Coronavirus

The CFL is shutting it down, ay.

Canadian football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie just announced there will be NO games 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, the CFL is "shifting its focus to 2021 and beyond."

“Our league governors decided today it is in the best long-term interests of the CFL to concentrate on the future,” the Commish said.

"We are absolutely committed to 2021, to the future of our league and the pursuit of our vision of a bigger, stronger, more global CFL."

Longo story short, the CFL says unlike the NFL, it relies HEAVILY on the revenue from live attendance -- AKA "fans in the stands."

And, with pandemic protocols limiting the amount of people allowed to gather at one location, the league realized it didn't make sense to push forward this season.

"Unlike US-based leagues that can count on television or streaming to provide the lion’s share of their revenue, the CFL depends heavily on its live gate," the league said in a statement.

CFL honchos had been working plans for a shortened season in a bubble style environment in Winnipeg -- but again, the money just wasn't there to justify the costs.

The league was hoping the Canadian govt. would help out with the costs to keep the sport going -- but it never panned out.

"Despite months of discussions, the government ultimately declined the CFL’s appeal for financial support," the league says.

One Australian cop can now say he does his own stunts -- because that's exactly what it looked like as he went flying through the air trying to stop a guy who allegedly jacked a car.

A Victoria police officer got roped into an action movie scene late last week in Melbourne, while attempting to detain a man who cops say was making an escape in a stolen car -- allegedly, because he was breaking the country's stage four lockdown restrictions.

The man didn't wanna talk though, and according to authorities ... hopped into this whip and tried driving off. This one cop wasn't about to let him off easy, as he tried yanking the dude out through the driver side, but things went left when they started going in reverse.

Because of his position on the door, the officer was flung back when the car hit another one behind it on impact. His body was thrown at least 10 feet or so, and he hits a parked car incredibly hard before springing back up and continuing to give chase to the getaway driver.

Congrats to Utah Jazz star Mike Conley -- who raced out of the NBA Bubble to witness the birth of his child ... AND HE MADE IT JUST IN TIME!

32-year-old Conley left the bubble environment in Orlando on Sunday and hightailed it over to Columbus, Ohio to be with his wife, Mary, who was due on August 27.

But, the baby didn't feel like waiting around -- and when things started happening on Sunday, Conley made a grown-man decision!

The good news ... Conley arrived with time to spare, and posted a photo with Mary and their bouncing baby boy, Elijah, on Sunday night.

"[Mary] and baby are doing great," Conley reported on IG.

Conley says his oldest son wanted to name the kid "Lightning Thunder Michael Alex Conley" ...  but they settled on "Elijah Michael Conley" instead.

"What an awesome reminder of what’s important in life and what motivates us to be better," Conley added.

Conley -- who is averaging 14.4 points per game -- could return for some of Utah's 1st-round playoff series with Denver, but nothing is set in stone yet.

When/if he does return, Conley must quarantine for 4 days and then test negative on several COVID-19 tests before being allowed back in the bubble.

High school football is officially underway in Utah -- where two teams faced off for the first time this year despite the looming pandemic.

The Herriman Mustangs took on the Davis Darts on Thursday in a stadium that was only filled to 25% of capacity in order to allow fans to keep a safe distance. All fans were required to mask up.

On the field, coaches, refs and other essential personnel wore neck gaiters to cover their mouths and noses while interacting with the players and each other.

The cheerleaders were allowed on-site too -- again, everyone wearing a mask.

Although some of the players wore masks during warm-ups, they were NOT required during the game and it doesn't appear anyone wore one after the opening kick off.

School officials said extra staff and security were brought on to make sure everyone was in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

In the end, Davis emerged victorious in a 24-20 nailbiter -- with running back Spencer Ferguson rushing for 197 yards and a TD.

It was an interesting site considering several states have postponed high school football due to the pandemic -- including Arizona, California, New York, New Jersey and more.

Of course, college football is divided -- with the PAC-12 and Big Ten also pushing to the spring.

Ohio State superstar QB Justin Fields is leading a campaign to resurrect the BIG Ten football season -- saying he believes it can be done in a safe and responsible way.

The 21-year-old Heisman hopeful launched a petition Sunday aimed at the Big Ten Conference in hopes of getting officials to reconsider postponing the fall season ... and it's already racked up more than 220,000 signatures.

"We believe that safety protocols have been established and can be maintained to mitigate concerns of exposure to COVID-19," Fields said in the petition ... adding it should be up to the players to decide if they want to suit up or the season.

"Don’t let our hard work and sacrifice be in vain. #LetUsPlay!"

Fields joined ESPN Radio on Monday and said he believes if the other conferences are able to play, the Big Ten should find a way to figure it out as well.

"I think if the SEC, ACC and Big 12 all feel like we can have a season safely, I think we can do the same thing in the Big Ten."

"I don’t think it’s hit everyone that we’re not playing, but if we’re sitting at home and other conferences are playing, that’s gonna hurt down deep."

Fields adds he and his teammates want to play for the seniors who may not get the opportunity to play college football again ... saying, "We owe it to those guys first."

Fields says he's working directly with Clemson's Trevor Lawrence to find ways to move forward -- they're trying o unify the biggest names in college football to speak out together to help save the season.

"We're finally now realizing how big of a voice that we have."

As we previously reported, both the Big Ten and the PAC-12 have postponed their football seasons to at least January, which the hopes of playing a season in the spring, if the pandemic allows for it.

Norman's Rare Guitars is in trouble ... and Slash and Post Malone are among the celebs holding out hope the legendary guitar shop avoids its swan song.

Here's the deal ... Norman Harris' famed guitar shop in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley is in serious jeopardy of closing its doors forever due to the pandemic, and celebs are trying to raise awareness in a new documentary, with personal tales of how Norman and his store impacted their careers.

The shop's served as a mecca for guitar enthusiasts and music icons ever since it opened its doors way back in 1975, but the coronavirus could be the final nail in its coffin -- unless MGK, Post and other famous rockers can pull off a miracle -- and get people to buy product.

Norman's daughter, Sarah Edwards, says her dad's store isn't in dire straits financially, but Norman could be forced to keep the store shuttered because he's a 71-year-old type I diabetic who can't interact with customers like usual anymore.

Norman's Rare Guitars closed its doors back in March, and Sarah says her dad can only go in on Tuesdays and Fridays for a couple hours to pack and ship internet orders and film content for the store's social media.

Gone are the days when Norman would shake hands and take pictures with customers, and lend his guitars to rockers for epic jam sessions. Sad.

Slash, Jeff Daniels, The Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge and Jeff Garlin are among the celebs lamenting the possible loss of another music landmark in the upcoming documentary directed by Devin J. Dilmore and produced by Norm's daughter and Kiefer Sutherland.

Another school year is ramping up -- and while some institutions are holding off on in-person classes, others are letting their students come back ... including UNG, which is already proving to be a COVID nightmare even before Day 1.

The first day of classes at the University of North Georgia begins on Monday, when students return to campus. Of course, that means a crap ton of 18-to-20-somethings flocked into town over the weekend and did what college kids do ... pack in tight and party the night away.

Check out this video of what must be dozens, if not hundreds, of students flooding the street of what appears to be an off-campus housing neighborhood. There's massive crowds for as far as the eye can see, and of course ... no one's distanced and no one's wearing masks.

It also doesn't look like there's a cop or campus security guard in sight -- then again, if it is off-campus housing ... it's probably a college student-driven area, so maybe nobody minds.

What we imagine people -- especially the faculty -- will care about in a couple weeks here when symptoms can set in ... is how much of the student body start getting sick, and what this rager might have to do with it right out the gate. At this rate, things could get ugly fast.

UNG has said they're committed to providing a safe environment for students this fall semester, with new guidelines and precautions in place. That's all fine and good while folks are on campus, but when the kids leave ... who can realistically control what they do?

Elvis Presley lives on in the hearts of adoring fans who made sure to pay their respects on his 43rd death anniversary ... even if it meant wearing masks and having to spread out.

A candlelight vigil was held for The King Saturday night at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee -- which hundreds of people flocked to come sundown just to get a glimpse of the man's gravesite and leave behind flowers, notes and photos of their idol. It was one of the last events for Elvis Week around there -- but this year, precautions were in place.

The vigil was a ticketed event of sorts -- only 720 people were given access to the grounds for an up-close view, and the folks running the place only let parties in who wore face coverings and traveled in groups of 6 or less. Also, everyone had to trickle in slowly for proper distancing ... so it was certainly less packed than gatherings like this in the past.

There were also police officers stationed outside the property with barricades in place blocking off surrounding roads -- so people who didn't have tickets couldn't even get near the mansion to watch from a distance. By and large, it sounds like it was a success (COVID-wise).

Fortunately, Elvis fans didn't seem to mind either -- in fact, people came from all over the country (and the world) for the momentous event ... marking the year Elvis had been gone longer than he'd been on this Earth. He was just 42 when he died in 1977.

On Sunday -- the day he actually died -- Elvis Week is set to cap off with a virtual gospel event at the Graceland soundstage, and later tonight ... a drive-in Elvis movie in the parking lot (which we imagine will also be limited). Definitely a bummer, but better than nothing.

Elvis died after suffering a heart attack. He was discovered on the bathroom floor, where he was using the commode moments earlier. His legacy is cemented in pop culture as a pioneer for modern rock 'n' roll music as well as the blues.

Speaking of that, he's faced criticism in the years since his death for culturally appropriating music made popular by Black artists, and passing it off as his own style. Still, the guy was incredibly talented ... and goes down as an icon from his time, paving the way for other big-time acts to follow. John Lennon once said, "Before Elvis, there was nothing."

He left behind his wife, Priscilla, and only child Lisa-Marie ... plus lots of grandchildren, many of whom went on to be famous in their own right. Some have tragically passed as well.

This can't be good.

Good luck finding a patch of sand if you tried hitting the beach Saturday in San Diego, because it was wall-to-wall sunbathers.

Thousands of folks hit the beach in the middle of a semi-brutal heatwave in SoCal.

The good news ... San Diego County public health officials said Saturday the positivity rate in the County is fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 tests. And, people are outside, which is way safer than inside.

Still, it's the proverbial packed-in-like-sardines scenario, where almost no one is wearing masks as people are eating, drinking, talking, laughing ... and maybe there's an occasional sneeze or cough. All not good when it comes to spreading the virus.

San Diego wasn't the only Southern California beach that was jammed packed. Check out Venice Beach in L.A. County, where coronavirus is way more prevalent.

A prison inmate in Connecticut hanged himself behind bars, and officials say he did it with the very face mask they provided him to fight off COVID-19.

32-year-old Daniel Ocasio was found dead Wednesday at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Montville, with a ligature tied around his neck. That ligature was from the cloth mask issued to every inmate to prevent the spread of coronavirus from inside.

The Connecticut DOC says he was discovered in his cell around 5 AM, after which life-saving measures were administered ... before he was transferred to a hospital and later pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner's Office there ruled his death to be a suicide by hanging.

Ocasio had been at the prison since August 5 on a 3rd-degree burglary charge ... held on a $10,000 bond. Usually, paying 10% of that amount up front will get someone sprung.

TikTok might be on the verge of shutting down in the U.S., but its American stars are far from winding down -- in fact, they're doing the opposite ... dangerously turning up.

Check out these videos that were captured Friday night from a massive house party out in the Hollywood Hills, celebrating the 21st birthday of TikToker and YouTube personality Bryce Hall. It's ridiculously packed, and of course ... no one is wearing a mask or distanced at all.

Just looking at the raucous scene -- which was full of dancing, drinking and eventually stripping too -- it's clear this isn't safe, but it doesn't look like Bryce and the rest of the (new) Sway House inhabitants really give a damn, and neither do their guests.

It's crazy ... because you literally see a lot of famous faces here -- tons of other TikTok stars and viral personalities and even some reality TV stars too, like Harry Jowsey from 'Too Hot to Handle.' Looks like it was a who's who of Gen Z fame, really. And, yes ... things got wild.

At one point, some male strippers dressed as cops come in and dance on Bryce -- and then later, the female strippers are brought in and do more of the same. Finally, real cops showed.

Word is the shindig got shut down around 4 AM or so, when LAPD rolled through and kicked everyone out. You see this and wonder ... maybe a TikTok ban ain't that bad of an idea.

A woman in Hawaii broke up a small beach wedding because of COVID-19 -- shaming the group for gathering and chasing them off, which begs the question ... too much, or right on?

Check out this video. The woman -- who appears to be a resident near Waimanalo Beach in O'ahu -- catches wind of a secret wedding ceremony going down nearby and busts in lock, stock and barrel ... shamelessly interrupting the proceedings.

She comes upon a group of maybe 7 people -- some of whom are young children -- who are bearing witness to an intimate ceremony between a couple ... with what looks to be a minister and a photog on hand as well. They're not even on or around the main area of the beach -- everyone is tucked back behind some shrubbery, sorta hidden from view.

That itself appears to be crossing the line for the woman, who reminds them the beaches in town are closed ... and what they're doing is illegal. But, it sure looks like they're on private property, and if not just inches beyond.

The woman goes so far as threatening to call cops as everyone makes their way back to the rental home.

There are 2 issues ... if the group is on private property, the lady is clearly in the wrong. If, on the other hand, they are on the public beach, well they shouldn't be ... but they're so close to private property waging war seems like an overreaction.

Brooklyn Nets star DeAndre Jordan is doing his part to personally assist those combating the coronavirus -- by surprising 200 frontline workers with free meals!!

TMZ Sports has learned -- the 6'11" center popped up at the myCovidMD in Los Angeles on Thursday ... teaming up with Postmates to provide the large group of workers administrating COVID tests with food from one of his favorite local joints -- Harold & Belle’s.

We're told Jordan hooked the workers up with chicken creole and his personal fav -- veggie jambalaya.

Of course, it's a great gesture coming from Jordan -- who was unable to compete in the 2020 NBA restart after testing positive for COVID-19.

Heavyweight boxer Otto Wallin -- the man who took Tyson Fury to the brink in 2019 -- says he's fully recovered from his battle with COVID and can't wait to fight again on Saturday.

Remember, Wallin is the guy who bloodied Fury badly during their Sept. 2019 bout -- opening 2 huge gashes on the champ's face. He ultimately lost by unanimous decision, but gained a ton of respect in the boxing world.

Wallin later contracted COVID-19 in March -- but tells TMZ Sports he beat the virus pretty quickly and got back to training hard in a matter of weeks.

"I was out for maybe a week and a half, 2 weeks when I had it," Wallin says ... "But then we started training. Took it slow because we didn't know if it would affect me but we haven't noticed anything and we stepped it up from there."

"Now we've had a few months with good training. I feel like I've improved since the Fury fight so hopefully, that will come out."

Wallin steps back into the ring on Saturday to fight Travis Kauffman -- and another impressive performance could put him back in the mix for a rematch with Fury ... or a shot at other top fighters like Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.

"I already showed Fury I'm very good ... I'm not too far off from those guys."

Kauffman ain't exactly rolling over -- he's been talking a bunch of trash too.

"If I don’t beat Otto Wallin, I’m retiring," Kauffman told BoxingScene.com.

"And, here’s why: I have a lot more experience and I have a lot more ability than Otto Wallin has. His claim to fame is truly losing to Tyson Fury."

Harvey Weinstein doesn't want to be dragged to Los Angeles to face further prosecution for alleged sex crimes ... because he's already serving a 23-year sentence in New York and feels a trip to an L.A. jail would be a death sentence because of COVID.

The L.A. County D.A. wants Weinstein extradited to Los Angeles for another sexual assault trial, but Weinstein's lawyer, Norman Effman, tells TMZ ... he's gonna fight the move.

Effman says his client's health would be at serious risk if he's transferred to L.A. -- where coronavirus cases have been surging -- especially the county's jail system which has been plagued by COVID-19 outbreaks.

As you may recall ... Weinstein tested positive for the virus in March and recovered, but his lawyer says that's no guarantee he's immune now.

Effman points out the Wende Correctional Facility in upstate New York -- where Weinstein's currently locked up -- has had a low infection rate and zero COVID deaths.

So, he argues, there's no reason to send Weinstein from a relatively safe environment to a dangerous one.

Effman says Weinstein's not fighting extradition altogether ... he just wants to wait until the conditions are safer. The coronavirus outbreak already delayed his extradition back in May. A hearing's set for this week to address the issue again, but it's clear ... Weinstein won't go quietly.

Weinstein was sentenced in March to 23 years in prison in New York after being convicted of committing a criminal sex act in the first degree and rape in the third degree.

He's still facing 5 felony charges in L.A. -- sexual battery by restraint, forcible rape, sexual penetration by use of force, sexual battery and forcible oral copulation.