TMZ Sports - Page 50

Gilbert Arenas is back on probation ... stemming from an illegal fireworks bust from 2013 ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The former NBA superstar -- who was famously involved in a NBA locker room gun showdown back in 2010 -- was arrested in L.A. with 100 POUNDS of illegal explosives in June 2013.

The timing couldn't have been better for Arenas ... who had completed probation from the gun incident roughly one year before the fireworks arrest. Talk about a close call.

As for the fireworks bust ... Arenas was charged with misdemeanor fireworks possession and was facing jail time -- but ultimately cut a deal with prosecutors to get probation instead.

According to official docs obtained by TMZ Sports, Arenas pled no contest ... and in exchange was hit with $41,240 in fines, penalties and other fees. Plus, he was ordered to complete 10 days of community service pertaining to "fire prevention."

Court docs show Arenas paid the fines and completed the community service -- and will remain on probation until January 2016.

Translation -- probably best to leave the fireworks to the pros this year.

Leon Spinks has ALMOST conquered the chicken bone that nearly killed him -- because he's finally out of the hospital and recovering at a rehab center ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... the boxing legend underwent several major surgeries after a piece of a chicken bone (which he ingested during a chicken wing eating session) got stuck in his intestine and wreaked havoc on his body.

But good news!!! We spoke with Leon's wife Brenda who tells us the former heavyweight was finally released from the hospital around Christmas ... and has been in a rehab center ever since working on getting his strength back.

"He's doing much better but it's a slow process," Brenda says. "He was in bed for two months. It takes a lot out of you."

We're told the doctors let Leon spend the holidays at home so he could be with his family and friends ... and then moved him back into the rehab center where he's been recovering ever since.

So when will Leon finally get to go home for good?

Cops were called to the Miami home of sports mega-agent Drew Rosenhaus Sunday night after a domestic incident with his wife ... who told cops she was concerned about a gun in the house ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We've learned ... Drew's wife Lisa Thomson (a Miami real estate agent) told police she arrived to the home after the NFL playoff games ... and was verbally attacked by Drew and his brother Jason.

Our sources say ... Lisa told police things were escalating quickly -- she claimed Drew's brother had called her a "whore" and an "alcoholic" -- and said Drew eventually gave her trash bags and told her to get her stuff out of the home and leave.

Lisa told police she was concerned because there was a gun in the home and called police as a preventative measure -- though she was clear no one ever threatened to use the gun ... or ever brandished it during the altercation.

When cops arrived to the home ... we're told they were able get the situation under control. No one was arrested and Lisa left without further incident.

Lisa and Drew were married in 2013. Drew represents some of the biggest names in sports including Rob Gronkowski and famously consulted on "Jerry Maguire" and "Arliss."

UFC champ Jon Jones is finally speaking out about his positive cocaine test ... saying he's NOT a cocaine addict ... or even a frequent user ... but admits he made a "really dumb decision."

Jones -- who checked himself into a rehab facility for substance abuse after his UFC 182 victory -- sat down with Fox Sports 1 and said the whole thing was a "really embarrassing situation."

"I think a coward would sit here and try to come up with this elaborate reason ... or try to blame something. I'm not gonna do that," Jones said during the interview set to air Monday night.

"I'm not gonna blame my friends. I'm not gonna blame pressure or stress. I'm not gonna blame anything ... but what I will say is that I messed up."

Jon's mother says the UFC star checked out of the rehab facility after one night -- unclear if he'll address that during the interview as well.

Well that sucks.

The NFL essentially pulled the plug on Marshawn Lynch's plan to wear 24k gold cleats during today's NFC championship game ... threatening to EJECT the running back if he sported them on the field.

We broke the story ... Lynch had hooked up with famous cleat artist SolesBySir and ordered up a pair of the flashy cleats which are worth around $1,100.

But according to Jay Glazer, the league didn't approve -- and told Lynch that he wouldn't be allowed to play since the cleats didn't conform to the NFL's uniform code.

Ultimately, Lynch backed down (he essentially had no choice) and threw on league-approved pair of shoes instead.

C'mon, this is adorable ... even if you're a Colts fan.

With the New England Patriots gearing up to take on Indianapolis for the AFC championship later today, Tom Brady's kids are doing their part to cheer on their dad.

Tom's three children -- John, Benny and Vivian -- threw on their #12 jerseys and made a sign for Tom that read, "Go Patriots! Love you Daddy!"

Tom's wife Gisele also posted a note that read, "We are ready!!"

Sidenote -- look at the view from Brady's house. Ridiculous.

Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports is trying to change the game of professional boxing ... courting three of the biggest stars in the sweet science to join RNS' exploding roster, TMZ Sports has learned.

Of course, Jay recently inked boxing superstar Andre Ward and made a serious push to sign former world champ Adrien Broner ... but AB rejected the 5-year $40 million offer.

Now, we've spoken with three other major fighters who have also been contacted by Roc Nation ... more evidence that Jay is dead serious about making a splash in the boxing world.

The fighters -- who wished not to be named -- tell us that just like Broner's courting, Jay Z never personally reached out ... sending his people to make contact instead and we're told it rubbed the fighters the wrong way.

All three fighters we spoke with tell us they ultimately turned down the Roc Nation offers ... but aren't closing the door on a possible relationship with RNS in the future.

Meantime, Roc Nation Sports is still growing like crazy ... and recently signed Georgia running back Todd Gurley who's expected to be one of the first running backs selected in the NFL Draft.

R&B legend Johnny Gill has some good news and bad news for ex-Lakers player Kareem Rush and his dream of being the next big thing in music.

The Good News? He doesn't suck.
The Bad News? He needs a whole lotta work.

As we previously reported, Rush is attempting to score in the studio these days -- dropping a new pop-R&B album later this month.

The former NBA baller even made an appearance on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" earlier this week and gave the whole crew a sample of the goods -- busting out an a capella version of Sam Smith's "Stay With Me."

So when we ran into Johnny out in Hollywood this week ... our camera guy decided to play a little "TMZ Sports Idol" with the multi-platinum artist to see how he really feels about Kareem's pipes.

Check out the clip -- ever hear the phrase "brutally honest?"

Devon Still's ex is waving the white flag in their fight over child support -- telling TMZ Sports the two sides have reached a financial agreement that's in the best interest for their daughter Leah.

The Cincinnati Bengals player -- whose 4-year-old daughter is ferociously battling cancer -- had been at odds with Leah's mother ... who claimed Devon wasn't living up to his end of a "voluntary" child support arrangement they struck over the summer.

Leah's mother, Channing Smythe, claimed she needed the cash for living expenses ... saying she couldn't work because caring for Leah is a full-time job in itself.

But now, Channing says the two sides were able to work out their money issues -- telling us, "He is helping me out financially" ... noting that Devon is still playing a huge role in parenting Leah.

"I am very happy that we are working together for Leah."

Nina Agdal didn't just take up golf to be cute ... SHE WANTS TO CRUSH YOU ... and the supermodel tells TMZ Sports she's smashing the ball farther than most men.

The 22-year-old Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover model was out in NYC when she told us she's pressed "pause" on her basketball obsession to pick up golf ... and she's a natural.

Check it out -- Nina says that while her short game might be lacking she's an absolute animal off the tee -- blasting shots over 200 yards on the regular.

We might have found the one thing in the world that can get Tiger's head back into the game.

New England fans beware -- a trio of New Yorkers made thousands off Tom Brady and the Patriots by selling fake tickets to Sunday's AFC Championship game ... according to cops.

The alleged counterfeiters were busted by police in a Boston suburb on Thursday after a Patriots fan called cops suspecting he'd been ripped off by the sellers.

Police say the fan responded to a Craigslist ad for tickets, met the sellers at a Holiday Inn ... and forked over $900 for 4 tickets to the Pats-Colts showdown. It's unclear why he thought the tix were fakes.

Cops busted the suspects -- all from NY in their early to mid 20s -- and seized thousands of dollars in cash ... as well as more counterfeit tickets.

Michael Sam clearly wanted to make a statement when he proposed to his longtime BF -- 'cause the football player popped the question right in Vatican City.

Sam posted the pic ... which shows HE was the one who got down on one knee and popped the question to Vito Cammisano last week.

We're told Sam and Vito were inside St. Peter's Basilica at the time.

It's sort of an act of defiance ... considering the Catholic church is still anti-gay marriage.

Mazel!

The Packers D could have gold tracks across their asses Sunday, cause Marshawn Lynch is rockin' some SICK $1,000 all gold cleats for the NFC title game ... and TMZ Sports has the pics.

The cleats were hand made by shoe-customizing guru Solesbysir and feature 24K gold flake paint with a RIDICULOUS gold chrome plate at the bottom ... final value $1,100 bucks.

We're told Beast Mode had originally planned to rock the kicks on Super Sunday (confidence), but when he saw the finished product, he had to have them for the big game this Sunday.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate says he DID NOT have sexual relations with Russell Wilson's wife ... despite rumors to the contrary ... and he claims the Seahawks QB knows it.

Of course, Wilson and his wife Ashton split up back in April -- and there were rumblings that it all had to do with an alleged affair involving one of Russell's Seattle Seahawks teammates.

Golden -- who played with Seattle at the time --signed with Detroit a short time later ... fueling the rumors.

But now Tate is denying everything in a statement posted on TheCauldron -- writing:

"I did not have an affair with Russell Wilson’s wife, nor did I have anything to do with his divorce."

"That is laughable for anyone who knows us. His ex-wife, Ashton, is still best friends with my girlfriend."

"Russell and I were good friends when I was in Seattle, on and off the field — he knows the rumors about me were unfounded, damaging to my reputation, and an attack on my character."

In fact, Golden's GF posted a pic with Ashton just 4 months ago (pic below).

As for Russell, the details surrounding the split were kept super quiet. Neither he nor Ashton have talked about why they broke up.

Manny Pacquiao has a message for Floyd Mayweather ... FIGHT ME ALREADY!

The PacMan was out in NYC with his crew this morning when we asked if there was anything he could say to Floyd ... what would it be?

His answer -- "Sign the contract."

Pacquiao and his team have already agreed to terms for a May 2nd fight with Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Vegas ... though Floyd has yet to sign off on his end of the deal.

Mayweather has not issued an official comment on where they stand -- but his lawyers have indicated there are still issues with the deal.

FYI -- if the two do strike a deal ... it's expected to be the highest grossing fight in the history of the sport ... with experts saying it could make more than $150 MILLION in pay-per-view revenue alone.

Donald Trump is taking himself out of the running to buy the Brooklyn Nets ... telling TMZ Sports he won't even consider making a bid for the NBA team now that they're up for sale.

Of course, Trump flirted with the idea of buying the Buffalo Bills last year ... and it seemed like the guy was pretty serious about adding a major professional sports team to his portfolio.