Sports

Barry Bonds pulled back the curtain on one of the wildest near-misses in baseball history ... revealing he was on the verge of joining the New York Yankees before a high-pressure call from George Steinbrenner sent the whole thing off the rails.

The home run king shared the story during Wednesday's Opening Night matchup between the Yankees and San Francisco Giants … when Bonds joined the Netflix broadcast and decided to finally share how close he came to heading to the Bronx.

“George isn’t here anymore, so I can tell the truth, right?” Bonds said, before explaining how Steinbrenner personally reached out during his 1992 free agency.

At the time, Bonds was already one of the biggest stars in the game, coming off two MVP seasons with the Pirates -- and the Yankees were ready to make him the highest-paid player in baseball.

But the offer came with a major condition: Bonds said he had to agree to the deal by 2 PM that same day -- and that didn’t sit well with him.

Caitlin Clark can do it all on the court -- and on the sidelines, too -- 'cause the WNBA superstar put her photography skills to the test during the Indiana Pacers' home matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers!!

Clark was spotted courtside as the 'Cers welcomed LeBron James and Co. to town, where she picked up a camera to snap some flicks of the action.

From some of the photos Indiana shared, she's a total natural. However, the more impressive snaps were posted on her X account ... and she made sure everyone got the credit right.

Hubert Davis is out at the University of North Carolina … and one Tar Heel legend already has thoughts on what comes next.

Joel Berry II -- who led UNC to the 2017 title and played under Davis when he was an assistant -- tells TMZ Sports the move hits hard on a personal level … even if he understands the business behind it.

“It’s devastating for me,” Berry said, explaining Davis is “more than just a basketball coach” and someone who truly cares about his players as people.

Berry even shared a glimpse into that side of Davis … recalling a moment when the coach sat on the sideline during an alumni event with Berry’s young daughter in his lap, giving the family a break. For Berry, that’s the real Davis -- not just the guy pacing the sidelines.

Still, the former Tar Heel star and 2017 Most Outstanding Player isn’t blind to reality.

TMZ Sports has obtained new video from the night of Puka Nacua's biting incident, showing his accuser twerking near the passed-out NFL superstar's face -- and our sources say it happened AFTER he sank his teeth into her back.

We're told the woman in the white outfit is Madison Atiabi -- who's filed a police report, an application for a temporary restraining order, and a lawsuit following the New Year's Eve outing with the L.A. Rams wide receiver.

The vid shows Nacua fast asleep in a Sprinter van as Sexyy Red's "Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Dad)" blared on the sound system ... and dude looked knocked out as another woman slapped Atiabi's butt.

The viral courtside clash between Maryland women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese and star player Oluchi Okananwa didn’t just light up social media -- it might’ve actually outshined a national title.

Frese told TMZ Sports the now-infamous third-quarter moment -- where she got in Okananwa's grill, pointed and said “I believe in you, but you’ve got to want this moment!” -- has generated more attention than Maryland’s 2006 championship run.

“We didn’t get this many views back then,” Frese said … noting the clip has racked up tens of millions of eyeballs online.

Boxer Isis Sio has just been discharged from the hospital after being placed in a medically induced coma as a result of a brutal knockout loss ... and she's urging fans to stop going after her opponent.

TMZ Sports spoke with Sio's family members on Wednesday, who shared the great news that the 19-year-old fighter is showing remarkable progress and overcoming "serious post-traumatic complications" she suffered at the National Orange Show Event Center last week.

"We are deeply thankful for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support that have come from the boxing community, friends, fans, and people around the world," her family said.

"The prayers lifted up during this time have meant everything to Isis and her family. God is great, and we truly believe He heard every single prayer that was said for her."

They also told us that Sio doesn't want fans attacking her opponent, Jocelyn Camarillo, with hate ... saying she has nothing but love and respect for her.

The woman who insists Puka Nacua made an antisemitic comment and later bit her is suing the Rams superstar for assault and battery ... claiming she's suffered because of his reckless actions.

The attorney for Madison Atiabi, the alleged victim, filed the lawsuit Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, citing gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence.

Atiabi claims she's "suffered actual damages, including physical injury, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and severe emotional distress" after the December 31, 2025, incident in L.A. She doesn't go into detail about the nature of her injuries.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s spitting image is done training in the shadows ... Joseph Baena is ready to hit the stage for his first competition!

TMZ Sports is told the 28-year-old is set to make his bodybuilding debut this Saturday at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition … officially stepping into the world his dad once ruled -- racking up seven Mr. Olympia titles and becoming the most famous bodybuilder on the planet.

For years, the big question has been looming: would Joseph ever make the jump? Well, they're nearing the finish line -- and we have new video of them preparing last week.

Puka Nacua is promising to fight back against the woman who accused him of saying 'f*** the Jews' during a New Year's Eve dinner ... a B.S. allegation, according to his lawyer, who tells TMZ Sports they're filing a defamation lawsuit.

"Puka denies these allegations in the strongest possible terms," Nacua's attorney Levi McCathern told us after the woman filed the TRO.

"We will be filing a defamation lawsuit and pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements.”

We broke the story on Tuesday.

A woman in Los Angeles requested an order of protection from the 24-year-old NFL star after she claimed he made an antisemitic remark, and later bit her on December 31, 2025.

SO what HAS been confirmed?? Travis will once again be gracing the NFL field on Sundays come this fall after he signed a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to rebound from a disappointing 2025.

"Let's get Arrowhead rocking, baby," he said in a post after putting pen to paper. "We'll see you guys in a few months!"

With training camp slated for July ... one can assume if there is a wedding this year, Travis and Taylor would want it done before the Chiefs report to camp.

Could the most popular boy band in the world someday grace music's biggest stage?? If it were up to BTS member J-Hope, the answer would be a resounding "yes."

The K-pop rapper, singer and writer opened up on his goals in an interview with Kany Diabaté this week ... when he was asked to share his "dream stage."

Hobi didn't hesitate ... saying it's always been the Super Bowl, and he can only imagine what it would feel like to perform the halftime show.

Days after NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three kids were tragically killed in a devastating fire at their Minneapolis home ... the Tampa Bay Lightning shared a touching gesture as they welcomed the Minnesota Wild to town -- leaving an open spot in the press box for the longtime beat writer.

The team's social media account posted a photo of the spot in the media room reserved for Pierce, which featured her name on a card and a vase of flowers.

Before the puck was dropped, there was also a moment of silence in the arena for Pierce.

Conor McGregor says he's officially back ... and he's here to "save fighting again."

The 37-year-old UFC superstar -- who hasn't fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021 -- went to social media to address recent chatter of a comeback ... telling his millions of followers "the rumours are true."

"Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again!" he said Tuesday night alongside a mirror selfie. "Call your grandma! Nanny we did it! Watch and pay me. F*** you pay me. You fat Irish p**** you don’t have my money I put your brain to sleep."

Skier Kai Smart -- son of Olympian John Smart -- has passed away from injuries he suffered after being buried in an avalanche in Japan earlier this month.

He was only 23.

Kai's father -- a Canadian Ski Hall of Famer -- shared the heartbreaking news on his Instagram page days after Kai was hospitalized and placed in a coma.

"We are beyond heartbroken, and there are no words to describe the pain we are feeling losing him so young," John said on Tuesday.

Tiger Woods is swinging like vintage Tiger again ... but talking like a guy who still doesn’t know if his body will let him chase another green jacket.

Tiger made his long-awaited return to competitive golf Tuesday night at TGL -- his first appearance in over a year -- and wasted zero time flexing, uncorking a 170 mph missile that flew 270 yards like he never left.

But don’t let the highlight fool you … behind the scenes, Tiger is basically admitting the Masters is still a coin flip.

“As I said, I’ve been trying,” Woods admitted. “Just this body … it doesn’t recover like it did when it was 24, 25.”

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria was NEVER close to happening on the White House card, despite claims to the contrary ... according to the welterweight champion's longtime manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

The highly anticipated White House card is only 81 days away ... and despite Topuria having his hands full with the interim lightweight champ, talk about Islam and Ilia hasn't subsided.

So, we went straight to the source, Ali ... and asked him to clear the air regarding the fight.

"I got called about Ilia fighting Islam. It was the middle of the day, Islam was sleeping, and I was excited about it," Abdelaziz told us.