TMZ Sports - Page 50

Team USA was actually TRAILING IN THE FOURTH QUARTER ... but LeBron James took over and led the Americans to a close 99-94 win over Lithuania.

James and Carmelo Anthony each had 20 points to lead the team. Lithuania's Linus Kleiza led all scorers with 25.

Team USA has won 13 gold medals and is the overwhelming favorite at this year's Olympics. Earlier this week, they beat Nigeria 156–73 ... an Olympic record for points scored in a game.

Jason Kidd has officially severed his final ties with Dallas after the Mavericks traded him to the Knicks -- TMZ has learned, the NBA legend has sold his luxury condo in the Big D.

Kidd listed the 2,607 sq. ft. pad for $1,595,000 back in October, and it remained on the market until June 21st -- when it finally sold for $1,387,500.

Kidd signed with the Knicks last month.

According to official records, Kidd bought the condo in 2009 for $1,420,000 -- meaning he lost a little on his investment ... but nothing like Michael Phelps on his recent sale.

It's a pretty badass condo -- featuring a 4-car garage, 2 fireplaces, a pool on the building's rooftop, and a guarded entrance.

But Kidd's not just dumping his Dallas property, he's also getting rid of his giant house in Arizona -- listing his 6-bedroom, 9-bath, 13,523 sq. ft. Paradise Valley home for $5,995,000.

What do corn flakes, milk and Gabby Douglas have in common? They'll all be featured on Kelloggs cereal boxes this fall ... 'cause the Olympic champ just inked a major endorsement deal with the cereal company!

After sweeping the women's All-around gymnastics final and being the first African-American to win a gold medal in the category ... Gabby went on the "Today" show Friday and announced the major cereal deal.

The 16-year-old will be the face of Kelloggs Corn Flakes starting this fall, so every American can wake up feeling like a champ.

This is the first of many deals Gabby is likely to sign on to ... she made history with her gold medal and she's still young enough to compete in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ... which could mean many more deals to come.

Fun Fact: Kelloggs also tapped Michael Phelps to be on their boxes back in 2008 after he killed in in Beijing.

8/4/12 12:20 PM PT -- The Madison Police Department released a statement today saying they are indeed investigating the fight that took place on June 27 and they have determined that Ball was present, but are not certain if was involved in the actual fight. The statement also says, "The detectives have developed several persons of interests on the attack of Montee Ball, and are following up on subsequent leads."

Police in Madison, Wisconsin have interviewed a man who claims he was beat up by UW running back Montee Ball at a party last week ... and want to know if the alleged victim had anything to do with the attack on Ball on Wednesday morning.

Sources connected to the investigation tell us ... detectives visited the alleged victim at his job earlier today and questioned him to find out if Wednesday's campus attack on Ball was an act of retaliation.

Our sources tell us the alleged victim told police ... Ball, along with other members of the University of Wisconsin football team, beat him badly at a party at an apartment complex near campus on Friday July 27th.

We're told ... the alleged victim said he suffered multiple injuries in the attack ... including facial lacerations, bruising and a concussion. The alleged victim told investigators he was hospitalized for his injuries ... but never filed a police report.

According to our sources, the man adamantly denied having anything to do with Wednesday's attack on Ball.

We called the Madison PD to ask why they had previously informed the media that they were NOT investigating the July 27th incident ... but they refused to comment.

Floyd Mayweather did not emerge from jail as a puny, shriveled up shell of an athlete ... as he so grimly predicted during his stint in the pokey -- in fact, the guy is pretty damn jacked.

Moments after he was sprung from the big house this morning, Mayweather posted a photo of his chiseled physique on his Facebook page.

Kinda shocking ... considering he begged the judge to release him from jail early because his stint behind bars was ruining his boxing career. In fact, Floyd complained his lack of exercise coupled with an "inappropriate diet" was taking a serious toll on his body.

Mayweather even griped that he was experiencing a noticeable "lack of muscle tone."

Yeah ... we should ALL look this pathetic and weak.

Condoleezza Rice is a big fan of U.S.gymnastics superstar Gabby Douglas ... telling TMZ she's "thrilled" for the 16-year-old's "momentous accomplishment as the first African-American" to win a gold medal at the Olympics in the all-around competition.

Rice says she's been following the ENTIRE U.S. Women's Gymnastics team at the 2012 Games ... telling us the girls have been "incredible" to watch.

"Proud of their team gold and thrilled for Gabby Douglas and her momentous accomplishment as the first African-American to win the individual all-around gymnastics title, " Rice says.

She adds, "These young women are full of grace and poise."

Swimming champ Ryan Lochte PEED IN THE POOL AT THE OLYMPICS -- seriously ... he just admitted to it on live radio.

Ryan was on the phone with Ryan Seacrest this morning, when Seacrest asked if swimmers ever pee in the pool -- Ryan replied, "Of course. We always do."

When asked if he ever peed during one of the races in London, Ryan said, "Not during the races, but I sure did before in warm-up."

Jerry Jones is a Cowboy FOR LIFE ... cause the NFL owner tells TMZ he would NEVER sell the team ... even if he KNEW his departure would result in a Super Bowl win.

Jones was at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills last night -- because, as usual, his team is holding their training camp in Southern California.

And with the Cleveland Browns franchise officially changing hands this week, we asked Jerry if he would give up his ownership of the Dallas Cowboys for the ultimate prize.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is officially a free man -- the boxing champ was all smiles when he was released early Friday morning from a Vegas jail, where he served roughly 2 months of his 3-month sentence for domestic violence.

Floyd was sentenced to jail in December over a 2010 incident, when he beat up his baby mama in front of their kids -- but the judge allowed Floyd to turn himself in on June 1st, so he could fight Miguel Cotto on May 5th (Floyd won).

A spokesperson for the LVPD said Mayweather was being released early for good behavior behind bars.

Floyd was originally sentenced to 6 months in jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence -- but 3 months of that sentence was suspended.

Floyd also pled no contest to 2 misdemeanor harassment charges -- after allegedly threatening to beat his kids too during the incident.

In addition to the jail time, Floyd was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and a 12-month domestic violence program. So far, he's completed roughly half of both.

Floyd's boy 50 Cent was among the group of people who came to pick Floyd up from jail ... and can be seen riding shotgun when Floyd drives away (see video below).

The police officer who arrested ex-LA Lakers star Matt Barnes waited in an alley for 2 hours ... waited for Barnes to exit a restaurant, and then charged the b-baller with felony resisting arrest -- even though Barnes never got physically violent ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Barnes had a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear on a ticket for driving on a suspended license. Sources say Barnes had gone to the DMV, gotten his license reinstated, and mistakenly believed he no longer had to go to court to clear the ticket.

Now here's where it gets strange. Our law enforcement sources say the arresting officer KNEW Barnes had an outstanding warrant as he watched the NBA forward and his baby mama park their car in a lot Monday night -- and walk a block-and-a-half to MB Post, a popular restaurant in Manhattan Beach, CA -- yet the cop did not approach the hoopster. Instead the officer waited in an alley near the car.

Witnesses say 15 minutes later, Barnes walked back to the vehicle in plain view of the cop. According to witnesses ... Barnes got something from the car and returned to the restaurant. Again, the officer watched but did nothing.

Nearly 2 hours later, Barnes and his chick left the restaurant and he signed autographs and posed for pictures as they walked to the car -- as they approached the vehicle the cop pounced and told Barnes he was under arrest, but didn't say why.

We're told Barnes already had one hand behind his back as he attempted to hand his gf the keys with his other hand so she could drive home. Sources say the cop grabbed the hand with the keys and the Lakers champ pulled away. The cop then immediately informed Barnes he would be charged with resisting arrest.

A police official for the dept. initially claimed the basis for the resisting arrest charge was a verbal threat allegedly made by Barnes, but we've learned the charge will be based on Barnes pulling his hand away.

Law enforcement sources say Barnes was NOT intoxicated at the time of his arrest.

Cal Ripken Jr. just appeared on national television ... asking the public to help police hunt down the man who abducted his mother at gunpoint last week.

As we previously reported, Vi Ripken survived the abduction after spending 23 hours with an unknown male assailant ... but the identity of the suspect is still unknown.

Moments ago, the MLB legend told "Good Morning America" his mother is so shaken up from the incident, she will not go back to her house in Maryland ... where she has lived for nearly 50 years.

"Her sense of security is violated," Ripken said ... adding, "She's a tough woman, but it's a very traumatic ordeal."

Montee Ball -- and several of his University of Wisconsin football teammates -- may have been involved in a fight several days before the 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist was attacked on campus yesterday ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops have received tips about a brawl at a UW football player's home roughly one week before Ball was jumped on campus.

According to our sources, cops have been told Ball was at the home ... and along with some of his teammates, may have participated in beating up a non-football player.

Cops were never called to the scene and no police report was ever filed.

But sources tell us ... investigators are now looking into the possibility that Wednesday's attack on Ball was in retaliation for last week's incident.

We've contacted the University of Wisconsin's athletic department -- so far, no comment.

Despite the fact she's suffering from pink eye, USA beach volleyball superstar Kerri Walsh hugged, kissed and rubbed her contagious face all over her partner Misty May-Treanor last night.

Despite the infection, Kerri and Misty DOMINATED Austria last night ... and are one step closer to securing the gold medal ... again.

Forget all that retirement talk, Michael Phelps will NOT be done with the Olympics after the London games ... that is if network honchos can lock him into a new job -- sports announcer.

TMZ's learned TV execs are drooling over the chance to get Phelps under contract once he wraps up the Games as the most decorated Olympian of all time.

One source, high up at NBC Sports, told us ... "The man is smoking hot right now" -- and they "would definitely hire Michael" to cover the Olympics in 2016, and other world sporting events between now and then.

Phelps is adamant London will be his swan song -- and he will retire as the most well known Olympian on the planet ... so, if he chooses to get in the broadcast game there will be a massive bidding war.

NBC holds Olympic broadcasting rights through 2020, so they'd seem to be in the driver's seat -- but a source at ABC told us, "If he would, we would gladly scoop him up to work for us."

As for his potential salary ... it's a simple formula:
MP x 19 (possibly 22) Olympic medals = GAZILLIONS.

Michael Phelps didn't just take a beating in the 200m butterfly recently ... he also got his ASS kicked by the real estate market -- letting go of his swank Baltimore condo for $400,000 less than what he bought it for.

Phelps purchased the 4,080 sq. ft. home in Fells Point back in 2007 for $1.69 million -- but then the housing market crashed ... and so did the value of his home.

The 19-medal-winning swimmer listed the 3-bedroom pad earlier this year for $1.42 million -- but even that was asking too much ... because when he finally sold the place last week ... he could only get $1.25 mill.

For the mathematically challenged, that's a loss in value of $440,000 -- but it's just a drop in the bucket ... the guy's agent once predicted Phelps would earn roughly $100 million during his lifetime from endorsements.

A major skateboard company is being accused of putting "racism for sale" ... after selling a shirt featuring two Asian men under the words, "Gooks of Hazzard."

The company under fire is Baker Skateboards ... which is owned by skating legend Andrew Reynolds ... who's been featured as a character in several of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video games.

Baker is currently selling the "Hazzard" shirt on its website. The shirt features two Asian men in a car named the "General Li." One of the men is pro skater Don "The Nuge" Nguyen -- who's sponsored by Baker.

The shirt also features a tagline, "Good Orr Boys" ... a play on the stereotype of an Asian accent.

But while it appears The Nuge approves of the shirt, the Asian American Justice Center feels differently ... a rep for the organization tells us it's "unacceptable for Baker Skateboards to create a depiction of Asian Americans which uses racial slurs and perpetuates racist stereotypes.”

The org. adds, "Baker Skateboards, and the outlets that sell this shirt, should be aware that use of the term 'gook' on their apparel is offensive and quite simply amounts to racism for sale. No one should seek to profit from racism.”