TMZ Sports - Page 2

Huge news out of Utah ... where the state Dept. of Health says it has "cleared" Jazz players and staff to leave isolation after 2 players tested positive for coronavirus.

Remember, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell were the first two NBA athletes to test positive for COVID-19 roughly 2 weeks ago, prompting the league to postpone the season indefinitely.

The rest of the Utah Jazz team -- including players, coaches and staff -- were all tested and ordered into isolation to try and reduce the chances of exposing anyone else.

But, Friday morning, the Utah Dept. of Health gave the green light to rejoin their families.

"As of today, Friday, March 27, all Utah Jazz players and staff have been cleared by the Utah Department of Health after completing their respective periods of isolation and quarantine following exposure to COVID-19."

"In accordance with CDC and NBA recommendations, all players and staff will continue to practice social distancing while limiting time outside of their homes to essential activities."

Hoda Kotb couldn't hold back her tears as she said goodbye to NFL star Drew Brees ... becoming overwhelmed with emotion because of his astounding act of kindness to combat the pandemic.

The tearful scene played out Friday morning as Hoda chatted with Drew on "Today" about his $5 million donation to Louisiana to help the state's coronavirus relief efforts.

But, watch ... immediately after she thanked Drew and told him "we love ya" she got really choked up, before openly sobbing.

Savannah Guthrie tried to console her, saying, "It's a lot. I know where your heart is, my dear" before offering to read Hoda's tease.

It's easy to see where all that emotions coming from -- Hoda established deep roots in Louisiana after working there for years earlier in her career. So, speaking to New Orleans Saints QB about the pandemic and his generosity ... was too much.

Louisiana, of course, is reportedly experiencing the fastest growth in new cases in the world. The governor there said the current trajectory of case growth is similar to those in Spain and Italy ... so Drew's donation to help local orgs combat COVID-19 will go a long way.

This is bad for football fans ... ESPN star Kirk Herbstreit says he'd be "shocked" if there was NFL or college football in 2020 -- explaining it's just too dangerous with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The "College Gameday" host went on ESPN radio late Thursday and spelled out why he's so pessimistic about seeing America's biggest sport on the biggest stages.

"I'll be shocked if we have NFL football this fall, if we have college football. I'll be so surprised if that happens," Kirk said.

"Just because from what I understand, people that I listen to, you're 12 to 18 months from a [coronavirus] vaccine. I don't know how you let these guys go into locker rooms and let stadiums be filled up and how you can play ball. I just don't know how you can do it with the optics of it."

Kirk said if he was the NFL commish or in charge of the NCAA, he would shut it down ASAP -- "Next thing you know you got a locker room full of guys that are sick. And that's on your watch? I wouldn't want to have that."

"As much as I hate to say it, I think we're scratching the surface of where this thing's gonna go."

Kirk also says he doesn't think people realize how much time college and NFL coaches need to properly prepare their teams for the long season.

"You don't all of the sudden come up with something in July or August and say, 'Okay we're good to go' and turn 'em loose!"

WWE superstar Roman Reigns has reportedly pulled out of WrestleMania 36 -- and it's all over serious health concerns connected to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 34-year-old was supposed to wrestle Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship during the April 4 and 5 event -- but due to his recent cancer battle, he ultimately decided it was too risky, according to ProWrestlingSheet.

Reigns told WWE he's immunocompromised from the cancer fight -- and didn't feel comfortable performing with the looming threat of COVID-19.

FYI, Reigns -- real name Leati "Joe" Anoaʻi -- was first diagnosed with leukemia back in 2007 and beat it. But, it reared its ugly head again in 2018.

Reigns returned to WWE in early 2019 and he's been on fire ever since.

WWE has taken drastic measures to protect the wrestlers at WrestleMania -- which will take place April 4 and 5 at the WWE Performance Center in Florida without fans in the building.

Seems the ice has thawed between Tom Brady and Donald Trump -- at least, according to POTUS -- who says he spoke with TB12 the other day and they're all gooooood!

Trump busted out the humblebrag during a coronavirus update press conference Thursday while trashing the "fake news" media.

"Somebody in the fake news said that one of the governors said 'Oh we need Tom Brady' [to lead the coronavirus relief effort]."

"They think Tom Brady should be leading the effort. That's only fake news and I like Tom Brady. Spoke to him the other day. He's a great guy."

Of course, Tom and Trump had a friendship that went back years -- Tom even put DT's "Make America Great Again" hat in his locker during his first campaign.

But, the two had a big falling out back in 2017 -- Tom didn't go to the White House with the team that year and Trump made no mention of TB12 during his congratulatory remarks.

As we previously reported, Trump felt betrayed by Brady for not standing up for him publicly. In fact, Gisele publicly stated she and Tom didn't support him anymore.

Tom has also disagreed with Trump's criticism of Colin Kaepernick -- saying the comments POTUS has made about NFL kneelers is "just divisive."

But now it seems they're on better terms.

Well, this ain't exactly the model form of social distancing ... but ya won't hear us complain!!!

Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson's sister-in-law got in some bikini dancing during their self-isolation time Thursday ... and the views are pretty spectacular.

It seems the two were boating in the Florida sun when they fired up their phone cams to participate in the latest viral TikTok trend.

"Social distancing with my sista," said Paulina, who was rockin' the tiny blue bathing suit.

Of course, we had to cut the audio (legal reasons!!!) ... but you've heard the Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage" song before, and you've had to have seen this dance by now.

It's unclear how long we'll all be in quarantine for ... but it's clips like these that are helping our eyes get through it.

Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin came up with a creative way to help those fighting the coronavirus pandemic -- by turning baseball jerseys into masks and gowns!!

Rubin's Fanatics company -- which makes official MLB unis -- has halted all jersey production and instead, they're using the materials for the jerseys to make essential products for frontline workers in Pennsylvania.

Rubin said the PA governor hit him up asking for help ... and the dude delivered, saying he's planning to make 1 million masks and gowns to help Pennsylvania and eventually more states in need.

The finished product is actually pretty dope ... with the Phillies and Yankees pinstripes clearly recognizable in a new form.

"Thanks to @MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for not only agreeing to halting production of MLB jerseys, but also doing everything possible to make this happen as quickly as possible!!" Rubin tweeted.

"And thanks to our incredible associates who raised their hands and wanted to be part of the effort to help the frontline heroes in this war stem the spread of the virus!!"

New York Sports Clubs members are pissed they're still paying, but not playing while the gyms are shut down due to the pandemic ... so they're suing.

Mary Namorato filed a class-action lawsuit Thursday against NY Sports Clubs and its parent company, Town Sports International, claiming that despite closing its doors on March 16 due to the coronavirus, it's still charging customers monthly dues.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Namorato estimates TSI is raking in around $30 million per month from its customers, who have been ordered to remain home to help stem the spread of the virus.

She calls TSI's conduct "particularly reprehensible as it is stealing hard-earned money New Yorkers now need more than ever to pay for the necessities of life -- such as food and rent for themselves and their families -- despite the fact that its gyms are closed and TSI is not able to provide the services for which it is charging customers."

What's more ... Namorato claims TSI -- which operates gyms nationwide -- has a long history of refusing to honor member cancellation requests. She also points to the Attorney General of Washington D.C. having gone after TSI not once but TWICE for similar issues in the past. The lawsuit also drags out a ton of complaints from customers ... and, for good measure, mentions TSI's "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Namorato's suing for damages and to get TSI to stop making customers jump through hoops to cancel memberships. We've reached out to TSI, so far, no word back.

Steph Curry just stepped up and finally asked Dr. Anthony Fauci the question MILLIONS of Americans want to know -- WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET SPORTS BACK!?!?

The NBA superstar connected with the man heading up the White House Coronavirus Task Force for a video chat Thursday to get as much info as he could about the pandemic, without President Trump trying to sugarcoat it.

Oh, and there was a bonus (comment) cameo from Barack Obama!

The whole conversation was fascinating -- not only did Steph get answers about what needs to happen before we can have major sporting events and public gatherings, but Curry also revealed he was tested for COVID-19 a few weeks ago when he was showing symptoms.

Steph says his symptoms were minor and he appears okay now -- and Dr. Fauci praised the 32-year-old for not rushing to the hospital right away.

"You did the right thing! If someone right now gets flu-like symptoms, a fever, aches and a bit of a cough, the first thing you do is stay at home. Don't go to the emergency room because you might be affecting others."

Fauci added, "Get on the phone with a physician, a nurse of a healthcare provider. Get instruction from them on what to do and if available, you can get a test."

"But, the critical issue is don't flood the emergency room. Stay at home. If you're really obviously seriously ill, then you gotta go quickly there but if you just have aches, pains and a fever stay where you are but contact your physician."

There's more ... during the chat, Steph's good pal President Obama added some words of encouragement to the guys.

FYI, Dr. Fauci is a HUGE basketball fan -- he's even got a hoop in his office (which you can see in the shot!).