Boston University Soccer Alums Defend Coach ... After Alex Cooper Allegations

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A number of former Boston University women's soccer players are speaking out in support of the coach at the center of Alex Cooper's sexual harassment allegations ... saying their interactions with the staffer were drastically different.

TMZ Sports obtained a letter from a representative of BU Women's Soccer alumni -- signed by 99 former Terriers athletes -- which states while they do not look to "diminish or discredit anyone's individual experience," they felt it was necessary to share their own perspectives as a "united group."

In the letter, the alums say "we categorically never felt unsafe" under coach Nancy Feldman's leadership ... adding, "We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behavior or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment."

Larsa Pippen Forget Marcus' Two Women Check Out My Two-Piece!!!

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The only thing Larsa Pippen appears to be sweating this week is the sun -- as she looked totally unbothered by Marcus Jordan's recent Miami flings in a bikini pic she posted on Monday.

Just hours after it was revealed Jordan -- who dated Pippen for years -- had not one but two PDA-packed beach sessions with separate women over the weekend ... Pippen took to her IG page to show she's doing just fine despite her ex's antics.

In the snap, Larsa could be seen in a tiny white two-piece, lying out on a lounge chair in the backyard of a home. And, even with dark-colored sunglasses covering her eyes, she didn't seem to have many cares in the world.

Ippei Mizuhara Reports To Prison

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Ippei Mizuhara is behind bars -- Shohei Ohtani's former right-hand man and interpreter has surrendered to federal authorities to start his 57-month prison sentence.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed to TMZ Sports that 40-year-old Mizuhara reported to the Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low facility in Pennsylvania on Monday ... hours before the Japanese superstar is slated to make his first pitching start for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison this past February for stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani ... and was initially ordered to surrender in March, but the date was pushed back at his attorney's request.

Ric Flair Pulls Out Of Fan Meet-And-Greet ... Putting Health First

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Ric Flair is pulling the plug on a meet-and-greet with fans in Mississippi ... with the WWE legend citing his battle with melanoma, saying it's "nothing to play with."

The 76-year-old shared the news Monday morning on social media, writing he has "a lot of health issues that I need to attend to."

"I have procrastinated putting my health first in the past," Flair wrote.

Marcus Jordan Hits Miami Beach Again ... Makes Out With Different Woman!!!

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Marcus Jordan was back in Miami Beach on Sunday ... and while he hit the sand with a different woman than Saturday -- the results were largely the same.

Michael's son and his new gal pal were all over each other -- this despite Marcus having a similar afternoon with an entirely different woman some 24 hours prior.

34-year-old MJ and the Larsa Pippen lookalike -- who was wearing a tiny, baby blue bikini -- hugged on one another ... and passionately made out in the ocean as they enjoyed several hours in the South Florida sun.

Sue Bird NBA Centel's Good For Business ... We're Part of the Joke Now!!!

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WAIT, THIS IS GOOD...
Straight to Cam with Cameron Brink & Sydel Curry-Lee

File under "We can't believe it's not Centel" -- Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird is pumped the WNBA is being featured on the NBA's most popular parody page ... claiming it's actually a good sign for the league!!

The Hall of Famer shared her take on Cameron Brink's "Straight to Cam" podcast ... when at one point in the episode, they pointed out the infamous account's recent joke that Sparks practice was delayed because the former Stanford star and Kelsey Plum arrived in the same outfit, which led to a feud.

The post racked up 11.6 million views ... and while some people online aren't happy the page is now making fun of the W -- Bird sees it differently.

Joey Chestnut 'Gonna Drop The Hammer' On July 4 ... Eyeing 80 Dogs!!!

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TIME TO EAT SOME DOGS
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Joey Chestnut is getting hungry ... telling TMZ Sports he's ready to "drop the hammer" in his big return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest come July 4 -- and he's got an INSANE goal in mind.

We caught up with the world's greatest eater fresh off the news he would again be competing in the Independence Day tradition after a year away due to sponsorship drama ... and he's looking to make up for lost time.

"You have to go without something in order to know how much you appreciate it," Chestnut said. "I'm definitely hungry for this year. Two and a half weeks, I'm going to be putting down some hot dogs."

Joey Chestnut I'm Back!!!! Announces Return To Hot Dog Eating Contest

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9:57 AM PT -- TMZ Sports spoke with Major League Eating honcho George Shea ... and he opened up on how thrilled everyone is to reach an agreement.

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THE G.O.A.T. IS BACK
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Joey Chestnut just announced he'll be competing in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this year ... officially ending his beef with the annual Fourth of July tradition.

"I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest," Jaws said minutes ago. "This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life."

As we previously reported, the world's most popular eater did not participate in the 2024 contest due to his sponsorship with Impossible Foods ... with Chestnut and Major League Eating disagreeing on whether it went against the rules.

Dave Portnoy One Bite Fest Is Back ... Charles Barkley Can Get VIP On Me

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OUR FEST IS THE BEST
TMZSports.com

Dave Portnoy is running it back with his popular One Bite Pizza Festival ... and the Barstool Sports founder tells TMZ Sports there's one guy he'd roll out the red carpet for at this year's event -- Charles Barkley.

We chopped it up with El Pres about the "greatest gathering of pizzerias" going down September 13 at Randall's Island Park in NYC ... and he raved about the lineup of eateries involved in the fun -- including Ceres, which he gave a rare >9 grade in one of his recent reviews.

Not only is there all the pizza folks can eat from spots like John's of Bleecker Street, Fortunate Son, Brooklyn Square and more than 30 others ... Portnoy said there will be a dessert village for attendees to enjoy.

Brittney Griner I Never Called Caitlin Clark A 'F***ing White Girl' ... 'Would Never Say That'

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Brittney Griner is finally addressing the speculation she called Caitlin Clark a "f***ing white girl" during a game last month ... and she's adamant those words never left her mouth.

On Sunday -- both before and after her Atlanta Dream squad took on the Washington Mystics in D.C. -- Griner was peppered with questions about the viral May 22 incident.

The WNBA superstar admitted she was upset over a foul call that a ref made -- but she was steadfast she never brought anyone's race into the mix.

Knicks Legend Dick Barnett NBA Championship Ring Hitting Auction Block ... Months After Death

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Listen up, Knicks fans ... there's an opportunity to own a piece of franchise history -- Dick Barnett's NBA championship ring is about to hit the auction block, just months after the legendary guard passed away.

TMZ Sports has learned Barnett's ring is from the 1970 season ... when DB, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Phil Jackson and the rest of the Knicks defeated the Lakers in seven games in the NBA Finals.

The item is sweet ... and has a bunch of odes to the NYK season. The ring reads "New York Knicks" and "World Champions." Barnett's name is also engraved on the side of it.

Riley Gaines Simone Said I Was Tall Like A Dude ... Can A Man Grow A Baby Bump???

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Riley Gaines is going to be a mom ... announcing she's pregnant with her first child -- and taking a dig at Simone Biles in the process.

The former collegiate swimmer turned Outkick host revealed her big news at a Turning Point USA event on Saturday ... bringing up Biles' recent comment comparing her height to a man's in order to do it.

Riley says she thought it was totally ironic when Biles said, "bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male" ... asking the crowd how many men they know who have "this."

Ex-Vikings Star Minnesota's The 'Capital of Chaos' ... I Blame Tim Walz!!!

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A former NFL star is blaming Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for allowing chaos to reign in his state ... just after two local lawmakers were shot.

Jack Brewer -- a four-year player in the league who played two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings -- spoke to Fox News Digital about the current state of Minnesota ... and, he called it the "Capital of Chaos in America."

Brewer says it breaks his heart to see the demise of one of the nation's great states, adding he lived there a long time between going to school at the University of Minnesota and playing for the Vikings ... and, he says it wasn't always this dangerous.

Gisele Bündchen Victoria's Workout Secret ... Paddleboarding Makes Me Look Angelic!!!

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Gisele Bündchen brought some of that Victoria's Secret Angel glow to the water in Florida Saturday ... paddleboarding with some pals in a tight white swimsuit.

The model and mother-of-three went for a relaxing cruise atop the calm water in Surfside, FL with a couple of pals ... certainly sticking out in a tight white one-piece.

Gisele tried to keep a low profile in a hat with a long brim and sunglasses ... but, it's hard to hide when you're one of the biggest supermodels on the planet.

david beckham happy father's day to the kids who made me one Including You Brooklyn!

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David Beckham marked Father’s Day with a heartfelt tribute to his role as a dad -- including a rare nod to all four of his children, even amid family drama with his son, Brooklyn.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the soccer star shared a touching post celebrating life as a father. "My most important and favorite job in life is being a dad," he wrote. "I’m so proud of all of you. Like daddy -- sorry boys -- tells you every day, I’ll always be here for you no matter what."

David also gave a special shoutout to wife Victoria writing, "Mummy, thank you for the most important part -- making me a father. There’s no greater gift in life."

Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson scuffle on the court at BIG3

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Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson’s highly anticipated BIG3 debut took a chaotic turn over the weekend when the former NBA teammates got into a heated scuffle that erupted into the crowd.

The fight broke out during a matchup between the Los Angeles Riot and the Miami 305 on Saturday, after a scuffle near half-court involving Stephenson and another player from the Riot.

Tensions escalated when Howard approached Stephenson courtside and shoved him, setting off a physical altercation that spilled into the stands.