Sports

Aaron Rodgers is looking forward to retirement ... and says he hopes to start a family with his wife.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback opened up about his future during an interview with SiriusXM's "Mad Dog Sports Radio," saying he's hoping to be "supporting my pregnant wife" by this time next year.

Rodgers said he and his wife, publicly known as Brittani, plan to start a family after he steps away from football following the 2026 season.

"I'm looking forward to a life of quiet after 22 years in the pros and three in college," he said ... adding he's also focused on healing his body and building a family.

Aaron Donald feared his ex Jaelynn Blakey’s dog may harm their kids and rushed to court weeks before the NFL season starts, TMZ has learned. 

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Aaron, who shares two minor kids with Jaelynn, requested primary custody until the dog was removed from Jaelynn’s home. The California Post was the first to report the news. 

Aaron said their kids were in immediate danger each time they were at her home and came close to the French bulldog. 

WNBA boss Cathy Engelbert is heading for the exit ... the league's commissioner will retire at the end of the year after a firestorm of controversy plagued this season.

Engelbert, at the helm for seven seasons, will step away at the end of the year, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Her time at the top of the league was a mixed bag.

The W grew in many ways, from viewership and attendance to lucrative media deals. They're also expanding, with six more teams joining the league by 2030.

But many of the gains have been overshadowed by controversy.

Kurt Busch opened up about his brother Kyle's sudden death in a new interview ... and he's clearly still stunned by the development -- especially because he insists no one knew how sick he was.

The NASCAR star opened up about Kyle's final days in an interview on Anderson Cooper's "All There Is" podcast ... telling the veteran journalist that people around Kyle noticed he had a little cough -- but he seemed totally fine otherwise.

He notes Kyle won a race -- the 2026 Ecosave 200 Craftsman Truck Series race at Dover Motor Speedway -- days before he died ... and even visited an indoor go-kart track with his son two days before he passed.

Kurt says these aren't the actions of a man so close to death ... and one look at him shows he's still shocked.

Matt Barnes believes LeBron James bolting to Philly was the best thing for Bronny James' career!

TMZ Sports caught up with the retired NBA player-turned-podcasting star at Ryan Garcia's open workout in Los Angeles this week ... and Barnes weighed in on one of the league's most polarizing hoopers.

“A lot of people wanna say his dad got him drafted, and that may be true, may not be true,” Matt told us. “But Bronny has a lot of talent, and I just thought if he would’ve stayed just one more year, he could’ve did it on his own.”

Dianna Russini was in "clear violation" of The Athletic's newsroom standards because of her relationship with Mike Vrabel ... an internal investigation found.

The Athletic's editorial director, Mike Semel, published the findings Thursday, saying ... "Russini's relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic's standards. Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed."

Semel went through 903 videos, 77 videos, 204 episodes of her "Scoop City" podcast -- he also interviewed her coworkers and listened to her off-platform appearances and interviews -- and says he didn't find "a clear link" that shows Russini used her position to give Vrabel a leg up.

Semel write ... "That said, there are examples of Russini writing glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable."

Aryna Sabalenka -- the world's No. 1 women's tennis player -- is kicking ass on and off the U.S. Open courts ... blasting a reporter for asking what she views as a ridiculous question about NYC parties.

Sabalenka talked to the media Wednesday night after beating Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the third round ... and one journalist dared to ask about her mood at the tournament after she was seen partying last week. Wrong move, pal, 'cause Sabalenka lost it.

Like a calm before the storm ... Sabalenka sighs, shakes her head, rolls her eyes and then lit into him, saying, “You guys are, like, a joke. Parties, fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that?"

She went on ... "Just because I posted some, like, activities with brands and you think I've been partying, not training?

The New Level -- Kofi and Austin Creed -- made their debut Sunday night at AEW All In, and the team is already high on their new boss ... Tony Khan.

Kofi -- formerly known as Kofi Kingston -- and Austin Creed -- formerly known as Xavier Woods -- joined the TMZ “Inside the Ring” podcast to discuss their new home ... after spending more than a decade in WWE.

The 12-time tag team champions made their shocking debut at Wembley Stadium alongside Swerve Strickland ... and the trio immediately captured the AEW World Trios Championships.

“There’s a lot of things in there that are very wrestler-friendly ... in terms of being able to go out and do what it is that you want to do, there’s not really a lot of restrictions,” the duo told us.

Women of the Bay Area, listen up ... if you're considering (allegedly) giving money to any self-proclaimed 49ers, run it by E-40 first!

That's the official word from 40 Water himself, who pulled up to the TMZ offices this week to chop it up with Babcock, who asked the legendary Bay Area rapper about Daejon Love, the most talked-about story in sports.

"If he don't know Water, if he don't know 40 Water, and he claims 49er, if I ain't never heard of him or met him, he's not a Niner," 40 said.

"They should have asked me before they gave him the money or whatever and all the scamming s***."

Alphonso Smith Jr. -- a former NFL player and standout cornerback at Wake Forest University -- has died ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Sports ... the former cornerback died by suicide on Wednesday at a housing community in Florida.

Alphonso's final Facebook post highlighted his unstable emotional state before his death.

In the post, Alphonso wrote, "Do not cry for me! I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME! I did not want to be that WAY! I know I have disappointed so many folks. This is a DEMON in me! But not only me! It’s EVERYONE! I have HURT so many! I needed help & did not get it!"

The NBA just unloaded on the Los Angeles Clippers, snatching five first-round draft picks, fining them $30 million, and suspending owner Steve Ballmer for an entire season!

The stiff punishment was all part of the league's investigation into whether superstar Kawhi Leonard circumvented the NBA's salary cap rules ... as a way to get compensation that wasn't on the books.

"The NBA announced today that the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard have been penalized for violating the salary cap circumvention rules contained in the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)," the league said.

Tiger Woods' plea deal may put a crimp in his game, because the judge may have made golf carts off-limits for the next 5 years.

As we reported, Tiger struck a plea deal in his DUI case, pleading no contest to reckless driving and refusing to take a urine test. The deal included Tiger pledging not to drive a motor vehicle for the next 5 years.

And the judge fired off this warning to Tiger in court ... "There are no exceptions. If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail."

5:41 AM PT -- Tiger Woods pled guilty to reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test. The golfer will have his driver's license suspended for 5 years, and he will have to pay a $1000 fine.

The judge warned Tiger that if he drove on his suspended license, he could go back to jail.

Tiger Woods is back in court to change his plea in his DUI case ... and TMZ is streaming live as it unfolds Wednesday morning.

Tiger arrived to court with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump.

The golf legend is scheduled to appear at 8:30 AM ET in Martin County, Florida, for a change-of-plea hearing stemming from his March rollover crash near his Jupiter Island home.

Woods previously pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of DUI with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test. It's not yet clear what plea he plans to enter Wednesday -- or whether he's reached a deal with prosecutors.

Novak Djokovic puked on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, cramped up, cried, and lost a grueling 5-set match just two days ago ... so, when we saw the tennis GOAT out in NYC, we asked the obvious question -- how are ya feeling?!

"Better. Bit better. A bit better," the 39-year-old tennis legend told TMZ Sports out in the Big Apple on Tuesday ... less than 48 hours after he battled illness during the 4-hour, 36-minute marathon against unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone.

It was the first time Djokovic lost in the opening round of the U.S. Open ... but it wasn't as simple as him playing bad tennis.

Novak was sick -- he vomited multiple times during the match.

Travis Kelce has a lavish new home waiting for him in Ohio ... purchasing a massive lakefront mansion just months before his wedding to Taylor Swift ... TMZ has confirmed.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end bought the Cleveland area estate March 2 for $5.35 million ... and we're told he was the only person who purchased the property.

David Ayers and Nick Zawitz of The Agency Cleveland tell TMZ ... the property is set on 3.5 acres along Lake Erie, this remarkable Bratenahl estate pairs Gilded Age grandeur with modern luxury. They add they're thrilled for the new owners and so excited for Cleveland.

The mansion features 8 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and more than 21,000 square feet of living space.

The home recently underwent a yearlong transformation ... with nearly every detail restored or replaced, including the original door hardware, intricate walnut and oak carvings, cut glass leaded windows and multiple fireplaces.

The third floor and lower level includes a game room and home theater in the original ballroom. The lower level boasts a billiards room, poker area, bar, temperature controlled wine cellar and tasting room, fitness center and sauna.

Outside, a stone terrace leads to a bluestone patio and heated pool overlooking the lake.

Travis and Taylor celebrated their July 4 wedding at Madison Square Garden.

Tessa Blanchard is making a major move ... the former TNA wrestler and world champion is officially joining Major League Wrestling.

Tessa announced the news during an exclusive appearance on TMZ’s “Inside the Ring” podcast ... telling us she’s “super, super excited” about beginning this new chapter.

“I’m going to be starting with MLW here soon, and I’m super, super excited for everything to come,” she said.