You Might Want to Rethink

Steve Ballmer is adamantly denying the L.A. Clippers had a role in Kawhi Leonard's massive endorsement deal with Aspiration ... claiming the contract came months after the NBA superstar already agreed to an extension with the team.

The billionaire owner opened up on the recent bombshell report on ESPN on Thursday ... kicking things off by saying the Clippers have always abided by the league's salary cap circumvention rules, as it's "the right thing to do."

Ballmer then went into detail on his relationship with the now-bankrupt company ... saying the team was approached regarding a potential sponsorship deal, and he felt it was a "match made in heaven" based on its emphasis on carbon neutrality.

Hours after Jalen Carter spat on Dak Prescott, the Eagles star showed some remorse for his behavior ... calling his actions "a mistake."

The gross scene went down just after the start of Philadelphia's season-opener against the Cowboys ... when Carter was jawin' back-and-forth with Dallas' signal-caller.

At one point, cameras captured the Philadelphia defensive tackle hocking a loogie on Dak's chest -- and when a ref saw it, Carter was ejected from the game.

Michael Knowles is defending Tucker Carlson's wild claim that Pete Buttigieg is a "fake gay guy" ... and he says he's heard the same thing from a gay friend of his own.

The Daily Wire host joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and we challenged him over his recent appearance on Tucker's podcast, where they laughed and speculated Pete is be faking his sexuality for political gain.

Michael says he takes Pete at his word that he's gay, but he's got no problem amplifying the opinions of folks who think Pete is full of it ... telling us a "card-carrying member" of the LGBTQ+ community told him Buttigieg is masquerading as a gay man.

A luxury yacht gurgled "Mayday!" after facing disaster mere minutes into its launch ... and the whole chaotic ordeal was captured on video.

Check it out ... the cruiser, named Dolce Vento, is guided into the water for the first time on Tuesday off the shore of northern Turkey. While the vessel's initial introduction to water appears to go off without a hitch, things begin to go awry about 15 minutes later ... when the Dolce Vento starts tipping over and taking on water.

It doesn't take long for the yacht to succumb to the sea, with at least one man on board jumping off in a panic. We're told the owner, the captain, and 2 crew members all swam to shore safely ... no one was injured, despite the chaos.

Paris Jackson's telling Colman Domingo he better stop telling lies if he doesn't "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" ... 'cause she says she never consulted on the Michael Jackson biopic.

Here's the deal ... Domingo -- who is playing Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, in the new movie -- told People at this year's amfAR benefit gala that Paris had been "very helpful" to him during the shooting process.

However, Paris says Colman's straight-up fibbing ... 'cause she took to Instagram to say she had "0% involvement" in the movie.

Luigi Mangione has some people really confused right now ... 'cause it sure appears SHEIN is using the accused killer's face to help sell clothes!

Ya gotta see this model in the photographs for a button down shirt for sale on the fast fashion website ... the guy's mug looks an awful lot like Luigi.

Unclear if this is a photoshopped Luigi or the product of some generative artificial intelligence ... but it seems like the model here is helping SHEIN ... the shirt is mostly sold out, with only one size available.

Jude Law must be headed on a 'Holiday' ... 'cause he certainly took a trip -- and subsequent hard fall -- in Venice.

The actor's out in the Italian city for the Venice International Film Festival ... and, on Monday, he and his compatriots got around on one of the city's famous water taxis.

Check out the clip ... a woman steps confidently off the boat before Jude -- who then seems to go up the stairs a bit too fast and falls hard.

The Polish CEO who went viral after essentially snatching a tennis pro's hat away from a child at the U.S. Open seems to be offering up an apology ... according to multiple reports.

A statement apparently from Piotr Szczerek -- head of the DROG-BRUK stone paving company in Poland -- is going around online ... and, in it, the CEO says he wants to "unequivocally apologize" to the kid and his family.

Szczerek says he takes responsibility for his "poor judgment and hurtful actions" ... adding he never intended to steal Kamil Majchrzak's hat away from a young fan.

Jacob Elordi Salt-burned an employee at the Venice International Film Festival ... telling him he's going to do whatever he wants -- and, the guy needs to back off.

New video has emerged on social media capturing the movie star on the red carpet trying to take selfies with fans Saturday ... when it seems a member of the event's staff is telling him to keep it moving.

Check out the clip ... Elordi tells the guy he's just squatting down to take some selfies -- before saying quite clearly "Don't tell me what to do."

Eager Labor Day beachgoers may have had their holiday plans s*** on ... 'cause fecal contamination in the ocean shut down a bunch of beaches!

Bacterial concentrations tied to feces have wreaked havoc on areas from coast to coast ... according to the Associated Press.

Popular holiday hot spots -- like Benjamin's Beach in Long Island and part of Imperial Beach in San Diego -- have closed because of the proverbial poop tsunami ... likely causing many to pivot from their previous plans.

A terrifying scene unfolded at a Pennsylvania amusement park this weekend when a young boy was caught on video walking along the monorail track as stunned guests watched from below.

According to Hersheypark, the child was reported missing around 5 PM Saturday after being separated from his parents. While crews searched, he managed to slip into a secure area of the monorail ride, which officials say was closed and safeguarded by a chained gate and barricaded turnstile.

Video shows the heart-stopping moment as the boy teetered dangerously close to the edge while lingering at the empty station before taking a few steps onto the high track where crowds gathered beneath, frantically trying to guide him to safety.

Michael Irvin is livid with his former team and his ex-boss, Jerry Jones ... making it clear on Thursday he loathed the Dallas Cowboys' decision to trade Micah Parsons.

The Hall of Fame wideout took to his YouTube page just a couple hours after Big D jettisoned its top player to Green Bay ... and he said he was in a state of shock over the decision.

He called it a "crazy, dumb move," before adding it was something Jones should have never done.

Freddie Freeman sat out Wednesday's game, but he was still spotted at Dodger Stadium putting in work ... on his nose hair, that is!!

The Los Angeles first baseman got the night off of L.A.'s tilt against the Reds because of a neck issue -- and, unfortunately for the nine-time All-Star, cameras were still locked in on him as he was relegated to the dugout.

In the fifth inning -- as the home team was up 4-1 -- Freeman was seen clearing out some hair from his nose ... and it sure looked painful.

Benson Boone has fans flipping over his new tour, and it's not because of his act ... as his stage can't stop being compared to male genitalia.

Boone kicked off his first arena tour on Friday, providing fans a performance of his biggest hits -- including "Beautiful Things" and "Cry" -- but it was his set design that had everyone in a tizzy on social media.

Take a look for yourself ... Boone's tour stage features an extra-long runway that concludes with a heart-shaped front. The tour is called the "American Heart World Tour," after all!!!

Matt Rife is coming to the defense of Sydney Sweeney ... but not in regard to her viral American Eagle campaign -- it's the bathwater soap.

The controversial comedian hopped on X Friday night in response to her recent comments about the bullying she received from women over her Dr. Squatch collab, which saw the company selling a soap allegedly made with her bathwater.

He seems totally fed up with the drama, writing ... "I keep seeing people mad at Sydney Sweeney for noooothing 🙄 She’s learning that the internet is full of absolute garbage losers who will twist anything you say into a c**ty misinterpretation 😮‍💨  people are awful."

Katy Perry is making it clear she doesn't have "the one that got away" vibes about her ex, Orlando Bloom ... as she's not the least bit fazed by an Orlando popping up onstage with her!

Check it out ... KP warmly greets a superfan as he joins her onstage Tuesday during her Nashville tour stop at the Bridgestone Arena, asking the KatyCat to share his name with the crowd.

With a timid chuckle, the fan -- in full cat costume -- reveals the awkward connection between himself and Katy's baby daddy .. whispering into the mic he's also named "Orlando."