TMZ Sports - Page 9

President Donald Trump says Iran’s national soccer team can come to the 2026 World Cup in the United States -- but he’s warning them it's probably not a smart move for their "own life and safety."

The president took to Truth Social on Thursday with a mixed message for the Iranian squad ... saying the team would be welcome at the tournament while also suggesting it could be dangerous for them to attend.

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup,” Trump wrote. “But I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Bibby’s Sacramento State hoops experiment is getting the documentary treatment.

The Hornets’ ambitious rebuild will be the focus of a new six-episode series titled “Fear Nothing: Sac State” ... a behind-the-scenes look at the program as it tries to shake its underdog label and make noise in college basketball.

The project is a collaboration between Overtime and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions … and it promises fans unprecedented access to the team’s journey as cameras follow the program throughout the season.

Jordan Jones' heroic attempt to protect a woman who was being attacked was captured in a harrowing, newly released 911 audio -- with a witness telling dispatchers the late pro football player tried to intervene before he was shot.

TMZ Sports obtained the 911 calls just days after Jones was shot and killed outside of Saddle Bar in Acworth, Georgia, on March 7.

A caller at the scene broke down what happened to the dispatcher ... saying Jones, who worked as bar security, was shot in the parking lot after he told another man, alleged gunman Daniel Di Vonne Parsons, to stop assaulting a woman.

A bizarre social media controversy is swirling around Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka … after a viral post questioning whether CTE is real sparked outrage -- and now the team is insisting the account behind it isn’t actually his.

The drama kicked off on Wednesday when a blue-check X account claiming to belong to Egbuka fired off a short but explosive message at 2:27 PM ET: “Is CTE even real?”

The post spread quickly across the football world … with fans blasting the sentiment given CTE -- chronic traumatic encephalopathy -- is a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma in football.

But about an hour later, the Buccaneers’ communications department jumped in to try to put out the fire.

Cain Velasquez has finally broken his silence after nearly a year behind bars ... thanking everyone for their "love and support."

Velasquez shared the video on his Instagram Wednesday evening, saying he's been spending the last few weeks "getting used to the normal things."

"I just want to take this time here to thank everybody for the constant support," he said. "You have no idea what your words and your encouragement and your love has meant to me and my family. Just thank you."

The FBI and UFC collab is really happening -- months after Kash Patel said he'd enlist MMA fighters to help train special agents, some of combat sports' biggest names are making their way to Quantico to help recruits beef up their defense.

Patel spoke about the move ... saying it'll be a "historic seminar" at the Special Agent Academy -- with a card full of names like Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman, Justin Gaethje, Claudia Gadelha, Manel Kape and Michael Chandler slated to help out.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for our FBI agents to learn and train with some of the greatest athletes on earth - helping the world’s premier law enforcement agency be even better prepared to protect the American people," Patel explained.

Travis Kelce's coming back for his 14th season with the Kansas City Chiefs ... but that's not his only gig for 2026 -- the NFL superstar is the new face of Six Flags!!

The amusement park company -- which joined forces with Cedar Fair in 2024 -- announced the three-time Super Bowl champ as it's newest ambassador on Thursday.

Kelce will take part in a bunch of digital content, social posts and "other fun surprises" ... somehow fitting this in with all his wedding planning and football prep.

Luka Doncic isn't letting his relationship woes stop him from putting a smile on other people's faces -- the Lakers' superstar made a surprise visit at a local hospital alongside LeBron James ... and the kind gesture resulted in some priceless reactions!!

Doncic has been going through some tough developments off the court lately -- TMZ Sports broke the story on Tuesday that his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, filed a petition for child support ... and he confirmed hours later they were no longer engaged and he's fighting for custody of their two daughters.

But he put all that on the back burner a day later ... when he hit up UCLA Health with the King to give gifts and memories to those throughout the hospital.

Maxx Crosby is addressing his fumbled trade from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens ... saying he's pumped to give it another go with his original team.

The five-time Pro Bowler shared his public statement on Wednesday via social media, just a day after the Ravens backed out of the transaction over concerns about Crosby's physical.

"Everything Happens For A Reason," Crosby said alongside a popular meme featuring WWE legend The Undertaker on X.

Tom Brady might be looking to score a touchdown in the dating department ... 'cause he was spotted getting close with Scooter Braun’s ex-wife at NFL star Tony Gonzalez's birthday bash in Los Angeles recently.

An insider tells Page Six the 48-year-old NFL commentator and Yael Cohen Braun, 39, were "huddled up at the bar together" and left the party together. The party was reportedly at Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' pad -- Tony is Lauren's ex, and they welcomed a kid together in 2001. A source at the party confirmed to TMZ that Tom and Yael were hanging out and getting close at the event.

TMZ has reached out for comment ... so far, no word back.

As you know, Tom has been flying solo since his 2022 divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen, though he was linked to model Irina Shayk for several months beginning in 2023. Yael and Scooter split in 2021 and finalized their divorce in 2022.

Team USA can send a thank-you card to Vinnie Pasquantino -- because the slugger basically rescued their World Baseball Classic hopes Wednesday night … while playing for Italy.

The Kansas City Royals first baseman put together a historic performance in Houston ... blasting three home runs in Italy’s 9-1 win over Mexico, the first three-homer game in WBC history.

And the craziest part? That explosion saved Team USA from elimination.

Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor could be coming to not just a boxing ring near you, but also an Octagon ... if Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian has his way, telling TMZ Sports it's the "perfect idea!"

Bidarian stopped by our studio for a sit-down with Babcock Tuesday afternoon, when he referenced what would surely be two of the most watched fights in the history of combat sports.

"Listen, I have the perfect idea," Nakisa said.

WNBA star Rickea Jackson filed for a restraining order days after she was the alleged victim in a domestic dispute with Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. ... telling the court she was in fear for her life, and feared that without the order, "James will kill me."

According to docs -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- Jackson went to court on Feb. 9 to seek a temporary injunction for protection against her ex-boyfriend, which was granted. A hearing for a permanent injunction is scheduled for next month.

As part of the order, Pearce Jr. is not to have contact with Jackson or be within 500 feet of her residence. He's also been ordered not to come within 100 feet of her car at any time.

3/12 11:18 AM PT -- The plaintiffs in the matter released a statement following the news of the settlement with Ohtani and his agent:

"After further discussions between the parties, we recognize there was a misunderstanding of what transpired during the development of this project, and we are therefore withdrawing our lawsuit," the statement said. "The misunderstanding was of a business nature that is not uncommon in complex real estate ventures, and all parties have reconciled. The parties are enthused to move forward in a positive and mutually beneficial manner. We are proud of our contributions to the development of this world class project and look forward to its completion.

Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, have settled their Hawaii real estate lawsuit ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Attorneys for both parties struck a deal to dismiss the case with prejudice ... saying they agreed to a settlement "of all claims and causes of action."

As we previously reported, the plaintiffs in the case claimed that the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar and Balelo sabotaged a $240 million real estate venture they had agreed to enter.

President Trump just threw his support behind Jake Paul the politician if he ever chooses to run for office ... telling a crowd in Kentucky the YouTuber-turned-boxer has his "complete and total endorsement."

The wild comment came during a rally in Hebron ... when 47 praised the fighter for his courage, brains and talent.

POTUS went as far as to say he thinks Paul could dive headfirst into politics "in the not too distant future" ... and he'd fully support him if he does.

Dwight Howard is brushing off an explosive accusation his estranged wife made in a wild rant over the weekend ... claiming he's never done cocaine a day in his life.

The former NBA star broke his silence on the claims Amber Howard made in a viral video, where she appears to be holding a bag of white powder, alleging that Dwight has a severe cocaine addiction.

"I tried to tell everybody he needs some help," Amber cried in the video. "Nobody wanna f***ing listen because he got the money."

It took a few days, but Howard clapped back on Wednesday via Snapchat.