TMZ Sports - Page 50

2:35 PM -- UCLA coach Steve Alford has addressed Gelo's departure, saying “We learned today of LiAngelo Ball’s intention to withdraw from UCLA. We respect the decision he and his family have made, and we wish him all the best in the future.

It's a stunning move ... LiAngelo Ball will no longer be on the UCLA basketball team and, in fact, he will not be a student at UCLA ... because his father, LaVar Ball, is removing him from the institution ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As you know, LiAngelo was indefinitely suspended from the team after he stole from several stores during a trip to China. LiAngelo was placed on house arrest but was sprung after Trump and others went to bat for him.

We're told LaVar believes the suspension was unfair, especially since the charges were dropped. LaVar's people tell TMZ Sports the famous dad thinks, "There's no need to break down a kid's spirit for making a mistake."

Our sources say LiAngelo is not officially withdrawn from the school but he's at home and will not return to UCLA.

LiAngelo was a freshman and never actually played a game for the team.

A family spokesperson added LiAngelo and Lavar appreciate UCLA for everything ... despite the circumstances that led to the suspension.

Story developing ...

There's no way Gronk should be suspended for his controversial hit on a Bills player ... so says former Super Bowl champ Jermaine Wiggins, who thinks anyone saying otherwise is just a Patriots hater.

TMZ Sports spoke with Wiggins about the Gronk backlash after he hit Tre'Davious White during Sunday's game, and he says if the NFL wants to remain consistent -- and be fair -- with its punishment, Gronkowski shouldn't be suspended a single minute.

Wiggins does admit it was a "dirty play" and "cheap shot" ... but says "cheap shots happen in the game all the time."

Ben McAdoo is out as NY Giants head coach ... less than 2 seasons after taking over the job, according to reports.

The last place, 2-10 Giants lost again on Sunday ... falling 24-17 to the Raiders in Oakland. However, it was the benching of star QB Eli Manning that had the sports world up in arms ... and fans calling for BM's head.

McAdoo wasn't always hated in NYC ... he got off to a great start with the Giants last year, going 11-5 and making the playoffs.

12 games after playing a playoff game in Green Bay ... McAdoo is unemployed.

The NYG have also reportedly fired GM Jerry Reese -- who was the general manager for the Giants last 2 Super Bowl wins.

The Giants have not yet released a statement.

Tom Brady hopes he won't have to play without Rob Gronkowski next week ... despite the superstar tight end's controversial late hit on a defenseless Bills player on Sunday.

TB12 spoke with 'Kirk and Callahan' on WEEI Monday morning and addressed the hit on Tre'Davious White -- resulting in a concussion -- saying Gronk lashed out after growing frustrated with unfair calls earlier in the game.

"It's an emotional game and these are like spur of the moment things, they just happen," Brady says.

"You always love to keep your cool all the time but you're in a sport where you're trying to run and block and hit and tackle and be physical and aggressive. That's why people tune in."

"I think if it was a pillow fight, people wouldn't tune in to watch."

When he was asked whether Gronk deserves to be suspended, Brady defended his teammate ... saying, "I certainly hope not."

The Houston Rockets 23-point thrashing of the Lakers was NOT the worst L of the night -- that dishonor went to twin bros who got obliterated in a massive nightclub brawl!

We got video of the insanity just as it started Sunday night outside Nightingale in WeHo. Unclear what sparked it, but it's crystal clear about 4 or 5 guys went off on the twins. Fists, feet ... even shoes were used as weapons -- and you clearly hear a chick yell, "I'm gonna cut yo' s**t!"

When security guards broke up one beating, another broke out just across the street. Order was eventually restored, and shortly after ... Rockets stars James Harden and Eric Gordon came strolling out of Nightingale.

We'd say they have horrible timing, but the Lakers would beg to differ.

Dating Blake Griffin is rubbing off on Kendall Jenner in a really good way because she makes sweating profusely look awesome.

Kendall channeled her inner "Rocky" for her LOVE Magazine Advent Calendar shoot -- guzzling raw egg yolks, shadow boxing and even doing one-handed push-ups! Well, she tried, at least.

There's even an Adrian cameo shot in the clip -- played by Kendall.

Gigi and Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Winnie Harlow and Karlie Kloss are also doing video shoots for LOVE's Advent Calendar. So, yeah ... December's starting to look really hot.

Iran hates Israel so much it ordered one of its wrestlers to throw a match to avoid facing an Israeli in the following round ... prompting Benjamin Netanyahu to rip the Iran regime a new one.

The Israeli Prime Minister posted this video Monday after Ali Reza Karimi of Iran was ordered by his coach to throw his match against Russia's Alikhan Zhabrailov at the U-23 World Championships in Poland. The reason? He would've faced Israel's Uri Kalashnikov in the second round.

As Netanyahu says in the video, Iran forbids its athletes from competing against Israelis. He says, "Now that's not surprising, given that the regime in Tehran calls for the destruction of all Israelis, the destruction of Israel."

Check it out ... Netanyahu challenges the world to "show Iran's regime that hating others will never make you a champion. It only makes you a pathetic and insecure loser."

Colin Kaepernick made a rare public appearance Sunday night ... accepting an award for showing bravery to participate in national anthem demonstrations despite risking his job.

The free agent QB was honored with the Courageous Advocate award at the ACLU of SoCal's Bill of Rights dinner ... and was welcomed with a long applause from those in attendance.

"We must confront systemic oppression as a doctor would a disease. You identify it, you call it out, you treat it, and you defeat it," Kaep said.

“We all have an obligation no matter the risk, and regardless of reward, to stand up for our fellow men and women who are being oppressed with the understanding that human rights cannot be compromised."

The Georgia Tech football player who knocked his teammate out cold earlier this year ... fought and KO'd HIM AGAIN later that SAME DAY ... and we have the video.

TMZ Sports obtained video that we're told was taken only hours after the original fight -- where starting CB Step Durham landed a perfectly placed hook on the chin of Lance Austin -- turning his fellow CB's lights out.

Unlike the first fight vid, it's hard to make out the players' faces ... but we are told it's Step and Lance.

A witness to the 2nd scrap tells us that Austin wanted to run the fight back ... and redeem himself for takin' an L the first time around.

But, the 2nd round ended just like the 1st ... with a right hook sending Austin crashing to locker room floor.

We sent GT the video ... and they told us it was "All part of the same incident that our coaching staff was aware of."

Last week the university told us they disciplined the players ... but would not reveal the punishment.

Bookies think Colin Kaepernick's got pretty good odds of taking home TIME magazine's "Person of the Year" award for 2017 -- but Larry King really doesn't like Kaep's chances.

We got Larry leaving Craig's in L.A. ... and he seemed legit shocked when we told him the NFL icon was a top candidate.

As for who he does like for the honor -- "I think the 'Person of the Year' will be (Robert) Mueller ... or (Vladimir) Putin," King told TMZ Sports.

And he wasn't blowin' smoke.

Speaking of which ... you gotta watch this epic clip of Larry from earlier in the night:

The NFL tried buying their players off with nearly $100 million so they'd stop kneeling and protesting at games ... but apparently it didn't work.

The NFL recently proposed a deal in which they'd contribute $89 million over seven years to 2 organizations focused on African-American causes, as well as to the Players Coalition so they could use the money for whatever causes they wanted.

In exchange, the NFL wanted the National Anthem protests to end -- but the deal seems to have failed. Many players continued to kneel and demonstrate during this week's games.

The L.A. Chargers' left tackle Russel Okung raised his fist during the National Anthem Sunday, and the Oakland Raiders' Marshawn Lynch remained seated for the song. L.A. Rams player Robert Quinn raised his fist as well, and other players linked arms in solidarity.

At least 6 other players between Miami, New Orleans and San Francisco all took a knee after some of them publicly raised issues with the proposed deal from their bosses.

Back to the drawing board.

Super realtor Kurt Rappaport is selling the most expensive house ever in L.A. ... and it's his!

Real estate sources tell us ... Rappaport is in escrow to sell his incredible 20,000 sq. ft, six-acre Malibu estate for $120 million. We're told it's broken down so that $85 mil is for the home, and $35 mil for the contents of the house. That would make it the most expensive home sold in Malibu or L.A. ... ever.

We've learned the buyer is Daryl Katz -- the billionaire owner of the Edmonton Oilers hockey team. We're told Katz has been leasing the house for an astounding $750k/MONTH.

One of the most amazing features of the house is the 168 foot swimming pool ... the longest one in California. The house was also featured in Tom Ford's movie "Nocturnal Animals." The house and lush gardens were designed by Scott Mitchell.

Harry and Meghan don't own the market on wedding proposals, because Chanel Iman and NFL star Sterling Shepard are also engaged!!!

The New York Giants wide receiver got down on bended knees Saturday to pop the question to the supermodel. They've been dating since January.

Sterling didn't spare any detail ... He chose a rooftop with a panoramic view of New York City and lined the area with candles.

Her caption says it all. "A night full of tears of happiness. I’m beyond excited to spend the rest of my life with you @sterl_shep3 you are my soulmate, my best friend, my everything! Can’t wait to be your Mrs."

She 27 and he's 24, which is cool.

Matt Lauer's not getting his ass kicked to the curb in NYC ... at least when it comes to his favorite restaurant.

We're told Matt is more than welcome at Fresco by Scotto in NYC, despite the mounting sexual misconduct allegations that got him canned after more than 20 years at NBC.

Owner Anthony Scotto tells TMZ, Lauer and his brood are like family and, despite the allegations, he'd give Matt a hug the next time he comes into the restaurant.

The ex-"Today" host has been going to the place for 16 years ... dining there last with his family just this past Thanksgiving. He's already been seen out and about in the Hamptons ... but showing up in NYC's a different beast.

TMZ Sports might've unearthed 1 of the biggest shockers in NFL friendship history ... 'cause Ricky Williams told us he and Mike Ditka will always be bros!!!

You remember the trade ... Ditka gave up 8 PICKS to draft Ricky to the Saints back in '99 -- but NOLA bombed and Da Coach got canned.

But Williams says he and Ditka -- differences aside -- are "homies for life" ... 'cause Mike's one of the few guys he can always turn to.

"I remember when I played for him ... he said, 'If you can count on 1 hand how many people you have as close friends, then you’re doing OK.' And that's been advice I've held close to my heart all these years."

If you're not into the warm and fuzzy stuff, Ricky also weighed in on the insane Aqib Talib vs. Michael Crabtree brawl ... and his reaction was kinda surprising.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel has proof that a good time can cost you ... he tells TMZ Sports that the walking boot on his foot is a result of the raucous Astros victory parade.

We got DK leaving Catch LA and asked him what's with the new footwear, since we weren't aware of any injuries he got during the World Series.

That's when Keuchel told us ... he actually hurt his paw after he slipped during the festivities celebrating the Astros first ever MLB championship.