TMZ Sports - Page 50

After months of speculation, Gennady Golovkin's promoter says the Canelo Alvarez fight NEEDS to happen ... saying both sides want it done, and there's just way too much money to be made.

We spoke with GGG's promoter Tom Loeffler, who says he's been in serious talks with Golden Boy Promotions about getting a date set for this September ... as long as Alvarez doesn't lose to Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. in May.

Everyone's a comedian ... even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!

The Lakers legend was one of the speakers at Shaq's big Lakers statue unveiling at Staples Center on Friday ... and made a reference to the fact Kobe Bryant was on hand for the event!

"Some people thought the odds of Kobe Bryant showing up today were the same as Shaq sinking a free throw."

The ceremony was great. The statue looks awesome.

Congrats Big Fella.

Saints Hall of Famer Willie Roaf says he's all for Johnny Manziel taking his talents to the Bayou ... as long as he's ready for the nonstop party that is New Orleans.

There are reports Manziel has been in contact with Saints coach Sean Payton recently, leading some to wonder if there are plans for JM to be the heir apparent to Drew Brees.

Roaf was an 11-time Pro Bowler for the Saints, and when we talked to him about Manziel possibly ending up there, Roaf was in favor of the second chance, but not without warning.

"I think the kid is still young. He has a lot of potential. Hopefully he has his issues under control ... New Orleans is a tough city, it's a lotta nightlife, a lotta drinking."

Roaf goes on to say he believes Johnny can be successful as a Saint, as long as the staff keeps a tight leash on him.

As for what Willie is doing these days -- he told us all about the AWESOME company he's starting with some fellow NFL greats now that their playing days are over.

Ex-Penn State president Graham Spanier was just found guilty of child endangerment stemming from the way he handled the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse incidents.

Officials say Spanier was alerted of a 2001 incident of Sandusky sexually assaulting a young boy in a Penn State shower ... but for some reason, Spanier did NOT report it to police.

Instead, officials say he and other Penn State officials simply told Sandusky he couldn't bring boys to campus anymore. Prosecutors argued he put the school and their own interests ahead of protecting the child.

Spanier argued his actions did not put any child in danger.

Peyton Manning says he has absolutely ZERO plans to run for political office in his post-NFL life ... saying he has NO IDEA where the rumors even started.

Rumors had been swirling for months that Peyton could run for senator in Tennessee in 2020 ... and John McCain even endorsed the idea, calling Manning an "American hero."

But Peyton put the senator talk to bed during the Adobe Summit in Vegas this week.

"I have no idea where that comes from. A few weeks ago I was gonna go run a team. Last week, I was gonna go be in the Senate ... next week, I'll probably be an astronaut."

To be clear, Manning added, "I have no interest in getting into the political world" ... but said he does want to continue to serve and give back to the communities.

He added, "Be careful what you believe."

Here's the video (go to the 4:00 mark).

Arnold Schwarzenegger just schooled an Internet troll for mocking the Special Olympics, calling the participants the r-word.

A random guy posted this ... "The Special Olympics make no sense. The Olympics are for the best athletes in the entire world to compete against each other to determine who is the best. Having r****** competing is doing the opposite!"

The guy was responding to a video Arnold posted touting the athletes.

Arnold responded to the troll this way ... "it's a teachable moment. Right now, I guarantee you that these athletes have more courage, compassion, brains, skill -- actually, more of every positive human quality than you."

Arnold has a dog in the fight. His mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver, founded the Special Olympics and he's been active in the event for years.

Arnold had one other thing to say, "So take their path -- you could learn from them, and try to challenge yourself, to give back, to add something from the world."

There could be a Big Red Mayor in Tennessee next year ... 'cause WWE legend Kane is running for office!!

The 7-foot, 323-pound superstar is prepping to chokeslam the political game in his local Knox County, according to WCYB in Tennessee.

Kane -- AKA Glenn Jacobs -- is a Republican and filed paperwork earlier this month, kick-starting the campaign process. The election won't take place until May 2018.

As a member of The Authority, Kane was voted Most Hated Wrestler of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 2013.

Xavier's got Bill Murray ... South Carolina's got Darius Rucker!

The Gamecocks' superfan -- and proud USC alum -- says he's fired up about Friday's big game against Baylor ... and says he's very confident the squad will roll on to the Final Four.

Rucker isn't a casual fan ... he's one of the team's biggest supporters and breaks down why the Gamecocks have an edge over the Baylor Bears.

Doesn't matter where Derrick Rose ends up in free agency ... he'll NEVER win a championship -- so says Ron Harper.

Earlier this week, Rose says finding a winning team is more important than a big contract when he searches for a new team this summer.

"Not even thinking money," Rose said ... "I'm not going to negotiate with people where money is the number one thing I'm asking for. I want to win."

So, we went to Harper -- a 5-time NBA champ -- and asked which team could be the right fit.

Talk about spreading the wealth ...

Denver Broncos Pro Bowler C.J. Anderson -- who signed a 4-year, $18 million contract last year -- is finally spending some of that dough by taking his family to Hawaii ... on a private jet!!!

The running back tells TMZ Sports he's always dreamed about sharing his good fortune with the ones he loves ... and now that he's got the time and money, he made it happen!

The Super Bowl 50 champ brought 12 people to Honolulu -- all expenses paid -- for some sun, fun and helicopter rides!

C.J. says he was inspired by LeBron James ... who's always treating his family to the finer things.

“My mom and grandmother deserve it. All the things they have done for me, this trip was for them. I’m excited I can use my money in a positive way.”

South Carolina head coach Frank Martin is putting the entire NCAA tournament ON NOTICE ... saying his Gamecocks squad is capable, and ready to win the whole thing.

The 'Cocks upset Duke in the 2nd round -- and when TMZ Sports talked with Martin he assured us one thing ... the carnage isn't over.

"We have a lotta confidence. We've put in the time. We can beat anybody."

As far as the Duke win, Martin says he's not surprised at all his squad tripped up the Blue Devils, 'cause he doesn't think anyone is better than his guys.

Charles Oakley says he's "hurting" that ex-teammate Patrick Ewing didn't call him after he was forcefully removed from Madison Square Garden last month ... saying, "You should have been the first!"

"I'm hurting because he didn't call in and show love because I had his back for 10 years," Oakley told TMZ Sports.

Oakley points out that his longtime friend, Michael Jordan, got involved and helped out -- and since NYC is Patrick's city, he REALLY felt Ewing should've done SOMETHING.

"You should have been the first one who said something about what happened in The Garden. Should have been the FIRST ONE."

By the way, Oakley was out at HeadQuarters Gentlemen's Club in NYC Thursday night -- where their strippers brought out a cardboard cutout of James Dolan and actually showed him some love!

Bill Murray was all sorts of LIT after Xavier (11) knocked out Arizona (2) from the NCAA tourney Thursday night ... because his son is an assistant coach on the team!

Luke Murray has been with X since 2015 -- and his famous dad was right in the crowd as the Muskesteers took down the Wildcats at the SAP Center in San Jose.

Bill danced. He pumped his fist. He totally messed up his friend's hair.

Next up ... in the Elite Eight.

By the way, Murray is also a die-hard Cubs fan. So, yeah, he's having a good year.

Big news for J.R. Smith and his family ... their micro-preemie baby Dakota is thiiiis close to crossing the 3-pound mark and her breathing tube is out!

Arianny Celeste is vacationing in Mexico ... and it looks like tops are optional at her beach of choice.

The UFC Octagon Girl and model let her girls free while enjoying the sunshine in Tulum ... and one of her friends even joined her.

And yes ... the buns were also out.

Movie star and UCLA basketball fan Michael Pena has a question for LaVar Ball ... and he's using TMZ Sports to ask.

Pena was out in NYC promoting his new movie, "CHiPs," when we talked to him about the NCAA tourney, and specifically his UCLA Bruins who are rollin' right now.

Any conversation about UCLA, of course, turns to Lonzo Ball and his father, LaVar ... the man who just keeps making headlines with his outrageous statements.