TMZ

Michael Jordan’s the highest-profile Black team owner in NASCAR history (heck, he’s the highest profile, period) … but driver Jesse Iwuji says he’s far from the last, ’cause the sports about to get a lot more diverse! … and that’s super important for an organization that has historically lacked diversity within its ranks. TMZ Sports talked to Xfinity series star Jesse Iwuji — a 33-year-old African American driver — about the impact MJ’s arrival will have on NASCAR. “I think that was huge! Especially just with NASCAR looking to continue to expand diversity and really showcase to people around the world that, ‘Hey NASCAR just isn’t just a one-sided type sport,” Iwuji says. Jesse continued … “We include all. We’re here for inclusion, we’re all about making sure that it’s an open environment so no matter what color you are, no matter what religion, gender it doesn’t matter, NASCAR is open to everything. It’s really cool to see that diversity come in.” Iwuji says he expects — and has some inside insight — that other minorities will be following MJ’s lead, and entering the racing world. “I think here in the next 6 to 12 months, you’re gonna see a few more minority owners come into the space. I’m just hearing some rumblings about some things and there’s all these different things coming up so I think some more will be coming pretty soon.” Of course, MJ announced Monday night he was linking up with his good friend Denny Hamlin, and they were starting a NASCAR team … with Bubba Wallace as their driver. The positive benefits of Michael owning a team don’t stop there … ’cause Jesse says MJ’s presence will open up a bunch of new branding and marketing opportunities for drivers and teams. “I think Jordan with his influence and his global brand will be able to attract different sponsors that we maybe never had in this sport,” Jesse says. “We’ll be able to attract different business to business type deals and sponsorships that we haven’t seen before, so having him here I think is great for the sport.” Read Full Article

Dijon Kizzee’s family and legal team are announcing results of an independent autopsy, ordered after the family felt the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. “attempted to justify his killing.” Dijon’s family will join civil rights attorney Ben Crump — along with co-counsel Dale Galipo and Carl Douglas — during a press conference at 3 PM PT to reveal and discuss their findings … and TMZ will stream it live in this post. The lawyers are also expected to respond to last week’s claim by the Sheriff’s Dept. that its investigation determined Kizzee picked up a loaded pistol that had fallen to the ground just before deputies fatally shot him on Aug. 31. The LASD previously requested a security hold on Kizzee’s county autopsy, which suggests the report won’t be released until the Sheriff’s Dept. has completed its investigation, which remains open. As we’ve reported … protests erupted following Kizzee’s killing and have been ongoing in L.A. this month, resulting in multiple confrontations and arrests. Video of the incident shows Kizzee — who was initially stopped for an alleged vehicle code violation while riding a bicycle — getting into a physical altercation with a cop, before deputies shot him multiple times as he ran away. Cops say a handgun allegedly belonging to Kizzee was recovered at the scene. Crump has argued that even if Kizzee possessed a gun during the altercation, he didn’t point it at them and was not a threat by the time he was running away. Read Full Article

YouTube superstar and boxer KSI says there’s no way in hell Floyd Mayweather is gonna fight Logan Paul … asking straight-up, “Why the f**k would Mayweather say ‘yes’ to this?” As we previously reported, 43-year-old Mayweather has been approached with an offer to take on 25-year-old Paul in an exhibition match … but a deal has NOT been made. KSI — who beat LP in a controversial rematch at Staples Center last November — called BS on the fight ever coming to fruition on Tuesday … saying, “This is cap, it’s cap.” “It’s not happening. Why the f**k would Mayweather say ‘yes’ to this? Why would he fight the loser of me and Logan?” KSI goes on to point out he draws massive crowds everywhere he goes … and would perform much better in the ring against a 50-0 legend. “I’m the bigger draw when it comes to boxing, because I defeated the one who started it — Joe Weller — and defeated Logan Paul himself. So, why would Mayweather want to fight the second best, when he can just easily fight the best?” As for Logan, he was super quiet with us last week about the possibility of fighting Floyd … but he definitely seems down to make it happen. Read Full Article

Most Hollywood types say, “Let’s do lunch” … but for Tom Cruise, it’s “Let’s do LAUNCH” — and now he knows when he’ll make his virgin voyage to space to film a movie. Tom’s hitching a ride on a SpaceX Crew Dragon rocket and capsule to the International Space Station in October 2021 to start filming in orbit … according to the 2020-2023 ISS official manifest. Mr. ‘Mission Impossible’ will be joined by “Edge of Tomorrow” director Doug Liman as the pioneering film project gets underway. As we reported … Tom is working hand in hand with SpaceX honcho Elon Musk and NASA to film an action-adventure flick aboard the ISS. The film, which will become the first shot in outer space, is reportedly NOT a ‘Mission Impossible’ flick. Hopefully Tom takes some sage advice from retired astronauts Scott Kelly and Roy Bridges Jr. ahead of his big adventure … remember, the famous astronauts say boning up on toilet science is extremely important!!! Read Full Article

PGA Tour golfer Danny Lee says his 6-putt temper tantrum at the U.S. Open was completely “unprofessional and foolish” … and now, the guy is apologizing for it all. If you missed it … Lee went BERSERK on the 18th hole at Winged Foot on Saturday — throwing a Happy Gilmore-esque fit on the green. After Lee missed a short par putt, he missed the ensuing bogey putt as well … and then became visibly pissed off. So much so, Lee halfheartedly tried to make his next THREE putts from close range … before finally slamming home the fourth one. In total, it took Lee NINE shots to complete the hole … and when he walked off the green — he threw his putter angrily against his bag. Lee then withdrew from the tournament, citing a wrist injury. On Tuesday, the 30-year-old said he was sorry for the whole scene … explaining, “My frustration took over me and combined with injury I had to fight with it for all week.” “Still just an excuse,” Lee said. “I shouldn’t left like that… and also like to apologize to USGA they did a tremendous job last week at wing foot. On the course and off the course.” Lee continued, “Now I gonna take some time off and think about what I did and starting next time I’ll show up as a better person and have better sportsmanship.” Lee is currently ranked as the #112 golfer in the world. Read Full Article

It’s National Voter Registration Day, and celebs are reminding folks to get out there and exercise their rights. The civic nonpartisan holiday — celebrated the fourth Tuesday in September — is all about registering and mobilizing voters, while educating and unifying the country. Some celebs — like Chelsea Handler, Michelle Obama and Big Sean — have been doing their part to get word out about registering. Surprisingly, 60% of eligible voters are never even asked to register. Check out the gallery to feel inspired … Nicole Richie, Jessica Biel, Jack Black, Jimmy Kimmel, Joan Smalls, Mindy Kaling, Kumail Nanjiani, Hailey Bieber, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are already registered … and don’t forget to CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! Read Full Article

President Trump’s trying to keep voters’ eyes off the prize of racial equality — at least that’s how NAACP leader Bishop Talbert Swan is viewing Trump’s latest defunding threat. The President of the NAACP’s Springfield, Massachusetts chapter, joined us Tuesday on “TMZ Live,” and ripped POTUS for threatening to pull federal funds from Seattle, Portland and NYC … cities he’s now labeled “anarchist jurisdictions.” Swan pointed out the term “anarchist jurisdiction” has never existed in America, and believes the Trump administration made it up to rationalize his threat to cut federal funding to those cities. That threat is already facing legal challenges, but the Bishop told us it’s also creating a distraction ahead of the election — and he thinks that’s exactly what the President wants. He’s imploring Americans to not lose sight of the mounting issues that truly matter — racial inequality, coronavirus, the economy and the possibility of a Supreme Court he believes will “attack every Civil Rights gain made in the last 100 years.” As you know by now … Trump’s set to nominate Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s replacement on the Supreme Court following RGB’s sudden death. Read Full Article

Dr. Dre’s estranged wife had the gall to dip into a well-funded cookie jar not just once, but TWICE … at least according to Dre’s biz partner, who’s now accusing her of grand theft. Attorneys for Larry Chatman — who co-founded Record One studio with Dre in 2015 — just fired off another letter to Nicole Young … accusing her withdrawing an extra $30,000-plus from the business account, despite no longer being legally authorized. We already told you about the $353k Larry claims Nicole embezzled from the account in late August. The company accused Nicole of criminal conduct in draining the account and fired off a letter to that effect. After receiving the letter, Chatman says Nicole siphoned another $31,457, two days AFTER she was given the boot and removed in any official capacity. In Larry and his attorneys’ eyes … that amounts to grand theft … on top of the alleged $353k embezzlement from earlier. And, yes, they’re threatening legal action. Nicole’s attorney called their first accusation a “low-grade PR stunt” meant to embarrass his client and take the spotlight away from a recent lawsuit she filed against Dre himself … in which she accused him of hiding assets she feels entitled to in the divorce. Nicole’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, tells TMZ, “This is a clear attempt to smear Nicole’s name.  As people are well aware, banks do not give out money to people who are not authorized to receive it.” This has become an epically-nasty divorce. Nicole claims Dre tore up the prenup she signed right before getting married. He calls BS on that. She also wants nearly $2 mil a month in temporary spousal support while the divorce winds its way through the legal system. Read Full Article

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Notre Dame football to postpone its matchup at Wake Forest set for this weekend … after 7 ND players tested positive for the virus. The school made the announcement Tuesday … saying 7 out of 94 football players tested this week were hit with positive results … and now 13 total players are in isolation, with 10 in quarantine Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly addressed the decision to postpone Saturday’s game in a statement … saying, “We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season, and we’ll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making.” “We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field.” The Irish have already faced issues with the virus earlier this season … and had to halt all team-related activities after several players tested positive last month. The two schools are already targeting an October 3 make-up date, according to WF athletic director John Currie. “I know everyone involved is saddened to be unable to play this weekend, but based on the circumstances it is the right decision,” Currie said. The decision adds to the growing list of games being postponed due to COVID-19 … including Virginia Tech vs. Virginia, which was scheduled for September 19. Read Full Article

The FBI’s not done building its case against Jerry Harris — federal agents in Chicago are asking for any individuals under the age of 18 who may have been victimized by the disgraced “Cheer” star to come forward. The feds have launched a “Seeking Victim Information” webpage related to the investigation of Harris, who was arrested last week and is facing a federal child pornography charge for allegedly enticing 2 underage teen boys to send him sexually explicit images of themselves. The FBI says it’s seeking the public’s help in identifying any additional minors who may have been contacted by Harris and asked to produce or view graphic images or engage in sexual contact. Victims may have communicated with Harris via Snapchat or Instagram … according to the feds. As we reported … the feds claim Harris admitted to many of the allegations against him, including soliciting and receiving child pornography on Snapchat from at least 10 to 15 other individuals he knew were minors. The FBI’s now focused on finding any other alleged victims. Read Full Article