TMZ Sports - Page 50

Bill Cowher has a new job -- backup dancer for America ... and the dude is loving EVERY SECOND of it!!!

TMZ Sports has footage of the Super Bowl-winning coach stealing the spotlight at the band's Pittsburgh show on Thursday ... joining the guys onstage and busting out some spectacular moves for their hit song, "A Horse with No Name."

There was clapping. There was bouncing. And, you better believe there was singing.

We're told Cowher is a huge fan of the band and watched most of the show from the crowd before getting introduced on stage.

Nike and Zion Williamson are gonna be just fine ... AFTER about 80 million apologies ... so says Dan Le Batard, who thinks ZW's shoe explosion is gonna lead to a money explosion.

Williamson's left Nike disintegrated in the first MINUTE of the much-ballyhooed matchup between Duke and North Carolina earlier this week, injuring Zion, and embarrassing the company.

It was a PR disaster for the shoe giant, prompting a company-wide freak-out, and making some wonder if they'd blown their shot at landing Zion for an endorsement deal whenever he decides to go pro.

We got Dan at LAX and he thinks things between the Swoosh and prodigy will be A-okay ... after the dollars come into play.

"When they give Zion Williamson the $80 million sneaker contract they'll try and make good by him."

Interestingly enough, Dan actually thinks Nike's #1 employee is to blame for Zion's shoe disaster, telling our guy Michael Jordan was the mastermind behind it all, and giving us reasons.

Robert Kraft's bad day might have just gotten a little better because he has a brand new ally in Bishop Don "Magic" Juan, who's telling the NFL to take it easy on the embattled Pats owner.

A warrant has been issued for Kraft's arrest in Florida on charges stemming from the bust of an illegal massage parlor where authorities alleged Kraft paid for sexual favors ... which he's denied.

We ran into the Bishop, a former "gentleman of leisure" (look it up) and he says the NFL should cut Bob a break.

"He definitely got a pass."

That's not all ... the Bishop says if Kraft wants a good time he should hit him up, as long as it's in Nevada, where paying for a little loving is legal some places.

We should say, Kraft's situation is no laughing matter, he faces a misdemeanor charge down in Florida, and a potential suspension by the NFL.

Stand-up comedian Brody Stevens was found dead Friday after an apparent suicide at his home in Los Angeles.

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ ... Brody was found hanging in his home Friday afternoon, shortly after 1 PM.

Brody -- who co-created his own Comedy Central series, "Brody Stevens: Enjoy It!" with his friend Zach Galifianakis -- had struggled with mental health issues in the past. He was hospitalized in 2011 after suffering a bipolar episode.

He was a mainstay at huge comedy events like the Montreal and Vancouver Comedy Festivals -- and just 2 days ago he was at the Festival of Friendship in Burbank.

Later that night he did a set -- which appears to have been his last -- at the famed Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip.

Brody also had several roles in movies, such as "The Hangover" and "The Hangover II."

He was also an avid baseball fan. He pitched in college at Arizona State University until he suffered an elbow injury.

Reps for Brody tell us, "Brody was an inspiring voice who was a friend to many in the comedy community. He pushed creative boundaries and his passion for his work and his love of baseball were contagious. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed."

We had a lot of fun run-ins with Brody over the years -- he always turned it on for our camera guys.

However, the last time we saw him, in 2018, we had a serious conversation with him about Kanye West and mental health.

Brody was 48.

Forget Disney World ... Robert Kraft's alleged sex spa is now the HOTTEST tourist attraction in Florida -- 'cause people are lining up to see the place!!

Oh, and some didn't even bring clothes.

Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida was named by police Friday as the place where the Patriots owner allegedly paid for sex acts on at least 2 separate occasions.

Now ... the closed-down building has transformed into a must-see spot for tourists -- with people parking out front to catch just a small glimpse of the place!!

There was a Giants fan ... TV camera crews ... a sweet old couple ... and some dude who decided to show up naked!!!

Officials say Kraft was driven to the spa by a chauffeur at least twice in the last month or so ... and say they have video of the Pats owner "that shows the act that took place" with him inside of the spa.

Cops say the average cost for services at the spa was $59 for half an hour or $79 for an hour.

What do you get for "Rolex wearin’, diamond ring wearin’, kiss stealin’, wheelin’ dealin’, limousine ridin’, jet flyin’ son of a gun" who's turning 70?

A BIG ASS FREAKIN' SURPRISE PARTY!!!!

That's exactly what Ric Flair's wife, Wendy, did to celebrate the Nature Boy's 70th ... and the celebrity guest list was exactly what you'd think a living, breathing legend would get.

It went down at Friday at 1818 Club Ballroom in Duluth, Georgia and huge stars like Todd Gurley, Charles Barkley, Jeff Hardy, Triple H, Evander Holyfield and Dennis Rodman were all there to wish Naich well.

CEO Custom Cakes provided the confectionery delight in the form of a gigantic custom cake shaped like a wrestling belt, while super fancy petal pushers Venus ET Fleur provided the flowers.

Wendy also had a sick robe designed modeled after Flair's favorite from back in the day.

Fantastic job, Wendy ... we're sure your birthday will be even better now, complete with a free ride on your favorite theme park attraction.

Christian Pulisic never has to use his hands ... but now we know they work if he needs them, 'cause the US soccer superstar put his football skills on display ... and TMZ Sports has the vid!!!

The Dortmund midfielder teamed up with Gary Barnidge's American Football Without Barriers camp this week ... catching a quick pass and busting out his favorite Fortnite (or Blocboy JB, depending on who you ask) dance to cap it off.

For those not hip to soccer -- the 20-year-old is the future of Team USA ... he's currently on loan from Chelsea and is the most expensive American player of all time.

FYI -- AFWB is a camp designed to spread football knowledge with fans all over the world.

It's been a big hit for years ... with memorable moments like Marshawn Lynch ridin' camels and ice swimming in Finland with DeAngelo Williams.

Justin Gimelstob -- an ex-tennis star and broadcaster -- says he did NOT beat the hell out of a man during a trick-or-treating run last Halloween ... telling TMZ Sports he's not a violent person.

As we previously reported ... Gimelstob -- a former doubles champ who's coached tennis star John Isner -- was arrested after he allegedly roughed up a man named Randall Kaplan on Oct. 31, 2018.

According to Kaplan ... Gimelstob punched him "more than 50 times" in the face and head during the alleged assault and threatened to "f**king kill" him.

Gimelstob was charged with felony battery ... but when we got him out after his latest court date in L.A. on Thursday -- he told us he's an innocent man.

"I'm not the person that's been depicted here," Gimelstob says ... adding that he's NOT a violent person.

Gimelstob is facing up to 4 years in prison AND a fine of up to $10,000. He previously pled not guilty to the charge back in December.

Justin's due back in court next week.

Gimelstob was a star in doubles matches back in the late '90s ... winning with partner Venus Williams in both the 1998 Australian Open and 1998 French Open mixed doubles tournaments.

Ice Cube and LL Cool J just got major reinforcements in the pursuit of sports TV supremacy -- we're told they just secured several BILLION dollar commitments in their push to buy a group of regional sports channels.

As we previously reported, the rap legends are part of a powerful group -- including the BIG3 and billionaire Alex and Ani jewelry founder Carolyn Rafaelian-- looking to bid on a block of 22 regional sports channels, including the YES Network.

The channels are currently owned by Disney but the Justice Dept. is forcing the company to sell them off to break up their monopoly in sports TV (since they already own ESPN).

Now, we're told Cube's group has backing from private equity partners -- and he met with the group earlier this week to hammer out their purchasing strategy.

In other words, they're figuring out how much they want to bid for the stations.

If Cube and LL win the bidding, we're told there's already a plan in place to run a full slate of content that caters to a younger audience because they believe there's a hole in that market.

12:16 PM PT -- President Trump has weighed in on Kraft ... telling reporters in the Oval Office that he was "surprised" to learn about Kraft's prostitution charges ... but stressed the Patriots owner has denied doing anything illegal.

11:29 AM PT -- Investigators say they have videos of the men who paid for sex at the Asian massage parlor that Robert Kraft allegedly used ... and the footage is graphic.

According to police documents obtained by TMZ Sports, officials were able to get a covert surveillance camera inside the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida to record illicit activity.

Cops list a variety of sex acts performed on 26 men who entered the business -- one of whom cops say is Robert Kraft. Kraft is not identified by name in the police documents.

The police documents describe the surveillance video in graphic detail -- noting a pattern of behavior from the alleged Johns.

The men would enter the spa and pay up front (some used cash, others used credit cards) before being escorted back into a private massage room.

In almost every case, an Asian woman would tend to the client -- sometimes two women -- and perform sex acts using their hands and mouths.

It does not appear any of the suspects engaged in vaginal intercourse.

Cops say the surveillance videos capture every single detail of the encounters -- including ejaculation and subsequent cleanup.

11:10 AM PT -- The NFL has addressed the allegations ... saying "The NFL is aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments.”

9:17 AM PT -- A spokesperson for Kraft tells TMZ Sports the NFL owner denies the allegations.

"We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further."

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is a wanted man -- cops say they've issued a warrant for his arrest as part of a recent prostitution, human trafficking sting operation in Jupiter, Florida.

Cops say 77-year-old Kraft will be charged with 2 counts of "soliciting another to commit prostitution," according to Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr.

Chief Kerr says he was "stunned as everybody else" when he saw Kraft's name as a suspect.

Officials say Kraft is accused of soliciting a prostitute on at least 2 separate occasions at a massage parlor in Florida roughly "a month ago."

Cops say the name of the establishment that Kraft visited is Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter.

Cops say they have obtained evidence from body cam video and surveillance that has been conducted over the last several months.

Officials say Kraft was driven to the spa by a chauffeur ... and say they have video of the Pats owner "that shows the act that took place" with him inside of the spa.

The average cost per visit for services was $59 for half an hour and $79 per hour, according to police.

As for the next steps, officials say the State's Attorney has the warrant and it will be sent to Kraft's home in Massachusetts.

Kraft has been charged with a misdemeanor and will have to appear in court.

So far, no official comment from either Kraft or the New England Patriots. We've also reached out to the NFL, as he will likely face discipline from the league.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation -- including Homeland Security, the IRS, the Jupiter P.D., Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and more.

Officials say the women accused of running the sex trafficking ring operated out of local spas which touted themselves as massage parlors.

The investigation took roughly 8 months and officials say they've identified more than 100 men suspected of being "Johns."

Robert Kraft bought the Patriots in January 1994 -- and has led the team to 6 Super Bowl championships and 10 AFC championships.

Kraft is also the owner of Major League Soccer's New England Revolution -- which has been to the MLS Cup Finals in 5 different seasons.

Kraft was married to Myra Kraft from 1963 to her death in 2011. He dated Ricki Noel Lander since 2012. Ricki has a child but she says Kraft is not the biological father.

Kraft is reportedly worth more than $6 BILLION according to Forbes, a fortune that stems from a paper-manufacturing conglomerate, which includes the Rand-Whitney Group.

Story developing ...

He was told he was never going to walk or talk ... and now he's going to be a D1 college basketball player.

18-year-old Kalin Bennett is the first autistic hoops player to land a Division 1 scholarship. He's a BEAST on and off the court, and his story is absolutely incredible.

The 6'10", 290-pound center just signed to play at Kent State next season -- and is opening up about how he overcame the odds to get there.

Kalin was non-verbal until he was 7 years old -- and was diagnosed as autistic.

But, he loved basketball and refused to let his condition get in the way of his dreams -- joining his high school basketball team in Arkansas and balling out like a stud. MaxPreps named him the 12th best player in the state.

He eventually enrolled at Link Year Prep junior college in Missouri where he's been playing so well, he caught the attention of Kent State, which formally offered him a basketball scholarship. Amazing!

"I embrace who I am and I will decide my future," Bennett said in an incredible interview with Overtime.

It wasn't always easy for KB -- he suffered from separation anxiety during his time at Link Year, so his mom moved to Missouri to be closer to him. Hey, teamwork makes the dream work, right?!

"A lot of people have told me what I can't do ... when I get back in the house, my mom says 'if ever say 'can't', you won't be able to do it anyway.'"

"No one expected I'd be where I am today."

Jordyn Woods broke her silence on allegedly cheating with Tristan Thompson -- and screwing over her BFF Kylie Jenner's fam -- with an interesting choice of words. Then went right back to biz.

Kylie's ex-bestie showed her face Thursday night at an L.A. launch party for her new line of false eyelashes ... and immediately referenced the scandal by thanking everyone for supporting her "through everything that's going on."

She added, "You know, it's been real ... and Eylure (her co.) has been super real; this has been a project I've been working on for over 9 months right now."

As you know, many Kardashian fans don't want to believe Jordyn could do Khloe like that ... and have even speculated it's all contrived for Kardashian publicity.

Nothing Jordyn said Thursday night even hinted at a denial. As we've reported, she's already moving out of Kylie's guest pad and back into her mom's house.

Kylie made her own public statement Thursday by stepping out in Calabasas with her other (or maybe NEW) best friend.

It's been real, all right.

UFC rising star Mackenzie Dern just revealed she's PREGNANT -- but assures her fans she'll get back in the Octagon to fight again after the baby is born.

The 25-year-old is 7-0 as a pro MMA fighter -- with 2 of those wins in the UFC -- and she's been hailed as "the next Ronda Rousey" because of her dominant ground game.

But, her career will be put on hold for a while because Dern -- who's dating Brazilian pro surfer Wesley Santos -- is now with child.

"God makes everything so perfect! I am so happy to be able to share this news! I’m going to be a Mom," Mackenzie posted.

"I love so much our family and now I have one more HUGE motivation for inside and outside the ring!! Thank you God for this blessing."

As for her fighting future, Dern says ... "I can’t wait to be back in the ring!"

Congrats!

Dern is considered one of the top female jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world. She famously defeated Gabi Garcia at the 2015 World Pro Open.

Dern made her UFC debut in March 2018 -- defeating Ashley Yoder at UFC 222. She fought again in May 2018, beating Amanda Cooper in the 1st round at UFC 224.

During her May fight, Dern weighed in 7 pounds over the strawweight limit of 116 and she was fined 30% of her purse.

Unclear when the baby is due and when Dern expects to return to the Octagon.

You think LeBron James and the Lakers were gonna let Rihanna down on the night of her birthday celebration???! Hell no!!

RiRi took her superrich Saudi boyfriend to Staples Center on Thursday to cheer on her favorite NBA player on the night after her 31st birthday ... and the team delivered one heck of a gift!!!

Check out the pics of Rihanna and Hassan Jameel in a private box -- going berserk as the Lakers came back from 19 down to beat the Houston Rockets ... one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

Of course, Jameel is a bit of a baller himself -- in 2017 his family was reportedly worth $2.2 BILLION -- which made them the 4th richest family in the Arab world.

Jameel started dating Rihanna in 2017 and by the looks of these pics, they're still going strong.

Other huge stars at the game -- "Wheel of Fortune" star Pat Sajak, Denzel Washington, French Montana and Jimmy Iovine.

They picked a great game to attend -- the Lakers were getting destroyed for the first 3 quarters before LeBron activated "playoff mode" and went nuclear on everyone ... exploding for 29 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Lakers ended up winning the game 111 to 106 -- boosting the Lakers' record back to .500.

Meanwhile, the Rockets' James Harden extended his 30-point game streak to 32 games, the 2nd longest 30-point streak in NBA history.

By the way, Lakers officials gifted Rihanna her very own customized "Bad Girl RiRi" Lakers jersey, but she didn't wear it ... instead, opting to rock her #23 LeBron James threads.

One last thing ... every year LeBron has won an NBA title, Rihanna has dropped a new album -- and there are rumors she's working on a new album right now.

So, good juju for the Lakers?

Charles Barkley WENT OFF on Jussie Smollett on "Inside the NBA" on Thursday -- saying if the actor really wanted to be a hate crime victim, he shoulda just gone to Liam Neeson's neighborhood.

It's just one of SEVERAL shots Barkley took at the "Empire" actor during the show -- but it was definitely the strongest.

Remember, Liam Neeson recently revealed that he once grabbed a weapon and went hunting for a "black bastard" in Northern Ireland after a friend of his claimed she was raped by a black man.

People RIPPED Neeson for the comments -- because it's racist as hell -- but now he's become the punchline for Barkley's Jussie Smollett jokes.

"Jussie ... you wasted all that damn time and money! You know what you shoulda did? Just went out into Liam Neeson's neighborhood! Coulda solved all your damn problems."

The guys also aired a fake $3,500 check -- like the one Jussie supposedly gave to two brothers to beat him up. Barkley laughed wildly while that one aired.

There's more ... Charles addressed the viewers:

"America, let me just tell you something. Do not commit crimes with checks! If you're gonna break the law, do not write a check! Get cash man!!

That's when Shaq finally stepped in and told Barkley to shut it down.

Judging by Peyton Manning's beach bod, no football and a ton of Nationwide commercials does a body good!!!

Check out the retired 42-year-old on the beach in Miami this week -- tossin' around a football with his kids ... and showing off his shirtless, hairless physique.

Look, he's no Cam Newton ... but he's in pretty damn good shape for a guy who's been retired for nearly 3 years!!!

Check the vid ... dude's flashing bulky traps, decent biceps, faint abs -- and yeah, the cannon arm is still there too!!!

Of course, Peyton quit the NFL after winning the Super Bowl in 2016 (following the 2015 season) -- ending one of the most impressive careers in the history of the league.

It all begs the question ... is his bod better than Tom Brady's right now???

A shirtless TB12 was spotted on vacation with Gisele in Costa Rica just last week ... you be the judge.

Peyton is a surefire 1st ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible in 2021.

Besides winning 2 Super Bowls (1 with the Indianapolis Colts, 1 with the Denver Broncos) ... he was a 14-time Pro Bowler, 7-time 1st team All-Pro and was the NFL MVP 5 times!!!

Plus, he led the NFL in passing yards 3 different seasons ... and was No. 1 in passing TDs in 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2013.