TMZ Sports - Page 50

The Big Baller Brand is in a state of emergency ... with LaVar and Lonzo Ball getting in a heated argument over the future of the family business ... and LaVar calling his son "damaged goods."

It all went down when the cameras were rolling for their Facebook TV show, "Ball in the Family," ... when Zo asked LaVar if he'd consider changing the company name in wake of the allegations that ex-partner Alan Foster stole MILLIONS from the family.

"Hell no, I wouldn't change the name," LaVar says.

"I'm just saying, from a marketing standpoint ... I'm just asking a question," Zo responded.

"I’m just saying, BBB is always going to be the name on the fact that it also stands for the three Ball brothers. I’m not changing that s**t at all,” LaVar fired back.

Lonzo tries to get the opinion of business partner Chris Rivers, who's also present during the argument ... and that's when LaVar went off.

"I don't give a s**t about his opinion ... listen to me, son. When I come out with a name and then somebody tells me to change it, that’s like me telling me to change your name."

"That’s like people saying ‘Oh, hey, change Lonzo’s name to Alfonzo on the fact that he been damaged goods for the last two years.'"

Yikes ...

Of course ... LaVar is referring to the fact that Lonzo's short NBA career has been plagued with injuries (the Pelicans guard still hasn't played 100 total games yet).

Lonzo says the brand is "demolished" and clearly looks defeated from the argument ... but LaVar doesn't want to give up.

"You're the one that gotta make it grow. I made you guys superstars for a reason. But, if I don't do the things that I'm doing, Zo ... you're just another regular old player."

It's been a rocky few months for BBB ... with Zo's manager telling consumers to throw their ZO2 shoes in the trash ... and Ball admitting his first round of his signature shoes were defective.

Cody Bellinger ain't sure about the MVP debate ... but he is positive about the "MCP" one -- the Dodgers star tells TMZ Sports Christian Yelich is the MLB's "Most Consistent Player" in 2019.

Bellinger and Yelich have gone pretty much swing for swing this season -- at least until Yelich broke his kneecap last week -- leading to an intense debate for who should win the NL's MVP award.

When we got Bellinger out in NYC ... he told us he ain't concerned about winning the honor -- but he says the Brewers superstar certainly deserves the title of "most consistent" at the very least.

"He's probably the most consistent player in the game, for sure," Bellinger says.

Of course, Yelich is done for the season after fouling a ball off his right knee last week ... but his numbers are still incredible -- especially side-by-side with Bellinger's ...

Yelich: 100 runs, 44 home runs, 97 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and a .329 batting average

Bellinger: 112 runs, 44 home runs, 108 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and a .304 batting average

As for Yelich's injury, Bellinger says it "definitely was" a big loss for the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he was "embarrassed" over news coverage of allegations that he raped a woman in a Las Vegas back in 2009 ... saying he tried to hide the stories from his kids.

"I remember one day I was at home in the living room with my girlfriend watching the television to see the news and they speak about 'Cristiano Ronaldo this and that,'" Ronaldo told Piers Morgan on "Good Morning Britain."

"I listened to my kids coming down the stairs and I changed the channel because I was embarrassed."

"I just changed the channel for Cristiano Jr. not to see that they speak bad about his father about a very bad case."

"It makes me feel so bad to be honest."

Of course, Ronaldo is talking about allegations made by Kathryn Mayorga -- who claims CR7 brought her to his penthouse hotel room in June 2009 after a night of partying and forcibly raped her.

Mayorga went to police after the incident but didn't name Ronaldo in her report. She later cut a deal with Ronaldo in which she would sign a confidentiality agreement in exchange for $375k.

In 2018, Mayorga broke the terms of the deal by filing a civil lawsuit against the soccer star -- claiming he and his team bullied her into signing it in the first place. The civil case is still active.

Officials in Vegas investigated the allegations but ultimately decided NOT to bring criminal charges against Ronaldo citing lack of evidence.

It was only a matter of time ... but Kellen Winslow Jr.'s wife has finally filed to divorce the ex-NFL star months after he was convicted in his rape case.

Janelle Winslow filed the docs on August 30 in San Diego County Superior Court seeking to end their 13-year marriage. The couple has two young children together.

Of course, Winslow -- a former Pro Bowl tight end for the Cleveland Browns -- was found guilty of forcible rape back in June stemming from allegations he sexually assaulted a 58-year-old homeless woman back in May.

He was also found guilty of indecent exposure to another woman and lewd conduct regarding a 3rd accuser.

The jury in the case was deadlocked on 8 other charges -- and the retrial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 30.

If convicted of all 8 remaining charges, Winslow faces up to life in prison.

No, the Falcons didn't just win the Super Bowl ... they just celebrated like they did -- 'cause linebacker Duke Riley led an insane locker room dance party after their W over the Eagles!!

ATL scored a big win over one of the best teams in the league Sunday night -- beating Philadelphia 24-20 -- and their post-game party was pretty epic.

Riley led the way with some awesome moves -- there was arm flailing, bouncing, leg gyrating ... it was awesome!!!

Backup running back Kenjon Barner also got into the circle to flash some of his dance moves -- and good times were had by all.

Of course, star QB Matt Ryan was also in the middle of the celebration -- thanking Marcus Trufant for his two-interception night that helped bail Ryan out of a game where he wasn't great.

While Tom Brady was throwin' bombs to his new teammate, Antonio Brown ... Rob Gronkowski was busy ass-shakin' to some Backstreet Boys in an epic dance-off with his GF!!

The retired Patriots superstar is staying active on his NFL Sundays ... teaming up with his bikini model lady, Camille Kostek, for a public workout at the Boston Seaport with his family's Gronk Fitness business.

The workouts are great and all ... but we're 100% here for the hot couple getting down and GETTING IT to BSB's "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" ... while the whole crowd cheers them on.

The Patriots didn't need Gronk in their 43-0 domination over the Miami Dolphins ... and Gronk sure as hell didn't need the Pats to have a good time, either.

Of course ... maybe the 30-year-old is using BSB to send us a message -- if Backstreet's back, does that mean Gronk could be coming back too??

Colin Kaepernick got a W on Sunday -- and he's got the Emmy to prove it!!

The Nike "Dream Crazy" commercial featuring the NFL quarterback had been nominated for a 2019 Creative Arts Emmy for Best Commercial ... facing stiff competition from ads for Netflix and Apple.

But, Colin's spot emerged victorious ... and we're told Colin and The Swoosh are PUMPED. Our sources tell us Kap is especially proud because he was involved in the creative process.

As we previously reported,  the ad was produced by the Wieden+Kennedy agency -- a Portland-based company located near Nike's headquarters. They famously produced the Terry Crews Old Spice commercials and Bud Lite's "Dilly Dilly."

The spot dropped back in September and featured Kap telling inspirational messages about overcoming the odds ... while using other huge athletes to make his point.

"Don't picture yourself wearing [Odell Beckham's] jersey. Picture OBJ wearing yours," Kap said.

He also referenced Shaquem Griffin, LeBron James and Serena Williams ...

"And, if you’re a girl from Compton, don’t just become a tennis player. Become the greatest athlete ever. Yeah, that’s more like it."

Nike caught some flack for the ad because people took issue with Colin's line, "Believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything."

Critics felt Colin didn't really "sacrifice everything" since he still has millions in the bank -- while military members who died in action really did sacrifice everything fighting for the country.

Watch your back Patron, Michael Jordan's in the tequila business ... and he partnered up with a bunch of super wealthy NBA owners to launch the liquor.

MJ -- with NBA owners Jeanie Buss (Lakers), Wes Edens (Bucks), Wyc Grousbeck (Celtics) and Wyc's wife, Emilia Fazzalari -- just dropped Cincoro, a new premium tequila.

Yes, the people who run the Celtics and Lakers -- one of the most heated rivals in sports -- are now in biz together.

Cincoro has 4 tequilas -- blanco, reposada, anejo and extra anejo -- and it ain't cheap. The anejo costs $130, and the extra anejo -- aged for around 3 1/2 years -- costs $1,600!!

The grand plan for the tequila started to come together in 2016 ... when the owners -- in NYC for NBA meetings -- met at a restaurant and started choppin' it up over their love of tequila.

The seed was planted ... and 3 years later, the tequila is available in several markets across the country -- with a nationwide release coming early next year.

The launch also answers an important age-old question ... why the hell was His Airness walking through NYC last summer holding a tequila bottle in his hand?

MJ -- who we're told was involved in everything from designing the bottle to tasting the product -- was coming from a Cincoro meeting ... and he left with a bottle.

Teammates who dance together ... win together?!

That's what Russell Westbrook and James Harden are hoping for after partying together at the Drake concert Saturday night in Vegas.

The Houston Rockets stars looked like BFFs while dancing it out to "SICKO MODE" at XS Nightclub at the Encore.

It's good to see these guys having fun as they get ready to reunite on the court for the first time since the Oklahoma City Thunder days.

The guys played in OKC together for 3 seasons before Harden was traded to the Rockets in 2012.

Westbrook was just traded to the Rockets this past offseason -- and it's clear the guys are stoked about playing together again.

The Rockets are coming off a disappointing 2018-19 campaign -- losing in the Western Conference Semi-Finals to the Golden State Warriors -- because many people expected them to win a championship.

Say what you will about Tyson Fury ... but the dude is tough as nails -- battling through a massive gash over his eye to beat Otto Wallin on Saturday ... and then getting 50 STITCHES after the fight!

Check out Tyson's before and after pics ... Fury had TWO gashes on his face -- one on his eyebrow and one on his eyelid.

Wallin opened up the bigger gash with a flush shot to Tyson's face in the 2nd round of their heavyweight championship fight in Vegas on Saturday.

Throughout the fight, Wallin targeted the wound -- and it took every drop of Vaseline in Nevada to keep the wound in check so Fury could continue fighting.

A second gash opened up later on ... and it REALLY seemed as if the ref and ringside doctor would stop the fight -- but somehow, they let Fury finish.

Fury ultimately won in a unanimous decision and went to the hospital right after the event -- where docs used 50 stitches to close him up.

Gotta say ... props to the docs -- they did a pretty great job!

NASCAR champion Mike Stefanik -- a 9-time touring series winner -- died in a plane crash near Rhode Island on Sunday. He was 61.

Stefanik was flying a single-engine, single-seat Aerolite 103 -- which took off from the Riconn Airport in Coventry, Rhode Island -- when something went wrong.

Officials say the plane was attempting to return to the airport when it crashed in the woods near the runway, killing the pilot.

NASCAR chairman Jim France issued a statement remembering the former stock car racer ...

"Mike Stefanik was one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history, but even more so, he was a true representative of our sport," France said.

"His tough, competitive nature and excellence on the race track won him the respect and admiration of fans and competitors alike."

"His career stretched more than 30 years, bridging the generations between Jerry Cook and Richie Evans to our current drivers."

"He recorded achievements in this sport that are likely untouchable, and his legacy as a champion will endure. We will keep his wife Julie and his family and friends in our prayers."

Stefanik was named Busch Series Most Popular Driver in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2004.

Most people know Stefanik for crushing the Whelen Modified Tour Circuit from 1989 to 2006, when he won 7 different times!

Stefanik made NASCAR history in 1997 and '98 when he won dual titles by winning both the Modified and K&N Pro Series East divisions.

In other words, the guy was a legend and he'll be missed.

"You know what's going to happen in the 9th inning, but it takes five hours to get there!"

Yankees legend Ron Guidry clearly dislikes watching the MLB these days ... telling TMZ Sports games just take too damn long to finish!!

We got the ex-pitcher out in NYC when he told us straight-up, "The game has changed, and it's long, and it makes it harder to watch because it's so long."

The MLB has been accused of juicing baseballs this season in order to see more offense ... but all the home runs and scoring has led to much longer days at the park.

Guidry says it's really killing the game ... and he thinks more needs to be done to help speed things up.

His solution to the problem? "Let the pitchers pitch."

Antonio Brown looked confident as he deplaned in Miami with Tom Brady and the rest of the team, with all signs pointing to him taking the field Sunday ... despite rape allegations.

Brown arrived by private jet, and with Brady by his side the day before the Pats take on the Dolphins -- along with the fact Brown practiced with the team 3 times in the last week -- it seems pretty clear he'll helmet up.

Bill Belichick hasn't been definitive, although he did say the team is taking the allegations seriously.

As for Brown, he's strongly denying he did anything untoward with his accuser, saying the contact with Britney Taylor was all consensual. He also says, "The devil gonna try to bring you down when you get closer to your goal."

For her part, Taylor is meeting with NFL investigators Monday.

Here's one of the coolest pieces of ice you'll ever see ... a jeweler made a custom diamond pendant of Colin Kaepernick kneeling -- and he's set to sell it for charity!!!

Moses The Jeweler in NYC created the piece ... and it's insane. TMZ Sports has learned it cost $90,000 to make, and it was produced with 18k yellow gold.

We're told it also has VVS hearts and arrow cut diamonds -- and took A YEAR to create.

Of course, the jewelry is a replication of the famous moment when Kaepernick first began kneeling for the national anthem as a member of the 49ers back in 2016.

We're told all of the profits that are made from the piece will be donated directly to the Know Your Rights Camp -- Colin's organization that preaches equality for all.

Bidding starts in a couple weeks ... with the starting price being set at $90k.

Brett Favre's family and friends just ain't ready to see him officially quit the NFL ... the 49-year-old tells TMZ Sports his phone LIT UP after Andrew Luck's retirement last month!!!

"No teams called, but I had a lot of friends and family, you know, 'Hey, the Colts could use ya!'"

Don't worry, Favre immediately shut down the idea ... saying, "No, they couldn't use me. I squashed that very quickly."

Of course, Favre has had a lengthy history with retirements and comebacks -- the guy quit football several times only to return months later.

But, the Packers legend tells us there is ZERO chance -- despite his friends and family's urges -- he returns to an NFL field again.

"It's really comical at this point because, look, I'll be 50 in three or four weeks. And, I've been far enough removed from football that I can't even believe people would think that I would consider coming back."

Favre says if this were 8 or 9 years ago ... he'd give it some thought, but he tells us there's just no way his body would hold up if an NFL team gave him a spot on their roster.

"I slip off the couch and the next day I can't even walk anymore," Brett says. "So, I just kind of get a laugh out of it."

Good news Nick Bosa ... a famous porn star wants to bang you!!!

The SF 49ers rookie sensation is being called out by adult film star Richelle Ryan -- who tells TMZ Sports, "He has a really nice butt."

Of course, porn stars and the 49ers seem to go hand in hand ... just ask QB Jimmy Garoppolo who famously took Kiara Mia on a date in Bev Hills back in 2018. Unfortunately, the relationship didn't last and Jimmy caught hell from prude critics who didn't approve of his lady friend.

As for Bosa, Ryan -- star of classics like "Seduced By a Cougar" -- tells us the 21-year-old ain't too young for her ... "I love 'em young. Young guys are fun. They have energy!"

Oh, and don't worry San Fran ... Ryan says she doesn't want to be a distraction or bring any negative energy toward the team.

"I promise I won't be the curse of the 49ers ... maybe I'll slide in his Instagram DMs."

Good luck, Nick.

Bosa and the 49ers are taking on the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati where Nick and his squad are looking to improve their record to 2-0.