TMZ Sports - Page 15

WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale went from celebrating her Unrivaled championship to posing for a mugshot -- the hooper was arrested after allegedly punching a security guard at a Miami nightclub on Thursday.

TMZ Sports obtained the complaint ... officers were notified of a physical altercation that broke out inside E11EVEN. When approaching the rear exit of the club, the officer stated a large crowd was being escorted out by security.

The officer made contact with the alleged victim ... who claimed he was attempting to escort 29-year-old Ogunbowale out of the club due to an unrelated altercation -- when she punched him in the face with a closed fist, causing him to fall to the ground.

Logan Paul says his $1 million challenge to NFL players is still wide open -- but according to him, nobody in the league is actually willing to risk their own cash.

The WWE star took to X on Friday to address the viral challenge he issued to pro football players … claiming the guys chirping at him online won’t agree to his simple terms.

Paul says all any NFL player has to do is put $1 million in escrow, fly to his gym in Puerto Rico -- with travel expenses covered -- and fight him with three professional judges and an official referee overseeing the bout.

Russell Westbrook had plenty to say after the Sacramento Kings suffered their 50th loss of the season -- going off on the media for more than 5 minutes over what he called disrespectful coverage of the team.

The longtime guard went OFF on reporters at the postgame press conference following the Kings' 133-123 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday ... a defeat that dropped them to a league-worst 14-50 record.

The exchange was sparked when a journalist asked Westbrook what the team could still accomplish as the season is nearing its end -- prompting Russ to fire back, asking what they thought since they have so much to say.

"What y'all think though? 'Cause y'all got a lot of answers and y'all always be talkin'," Westbrook said.

Big shakeup in the MMA world ... Francis Ngannou is a free agent!

The PFL -- Professional Fighters League -- announced Friday that they were no longer in business with one of the most feared men in the entire sport.

"The Professional Fighters League has made the decision to part ways with Franciks Ngannou," a statement released by the promotion said.

"We have great respect for Francis as both as athlete and a person, and we wish him success in the next chapter of his combat sports career."

It's a shocking end to the 39-year-old Ngannou's tenure with the company, which started in January 2023, when he signed with PFL.

Francis fought under the PFL banner on October 19, 2024, in Saudi Arabia ... a bout dubbed the "Battle of the Giants," 'cause it featured the 6'5 Ngannou against 6'8" Renan Ferreira.

Unfortunately, the PFL and Ngannou could seemingly never get on the same page again ... so Francis didn't fight.

On Thursday, TMZ Sports happened to have PFL CEO John Martin in our offices ... and we asked him about Ngannou's future (Ngannou part is at 7:54). Martin said they were still open to working with the MMA star, as long as it made sense for both parties.

What's next for Francis, and could a UFC return be in store? Likely not ... as the former heavyweight champion and Dana White aren't exactly on the best of terms.

Justin Herbert wasn't going to let Madison Beer's birthday come and go without a mushy shoutout ... 'cause the Chargers quarterback wished his girlfriend a very special day on his Instagram -- calling himself "the luckiest guy alive."

"Happy birthday to my favorite person of all time," Herbert wrote on Instagram. "I love you so much, you've changed my life forever."

He included some snaps of their excursions together over the last few months. While it's unclear when the two officially started dating ... rumors started picking up in August 2025 when Herbert was spotted at a video shoot for Beer.

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.