Controversial S#!T

The Jussie Smollett saga might be over for the Osundairo brothers -- but they're just getting started on their fitness business ... which is apparently skyrocketing.

Sources close to Abel and Ola tell TMZ ... the brothers' training regiment is a hot commodity in the wake of the Jussie scandal, which ended with the actor getting off scot-free this week. We're told hundreds of people have been hitting them up for training and diet plans.

Ironic, really, considering that's exactly what they were doing for Jussie before things went awry.

Business must actually be doing pretty well considering they're now advertising a new "Team Abel" fitness package on their social media pages. The basic purchase will run ya $30 for a workout plan -- does NOT include personal training. The premium plan will cost folks just $20 more ... and it gets you a lot, including a diet program, strength training, power training, shred training and a 4-week meal plan.

No word on whether personal training costs $3,500 ...

Getting on-board could be worth your while -- in case you haven't noticed, these dudes are completely shredded (and athletic). So, obviously, they know a thing or two when it comes to fitness.

The bigger -- and unanswered -- question more people probably care about at this point, though, is whether they'll break their silence on how the Jussie case shook out in Chi-town.

We're told they will speak on it in the near future ... but no word on an exact date yet, or if there's a price tag attached.

Stay tuned ...

Charles Barkley has never been shy sharing his opinions -- especially about LaVar Ball -- and he's blasting the Big Baller dad once again ... claiming he is stealing Lonzo's spotlight.

We got Chuck outside CBS Studios in NYC Friday night ... and he was riding high following his alma mater Auburn's win over North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

He was signing autographs (but ONLY one each) and reveling in the victory -- including winning a bet with Stephen Colbert -- when we asked about the Ball family issues with Big Baller Brand.

Barkley tells us ... "[Lonzo's] dad is really unfortunate ... this whole thing has been about him from the beginning. You shouldn't try to piggyback on your kids, man. That ain't cool at all."

Charles adds it's Lonzo's time and LaVar needs to let him shine ... and go out and sign with a much better shoe company.

As we reported ... Lonzo's ditched the BBB, or at least his tattoo promoting it, but his dad claims the brand is still alive -- it just got bit by a snake.

The prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case threw shade at the Mayor of Chicago and the Police Superintendent as she bizarrely tried to explain her decision to cut the actor loose from the justice system.

Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx wrote an op-ed piece in the Chicago Tribune, in which she says the case against Smollett was not a slam dunk. Foxx is clearly pointing the finger at Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who came out strongly in a news conference after Smollett was charged, saying the evidence was clear -- Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers to stage an "attack."

Foxx says, "For a variety of reasons, including public statements made about the evidence in this case, my office believed the likelihood of securing a conviction was not certain." She doesn't explain how those public statements would affect the case.

Foxx goes on to diminish the alleged crimes, saying Smollett was charged with a low-level felony, "The least serious category, which also covers things like falsely pulling a fire alarm in school and 'draft card mutilation.'" So, Foxx is comparing filing a false police report and falsely alleging a hate crime is like pulling a fire alarm.

She says, "These felonies are routinely resolved, particularly in cases involving suspects with no prior criminal record, long before a case ever nears a courtroom and often without either jail time or monetary penalties." What she's not telling you ... the way these cases are typically resolved is with a plea bargain ... and not outright dismissal. Remember, Jussie did no formal community service.

She then goes after Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent Johnson, saying, "Any law-enforcement leader or elected official not grandstanding or clouded by political expediency understands the purpose of sentencing guidelines." NOTE: Smollett was not sentenced. He was let go.

Darlene Love, one of the greatest singers EVER, thinks anyone who wants to yank Michael Jackson out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should have their head examined, "because music is music."

We got Love outside the Barclays Center Friday night, where Stevie Nicks became the first woman to ever be twice inducted. Darlene couldn't be happier and says it's a sign the days of the "Boy's Club" are over.

She also fangirled out over Janet Jackson, who was also inducted at the ceremony. We're guessing Janet was more than happy to have a word or two with Darlene.

In case you didn't know ... Darlene herself was inducted back in 2011. Her story is amazing ... from icon to maid, only to rise again.

As for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ... the honchos at the org say MJ's not going nowhere, saying the allegations made in the "Leaving Neverland" doc by Wade Robson and James Safechuck will have no bearing on Jackson's status.

Jackson was inducted into the HOF as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and again as a solo artist in 2001.

Jamaal Charles is thrilled Donald Trump won't let Betsy DeVos cut $18 MILLION from Special Olympics ... telling TMZ Sports competing in them when he was younger changed his life.

The Kansas City Chiefs legend was diagnosed with a learning disability at a young age ... and used track and field at Special Olympics events to help him get through tough times.

In fact, the running back -- who's the all-time NFL leader in yards per carry -- says, "Special Olympics is one of the best things that ever happened to me."

Charles says the events helped him deal with bullying and other issues that came with his disability, and tells us he couldn't be happier the organization's government funding remains intact.

"When you go to some of these games right here, these kids will just put a smile on your face. Winning is really nothing to them. It's just really just having fun."

Charles' message to all the Special Olympians out there? "Don't give up. Believe in yourself."

For Tone Loc, the sight of someone rocking the Confederate flag reminds him prejudice is alive and well in this country ... which is why he went off on a teen who was wearing it.

The rapper was on "TMZ Live" Friday and told us why he got so heated last weekend at Midland International airport in Texas. ICYMI ... Loc took offense last weekend to a teenage boy wearing a hat with the stars and bars and the word, "Rebel."

Tone went off on Mom, first ... telling her, "F**k the Confederate flag." He also got in the dad's grill and put him on blast for allowing his son to wear that hat deep in the heart of Texas.

Tone Loc tells us he first told the teen, "Your hat is whack" as he was grabbing his luggage from baggage claim. As he walked out, Tone says the kid's mom started going off on him ... prompting the clash.

He ended up in handcuffs, but was NOT arrested.

Tone's message here is clear -- wear whatever you want, but realize there might be consequences.

Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott ain't buying the theory rock is dead, as his band enters the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and he's got an idea about how to give groups like Wu-Tang Clan their props.

We got an ecstatic Joe, Friday afternoon in NYC, hours before DL's induction. As you know ... Janet Jackson, The Zombies, The Cure, Stevie Nicks and Roxy Music are also going into the Hall. As for the Wu -- not even on the ballot, despite being eligible since 2017 and RZA saying they're overdue for the honor.

Joe has a different POV, and thinks it's weird when non-rock acts get into the Rock & Roll HOF. His fellow-inductee, Janet, might have something to say about that.

Still, he agrees Wu-Tang deserves an honor ... a slightly different one, though.

Mr. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" also names a UK-bred band he believes can take up the mantle as the next BIG arena rock band ... a la Def Leppard.

Lil Uzi Vert's return to music is now shrouded in controversy ... his new single is getting yanked from digital music services because he freestyled over someone else's beat.

Lil Uzi Vert's new song, "Free Uzi," is no longer available on Tidal and Apple Music -- for streaming or purchase -- because of licensing issues and copyright concerns. The single features a beat that was previously used in a G Herbo song.

Our music sources tell us Lil Uzi's single isn't an original production -- and he didn't clear the sample -- so he can't make money off of it.

The timing is interesting, considering Uzi is beefing with DJ Drama and Don Cannon's label, Generation Now. However, honchos at the label tell us they weren't the ones pushing for the song to come down, and there's no bad blood between the two sides.

In fact, we're told Uzi decided to drop the song after Drama and Cannon said they'd support him releasing music ... it just backfired due to the copyright.

"Free Uzi" hasn't been completely scrubbed from the internet ... you can still listen to it on YouTube and SoundCloud.

His label, Atlantic Records, had no comment on the song being pulled.

#1 Dodgers fan George Lopez might have some regrets today about how his fun-filled Opening Day ended ... due to this drunken run-in with fans, and their convo about President Trump and Jussie Smollett.

Ya gotta see this -- George signed autographs and took pics with a group of fans Thursday afternoon, celebrating the Dodgers' 12-5 victory. Good times all around! And then, our camera guy brought up George's favorite topic ... Trump.

We asked what he thought about POTUS using the Smollett case as a MAGA rally cry, but George --clearly not in the mood for a serious chat -- called in fans for backup, and one guy obliged.

This is where George's boozy fun seemed to cross the line into bad taste. One fan opened up about being the victim of a hate crime, but as he did ... George mockingly humped him, and dropped some offensive language too.

To be fair, the fan didn't appear to be offended ... but certainly could have been. We think George got lucky.

Watch the clip to the end ... 'cause you gotta see how George's pal, Arsenio Hall, popped on the scene to save the day.

Jussie Smollett may have just been checkmated by the City of Chicago, and it could cost him his "Empire" job.

The City is now demanding he pay $130k for the overtime required to investigate the now-infamous "attack." A City official sent Jussie a demand letter, but his people have already rejected the request, saying the only person owed anything is Jussie -- as in, an apology from the Mayor and Police Superintendent.

This has now set up a courtroom showdown, and sources connected to the Mayor tell TMZ ... they will absolutely file a civil case to get the money. Under the law, the City can actually collect 3 times the actual amount owed as a penalty -- meaning around $390,000.

If Jussie fights it in court, his "attack" case will be fully litigated. A judge will have to decide if the attack was fake before deciding whether Jussie is required to pay. What's more, the judge would only have to rule that it's more likely than not -- 51/49 percent -- that Jussie faked the attack. That's a much lower standard of proof than a criminal case, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction.

Now here's the hard part for Jussie. If a judge rules the attack was fake, it gives the honchos at "Empire" all the ammo they need to say he's fired, despite the fact the State's Attorney has dismissed the criminal case.

And, to add insult to injury, if Jussie loses the case but refuses to pay the judgment, the City can execute on the judgment, and that would include garnishing wages and freezing bank accounts -- including his "Empire" salary.

Heavyweight boxer Kubrat Pulev has been suspended indefinitely by the California State Athletic Commission for kissing a female reporter during a post-fight interview, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

A spokesperson for CSAC tells us Pulev will NOT be licensed to fight in CA until he appears before the Commission to address the incident in person.

We're told the next opportunity for Pulev to face the Commission will be in May -- though it's unclear if the Bulgarian fighter plans to attend.

Of course, Pulev is in very hot water for kissing Vegas Sports Daily reporter Jenny Sushe after knocking out Bogdan Dinu Saturday night in Costa Mesa, CA.

Sushe laughed it off during the incident -- but immediately lawyered up, hiring Gloria Allred and now she's considering taking legal action against the 37-year-old fighter.

As for Pulev, he initially brushed the whole thing off ... saying Jenny is a friend and they laughed the whole thing off together at an afterparty.

Obviously, Jenny doesn't feel the same way -- saying in a statement, "I did not encourage or consent to Mr. Pulev grabbing my face, kissing me, or grabbing my backside."

Consider Tony Benford the anti-Conor McGregor ... 'cause he's here to take part, not to take over ... telling TMZ Sports no matter how well LSU does in the tournament, it's still Will Wade's team.

Of course ... The Notorious famously said "we're not here just to take part, we're here to take over" at UFC Fight Night 46 back in July 2014.

The Tigers' interim head coach sees things the exact opposite ... telling us the suspended coach deserves all the cred if Benford leads the Purple and Gold deep into the tournament.

Wade was suspended indefinitely before the NCAA Tournament ... after Yahoo Sports reported that wiretapped conversations revealed Wade discussed making a "strong-ass" offer to a recruit.

Benford -- who couldn't have been nicer -- says the Tigers are looking forward to ruining a bunch of brackets against Michigan State later Friday ... and are enjoying every step of the journey.

But, say LSU wreaks havoc and makes it all the way to the Final Four ... that means Benford should take over, right??

Tyga's co-signing RZA's full-court press to get Wu-Tang Clan into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame -- and he says it's all about the culture.

We got a happy and surprisingly chatty Tyga Thursday night outside Craig's in WeHo, where he was definitely down to talk to our guy with one condition ... slow your roll. Our guy eventually asked him if he agrees with RZA's take that Wu-Tang's is long overdue for HOF induction.

The Wu's been eligible since 2017, but hasn't even gotten on the ballot yet. RZA recently told Rolling Stone, "I think we should [get in], and I do care. It may take some time to get in there."

Check out the vid ... Tyga agrees 100%. He gave us -- and HOF voters -- specific reasons why it needs to happen. This year's HOF induction goes down Friday night in Brooklyn.

BTW, Tyga's still rolling in luxury ... behind the wheel of a Lambo.

Looks like the repo man drama's in his rearview. Looks.

Tina Tchen, the woman who tried to grease the wheels for Jussie Smollett in Chicago, isn't saying much ... now that he's been cleared of all criminal charges.

We got Tchen in Washington, D.C. -- she's a power player there as Michelle Obama's former Chief of Staff -- but also in Chicago. We asked her, multiple times, what her thoughts are on Jussie's future now that he's no longer facing 16 felony counts.

Watch, she had an answer locked and loaded ... which she fired off. Repeatedly.

You'll recall, Tchen had reached out to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx shortly after Jussie reported the alleged attack. In text messages, Tchen said she was speaking on behalf of the Smollett family ... which had "concerns about the investigation."

After Foxx's office let Smollett skate, critics speculated Tchen's involvement reeked of the kind of political cronyism for which Chicago's built an infamous reputation.

Jussie Smollett shouldn't show up to the NAACP Image Awards this weekend ... so says an actress on "Power."

Naturi Naughton -- who actually won the award last year for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama -- was very candid with us Thursday at LAX, saying given everything that's happened with him ... he should probably bow out of the award show this time around. Jussie won for Supporting Actor in a Drama in 2017.

Unclear if Jussie's gonna follow her advice, considering he touched down in L.A. Wednesday night, ahead of the NAACP Image Awards this Saturday. It wouldn't be surprising if he showed -- he's been as strong this week as he was at the beginning of the saga -- proclaiming the "attack" was real.

Kimora Lee Simmons couldn't resist taking a shot at Lori Loughlin after her daughter got accepted to Harvard all on her own.

Russell Simmons' ex-wife just shared a video of their daughter, Aoki Lee Simmons, reading her acceptance letter into the Ivy League school ... with Kimora adding some not so subtle jabs at Lori and all the parents swept up in the college bribery scandal.

Kimora says she's proud of Aoki for getting accepted to Harvard on the strength of her own merit ... and not because she was on a bogus rowing team.

As we've reported ... Loughlin and her husband are facing criminal charges for allegedly paying $500,000 to have their 2 daughters designated as recruits for the crew team at USC -- despite the fact they did not actually participate in crew. Lori's daughters left USC after the scandal broke, and they could be banned from campus for life.