TMZ Sports - Page 10

When Shohei Ohtani takes the field in Japan, it’s more than a baseball game; it’s an event -- and the superstar proved exactly why Friday with a grand slam-fueled performance that powered Samurai Japan to a 13–0 World Baseball Classic rout.

The sold-out Tokyo Dome was packed hours before first pitch … with fans arriving more than 90 minutes early just to watch Ohtani take batting practice.

Even celebrities got in on the action … Timothée Chalamet and Bad Bunny were both spotted in the crowd as the global baseball superstar put on a show.

And Ohtani didn’t waste any time delivering.

The Atlanta Hawks’ controversial “Magic City Monday” is getting support from a man who knows the club -- and the wings -- better than most: former NBA star Lou Williams.

The former Hawks guard famously got busted visiting the legendary strip club during the NBA’s COVID bubble in 2020 … and now the three-time Sixth Man of the Year is weighing in on the team’s controversial plan to celebrate the iconic ATL spot at an upcoming game.

Not everyone is thrilled about the NBA franchise linking up with the famed gentlemen’s club -- but Lou tells TMZ Sports disagreements are part of the deal.

Lionel Messi and the rest of Inter Miami FC spent their Thursday afternoon at the White House to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup win over the Vancouver Whitecaps ... and the team didn't come empty-handed, presenting plenty of gifts to President Donald Trump!

Trump took some time away from dealing with the situation in the Middle East ... to welcome Messi and the rest of the team to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

After heaping praise on the championship-winning squad, Jorge Mas and Messi then revealed some goodies they brought for Trump. The guys handed him a team jersey with No. 47, which corresponds to him being the 47th President, as well as a custom soccer ball commemorating their title.

Cincinnati Bengals legend Willie Anderson just provided a positive update after undergoing a kidney transplant this week ... thanking his fans, friends and loved ones for supporting him through the tough time.

The 50-year-old All-Pro tackle has been battling kidney disease for a decade ... as the pain meds he was taking to combat his numerous career-related injuries caused his organs to deteriorate.

Anderson put his head down and got to work -- losing 60 pounds to get into operation shape.

The controversy swirling around the Atlanta Hawks' Magic City night later this month hasn't cooled ticket sales ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned they're sellin' like hotcakes, making it one of the hottest matchups of the season!

Of course, the Hawks announced they'd be honoring the iconic strip club and the impact it's had on the city during their March 16th home game against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena in ATL.

Since then, the Hawks have faced a barrage of criticism, from players to fans ... but ticket sales say the criticism is overblown in a big way.

Patrick Beverley sat in front of a camera and peeled back the curtain on his tumultuous past few months ... calling his arrest one of the worst experiences of his life.

The former NBA player released a 14-minute video on Thursday ... starting it off by making it clear once again he would never hurt his 15-year-old sister after he was no-billed in his assault case last month.

37-year-old Beverley shared clips he recorded to document the days following his arrest ... and right after he paid $40,000 bail and got out of jail, he was aware of the chatter on social media.

Cruz and Brooklyn Beckham may not be talking ... but Cruz still wants the best for his big bro on his birthday ... and he's hopeful for reconciliation.

Photogs caught up with Cruz on the street in Paris, France Wednesday ... and they asked if he had a message for Brooklyn on his 27th birthday.

Cruz tosses a quick "Happy Birthday" Brooklyn's way ... but, he keeps mum on whether the two have spoken in recent months.

As for whether there will be a reconciliation -- Cruz responds, "I hope so" -- and leaves it at that.

Ryan Lochte and his new girlfriend are clapping back at his ex-wife, Kayla Rae Reid, for claiming he cheated ... calling the matter fake news for clicks.

Reid -- a former Playboy Playmate -- vented on this week's "The Comeback Era with Caroline and Kayla" podcast ... stating Lochte and his current partner, Molly Gillihan, became a thing way before they separated.

Lochte is adamant that's not the case ... and his new lady had his back by posting DMsmessages on Instagram to support their side of the story.

The men’s basketball program at California State University, Bakersfield is at the center of a wild scandal ... after a former player-turned-coach was accused of running a multi-state pimping operation while working for the school.

Authorities say Kevin Mays -- an ex-player for the Roadrunners who later joined the staff as a temporary assistant coach -- is facing 11 criminal and misdemeanor charges, including felony pimping, after an investigation triggered by a shocking anonymous email.

According to reports, then-head coach Rod Barnes received a message in August titled “IMPORTANT MESSAGE 911 911” claiming Mays had been “trafficking a girl since May” across several states. The sender warned in all caps, “FIX IT OR THE WHOLE STAFF WILL FALL.”

Myles Garrett's speeding ticket could've been worse -- TMZ Sports has obtained the police bodycam footage from his ninth speeding ticket (at least) in Ohio since 2017 -- with the officer citing him for a lesser speed.

In the video, Garrett is polite with the officer as she takes his information after stopping him in the northbound lane of I-71 in Wayne County. The officer even jokes with him that at one point she thought he was about to take off on her.

"Nah, not on you," Garrett said.

Matthew Tkachuk used a trip to Columbus to share a special moment with Johnny Gaudreau's family ... checking in on the late NHL star's loved ones ahead of a game against the Blue Jackets.

Meredith Gaudreau snapped the heartwarming picture Wednesday night -- the day before the Panthers take the ice against the Jackets, the team Johnny played for prior to his tragic passing at the hands of an alleged drunk driver.

"Dinner and a show, Noa x Uncle Chucky," she wrote.

It's no surprise that Tkachuk took some time out of his schedule to make time for the Gaudreau family. The two were teammates on the Calgary Flames for six seasons before they parted ways in 2022.

New York City's frigid weather stood no shot against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his gigantic fur coat -- but while he stayed warm, social media was cold-blooded with the jokes on the NBA star's fashion choice.

SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder were in the Big Apple to face the Knicks, and it was close to freezing when they pulled up to Madison Square Garden.

SGA wasn't taking any risks ... and arrived in a full-blown yeti-level fur coat that instantly stole the spotlight. It also gave the trolls the green light to go after the NBA champion's bold fashion statement the second it hit their timelines.

Lewis Hamilton is entering his 20th season in Formula One, but he says he's not considering retirement until he accomplishes one more milestone -- competing in Africa.

The 41-year-old Ferrari superstar relayed his wishes ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on Thursday ... when he was asked what city in Africa would be his dream spot to host a race.

Hamilton gave a lengthy response ... explaining how he's been "fighting in the background" for a return to Africa for more than half a decade.

Logan Paul is talking a huge game about the NFL -- and a few players are already stepping up to test him.

The YouTuber-turned-WWE Superstar recently threw down a bold challenge … claiming no football player could beat him in a boxing match -- and offering $1 million to anyone willing to try.

“Not a single football player could beat me in a boxing match, that is on God,” Paul said on his "Impaulsive" show. “I would throttle Myles Garrett. … Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, Tom Brady, Sam Darnold, doesn’t matter. A million dollars, you come to the gym, you put up boxing gloves, we see how it goes. There’s levels to this.”

Well … the message didn’t take long to reach the locker room.

Cardi B's "Little Miss Drama" show in Houston Wednesday night had quite the dramatic guest list -- including Nicki Minaj's younger sister and Stefon Diggs' mom!

That's right ... the mother of Cardi B's baby daddy, Stephanie, was there groovin' to her show despite Cardi and Stefon calling it quits last month. Technically, they're all still family ... 'cause Stephanie is the grandmother of Cardi and Stefon's baby boy they welcomed last November.

Adding to the drama, Nicki's half-sister Ming Luanli seemed to have a blast at the show as well and even defended her appearance on social media, saying she's not picking sides in the Nicki-Cardi beef because none of it will matter in the future.

Before this lil' girlie was flippin' around the balance beam, she was just rockin' her striped tee, dreaming of the Olympics and munchin' on some ice cream ...

You may've seen her on "Dancing With The Stars," but she rose to stardom when she won the all-around gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Can you guess who she is?