TMZ Sports - Page 50

In perhaps the most meaningless punishment in the history of sports, Major League Soccer has decided to fine David Beckham $1,000 for challenging some L.A. Galaxy fans to a fight during a game last week.

For the record, $1,000 to David Beckham is like 14 cents to the rest of the players on his team.

If you recall, Beckham -- a member of the L.A. Galaxy -- got all testy during the game when Galaxy fans booed the crap out of him in his home stadium.

After the incident, Beckham said he had no intention of apologizing -- meanwhile, Galaxy fans have no intention of ever cheering for him again.

They just did it -- Nike has finally decided to give back the tapes they confiscated showing LeBron James getting dunked on by a college kid.

Nike henchmen took the tapes from two accredited journalists moments after Xavier's Jordan Crawford threw it down on King James at his Nike sponsored summer skills camp earlier this month.

The decision to take the tapes ignited a huge controversy and speculation that the Swoosh didn't want LeBron, a huge Nike spokesperson, to be seen in a bad light.

Nike claims it only snatched the tapes based on a policy that no pickup games be filmed.

But now -- 2 days after TMZ released the first copy of the dunk -- Nike is finally doing the right thing. However, it's unclear when they will hand the tapes back to the journalists.

This dude in a bee costume took one to the honey-maker during a botched home run celebration at a AA baseball game for the Binghamton Mets a few days ago -- and just crumbles in sheer agony.

It's hilarious.

Roethlisberger said, "I did not sexually assault Andrea McNulty."

"Saturday was the first that I learned of her accusations. Her false and vicious allegations are an attack on my family and on me"

"I would never, ever force myself on a woman."

"I want to fight to protect my family and my reputation."

"I'm not going to discuss my private life or this civil case in the media."

"I'll respond to her outrageous allegations in the appropriate forum."

"I have an obligation to our fans, to my teammates, to my coaches and everyone in the organization to remain focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers and I will do that."

"The allegations against me are reckless and false."

TMZ just received the following statement from a hotel spokesperson :

"We are confident that once all the facts are brought to light, a much different story will emerge and our employees will be dismissed from the case. It is also important to note that Harrah's Entertainment is not a party to this case and we will have no further comment at this time."

In her lawsuit, Andrea McNulty claims Harrah's failed to properly investigate the alleged incident after she reported it to the hotel's chief of security. McNulty also claims she was told her job would be in jeopardy if she went public with her story.

Roethlisberger, a Super Bowl winning quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has denied the allegations. He has called a press conference to discuss the case for 2 PM EST.

Andrea McNulty didn't say a word when we asked her about the case, but it's the first time we've seen her out since the lawsuit was filed last week.

McNulty is scheduled to return to her job tomorrow at the Harrah's hotel in Lake Tahoe -- where the alleged incident occurred in 2008.

Here's the back story -- LeBron had a bunch of basketball prospects over at his LeBron James Skills Academy camp earlier this month.

LJ joined in on a pick-up game during the camp, when Jordan Crawford -- a 20-year-old baller from Xavier University -- got the rock and decided to go right after LeBron, soaring right over the all-star and delivering a nasty two-handed slam in front of everyone!

Several media outlets reported that LeBron and Nike -- who sponsored the camp -- sent henchmen to confiscate tapes from anyone who may have been recording the dunk, fearing the footage would cause some serious damage to LeBron's image.

The guy who ignited a media firestorm when the tapes of his two-handed dunk on LeBron James were confiscated is finally speaking out about our soon-to-be exposed footage of the moment he crushed King James:

Here's the official statement from Xavier sophomore Jordan Crawford: "I am excited to see the tape along with my family and Xavier teammates.

It was a great honor to be one of the 25 college players invited to the LeBron James Skill Academy and I am very appreciative of Nike for this opportunity.

Competing on the court with perhaps the best player in the world was a great experience and it's raised my level of excitement for the upcoming college basketball season."

The DUNK!!!! We got footage of THE DUNK!!!!

You know what we're talking about -- the legendary moment where some virtually unknown college kid blasted a two-handed dunk right in King James' FACE -- at his very own LeBron James summer basketball camp!!

LeBron's people and Nike reportedly confiscated all video proof of the moment LeBron got taken to the HOLE -- but we finally found the one SURVIVING copy of the moment LeBron became LeBitch ... and it's awesome!!!!

We're going to premiere the footage on TMZ TV tonight -- but we'll post the uncut in-your-face slam on the website at 6:45 PM EST.

ESPN apparently took our story yesterday to heart ... that the peeping Tom who drilled holes in the walls of at least two hotels to sneak shots of a naked Erin Andrews may have been part of her production.

ESPN has released the following obtuse yet telling statement:

"In conjunction with Erin's attorneys and appropriate authorities, we are exploring all possibilities."

As we told you yesterday, six video clips show the ESPN reporter walking around naked in two different hotel rooms and there is evidence the culprit was familiar with Erin's travel schedule as well as her accommodations.

Shaquille O'Neal's wife Shaunie was taken to the ER yesterday after a teenager slammed "full speed" into her car -- which was en route to the airport.

Police confirm to us they responded at 6:18AM Tuesday morning. Shaunie, who Twittered about it, says she's "super sore ... but I'm good."

According to police, three people were taken to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital with only minor injuries.

Shaunie's biggest pain now: Dr. Shaq, who's keeping her on strict bed rest.

The woman accusing Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault claims she tried to tell the head of hotel security about the incident the day after it happened -- but the guy completely blew her off and threatened her job.

In her lawsuit filed last week in Nevada, Andrea McNulty claims Guy Hyder -- the chief of security at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe -- told her she was "over-reacting" and that "most girls would feel lucky to have sex with someone like Ben Roethlisberger."

McNulty also claims Hyder told her that John Koster -- the president of the hotel - will "personally fire you for starting rumors about Roethlisberger's personal life."

McNulty also claims Hyder told her that Koster would be impressed by the sexual encounter, allegedly saying "Koster would love you even more if he knew about this ... Koster would suck his d*ck if Roethlisberger let him."

In the suit, McNulty claims she assumed the incident would be investigated by hotel security, but Hyder "did not do his job of investigating the assault." McNulty also claims she was "afraid of the consequences of going to police authorities since it was obvious to her that Harrah's and it's personnel ... would side with and support Roethlisberger."

McNulty also claims several Harrah's employees broke into her home and ripped files off of her computer, presumably for the purpose of defending themselves against a possible lawsuit.

Several months after the incident -- after McNulty claims she sought psychological treatment because of the encounter -- she claims she had a conversation with Hyder. McNulty says she told Hyder that she had been hospitalized specifically because of the Roethlisberger incident. Hyder allegedly replied, "I figured that was what was wrong, but I thought it was just like a date rape thing."

McNulty claims her bosses told her she was on thin ice at work ... so she preemptively lawyered up.

McNulty is seeking $380,000 in medical fees plus an unspecified amount of punitive damages.

TMZ has reviewed six videos shot by the Peeping Tom who secretly videotaped Erin Andrews in her hotel room as the ESPN reporter walked around naked, not having a clue she was being watched ... and there are signs the person who taped it may be connected with the coverage of athletic events.

Four of the clips were shot in the same hotel. The remaining two were shot in a different hotel. In the first hotel, the peephole is round. In the second hotel, the peephole is jagged. The furniture in the two hotel rooms is completely different.

In the first set of videos, Erin is naked, curling her hair while looking into a mirror. It appears all four clips are from the same video. In the second set of clips, Erin is also naked, ironing a pair of pants.

The videos raise the suspicion that the person who shot them may have been familiar with her work schedule and may have been traveling with her. Erin's people are on the hunt for the culprit.

We will not post this video, because it is a clear invasion of privacy.

FYI -- Bonera is one of the top defenders in the league ... obviously not in the hot tub.

McNulty claims Roethlisberger assaulted her after she was called to his room to fix his TV in July 2008.