The Super Bowl is known for the memorable (and expensive) commercials that air throughout the biggest football game of the year, and we have rounded up some of our favorite ads from this year!

From the “Sling Baby” Doritos commercial, to Clint Eastwood narrating Chrysler’s “It’s Halftime in America” commercial, to Audi’s “Vampire Party” commercial, the ads for Super Bowl XLVI were not only memorable and thought provoking, but also funny!’

Check them out below (in no particular order):

“Thing Called Love” – Samsung Mobile USA

“Sling Baby” – Doritos

“Man’s Best Friend” – Doritos

“Confident You” – Cars.com

“It’s Halftime in America” – Chrysler (Narrated by Clint Eastwood)

“Fatherhood” – E*Trade

“The Dog Strikes Back” – Volkswagen

“Performance Basketball” – Bridgestone

“Performance Football” – Bridgestone

“Happy Grad” – Chevrolet

“Matthew’s Day Off” – Honda

“Transactions” – 2012 Acura

“A Dream Car. For Real Life” – Kia

“Just My Shell” – M&M’s

“Cheetah” – Hyundai

“Rescue Dog” – Bud Light

“Business Trip” – CareerBuilder.com

“Breakfast Police” – belVita

“Vampire Party” – Audi

Madonna lit up the stage last night (Sun Feb 5) as she put on an impressive performance during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in an attempt to show the new generation who the real “Queen of Pop” is, just in case they had forgotten.

Her 12-minute-plus performance set featured renditions of her songs “Vogue,” “Music,” “Give Me All Your Luvin” and “Like a Prayer,” along with guest appearances from rappers Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., Hip-Pop group LMFAO and R&B singer Cee-Lo Green.

Check out 30+ pics from the performance as well as video footage below:

Everyone keep Amar’e Stoudemire in your prayers. The NBA star’s older brother Hazell Stoudemire died in a car accident early this morning in Florida.

The accident happened on Route 27 in Lake Wales. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Stoudemire was driving at a “high rate of speed” when he collided with the rear of a tractor trailer.

He died on the scene. The Florida Highway Patrol says 35-year-old Stoudemire was not wearing a seat belt when he smashed into the big rig … and they are unsure if alcohol was a factor.

[TMZ]

This is so sad to hear. Another young life gone too soon. RIP :(

Kelly Clarkson took center field Sunday night (Feb 5) in Indianapolis, Indiana and performed the National Anthem (“The Star Spangled Banner”) during the opening game ceremony for Super Bowl XLVI.

“Just finished rehearsing the anthem in Indy … wow, I’m actually really nervous about singing at the Super Bowl ha!” Clarkson wrote on her WhoSay account before her big performance. “Here’s hoping I nail it and don’t screw it up!”

Fortunately for Clarkson, a two-time Grammy winner and the first American Idol winner, she didn’t screw it up, and in fact did a great job, tackling the song after “The Voice” host Blake Shelton and his wife, country singer Miranda Lambert‘s performance of “America the Beautiful.”

After the game, Kelly checked in with her fans again, writing:

“Guess what ….I’ve never been more nervous in my life than singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl tonight ….wow that was almost not fun I was so nervous! Fun night overall though! Thank you everybody for all of the nice things you’re saying about my performance! I really appreciate it :)”

Kelly Clarkson’s spot on performance comes a year after Christina Aguilera faced criticism after she flubbed the words to the “Star Spangled Banner” at last year’s Super Bowl.

Watch Kelly sing the “Star Spangled Banner” below:

What did you think of Kelly Clarkson’s rendition of the National Anthem?

The New York Giants won the Super Bowl last night, gaining their fourth title after defeating the New England Patriotswith a final score of 21 – 17.

Eli Manning and the Giants one-upped Tom Brady and the Patriots again, coming back with a last-minute score to beat New England 21-17 Sunday night for New York’s fourth Super Bowl title.

It was a rematch of the 2008 NFL championship, when Manning led New York past New England to ruin the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season.

This was the first Super Bowl with two starting quarterbacks who previously won the big game’s MVP award — and they took turns being brilliant. Manning became the first QB to open a Super Bowl with nine consecutive completions. Later, Brady put together a run of 16 completions in a row, breaking another Super Bowl mark.

But in the end, it was Manning who directed the nine-play, 88-yard drive that put New York ahead.

[BF]

One of the game’s highlights and funniest moments was when Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (#44) “accidentally” scored a touchdown with just 57 seconds left on the clock by basically sitting down in the end-zone. Hilarious!

It should also be noted that Giants Quarterback Eli Manning (#10) was the recipient of the prestigious Vince Lombardi MVP Trophy.

Congrats to the Giants on their big win!

Who were you rooting for? Did your favorite team win?

Congratulations are most definitely in order for Diddy‘s 18-year-old son Justin Combs, who has officially signed on to play football next year at UCLA!

Flanked by his family, including his proud multimillionaire father, his mother Misa Hylton and his grandmother Janice Combs, Justin — a 5-foot-9, 175-pound corner-back — signed a national letter of intent at the school on National Signing Day Wednesday (Feb 1) in Los Angeles.

“It was love at first sight,” Justin told reporters following the press conference. “When I stepped on the campus, I knew I was going to be a player there. I knew I just had to get there.”

Justin, who reportedly worked out with Jets star cornerback Darrell Revis in an effort to improve his game, accepted the full Division 1 scholarship to play football for the UCLA Bruins, which costs up to $54K a year to attend.

“It was worth it,” Justin said about signing with UCLA. “I got chills just signing it.”

Justin will go out to UCLA on June 24th and is looking forward to playing his first game for the Bruins.

“It’s going to be surreal at first but then at the end of the day you’ve got to go to work and you’ve got to get what’s yours and show why you’ve been working hard,” he said. “So I’m ready for that. I can’t wait.”

Justin Combs poses with his dad during a previous campus visit at UCLA

Last year when the news first broke, Sean “Diddy” Combs released a statement, calling his son’s commitment to UCLA one of the proudest moments of his life.

“This is everything a father could want for his son, for him to excel at what he loves to do and is truly passionate about,” said Diddy in the statement. “Justin is a shining example of what hard work, determination and a strong mentality can achieve. I am honored to call him my son and am happy that he is fulfilling his dream.”

Madonna‘s big Super Bowl performance (featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.) is just days away, and the latest buzz surrounding the big show is that R&B singer Cee-Lo Green and Hip-Pop group LMFAO will be joining the ladies on stage.

MTV broke the news earlier this week while citing a report from TMZ.com regarding Madonna’s massive halftime stage set, which reportedly features a series of lights that spell out “Vogue” set into the floor, in reference to the hit single she is rumored to be performing.

In addition to Vogue, Madonna will also be performing “Music” (with LMFAO), her brand new single “Give Me All Your Luvin” (featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.), “Like a Prayer” (with Cee Lo Green), “Ray of Light” and “Holiday.”

Madonna’s 12-minute halftime show will go down this Sunday night (Feb 5) during halftime of Super Bowl XLVI.

The game — which will see the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants — will air live on NBC from the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Will you be watching?

For those who missed it…

Check out LeBron James of the Miami Heat catching an alley-oop and dunking all over the Chicago Bull’s John Lucas III during the Bulls-Heat game yesterday in Miami. (SICK!!!)

Aww, Po’ Lil Tink Tink!

Terrell Owens opens up about being a broke & unemployed athlete, his rumored suicide attempts, baby mama drama and more in the latest issue of GQ Magazine.

Read a few excerpts from his interview below:

On suicide attempts:
“The hospital released me that night. If they thought I was suicidal or I hadn’t been conscious, you ask yourself, would they have let me go that night? … But that doesn’t mean I don’t get real down. I’m human; that’s what people don’t realize. I may be a public figure, but really, I’m just like a guy who could be in your family and have some difficult things happen to him.”

On blowing $80 million dollars:
“I hate myself for letting this happen. I believed that they had my back when they said, ‘You take care of the football, and we’ll do the rest.’ And in the end, they just basically stole from me.”

 On his baby mama drama:
“If there’s anything I’m sorry about, it’s getting involved with all that.”

He never actually dated any of the women, he says. One was a one-night stand, the others “repeat offenders.” Owens, who has never been married, concedes he is “not a very good judge of character.” Still, he “never suspected they were the types to do what they done in the past year.”

On not having any friends:
“I’m in hell. I don’t have no friends. I don’t want no friends. That’s how I feel.”

On falling out with Kita and Mo:
He misses Monique and Kita, who used to check in a lot; he fell out with them a few months ago, after shooting ended for the final season of the show, when he discovered they were trying to sell their own lives as a reality program. “They said they were planning to make me an executive producer, but if we were business partners, don’t you think I would have known about it?”

[GQ]

Even though T.O.’s attitude is a big part of the reason he is going through so much right now … you can’t help but feel a little sorry for the guy!

Thoughts?

Just a few days after Birdman made it known that he would put up $5 million on the New England Patriots to win the Superbowl……50 Cent has decided to join in on the fun too!

Fif called the “#1 Stunner” out via Twitter last night and has offered to bet $1 million on the New York Giants. He tweeted:

I’m up 500,000 off the last one. f*ck it ill bet it back Ill put a 1,000,000 on my G MEN. STUNNER you got the # hit me if you want it. I just check the spread Hold up the M casino in vegas said patriots-3 I’m have to bet over there unless STUNNTER giving up points. Get at me

He may need $4 mil more to even get Birdman’s attention.

Step your game up, Fiddy!

If Birdman isn’t spending time making money….he’s betting it all on a sports game.

Last year, the Cash Money CEO placed a $1 million bet on the Green Bay Packers (and won). And This time around he is putting up $5 million on the New England Patriots to win against the New York Giants in the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI.

I like New ENGLaNd.my nephew play RB# 42.I’m Bet 5million 2 any niggaaa.like tha Giants YMCMB.BabyMoney anybody kan Getit.

— BIRDMAN (@BIRDMAN5STAR) January 23, 2012

Anyone got a couple mil to bet against Birdman?

We didn’t think so…

Deion Sanders has officially had enough!

The former NFL star is tired of living under the same roof as his estranged wife Pilar and is asking a judge to force her out.

In the documents filed in court, Deion claims that the home is separate property and Pilar “should be ordered to vacate the residence.”

Unlike Pilar, Deion also believes the divorce should be governed by the prenup.

According to TMZ, Deion also wants the court to sanction Pilar for violating the rules of conduct for people getting divorced in Collin County … which state both parties cannot:

(1) Disturb the peace of the children; (2) Make disparaging remarks about the other or their family; or (3) Talk about the divorce in front of the kids.

Well damn…..this divorce battle is getting nastier and nastier everyday.

Pray for ‘em y’all!

Joe Paterno — the legendary former football coach for Penn State — will be honored over the next three days with multiple funeral and memorial services scheduled at the university.

The 85-year-old, who is said to have won more games than any other coaches in college football, but was abruptly fired last year amid a child sex abuse scandal that scarred his good reputation, died Saturday (Jan 22) from lung cancer at a hospital in State College, PA.

Paterno’s family released the following statement Sunday morning to announce his death:

“His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled. He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.

“As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact. That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread out across the country.”

Over a period of 46 years as the head football coach for Penn State University, Joe Paterno won 409 games, setting an unprecedented record for a Division I football coach. He also guided his teams to national championships in 1982 and 1986.

Paterno’s lung cancer diagnosis was revealed shortly after he was fired from his head coach position by the Penn State board of directors in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Sandusky, Paterno’s former assistant coach from 1969 to 1999, is charged with over 50 counts of sexually abusing at least 10 young boys over a 15-year period.

During the Sandusky investigation, Paterno testified to the grand jury that Mike McQueary, a former graduate assistant coach, told him that he saw Sandusky sexually assault a young boy in the Penn State locker room.

McQuery himself also testified that he had seen Sandusky attacking the child, and that he had told Paterno, who said he passed along the information to school officials, but did not notify any law enforcement authorities.

Paterno, McQueary and other Penn State officials were all severely criticized for failing to execute moral responsibility by not reporting the incident to the police.

According to various confirmed reports, two public viewings for Joe Paterno will be held on Tuesday from 1 – 11pm, and on Wednesday from 8am – 12 noon at a spiritual center on the Penn State Campus.

A private funeral service is scheduled for 2pm on Wednesday, followed by a public memorial service at 2pm Thursday at the Jordan Center, which is a basketball arena that holds up to 16,000 people.

Of course since Paterno was somewhat involved in a child sex abuse scandal, there will definitely be some controversy surrounding his funeral services, and of course, Westboro Baptist Church is at the helm of it.

According to the daughter of the infamous church’s pastor, Westboro officials intend to protest and bring their anti-homosexuality message to the college.

Joe Paterno is dead. WBC will picket his funeral.He’s in hell.Don’t partake of your neighbor’s sin! @espn @bleacherreport #GodH8sPennRape

— MargiePhelps (@MargieJPhelps) January 22, 2012

The Kansas-based church is well-known for their stance against homosexuality and their protests at celebrity and military funerals. In the past, they have targeted services for Michael Jackson, Steve Jobs, “Jackass” star Ryan Dunn and others.

The checks are about to start coming in for Vanessa Bryant.

In addition to receiving three houses and $75 million, the estranged wife of Kobe Bryant will soon be made an offer by the producers of VH1′s “Basketball Wives.”

According to TMZ:

Producers are putting together “an extremely lucrative pitch for Vanessa” … for her to become a recurring character.

As one source put it, “Vanessa has more than enough storyline and would bring the show to another level.”

As for the timing — we’re told producers never dreamed of approaching Vanessa while she was married to Kobe … and our sources say Vanessa would NOT have been receptive.

If Vanessa accepts, we’re told producers would instantly make her a LEAD on the LA edition of the show.

This would definitely give us all something to look forward to on the upcoming new season. Wonder what Jackie Christie has to say about this???

The divorce battle between Pilar and Deion Sanders is starting to get real nasty!

Just weeks after Deion’s daughter called out Pilar for being a cheating, money-hungry whore…….Pilar has filed court documents claiming her estranged husband has cheated on her numerous times, should be evaluated for personality disorder, and needs a parenting coach to be a better father. (Well damn!)

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Pilar states her husband of 12 years “has been guilty of unkind, uncaring, insensitive, cruel and unusual treatment of [Pilar] … as well as physical, mental and emotional abuse of [Pilar] and the parties’ children.”

Pilar says the divorce should be granted on grounds of “mental, emotional and physical abandonment.”

Pilar adds, “[Deion] committed numerous acts of adultery … on numerous occasions throughout the marriage.” Just to be clear, she adds, “[Deion] voluntarily had sexual intercourse with others who were not his spouse.”

It gets nastier … she adds, “[Deion] is a bully” … who “suffers from a narcissistic personality disorder, needs a full psychological evaluation.”

In the docs, filed today in Texas, Pilar claims Deion also needs a parenting coach to teach him how to be a better father.

Now, on to the money — Pilar claims the judge should throw out their prenup … and award Pilar a lion’s share of the estate … because she feels she was duped into signing the deal while under duress.

In the docs, Pilar requests sole legal custody of the couple’s three mutual children … claiming Deion is a bad, absentee father.

Pilar is also asking for exclusive access to the couple’s mega-mansion in Texas … meaning she wants Deion to finally pack his stuff and get out.

[TMZ]

Pilar must want Deion and his daughter to know “two can play that game.” Wonder if Tameka Raymond has been giving her pointers???

Lil Wayne‘s name has been brought up in an altercation that went down over the weekend.

According to published reports, the Hip-Hop star and his entourage allegedly got into a fight with NFL star Dez Bryant at LIV nightclub in Miami.

The incident reportedly occurred after a member of Wayne’s crew made fun of Bryant and his legal woes.

“The Dallas Morning News writes that the fight started over someone mocking Bryant about a subpar season and a mounting personal debt crisis. (Bryant was threatened with a lawsuit in December by the Endurance Capital Fund, which claimed the former Oklahoma State star hadn’t paid off a $100,000 loan.” [AHH]

Bryant’s mentor David Wells says the NFL player wasn’t arrested after the incident and so far no police report has been filed.

Neither Lil Wayne or his camp have spoken out or confirmed being involved.

However, If you can recall in the past … Lil Wayne has never held back in going head-to-head with athletes … so this wouldn’t be the most surprising!

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has stepped up to Floyd Mayweather‘s challenge, saying that he is willing to fight the undefeated boxer this May!

Mayweather recently used his Twitter account to call Pacquiao out, telling the Filipino boxer to “Step up Punk.”

“Manny Pacquiao I’m calling you out, let’s fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see,” Mayweather tweeted. “My Jail Sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in. Step up Punk.”

According to ABS-CBN, Pacquiao’s advisor Michael Koncz said that the fighting congressman with go head-to-head with his famous rival “Money Mayweather” at the end of May, instead of May 5th.

“Be your own boss Floyd and fight at the end of May, for the economic reason of earning the extra income from the bigger stadium… the earliest this can be constructed is the end of May,” Koncz said in a text message to an ABS-CBN reporter.

Pacquiao himself confirmed through a separate text message that he is willing to fight Mayweather at the end of May.

The “bigger stadium” that Koncz referred to is an outdoor stadium that can seat 45,000 to 50,000 people. Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum said in a previous interview that holding the fight at the temporary stadium will mean a difference of around $40 million.

If the Pacquiao-Mayweather mega-fight is held on May 5, it will most likely be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, which seats around 16,500 people.

“In order to maximize revenue for the fight, you have to have a stadium larger than 16,500,” Arum said. “The (temporary stadium) wouldn’t be ready with any degree of certainty in the beginning of May. It would be available at the end of May.”

“If we do it on May 5, we would be limited pretty much to the MGM Grand, and we would probably do a gate of $20 million, a record gate. If we did it in this new temporary arena for 45,000 people, we would do a gate of around $60 million.”

“The difference is a minimum of $40 million. It’s an extra $20 million for each fighter… That’s still a lot of money,” Arum said. — Report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News.

Of course Floyd would have to get “permission” from the judge presiding over his case before he commits to anything, but it looks like the fight is on!

Your thoughts?

Round One!

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has finally stepped up to the plate and challenged Manny Pacquiao to fight him once and for all.

Mayweather sent out a message via Twitter just moments ago telling Manny that his jail sentence has been pushed back….leaving them the ability to give boxing fans what they have been waiting for on May 5th!

Manny is currently in the Philippines and hasn’t responded back to Mayweather’s impromptu challenge just yet.

But we’re pretty sure he will as soon as he gets a chance to!

Are you ready to finally see Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquio fight?

Deion Sanders has finally broken his silence regarding the drama surrounding his divorce from his estranged wife Pilar Sanders.

In a recent interview with Dallas radio station K104 FM, the former NFL star not only addressed the infidelity rumors, but he also talked about his daughter Deiondra going in on Pilar via Twitter, what it’s like to live in a 10-bedroom, 13-bathroom estate with his soon-to-be ex wife, who he thinks has been leaking stories to the press about their divorce and more.

Listen to the full interview below:

LeBron James and his longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson are getting married!

With a number of his Miami Heat teammates and close friends and family members watching, the NBA baller reportedly popped the question to a surprised Brinson on New Year’s Eve (Sat. Dec 31 2011) at a private NYE dinner party in Miami hosted by Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union.

“It was beautiful,” LeBron’s Heat teammate Chris Bosh said. “It was nice. It was real nice.”

Reps for James confirmed the news early Sunday morning just hours after LeBron and Savannah’s friends like Chris Paul, Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, Chris Bosh’s wife Adrienne, and others were spotted sending out congratulatory tweets.

“Happy for my brother @KingJames and sis @SavannahRB on their engagement!!! Extremely happy for them and the good times to come #HappyNewYear” Chris Paul tweeted.

Miami Heat owner Micky Arison tweeted, “Congrats to LeBron. @KingJames and Savannah so happy 4 u guys.”

“Love Trumps All #2012 Congrats to @SavannahRB & @KingJames :),” Adrienne Bosh tweeted.

The engagement party, attended by Nas, Queen Latifah, Chris & Adrienne Bosh, LeBron’s mother Gloria James, supermodel Jessica White, and more, also doubled as a 27th birthday party for LeBron.

The L.A. Times reported that LeBron’s Heat teammate Dwyane Wade was in charge of holding the ring right up until the big moment, and a group of about 50 guests toasted to the happy couple.

“A special night,” Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said.

LeBron James and Savannah Brinson are high school sweethearts, and have been together for over 8 years. They also have two young sons together: 7-year-old LeBron Jr. and 4-year-old Bryce.

Congrats guys!!!

Michael Jordan is engaged!

The NBA legend proposed to his Cuban-American model girlfriend of 3 years Yvette Prieto over the Christmas Holiday weekend, according to various confirmed reports.

And, of course, Yvette said yes.

But, who wouldn’t? This is Michael Jordan we’re talking about. What logically-thinking woman would turn down a proposal from one of the richest men in the world?

His first wife (Juanita) walked away from the marriage with a reported $168 million settlement, making her one of the richest ex wives in sports history, next to Tiger Woods’ ex wife Elin Nordegren, who scored at least $100 million with her divorce settlement.

But Yvette probably won’t be so lucky, as we’re almost positive MJ has learned his lesson this time around and will make her sign a prenup.

Anyway … congrats!

[USA Today]

Rappers Lil Wayne and Kanye West were spotted kicking it courtside on Christmas Day (Sun. Dec 25) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as the Lakers took on the Chicago Bulls in their first home game of the season.

Yeezy spent the Holiday courtside with his father Ray West, while Weezy, a known sports enthusiast, brought along his girlfriend Dhea to watch the game with him.

Other celebs spotted at the game were rocker Adam Levine and his supermodel girflriend Anne Vyalitsyana, as well as comedian George Lopez and rapper Snoop Dogg (not pictured).

Check out 10+ pics below:

Congratulations are definitely in order for New Orleans Saints football player Drew Brees, who last night broke the official NFL record for yards passed in one single season, a record that was set by NFL legend Dan Marino back in 1984.

Brees bested Marino’s record of 5,084 yards with a single 9-yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles Monday night (Dec 26) against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Associated Press (via HuffPo Sports) reported:

Brees entered the game with 4,780 yards, needing 305 to set the record. He has passed for 300 yards or more an NFL-record 12 times this season – with one game still to play.

Brees threatened Marino’s record once before in 2008, when he finished with 5,069 yards, making him and Marino the only quarterbacks to pass for 5,000.

Congrats Drew! This is definitely a pretty big deal…

Look below for video footage of Drew thanking his teammates and the New Orleans Saints organization:

The 2011-12 NBA season officially kicked off on Christmas Day (Sun. Dec 25) with a number of basketball games, including the Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, which was attended by R&B singer Alicia Keys, her producer/rapper husband Swizz Beatz and their 14-month-old son Egypt.

Other celebs spotted at the Celtics/Knicks game were Spike Lee, Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan.

Check out 10+ photos below:

Four High School students in Long island were suspended after they caused a minor disruption in school by “Tebowing” in the middle of the hallways of their school.

“Tebowing” is a fad named after Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, who famously gets down on one knee and kneels in a sort of “prayer pose” after he scores touchdowns.

Now….the trend has apparently extended down to high schoolers who want to make their friends laugh:

Twin brothers Tyler and Connor Carroll of Riverhead HS and classmates Jordan Fulcoly and Wayne Drexel were hit with one-day suspensions for kneeling and bowing their heads like Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow does when he scores a touchdown.

Administrators said the weeklong “Tebowing” craze was a distraction and a hallway hazard after dozens of classmates followed their lead.

“It was basically just a tribute to Tim Tebow,” Carroll Connor, 17, who planned the prank with his brother and friends, told The Post.

“It was more than a religious thing. There was some of that involved obviously, because he prays. I guess it was basically like a moment of silence. I just don’t think it’s fair,” said Connor, a senior linebacker, of the school throwing the penalty flag. “We were never given any warning. They said they did, but that’s completely false.”

The brothers have to serve their suspensions; the others were rescinded because the other participants had not been given warnings, officials said. About 40 students had been gathering in the hallway all week emulating Tebow.

School administrators said the stunt jammed the hallway, making students late for class, and was a fire hazard. “This is not about religious discrimination,” said Riverhead School District Superintendent Nancy Carney. “It is about being sure kids are able to get to class on time and keeping the kids safe and orderly.”

She said Principal David Wicks was completely justified in ordering the suspensions. “These students were warned and and did it again,” Carney said. “If the kids aren’t going to abide by rules, there are consequences.”

Connor insisted the Tebowers did not create a safety problem. “There was no pushing or shoving,’’ he said.

But a video of the stunt posted on YouTube clearly show kids shoving each other.

Reaction to the suspensions spread quickly and Carney said she has already received “hate mail” from around the country.

Tebow, 24, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida, has received national attention this season because of his religious beliefs and late-game heroics, including a comeback rally against the Jets.

[NYPOST]

Check out the video footage of the “Tebowing” prank below:

<iframe width=”550″ height=”403″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/fBi3KxRJ8iY” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

Do you think the kids should have been suspended?

Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds arrives at federal court for a sentencing hearing on December 16, 2011 in San Francisco, California.

Fallen baseball star Barry Bonds was sentenced to serve 30 days of house arrest for lying to a grand jury back in 2003 about his alleged steroid use.

Bonds, who holds the record for the most home runs ever in a single season, was indicted in 2007 on a number of charges after he lied to officials, saying that he never knowingly took any steroids or other illegal performance enhancing drugs.

He was found guilty in April of this year of felony obstruction of justice, and on Friday (Dec 16), California Judge Susan Illston ordered the hall of famer to complete 250 hours of community service, pay a $4,000 fine, serve a two-year probation sentence, and undergo location monitoring/home confinement for one month.

Bonds, who previously faced up to 21 months behind bars, reportedly plans on appealing his conviction.

Chris Paul is headed to Los Angeles! But unfortunately, not to the Los Angeles basketball team everyone was hoping for.

The NBA announced today that the New Orleans Hornets have traded Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that will give them guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, center Chris Kaman and a first-round draft choice.

Unlike the proposed Lakers deal, this new one with the Clippers was approved by NBA Commissioner David Stern, who, according to AP, must approve all deals regarding teams owned by the league.

The Chris Paul trade deal also includes New Orleans sending two future second-round draft picks to the Clippers.

READ: Chris Paul, Lamar Odom Trade Blocked by NBA Commissioner David Stern

26-year-old Chris Pau is a four-time All-Star who averaged 18.7 points and 9.8 assists last season.

Eric Gordon, who turns 23 on Christmas Day, averaged 22.3 points last season, while 21-year-old Al-Farouq Aminu, who stands at 6-foot-9, is a second-year pro, and the 7-foot Chris Kaman, 29, is an 8-year NBA veteran.

According to USA Today, Chris Paul will make $16.3 million this season alone while becoming the franchises most significant free agent acquisition since relocating to Los Angeles back in 1984.

Paul is also expected to sign an extension with the Clippers, who would own his “Bird rights.”

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, Paul can sign a five-year extension with the Clippers for $100.2 million, USA Today reported.

[USA Today, AP]

What do you think about the Chris Paul trade?

Kobe Bryant is pretty pissed about his teammate and good friend Lamar Odom being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

The L.A. Lakers star admits that even he doesn’t understand how Odom could be sent to another team after having such an outstanding past year.

“I don’t like it … to be honest with you, I don’t like it. You’re talking about the Sixth Man of the Year last year … he played lights out. I don’t understand the criticism of reality shows and this, that and the other.”

He went on to add:

 ”I don’t get it. I don’t understand that. He had his best season last season, clearly it wasn’t a distraction, and he played his ass off. I don’t get where that comes from.”

You know it’s effed up when Kobe doesn’t like it … SMH!

[ESPN]

The Los Angeles Lakers officially announced today that they traded Lamar Odom, as well as a 2012 second-round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks, in exchange for the Mavs’ 2012 first-round pick and a trade exception.

The Lakers originally wanted to trade Odom to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Chris Paul, but NBA commissioner David Stern blocked the hell out of that.

Once the original trade fell through, Lamar Odom felt “unwanted” by the Lakers and requested to still be traded to another team.

“You don’t want to go to no place you’re not wanted,” Odom told the L.A. Times when he found out about the Lakers’ plans to send him off to New Orleans Hornets for the season. “I’m just in total disbelief about all of this. They don’t want my services, for whatever reason. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I was proud to be a Laker, so I’ll try to help them in the process as much as possible.”

Odom was a no-show at the Lakers’ training camp Friday, and revealed to team manager Mitch Kupchak in a meeting that he wanted to be traded. Adhering to Odom’s wish, Kupchak and the Lakers secured a deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

“Lamar was a fine player for us in his seven years with the Lakers and was a key to helping us win two championships,” Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement released Sunday. “In addition, he always conducted himself with class and professionalism and we wish him well in the remainder of his career.”

The year 2011 has seen lots of ups and downs for NBA fans, and after it was announced that the National Basketball League would be returning near the end of this month with the first games of the season to go down on Christmas Day (Sun. Dec 25) … fans were excited!

NBA fans — especially Lakers fans — were even more enthused this week when the league announced that the Los Angeles Lakers would be trading Lamar Odom to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Chris Paul.

However, that excitement quickly turned into disappointment once another announcement was made yesterday (Thu. Dec 8) that NBA commissioner David Stern had blocked the trade after receiving complaints from several owners of other NBA teams.

Citing anonymous sources, Yahoo Sports reported yesterday that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was very vocal about being upset about the deal, which was done on the same day as the end of the lockout, which was supposed to restore competitive balance in the league.

The proposed deal would have sent Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers to the New Orleans Hornets and the Houston Rockets, respectively.

Someone close to the situation told the Associated Press that Chris Paul reported to practice with the Hornets on Friday (Dec. 9), and Gasol and Odom are expected to attend the Lakers’ first day of training camp under new coach Mike Brown.

For now, it looks like Chris Paul for remain a Hornet, and Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol will remain Lakers.

Tiger Woods won a golf game today for for the first time in more than two years!

The professional golfer hasn’t won a game since his life and career came crashing down two years ago after he got caught up in a huge cheating scandal, that resulted in a ton of negative media attention and a divorce from his wife Elin Nordegren.

But all of that changed today when Woods won the Chevron World Challnge Sunday, his first victory in 749 days, USA Today reports. “It feels great,” Woods said. “It was a lot of fun coming down the stretch. I hit two good putts on the last two holes.”

Today’s victory makes Woods’ 93rd win worldwide, and the fifth time he’s won the Chevron World Challenge, which he hosts for his foundation.

Woods closed with 3-under-par 69 to wind up at 10-under 278, and donated the $1.2 million generated from the charity event to his foundation.

After today’s big win, Woods is now ranked #21 in the world ranking, up from 52. His next game is in January in Abu Dhabai.

Shaquille O’ Neal recently stopped by “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to promote his new book “Shaq Uncut.”

During his guest appearance, the retired NBA star talked about having his own statue at LSU, being a police officer, what a date with him is like, writing about Kobe’s rap skills in his book and more.

While on the show…..Hoopz also came on stage and carried Shaq — who stands at 7-foot-1 tall — on her back. (Yikes!)

Watch the interview below:

Two old guys — both former players in the Canadian Football League — got to fighting over the weekend at a CFL luncheon for the Grey Cup (the “Super Bowl” in Canada) … and it was all caught on tape!

According to various reports, the brawl between 73-year-old Joe Kapp, a former quarterback for the B.C. Lions and 74-year-old Angelo Mosca, a former Hamilton Tiger-Cats defense lineman, started when Kapp shoved flowers in Mosca’s face.

After swatting the flowers away, Mosca retaliated by swinging his cane at Kapp, striking him the head. Kapp then responded by delivering a right hook right to Moscow’s jaw, followed by a left that knocked him to the ground.

Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca’s beef with each other dates back to the 1963 Grey Cup when Mosca delivered a controversial hit on Kapp’s teammeate Willie Fleming, knocking him out of the game.

48 years later … and they still hate each other’s guts! (SMDH)

Players association President Derek Fisher, center, takes questions after the players announce their plans to dissolve the union and file an antitrust lawsuit against the league. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

NBA players rejected the latest proposal from the league’s owners Monday and are ready to now turn to the courts to settle the stand-off between the two parties … which means that the “Lock-Out” is still on, and NBA fans are slowly starting to realize that there may not be a 2011 – 2012 NBA season.

After meeting for nearly four hours, the National Basketball Players Association announced its plans to disband in preparation for filing an antitrust lawsuit against the league. The move touched off an exchange of forceful and ominous rhetoric in a conflict that began in July and likely will continue through at least the end of the calendar year.

NBA Commissioner David Stern quickly discredited the players’ attempt to take legal action as a “charade” in an interview with ESPN, calling the move a tragedy that could lead the league into “the nuclear winter.” He was highly critical of the “badly misled” union that he said is bent on self-destruction.

“There will ultimately be a new collective bargaining agreement,” Stern said in a statement issued by the league, “but the 2011-12 season is now in jeopardy.”

Billy Hunter, who was the union’s executive director but will now head the players’ trade association, said Stern’s ultimatum to accept the league’s most recent proposal or receive a worse offer later was “extremely unfair.” Hunter said the union was forced to take this next step after Stern told the players last week that the owners were done negotiating them.

“We’ve arrived at the conclusion that the collective bargaining process has completely broken down,” Hunter said.

Although Stern did not announce the cancellation of any more games, Washington Wizards free agent and union vice president Maurice Evans said the players were aware of the risks of taking this path. Players were scheduled to miss their first paycheck Tuesday.

“We understand the consequences of potentially missing the season; we understand the consequences that players could potentially face if things don’t go our way, but it’s a risk worth taking,” Evans said. “It’s the right move to do.”

By taking their interests to the courts rather than the negotiating table, the NBA players would be employing a strategy similar to that used earlier this year by the NFL players, who filed to disband their union shortly before the owners locked them out in March. That led to a series of court battles over the next several months — with the players challenging the legality of the lockout and the league objecting to the legitimacy of the union’s dissolution.

Those issues ended up not amounting to much, as a new labor agreement was reached in August while legal appeals were still pending.

The significant difference in the NBA’s case is one of timing. While the NFL was forced to cancel only one exhibition game, the NBA already has canceled the first four weeks of its regular season, and Stern has said the league will need 30 days from the time an agreement is reached before games can begin. If that’s the case, the league’s popular Christmas Day schedule appears to be threatened — and if the courts are to provide the resolution, the entire season is in question.

[The Washington Post]

Can you imagine that? A whole year without new basketball games? And what about the Playoffs next summer?

The NBA officials AND the players need to get it together … ASAP!!!

Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno (Right) poses with his defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky during Penn State Media Day in this August 6th 1999 file photo.

Penn State’s legendary football coach Joe Paterno was fired yesterday after the university’s board of trustees voted to oust him.

Early Wednesday, Paterno, who was affectionately known as “JoePa,” announced that he would retire at the end of the current season in the wake of the child sex abuse scandal, sparked by the arrest of his former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

But the board voted last night and decided to fire him, effectively immediately.

Penn State University students fill the streets in State College, Pennsylvania in protest after it was announced that long-time Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno (Photo: Pat Little/Reuters)

In the hours following the news of him being fired as Penn State’s head football coach, JoePa issued a statement, expressing regret about his firing and appreciation for those who were involved in his career that spanned over 60 years at Penn State, and 46 years as the coach of the Nittany Lions.

I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees’ decision, but I have to accept it.

A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value.

I have been incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players and staff who have been a part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I will be forever in your debt.

Last night, more than 1,000 students protesting Paterno’s firing poured into the streets around campus and began to riot.

Filled two city blocks near the campus, the students overturned a news crew’s van and also damaged several light poles.

A large number of state troopers and police, some decked out in riot gear, tried to clear the streets.

Some officers reportedly used a chemical spray to disperse the demonstrators. Crowds eventually somewhat thinned out after a light rain began to fall.

A few students were escorted away by police, though a spokeswoman said she wasn’t aware of any arrests.

A student with a bullhorn addressed the crowd, saying: “I think it’s only fair to let him (Paterno) ride out the season because this is the house that Joe built.”

Penn State students overturned this news van on College Ave in s protest against the firing of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in State College, Pennsylvania -- November 9, 2011 (Photo: Patt Little/Reuters)

While chanting “Hell no, Joe won’t go!” and “We want Joe back!” the angry and clearly upset students also cursed former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who was charged on Saturday with sexually abusing eight young boys over a period of nearly 15 years.

Two other university officials were also charged with failing to report a 2002 incident where Sandusky was allegedly seen sexually assaulting a child in front of them.

Just hours after the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation of conduct at Penn state, head coach Joe Paterno was dismissed Wednesday by the university’s board of trustees along with university President Graham Spanier.

“I haven’t seen this kind of student outrage about anything since I’ve been here,” Caroline Celoquin, a Senior from Westchester, Pennsylvania.

Nicole Attak, a freshman from New Jersey said she was “absolutely disgusted” about Joe Paterno being fired. “From a student’s perspective, it’s like where do we go from here? We no longer have a president. We no longer have a 45-year legacy.”

Penn state students greet Joe Paterno as he arrives at his home. (Photo: Tim Shaffer/Reuters)

While most of the students protest the school’s decision to immediately fire Paterno, some say they understand the move by the board of trustees, and did not condone Paterno’s failure to report the alleged sexual abuse to police.

Still, the majority of the students weren’t simply upset about Paterno being fired, they were more upset that he won’t be allowed to complete the season, which is something he wanted to do.

Joe Paterno and his wife Sue greet supporters and the media outside their home after it was announced that he had been fired by Penn State State University . Mr. Paterno said he was disappointed by his firing, and called on students protesting the decision to remain calm.

Paterno has won more games than any other major college coach in history.

He told a grand jury investigation that in 2002, when he was informed of his assistant coach’s alleged sexual abuse of a boy, he quickly passed the information on to the athletic director of the university, but did not follow up.

Unbeknownst to him, the alleged abuse continued on for several more years.

Paterno and his wife Sue addressed students who assembled outside their home after the news of his firing was announced.

“You’re all so sweet,” she said, “And I guess we have to go beat Nebraska without being there. We love you all, go Penn State.”

Boxing legend Joe Frazier died today after a brief battle with liver cancer, according to his agent.

His family released the following statement late Monday night:

We The Family of the 1964 Olympic Boxing Heavyweight Gold Medalist, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame Member Smokin’ Joe Frazier, regrets to inform you of his passing. He transitioned from this life as “One of God’s Men,” on the eve of November 7, 2011at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We thank you for your prayers for our Father and vast outpouring of love and support.

Respectfully, we request time to grieve privately as a family. Our father’s home going celebration will be announced as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

“Smokin Joe,” a small yet ferocious fighter, is credited as the first man to beat Muhammad Ali back in 1971 in what was considered the “Fight of the Century.” It was Frazier’s devastating left hook that dropped Ali in the 15th round at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

Frazier’s agent Darren Prince reported that the boxing champ was surrounded by his family when he passed away at around 10:00 pm EST Monday (Nov 7) at his home in Philadelphia.

Frazier had been under the care of a home hospice after being diagnosed with the disease just 3 weeks ago.

He was 67 years old.

[ABC]

Retired NBA player Shaquille O’Neal is on the verge of releasing a tell-all book later this month titled “Shaq Uncut: My Story.”

The book is basically an autobiography of sorts where Shaq opens up about everything, including his beef with his former L.A. Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant, how he wrote Halle Berry a love letter back in his college days (and she responded!) what it’s like being retired now, and much more.

Shaq even explains what exactly sparked his big feud with Kobe, and it had a lot to do with Kobe’s sexual assault charges back in 2003.

Read the interesting excerpts (via Deadspin) below:

On public feud with Kobe:

So I’m on edge because I don’t have a new deal, and Kobe is on edge because he might be going to jail, so we’re taking it out on each other. Just before the start of the ’03-’04 season the coaching staff called us in and said, “No more public sparring or you’ll get fined.” … Phil was tired of it. Karl Malone and Gary Payton were sick of it. … So what happens? Immediately after that Kobe runs right out to Jim Gray and does this interview where he lets me have it. He said I was fat and out of shape. He said I was milking my toe injury for more time off, and the injury wasn’t even that serious. (Yeah, right. It only ended my damn career.) He said I was “lobbying for a contract extension when we have two Hall of Famers playing pretty much for free.” I’m sitting there watching this interview and I’m gonna explode. Hours earlier we had just promised our coach we’d stop. It was a truce broken. I let the guys know, “I’m going to kill him.”

Kobe stands up and goes face-to-face with me and says, “You always said you’re my big brother, you’d do anything for me, and then this Colorado thing happens and you never even called me.” I did call him. … So here we are now, and we find out he really was hurt that we didn’t stand behind him. That was something new. I didn’t think he gave a rat’s ass about us either way. “Well, I thought you’d publicly support me, at least,” Kobe said. “You’re supposed to be my friend.”

Brian Shaw chimed in with “Kobe, why would you think that? Shaq had all these parties and you never showed up for any of them. We invited you to dinner on the road and you didn’t come. Shaq invited you to his wedding and you weren’t there. Then you got married and didn’t invite any of us. And now you are in the middle of this problem, this sensitive situation, and now you want all of us to step up for you. We don’t even know you.” …
Everyone was starting to calm down when I told Kobe, “If you ever say anything like what you said to Jim Gray ever again, I will kill you.”

Kobe shrugged and said, “Whatever.”

[...]

From that day on, I was done dealing with Kobe. I was done dealing with Jim Gray, too. What goes around, comes around. When he got fired, he actually had the nerve to call me and ask me to help him out. What, did you lose Kobe’s number?

On Kobe being immature and a tattle tail:

He was so young and so immature in some ways, but I can tell you this: everything Kobe is doing now, he told me all the way back then he was going to do it. We were sitting on the bus once and he told me, “I’m going to be the number one scorer for the Lakers, I’m going to win five or six championships, and I’m going to be the best player in the game.” I was like, “Okay, whatever.” Then he looked me right in the eye and said, “I’m going to be the Will Smith of the NBA.”

My first Lakers season we had a couple of rookies, and we hazed them pretty badly. We were dogging them out constantly. It was “Go get my bags, go get me something to eat.” It was kind of a rite of passage in the NBA that a lot of teams do, but we probably went a little too far with it. One of the rookies—Derek Fisher—just took it. The other rookie—Kobe Bryant—ratted us out to Jerry West.

On getting into it with Miami Heat team president Pat Riley:

My ticket out of Miami was punched in mid-February 2008. There was a lot of tension between Pat and the players. So we’re about to start practice and Jason Williams comes in about ten seconds late. Pat being Pat, he starts swearing at him and screaming, “Get the hell out of here!”…

I tell Pat we’re a team and we need to stick together, not throw guys out of the gym. Pat is screaming at me and says if I don’t like it, then I should get the hell out of practice, too.

That’s when I said, “Why don’t you make me?”

I start taking a couple of steps towards Pat. Udonis Haslem steps in and I shove him out of the way. Then Zo tries to grab me. I threw him aside like he was a rag doll. Now it’s me and Riley face-to-face, jaw to jaw. I’m poking him in the chest and he keeps slapping my finger away and it’s getting nasty. Noisy, too. He’s yelling “Fuck you!” and I’m yelling back, “No, fuck you!”

Zo is trying to calm us both down and he has this kind of singsong panic in his voice. He keeps saying, “Big fella, no big fella, big fella!” I finally turn around and tell him, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hit the man. Do you think I’m crazy?”

On writing a love letter Halle Berry and getting a response:

I remember being in the dorm room one night and we were watching the movie Jungle Fever with Halle Berry in it, and I thought she was so stunning, so I wrote her a letter. I was just kind of kidding around, telling her I was a big fan and I’d love to meet her sometime. The guys totally goofed on me for doing it, but I didn’t care. A few weeks later, no lie, Halle Berry wrote me back. She sent me a signed picture that I still have hanging in my office. Turns out she’s a basketball fan. She wrote, “I’m a big fan of yours, too. I can’t wait until you get to the NBA.”

On retired life:

They’ve already got some things cooking in Hollywood for me. Adam Sandler called me in June 2011 and said, “I want you to be in some of my movies.

I’ve stayed fairly low-key about what I own. For instance, out of the fifteen twenty-four-hour fitness places I own, only three have my name on it. None of the Five Guys I own have my name on it. None of the clubs I own in Vegas, either.

“Shaq Uncut: My Story” will be released via Grand Central Publishing on November 15th!

The St. Louis Cardinals won the 2011 World Series after beating the Texas Rangers 6-2 in Game 7 Friday night (Oct 28). The Cardinals have now won 11 titles in the history of their franchise, second only to the Yankees’ record of 27 wins. [NYDN]

Terrell Owens is still a free agent after injuring his knee back in April, so in an effort to show that he’s ready to start back playing football, the 37-year-old receiver participated in some drills and caught a few passes Tuesday in a workout in California that was televised on ESPN and the NFL network.

And even though no NFL teams showed up to watch T.O. work out at Calabasas High School, he says he’s confident that at least one team will be interested enough to let him play for them.

Owens, who wore a T-Shirt with the words “I am” on the front and “ready” on the back at the beginning of the work-out, told the NFL Network’s NFL Total Access last night:

“I think, number one, really kind of put to bed and put to rest am I ready? I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t ready to do it. There was some speculation about the knee, and whether it was gonna hold up. So I think everything in the drills that I went through today kind of let everybody know that I’m ready, I’m functional, and I’m ready to play football.”

The fact that none of the NFL’s general managers took the time to even come out and watch doesn’t even discourage Terrell either.

“It doesn’t discourage me at all. God was there, and that’s all that matters to me. It doesn’t discourage me that not one team was there. So I don’t really trip off that. I know that there are some teams interested. It’s just a matter of me getting the chance and opportunity to really get back on the football field, and I’ll show you what I can do. So I’m not discouraged by any means.”

Owens also said yesterday that he was happy with how his televised work-out went, and wasn’t disappointed at all that no teams sent any scouts to watch him.

“I only need one team,” he said. “I only need one chance.”

With Arizona up 42-7 against UCLA and four seconds remaining in the second quarter during last night’s game, a streaker posing as a referee interrupted the game by running out on the field blowing a whistle and waving his hands in the air before sprinting down the field and ripping his clothes off.

Security quickly tackled him, but that wasn’t the end of the chaos.

For some odd reason, as security made an attempt to restore order, the two opposing teams decided they wanted to fight each other, so they did, igniting a chain reaction that cleared both teams’ benches, and two players (one from Arizona, the other from UCLA) were eventually ejected from the game.

Watch the madness unfold below:

Jay-Z held a press conference in New York City early Monday morning (Sep 26) and made 2 huge announcements!

In a very smart business move that is sure to give him some more money to toss around, the 42-year-old NBA minority owner announced that he is changing the New Jersey Nets’ name to the Brooklyn Nets.

Jay-Z also announced that he will perform 8 (or more) concerts at the Barclays Center when it opens in September 2012.

The rapper shared the news at a press conference across the street from the arena’s construction site at the Atlantic Terminal in hometown of Brooklyn, just minutes away from where he grew up at the Marcy Projects in Bedstuy.

[SR, CG, FOX]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ star player Kobe Bryant has a net-worth of over $100 million dollars … which means that he is FILTHY rich and has lots of money to share. And that’s exactly what he’s doing. Sharing.

Because of the ongoing (and very stupid) NBA lockout, lots of players — mainly the “non-celebrity” ones — are facing serious financial hardship.

But the good news is that some of the superstar players like Kobe Bryant have big hearts, and are said to be loaning money to their fellow players who are struggling financially due to the lockout.

Read this excerpt from a recent L.A. Times interview with Billy Hunter, head of the National Basketball Players Association:

What role will NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James play as this moves forward?

“They’ve been deeply involved in the meetings we’ve had. I know Kobe is intimately involved in interfacing with colleagues and sharing in a pool of revenue to help the others get through this. Kobe has volunteered to do that in the event others need, he and others are prepared to loan money if necessary.”

Sharing is caring, right?

All jokes aside … that’s a pretty nice gesture from Kobe! And to think. Some people actually call this guy … “selfish.”

[Yahoo Sports via L.A. Times]

After a 2 month hiatus, Williams played her first match against Vesna Dolonts and beat her 6-4, 6-3 in the first round.

Shortly after her win, when she was asked why she had to miss tournaments this summer, she replied, “It was just energy-sucking, and I just couldn’t play pro tennis. It was disappointing, because I had huge plans for this summer, of course, to improve my ranking. To miss out on all those points was definitely devastating. Just to miss so much time off tour was just disheartening. But I’m just really excited to be back.”

Later, in a statement released via the tournament, Williams said, “I enjoyed playing my first match here, and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to. I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon.”

The Associated Press reports:

When Williams left the site shortly before 5 p.m., wearing a white sweater and purple shorts, she was asked by reporters whether she would say anything. She smiled and waved and shook her head to indicate, “No,” then climbed into the back of a tournament transportation car and rode away.

Carlos Fleming, Venus’s agent, told reporters, “All of us came with the full expectation she’d be playing today. She was geared up to play her match. I just hope she’s OK, and I hope she’s healthy and going to be fine.”

We wish you well Venus!

In an incredible comeback for controversial NFL star Michael Vick, the 31-year-old football player has landed himself a major $100 million 6-year deal to play for the Philadelphia Eagles!

Eagles coach Andy Reid said, “I’m very happy we were able to reach an agreement with Michael on this long-term contract. It’s a product of all the hard work Michael has done to better himself over the last couple of years, both on and off the field.”

According to reports, the deal will pay Vick $16 million over the first three years, making him one of the highest paid players in the league once again, further proving that Vick and his career have now come around full circle.

Michael Vick signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2001 as the No. 1 overall draft pick and was quite the superstar with the team. He even signed a $130 million deal with the Falcons in 2005, and was living the good life … until he was sent to prison in August 2007 for illegal dog fighting, which eventually led to him filing for bankruptcy.

Upon his release from prison, Vick joined the Eagles in 2009 as a third-string QB behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb before moving on up as a first-string player after he played for Kolb, who suffered an injury during the season.

Vick went on to lead the Eagles to the NFC East title last season, was the starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl, and was also named comeback player of the year by the Associated Press.

Welcome back Mike Vick!

An former referee from the NBA recently shot and killed himself … on the same exact day his wife’s body was discovered strangled to death at their home. (WTF?)

Read more below:

Troy Raymond, a former NBA referee who last season officiated college basketball games, committed suicide in a New Orleans hotel room hours after police found his wife’s body at their home in the Houston area last week.

Police say Raymond, 46, is considered a “person of interest” in his wife’s death, which has been ruled a homicide due to manual strangulation, according to CBSSports.com.

Constable Tim Holifield of Montgomery County Precinct Three also told the web site that during the course of the investigation while at the residence on Friday, investigators were notified that Troy Raymond had been found dead due to a single gunshot to the head.

Raymond, reports cbssports.com, spent a year as an NBA ref before being forced out in 2004 for lying on his resume that he had played on the University of Colorado’s national champion football team.

Last season, Raymond officiated games for the Southland and Sun Belt conferences.

SOURCE

Wow … this is so tragic. Their families are in our prayers!

Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots has handed over his #85 jersey to fellow NFL star Chad Ochocinco for the charge of … NOTHING!

TMZ reports:

Ocho (seen above at practice yesterday) was willing to fork over some bucks for the number, but Hernandez did him a solid as a “welcome to the team” gesture. Hernandez told reporters, “Chad Ochocinco came to the team and he’s a great player and I had a chance to get my college number back and he obviously wanted 85, and it wasn’t a problem.”

Looks like whatever Ochocinco wants … Ochocinco gets!

NFL star Chad Ochocinco will pay any price to keep his jersey #85.

After being traded to the New England Patriots recently, sources close to Ochocinco have said to TMZ: “He’s willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to sport #85 for the New England Patriots this season.”

But the only thing standing in Ochocinco’s way is his new team mate Aaron Hernandez, as he currently wears the number, and used it to rule the football field last year.

Chad changed his last name a few years back to match his jersey number, and he says he’s willing to flash the cash and feels “no number is too high” for him to pay Hernandez.

NFL players agreed to vote OK to a final deal yesterday, finally putting an end to the 4 and a half month lockout, the longest stoppage of work in the league’s history.

“This is a long time coming, and football’s back,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “and that’s the great news for everybody.”

News of the official end of the NFL lockout comes just days after team owners approved to a tentative agreement.

Meanwhile, the NBA’s lockout is just getting started!

It’s over. Dallas won. Miami lost (and only by 10 points).

It’s a sad, sad day in South Beach.

Congrats to Dallas though!

Check out a full recap, along with 10+ pics below:

Year One of the Big Three ended with a thud Sunday night for the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena.

There will be no capping of last July’s premature celebration over the free-agency signings of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Instead, there will be reflection on nights such as Sunday, when a 105-95 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the NBA Finals brought down the curtain on the 2010-11 season.

And started a new waiting game, leaving plenty of questions in the wake of this meltdown.

It was a dreary ending, particularly for James, who again proved unable to match the moment. After making his first four shots when he appeared headed to a big night, he instead closed with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting, seemingly paralyzed by the moment. It was a finish nearly as humbling as being swept out of the 2007 Finals by the San Antonio Spurs while a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

None of the Heat’s Big Three, in fact, were very big, with Wade closing with 17 points and Bosh with 19.

Mavericks guard Jason Terry, though, was plenty big, keeping Dallas afloat through a 14-0 Heat second-quarter run with 19 first-half points. He closed with 27 on 11-of-16 shooting.

That allowed Dallas to persevere even on a night series Most Valuable Player Dirk Nowitzki, hero of the Mavericks’ Game 2 and Game 4 victories, shot 9 of 27 for 21 points.

It ended with Pat Riley watching in stunned silence from across the Heat bench, with the Heat allowing Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to celebrate in their building, with the Mavericks shockingly managing to buy nearly an entire section behind the Heat bench for their fans, much to the apparent chagrin of Heat owner Micky Arison.

It, indeed, was sweet revenge, after losing the 2006 Finals to the Heat in six games.

Even before the opening tip, the Heat acknowledged what they weren’t, namely capable of keeping up with the Mavericks’ small ball, with starting point guard Mike Bibby benched in favor of Mario Chalmers, and then removed from the rotation in favor of Eddie House.

It was a desperate move at a desperate time, and it wasn’t nearly enough, not with James shrinking to depths that will haunt him for months if not years.

Oh there was fight, just not enough.

No sooner did House cap the Heat’s 14-0 rally with a 3-pointer to produce a 42-40 lead in the second quarter, then Heat forward Udonis Haslem and Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson traded shoves with 6:25 to play in the period, with Chalmers joining in the scrum.

The result was technical fouls on all three, with Nowitzki’s ensuing free throw ending Dallas’ scoreless streak.

From there, Dallas seized control, the Heat left with little more than hero 3-point attempts against the Mavericks remarkably cohesion zone defense, while struggling much of the night from the foul line.

Earlier, a wild first half that featured a 21-7 first-quarter run by the Mavericks and a 14-0 second-quarter surge by the Heat ended with the Mavericks up 53-51.

Until Sunday, Bibby had started each of the Heat’s previous 20 playoff games. House then pushed Bibby, his brother in law, completely out of the rotation, likely the last time Bibby will be seen in a Heat uniform.

Dallas entered aware that home teams have gone 14-3 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, fighting desperately to avoid such a test.

The Heat entered 9-1 at home this postseason, with that lone previous defeat a Game 2 95-93 loss to Dallas in this series.

Coming off consecutive losses, the Heat ended the season with their first three-game losing streak since March 8.

The Mavericks entered 6-3 on the road this season, having followed Game 3 victories with victories in Game 4 in each of their previous three series, and doing it again in this one.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is now 11-3 in closeout games as a coach, the highest winning percentage among coaches with at least 10 such games.

Source

Who were you rooting for?

It’s good to be home!

After serving 22 months for weapons violation, NFL star Plaxico Burress has been released from prison.

In August of 2009, Burress pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon after accidentally shooting himself in an NYC nightclub.

According to TMZ, Plaxico has hopes of playing for the NFL again….if they will take him back, of course.

We hope he gets his act together though…..and find some form of redemption.