TMZ Sports - Page 50

Magic Johnson still remembers exactly how he felt when he stood before the world and announced he was HIV positive -- 25 years ago today -- and he's expressing tremendous gratitude and hope.

Magic opened up about the anniversary when we got him on his way out of lunch at Crustacean in Bev Hills. He thanked, by name, several people who helped him get through that monumental news conference.

However, in classic Magic fashion, he also made it clear the day isn't just about him -- it's about celebrating medical advances, remembering loved ones lost to the disease, and continuing to educate young people.

#AllClass

Tre Mason won't go to jail stemming from his March arrest -- when cops used a taser on the ex-Rams running back to subdue him after a traffic stop.

Mason was pulled over in his Porsche in Hollywood, FL on March 5th -- but when cops ordered him out of the car, he refused to budge.

Cops used the taser to incapacitate Mason and later charged him with resisting arrest without violence, reckless driving, weed possession and more.

Now, we've learned Mason cut a deal with prosecutors in which he pled no contest to resisting arrest, weed possession and failure to register his vehicle ... and in exchange all he has to do is pay a $293 fine.

It ain't easy being a black Trump advocate -- so says Herschel Walker who tells TMZ Sports his black friends have been calling him names over his support for the Donald.

Walker has been Team Trump since day 1 -- claiming he's been friends with Donald for decades and truly believes he's the best person to lead our country. Herschel's also adamant Trump's no racist.

They're not officially in negotiations, but Manny Pacquiao's promoter tells TMZ Sports there's a 75% chance of a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.

We spoke with Bob Arum -- who says the two camps are on great terms. In fact, when Floyd sat ringside at Manny's fight this weekend, it was all thanks to Team Pacquiao.

"Floyd called us and asked for tickets," Arum says, "It's a great sign. I'd love for the fight to happen. I'd make it 75% that it happens."

Arum -- who's been in the fight game for decades -- says he simply doesn't believe Mayweather's fighting days are over.

"Based on my experience, I feel like [Floyd's] getting the itch to come back."

Jon Jones says he is "very pleased" arbitrators in his doping case found that he's "not a drug cheat" -- despite the fact he tested positive for 2 banned substances.

After the UFC star failed a drug test in June, he faced a 1-year ban from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The case went to an independent panel of arbitrators which determined his fate.

Although he was given the max punishment, Jones is taking solace in the fact arbitrators believed his story about innocently taking a sexual enhancement tablet that contained banned substances.

Jones had claimed he relied on his teammate who said it could enhance his sexual pleasure -- and admitted he didn't properly clear the pill with USADA.

In the docs, the arbitrators called his actions "reckless" -- but ultimately decided he is not a "drug cheat."

Now, Jones has issued a statement saying, "Being cleared of these allegations was very important to me."

"I have always maintained my innocence and I am very happy I have been cleared in any wrong doing pursuant to the allegations made that I had intentionally taken a banned substance."

"I have worked hard in and outside of the octagon to regain my image and my fighting career and will take these next eight months to continue my training and personal growth both as a man and a athlete."

Greg Hardy is learning the hard way ... don't mess (with cocaine) in Texas -- 'cause the ex-NFL star was just charged with felony drug possession and faces serious jail time.

Hardy was arrested on Sept. 25th when cops pulled over a 2010 Dodge Challenger for turning without signaling -- and during the bust, found a baggie of the white stuff in Hardy's brown Louis Vuitton wallet.

Officials say the coke weighed in at .7 grams.

Now, we've learned Hardy has been indicted on 1 count of felony possession of a controlled substance -- and faces up to 2 years in prison if convicted ... though it's unlikely he would get the max punishment.

Jon Jones won't be stepping into the Octagon until next year ... 'cause the UFC fighter was just slapped with a year suspension resulting from a failed drug test before UFC 200.

USADA announced the ruling Monday morning ... saying they "determined that Jones should receive the maximum one-year period of ineligibility for his anti-doping violation."

The 29-year-old superstar tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole -- anti-estrogen agents that are often used after a cycle of steroids to counter to the negative side affects.

Traces of the drugs were found in a urine test from June 16, 2016 -- an out of competition test leading up to UFC 200.

Jones was set to fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 on July 9th ... but he was pulled from the card 3 days before the event due to the failed test.

It's not all bad news for Jones. The suspension was backdated to the day the failed test was made public ... meaning Jones is eligible to return July 6th, 2017.

UFC legend BJ Penn is off the hook in his sexual assault case -- with prosecutors telling TMZ Sports there is not sufficient evidence to prove he attacked a woman last year.

As we previously reported, cops in Hawaii launched an investigation into Penn after a former writer on his website claimed BJ forced himself onto his GF in August 2015 and forcibly removed her clothes.

Penn adamantly denied the allegations and claimed the writer made the whole thing up as payback for being fired from BJ's website.

Floyd Mayweather didn't get a standing ovation when he took his seat at the Manny Pacquiao fight this weekend ... he got booed ... and it's exactly what he wanted.

Accompanied by 3 massive bodyguards and sporting a $5,000 Gucci trench coat, Floyd made quite an entrance when he arrived at the Thomas & Mack Center in Vegas.

He wanted to create a scene. He wanted people to notice him. He wanted people talking about a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch ... and he got his wish.

Now, the question is ... will it happen? Here's what Manny told reporters on Sunday:

"If the rematch happens, I want to make sure the fans love it ... I will give all I can to give my best to the fans."

Stay tuned ...

Injured ankle be damned ... nothing was going to stop NY Giants star Victor Cruz from celebrating his birthday after beating the Eagles on Sunday.

The 29-year-old wide receiver hit up the Hunt & Fish Club in NYC last night following the 28-23 victory ... in which Cruz left the game with an ankle injury.

The injury didn't seem to bother him as he partied with the likes of rapper Fabolous, model Chanel Iman and teammates like Sterling Shepard.

Cruz turns 30 on Friday -- but clearly, he wanted to get a head start on the celebration.

Reggie Bush's alleged baby mama's saying it loud and clear ... her kid's gonna need a LOT of stuff.

World class athletes from all sports came to the Big Apple this weekend to run the New York City Marathon -- where they were ALL smoked by that skinny dude from "Catfish."

Nothing brings warring factions together like a good ol' soccer match -- just ask Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen ... who finally got on the same side to cheer up the Sevilla soccer team.

UFC announcer Joe Rogan has nothing but respect for Ronda Rousey -- but says he doesn't like hearing when fighters talk about the next phase of their career before they're done in the Octagon.

Everyone knows Ronda is one of Joe's favorite fighters -- and he heaped heavy praise on her at LAX this weekend. But when we brought up Ronda's recent announcement that UFC 207 would be one of her last fights before focusing on movies, Joe expressed some concern.

"It's exciting to see her to come back if she wants to come back, but whenever someone starts saying a couple more fights and then I'll go into movies, I go, 'Man, I don't like hearing that.' 'Cause when you have one foot out the door, you should probably put both feet out the door."

Rogan added, "But she might not REALLY have one foot out the door."

Matt Barnes is PISSED at the New Orleans Pelicans for cutting his boy Lance Stephenson -- saying Lance busted his ass for the team, only to get waived after he got hurt.

Stephenson suffered a groin injury and will require surgery that will reportedly keep him out for 6 to 10 weeks. So, New Orleans waived him and signed Archie Goodwin to take his roster spot.

The move infuriated Barnes.

"So my man Lance Stephenson busts his ass for the Pelicans, gets hurt, requires surgery & what does he get for his hard work??? WAIVED SMFH," the Sacramento Kings star wrote.

"Something fans have to understand is y'all get mad when players leave during free agency or hold out for money.. We have to do what's best for US, we have a small window to make as much money as we can."

"Remember this is a BUSINESS when you can no longer serve your purpose these teams cut you trade you or bury you on the bench!"

MLB pitcher Pedro Strop can breathe a sigh of relief after a custom car job gone bad ... 'cause the Chicago Cubs reliever gave his car a complete $30,000 makeover.

Strop hit up Alex Vega at the Auto Firm to re-pimp his 2015 Infiniti QX80. We're told the original job -- from a friend's recommendation -- had a front grill made of chicken wire and rims that 'looked like boat propellers.'

But Vega worked his magic and completely stripped the car of its old look to give him a white satin, white pearl and glossy black detail to help forget about the old maroon mess.

Vega did a solid for sure ... but not for free (this is America) ... final price tag, $30k.