TMZ Sports - Page 50

An L.A. Clippers fan is suing the team .. claiming the NBA squad is responsible for SPAMMING his cell phone ... and now he wants them to pay up, to the tune of $5 MILLION.

The guy behind the lawsuit is Ari Friedman -- who claims he went to a game at Staples Center and participated in one of those arena games where you can send a text message to the team that could get posted on the stadium scoreboard. (Sidenote: Who does that???)

In a lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, Ari claims the team assured fans they would not share cell phone information or send return text messages ... but alas, Ari claims the Clips broke that promise

After the game, Ari says he got hit with text message spam which traced back to the Clippers. He's pissed because incoming text messages can cost several cents in charges.

Now, Ari's filed a class action lawsuit demanding $5 million from the team for his troubles.

Tim Tebow's brother got himself a DUI in Denver back when Tim was Mr. Everything with the Broncos -- but the charge was miraculously dropped to just speeding. Seem like a case of celeb justice?

Plus, Manny Pacquiao just blew away Jay Z's 99 problems -- 'cause he's got 18 MILLION of 'em with the IRS! How the hell does someone as successful as Manny fall so far into debt??

And Jadeveon Clowney's ridiculous speeding ticket -- 110 in a 70 mph zone -- could cost him way more than just a fine. Will NFL teams see it as a sign of future troubles?

Peter Tebow's driver's license was suspended for ONE YEAR after his 2011 DUI arrest ... all because he refused to submit to sobriety tests, TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... Tim Tebow's older brother was popped in Denver after cops say he was speeding through town at 1:43 AM after taking pain pills. Cop also say he reeked of booze.

Peter refused to take a field sobriety test AND a blood alcohol test at the scene -- and now, prosecutors tell TMZ Sports ... Peter was punished as a result.

We're told ... Peter's driver's license was suspended for one year -- which is standard operating procedure for anyone who refuses to submit to booze tests during a DUI arrest.

As we previously reported ... Peter was initially charged with DUI and reckless driving -- but the DUI was eventually tossed and the reckless driving was kicked down to a speeding ticket.

So, why did Peter catch such a huge break??? We spoke with John Hower -- one of the prosecutors in the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office -- who tells us, "I did not believe that he was driving under the influence and didn't feel it was appropriate to move forward with it."

Hower also pointed out Tebow had no criminal history and a clean driving record.

The police officer who pulled over college football superstar Jadeveon Clowney this weekend was SHOCKED when he saw who was behind the wheel -- radioing dispatch in disbelief, "I got Clowney."

As we reported, Clowney was pulled over by SC State Highway Patrol Saturday night for allegedly going 110 in a 70MPH zone.

Manny Pacquiao has 18 MILLION new tax problems ... in addition to his $50 million tax fight in the Philippines ... and this time, it's Uncle Sam that's trying to force Manny to pay up.

TMZ Sports has obtained official documents which show the IRS claims Manny stiffed the government out of federal income taxes from 2006 to 2010 ... totaling $18,313,668.79 in debt.

Here's the yearly breakdown:

2006 -- $1,160,324.30
2007 -- $2,035,992.50
2008 -- $2,862,437.11
2009 -- $8,022,915.87
2010 -- $4,231,999.01

Interesting note -- Manny had 3 big fights in 2008, including a match against Oscar De La Hoya in which MP reportedly banked $15-$30 million in guaranteed cash.

In 2009, Manny famously fought Ricky Hatton and earned a $12 million purse.

Manny's U.S. tax problems come on the heels of a nasty tax war in his home country, The Philippines ... where the govt. claims he evaded paying $50 million in taxes in 2008 and 2009 stemming from fights that took place in the United States.

Philippines officials have frozen the bank accounts Manny has in the country ... and even placed a lien on one of his most expensive properties, located in Manila.

We reached out to Manny's camp -- so far no word back.

Barry Switzer is blasting the BCS Selection Committee -- claiming it's NOT QUALIFIED to pick the 4 college football playoff teams next year ... and he's singling out Condoleezza Rice.

The ex-Oklahoma coach -- who won 3 national championships with the school -- went on "Drive Time Sports" the other day and ripped the people who chose the committee members ... saying they screwed up by picking "celebrity personalities" ... instead not authentic football experts.

That's when Switzer put Rice in his crosshairs -- "If we were talkin' about Iran or foreign policy, I'd have more respect for what she has to say than she has to tell me about a football team, I'll tell you that."

He's still too injured to play, but L.A. Dodgers star Matt Kemp refused to let his busted ankle keep him from the Jay Z show last night ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Kemp -- who had major surgery on his left ankle back in October -- was limping into the show at Staples Center in L.A. in a full walking boot.

Despite the medical brace, Kemp actually looked like he had a little pep in his step.

Joe Smith -- the #1 overall NBA Draft pick in 1995 -- tells TMZ Sports he's 100% confident his former teammate Kobe Bryant will return to form after his injury ... unlike a certain Redskins QB we all know.

Smith was leaving Supperclub in L.A. with his girlfriend last night when he explained why the Black Mamba will overcome his bad achilles and return to greatness.

That's when Joe's GF stepped in and fired this shot -- "Let's hope [Kobe's] not an RG3 ... a disappointment."

Tim Tebow's older brother Peter performed a MIRACLE back in 2011 ... 'cause the guy was arrested for DUI, and his goose was seemingly cooked, but he somehow escaped with just a speeding ticket ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Here's what we know ... Peter Tebow was pulled over in Denver, CO at 1:43 AM on June 10, 2011 after cops say he was blazing through town -- going 90 MPH in a 45 while straddling two lanes of traffic.

When the cop approached the vehicle, he "observed that [Tebow's] eyes were bloodshot and watery, his speech was slurred and mumbled and his pupils were enlarged."

The officer asked Peter if he was on any medication, to which he replied ... "Yeah, I had some Percocet earlier. I had 2 pills in the morning and the afternoon."

He later stated, "I had 2 pills a couple hours ago."

In the report, the cop says he also smelled booze on Peter's breath ... but Peter refused to take both a road sobriety test AND a blood alcohol test.

Peter, who was 26 at the time, was eventually arrested and hauled to a nearby station where he was booked. He was later charged with reckless driving and DUI.

Now, here's where things get interesting ...

Despite the details from the arrest, Peter CAUGHT A HUUUUGE BREAK FROM THE COURT -- the DUI was dismissed outright and the reckless driving charge was reduced to a simple speeding ticket for going 20-24 mph over the limit.

His punishment -- $276 in fines (not including attorney's fees).

Fun Fact -- Peter's bro Tim was playing for the Denver Broncos at the time ... and Peter was reportedly living with him while attending seminary school.

We tried reaching out to Peter for comment -- nothing back yet.

Aaron Hernandez is keeping up his skills behind bars -- his art skills! We got an Hernandez original off a letter he sent to a fan. Shouldn't the ex-Patriot be focusing on that little murder trial thingy ... instead of doodles of big booty chicks?

Plus, Jameis Winston got slammed with questions about the rape allegations ... just seconds after winning the ACC Championship. Was the reporter out of line ... or just doing her job?

And "The Best Man Holiday" star Morris Chestnut joined us to accept his crown as Hollywood's MVB -- Most Valuable Baller -- at least according to one ex-NBA star.

Boxing champ Andre Ward is picking a fight with his own promoter -- claiming the guy illegally TRAPPED him into staying with the company for the rest of his career ... and Andre wants out.

TMZ Sports has obtained legal docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court ... in which the reigning WBA super middleweight champ claims Goossen Tutor Promotions broke the law by signing him to a series of contracts that lock him up until 2016.

Ward says he signed the initial deal back in 2004, and because CA labor laws prevent companies from signing people for more than 7 years at a time, he should be able to leave Goossen for greener pastures. He wants a judge to void the contract ASAP.

In fact, Ward is turning to Oscar De La Hoya for support (at least, in his legal docs) claiming ODLH filed a similar lawsuit against Top Rank Boxing back in 2001 ... AND WON ... so he should get the same result.

He already lost a Super Bowl ring (thanks to burglars) .. but now ex-Chicago Bears wide receiver Willie Gault is about to lose some more finger jewelry .. 'cause his wife just filed for divorce TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Gault's wife -- actress Suzan Brittan -- wants to end the couple's 5-year marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

Suzan and the 53-year-old former NFL star have no children together.

Suzan wants Willie to pay for her attorney's fees and she also wants spousal support.

College football superstar Jadeveon Clowney -- the projected #1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft -- may be too fast for his own good ... 'cause he was popped for doing 110 in a 70 MPH zone.

According to law enforcement, the South Carolina defensive end was stopped by SC State Highway Patrol on Saturday night in his Chrysler 300 for allegedly driving 40 MPH over the speed limit.

The 20-year-old was immediately ticketed ...but not arrested.

Not the best thing to happen to Jadeveon -- considering NFL teams are reportedly concerned about his off the field behavior.

LeBron James is way better than Michael Jordan ... at least when it comes to acting ... if you believe LBJ's future co-star, Kevin Hart.

If you haven't heard, Kevin and LeBron just announced they're making a movie together called "Ballers" -- LeBron plays a basketball player, and Kevin plays his brother who finally gets his chance to be a hoops star.

So, last night outside Greystone Manor we asked Kevin if LeBron really has acting chops -- in other words ... is he closer to MJ in "Space Jam" or Ray Allen in "He Got Game."

Checkout Kevin's answer in the clip. One thing's for sure ... LBJ has to be better than Dennis Rodman in "Double Team." Just awful.

Lamar Odom just cut a deal in his DUI case -- agreeing to plead "no contest" to the crime and in exchange he'll be on probation for the next 3 years ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... Odom was arrested in L.A. on August 30 at 3:25 AM after cops saw him driving too slow on the 101 Freeway. He flunked field sobriety tests and refused to submit to a blood alcohol test. He was ultimately charged with one count of DUI.

But today, Lamar struck a deal with prosecutors ... and in addition to 3 years of probation, he's required to complete an alcohol education class by June 9.

He's also been ordered to pay $1,814 in fines and fees.

He's played with a ton of stars ... from Chris Brown to The Game ... even Brian McKnight -- but ex-NBA stud Doug Christie says there's one Hollywood star who has SERIOUS GAME.

Christie was arriving to Basketball Results West's 2nd Annual Celebrity game in L.A. yesterday ... when we asked if there's any non-athlete celeb who could compete with the pros.

His answer -- "The dark-skinned guy."