TMZ Sports - Page 50

Houston Rockets legend Kenny Smith believes the chances of Beyonce becoming a part owner of the team are "very good" -- and would immediately "change the whole dynamic of sports."

The singer is reportedly interested in buying a stake of the NBA team -- with current owner Les Alexander recently announcing he's looking to sell.

Smith -- who won 2 NBA Championships with the Rockets -- is still close with the team and even had a "date" with management last year about possibly being the head coach.

So, we hit up Smith for the 411 -- and it's obvious, he's all about getting Beyonce into that owners' box.

Bodybuilding superstar Rich Piana had 20 bottles of steroids in his home at the time of his medical emergency ... this according to the police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

Cops were called to Piana's Florida home at 1:30 PM on Monday after the 46-year-old social media sensation suddenly collapsed in his bathroom while getting a haircut from his girlfriend, Chanel.

Piana's girlfriend says she tried to catch the former Mr. California bodybuilding champ when he collapsed but couldn't due to his massive size and weight. Chanel told officials Piana struck his head during the fall.

The 911 operator instructed Chanel to perform CPR but she was unable to revive him.

When emergency personnel arrived, paramedics found crushed up white powder on a table along with a credit card and straw and decided to give Rich 2 doses of Narcan (often used to treat opiate overdoses) to try and revive him.

Chanel told responders Rich had battled opiate addiction in the past but she believed he was clean.

Rich never regained consciousness and was transported to a nearby hospital where he was placed into a medically induced coma.

The report notes that police found bottles and bottles of testosterone in the home, 20 in total. Chanel said Rich is an admitted steroid user who's been juicing for more than 20 years.

Chanel also noted Rich had suffered from a slightly enlarged heart at one point in his life -- but didn't know if that contributed to the medical emergency.

Dana White is nothing if not loyal ... he posted a video Friday night clearly showing his boy, Conor McGregor kicked the ass of sparing partner/former world boxing champ Paulie Malignaggi.

A photo surfaced on social media last week, showing what appeared to be a knockout during a sparring match between Conor and Paulie. Paulie claimed he was pushed and the photo wasn't as it seemed.

Well, with the McGregor/Mayweather fight looming this month, Dana dropped the vid to prove his man is a true contender.

Here's the thing ... Paulie still maintains he wasn't knocked to the canvas. After Dana posted the video, Paulie tweeted, "Pushing my head down with right hand as he's dragging me in that direction by then throwing the left, the push down is with right hand."

Kurt Warner says losing Ezekiel Elliott for 6 games is a "big blow" for the Dallas Cowboys -- and could seriously hurt the team's chances at a playoff run.

The Hall of Fame quarterback was still gathering info when we spoke with him Friday afternoon -- but says the whole situation involving the running back is "disappointing."

As for the NFL's threats that Zeke could be banned for life if he violated the league's personal conduct policy again -- Warner says, "Let's just hope it doesn't get to that point."

Pete Rose can uncross his fingers and stop holding his breath -- he ain't ever going to Cooperstown, so says his former teammate Johnny Bench.

The Cincinnati Reds legend -- who played with Rose for 12 seasons -- says "Charlie Hustle" broke the rules by betting on baseball back in the day and will have to live with the consequences.

Bench says he wishes Rose would make the Hall ... but he knows it ain't ever gonna happen, despite Pete having the most hits in the history of the sport.

Bench also talks about the L.A. Dodgers -- and says he absolutely loves this year's team. He does point out the squad's history of blowing it in the playoffs ... but explains why this team can break the trend.

Justin Gatlin wants to make 1 thing very clear to all the haters ... he DID NOT cheat to beat Usain Bolt ... and he's got some numbers that back up his case.

We talked to Justin after his 100m win at the World Athletic Championships last weekend ... and the American sprinter told us him and Bolt's race times prove it was a legit W.

Gatlin crossed the finish line first at 9.92 seconds -- a time he and Usain have both CRUSHED in the past. FYI, Bolt has the world record at 9.58. Justin's best is 9.74.

As for the claims that Gatlin was using the special sauce to beat his Jamaican rival -- "False, with a capital F."

JG's also got a message for fans that can't look past his doping bans.

"If you're gonna read the headlines, you should read the small print too. There's a lot to the story."

Ezekiel Elliott's accuser took several photos of the injuries she claims she suffered at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys running back ... showing bruising on her arms, hands, neck and legs.

Zeke's accuser claims she suffered the injuries during the week of July 16 -- when Elliott allegedly attacked her 3 times on 3 separate occasions.

Elliott told police investigators he did not cause the bruises -- claiming the woman suffered the injuries in a bar fight.

The NFL independently investigated the allegations -- and obtained photos of the alleged injuries which the league claims it was able to verify came from incidents involving Elliott.

Elliott says the investigation is WRONG and vows to appeal the 6-game suspension he received as a result of the investigation.

TMZ Sports also obtained a copy of the 911 call made by the accuser in which she claims Elliot had attacked her multiple times.

Watch out, NFL -- Antonio Brown's got some gnarly new lip hair ... and he's using it to haunt your dreams.

AB's going the Dick Dastardly route with his lip warmer -- rockin' a hipster twist on the handlebar mustache on the way to his pre-season game against the NY Giants.

With this new look, AB joins a short but prestigious list of celebrity hipster handlebar wearers including Rollie Fingers, Salvador Dali, William Howard Taft, Wyatt Earp and Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Weird hair is kinda AB's thing ... so mission accomplished?

If Lamar Odom wants to join the BIG3 league, Ice Cube says he's got an invitation -- there's just one catch.

Cube touched down in L.A. -- getting into one of the biggest limos we've ever seen -- when we asked how he felt about Odom expressing interest in his 3-on-3 league.

"I love Lamar man. I'd love to see him play again."

The issue ... "Dude's just gotta get in shape."

If Lamar can get his fitness together, "We'd love to see him play."

Cube also says he's fired up for the 4-point shooting contest with LaVar Ball at Staples Center on Sunday -- telling TMZ Sports he's 100% down as long as Ball shows up.

The good news for Cube ... LaVar formally accepted minutes ago -- and says he's looking forward to "tasting that ass" after he beats the rapper.

Seriously. LaVar actually said that.

Ezekiel Elliott says the NFL got it 100% WRONG by concluding he attacked his girlfriend on 3 separate occasions -- and vows to appeal his 6-game suspension.

"Mr. Elliott and his team of representatives are extremely disappointed with the NFL’s decision," the Dallas Cowboys star's camp said in a statement.

"The NFL's findings are replete with factual inaccuracies and erroneous conclusions and it 'cherry picks' so called evidence to support its conclusion while ignoring other critical evidence."

"For example, both the Columbus Prosecutor's office as well as the NFL investigators expressly concluded and conveyed to our office (and others) that the accuser was lying about an alleged July 22, 2016 incident whereby she accused Mr. Elliott of pulling her out of her car and assaulting her. An allegation that was ultimately undermined by her false allegation of assault."

"In addition, the NFL's own medical experts concluded that many of her injuries predated the week in question and likely occurred during a period of time when Mr. Elliott was not in contact with the accuser."

"During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light."

LeBron might be in his doghouse, but Kyrie Irving has nothing but love for Kobe Bryant -- who he considers a "mentor" -- and just honored the guy with some dope Bruce Lee shoes.

The Cleveland Cavs (for now) star says the 2009 Nike Kobe 11 "Bruce Lee" sneakers are his favorite shoes of all time -- and now that he's become tight with the Mamba, why not honor him with a new version of the shoe?!

Enter the NEW Bruce Lee Kyrie 3s ... which incorporates Kobe's signature Mamba logo as well as Lee's famous claw marks from "Enter the Dragon."

Kyrie says he wanted to commemorate the "relationship and mentorship that I've been able to develop with an incredible person."

Dope.

Bodybuilding superstar Rich Piana is alive and fighting for his life after a medical emergency in Florida this week ... so says his girlfriend.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Piana's fitness model girlfriend, Chanel Jansen, was with Piana when he collapsed and hit his head on Monday afternoon.

Sources tell us ... Chanel administered CPR on the massive 46-year-old until help arrived.

He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was put in a medically induced coma.

There were rumors that Piana died from his injuries -- but Chanel says that's just not true.

" I just want to be clear [Piana] is STILL ALIVE," Chanel says ... "All myself and his family are asking for is POSITIVE thoughts, prayers, and love."

Piana is a former Mr. California who went on to become a huge Instagram sensation -- racking up more than 1 million followers with pumped up photos and videos.

He's a staple on the bodybuilding circuit and has worked out with some of the biggest stars in the sport -- including the guy who plays The Mountain on "Game of Thrones."

Ezekiel Elliott beat up his girlfriend 3 times in the same week ... and there are photos that prove it ... this according to the NFL. Elliott is facing a 6 game suspension with these charges.

The league laid out its case against Elliott in a letter to the Dallas Cowboys running back detailing a week of violence and terror against Tiffany Thompson that began on July 17, 2016.

INCIDENT #1

On July 17, the NFL says Elliott attacked Thompson at the Canvasback Lane apartments in Columbus, Ohio.

"You used physical force that caused injuries to Ms. Thompson's arms, neck and shoulders."

INCIDENT #2

On July 19, the NFL says there was another altercation at the Canvasback Lane apartments.

"You used physical force that caused injuries to Ms. Thompson's face, arms, wrists and hands."

INCIDENT #3

On July 21, the NFL says there was a 3rd incident at the Canvasback Lane apartments.

"You used physical force that caused injuries to Ms. Thompson's face, neck, arms knee and hips."

The league says it went to prosecutors to find out why Elliott was not charged with a crime. The NFL was told, "We never concluded that she was lying to us ... we generally believed her for all of the incidents."

Prosecutors had previously said there was "conflicting and inconsistent information across all incidents, resulting in concern regarding the sufficiency of the evidence to support the filing of criminal charges."

The standard for prosecution is much higher than the standard for the NFL to mete out discipline.

Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended for 6 games following the NFL's yearlong domestic violence investigation into the Dallas Cowboys star, the league confirms.

The league says the investigation found "substantial and persuasive evidence" that Zeke engaged in physical violence against the accuser.

The league also told Elliott if he violates league policy ever again he could possibly be BANNED from the NFL for life.

Zeke was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend 5 different times in 6 days back in July 2016.

Cops investigated the allegations but decided there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute.

The NFL conducted its own investigation and apparently felt there was enough evidence to suspend him.

The NFL issued a statement saying, "Over the course of the last year, the league conducted an extensive investigation. League investigators interviewed more than a dozen witnesses, including Ms. Tiffany Thompson, who had alleged multiple instances of physical violence in July 2016, and Mr. Elliott."

"The league also consulted with medical experts. League investigators examined all available evidence, including photographic and digital evidence, thousands of text messages and other records of electronic communications."

The NFL says Roger Goodell consulted with 4 external advisors before deciding punishment.

Elliott denied any wrongdoing -- but the accuser has maintained he attacked her. In fact, she put up a statement last month doubling down on the allegations against Zeke and saying people like her need to speak up and stop domestic violence.

Elliott's made headlines for all the wrong reasons this offseason -- he was caught exposing a woman's bare breast at a St. Patrick's Day parade and was accused of attacking a man in a Dallas bar in July.

Adam Schefter says the NFL factored in the St. Patrick's Day incident when meting out punishment.

Zeke wasn't arrested or charged with any crime for either incident ... but it's been reported the league would take these incidents into consideration when determining his punishment.

The news will undoubtedly come as a shock to Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, who just told us THIS WEEK that Zeke would NOT be suspended.

The reign of The Rock's famous bull tattoo is OVER.

Long live the reign of his new one.

He calls it "Evolution of the Bull" -- 22 hours of tattoo work to cover up the famous bull head he's sported on his arm ever since he burst on to the scene as a WWE superstar.

But Rock -- real name Dwayne Johnson -- says he decided to change his body part to reflect his own personal history.

"From the cracks and heavy damage in the bone representing life's hard lessons I've learned over the years. Just like scars and wrinkles - I'm so grateful to have 'em because they're earned. To the horns, not pointing up or out to the side, but pointing straight ahead representing relentless energy and forward progress."

Rock says the eye tells the story of a "disruptive positive energy always ready to dent the universe."

Good for Rock. It's his body. He can do what he wants.

But we kinda liked the old one.

His jersey's got the Swoosh ... but Lonzo Ball says he's still a BBB guy at heart -- and the proof is on his feet.

The L.A. Lakers rookie was at an NBA rookie photo shoot with teammate, Kyle Kuzma, when they started showing off their new Lakers uniforms, made by Nike.

That's when Lonzo told the camera, "I know you see the Nike jersey on ... it's still Triple B's though!"

He then pointed down to his $495 Big Baller Brand shoes.

Daddy likey.