people really going through it."

The NBA season begins on Oct. 17 -- and with several prominent NBA players from LeBron to KD to Steph to Beal speaking out against Trump, it'll be interesting to see if they demonstrate against him during games.

Anthony Weiner learned his fate ... he's going to federal lockup for just under 2 years.

The ex U.S. Congressman was sentenced in Manhattan for transferring obscene material to a minor. Prosecutors had recommended a 27-month sentence, and the judge could have given him as much as 10 years ... so the 21 months might be the best possible outcome for Weiner.

However, the judge admonished him repeatedly during sentencing. He said Weiner "has a disease that involves sexual compulsivity; some call it a sex addiction." Weiner wept openly in court during the hearing.

Weiner pled guilty in May to sexting with a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina. In court today, the judge said Weiner still has a chance to contribute to society if he continues getting treatment for his illness.

He will have to register as a sex offender once he gets out, and he'll be under supervised released. He'll also be under a computer Internet monitoring program.

Weiner has to surrender by Nov. 6 to enter prison.

Not all NASCAR people are siding with Trump -- with Dale Earnhardt Jr. throwing his support behind NFL protesters ... despite several NASCAR owners bashing them.

After POTUS said NFL owners should fire any "son of a bitch" who takes a knee, two of the most powerful men in NASCAR gave major stamps of approval.

Richard Petty said, "Anybody that don’t stand up for that ought to be out of the country. Period."

Team owner Richard Childress was asked what he would do if any of his staffers protested the anthem -- "Get you a ride on a Greyhound bus when the national anthem is over."

But Earnhardt -- hands down the most popular NASCAR driver of the last 10 years -- sees things differently ... and weighed in Monday morning with a quote from John F. Kennedy.

"All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests," Dale Jr. tweeted.

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

As for Trump, POTUS praised the NASCAR community early Monday morning.