LeBron James, other athletes respond to Ferguson verdict via Twitter

Within minutes of Monday’s Ferguson verdict, NBA star LeBron James used social media to express his remorse for the family of dead teenager Michael Brown and the chaos that followed.

The grand jury’s decision not to prosecute police officer Darren Wilson was announced on Monday evening during the Cleveland Cavaliers' 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic.

After the game, James took to Twitter to voice his frustration at the situation in Ferguson by tweeting a drawing of Brown and Trayvon Martin walking arm-in-arm.

As a society how do we do better and stop things like this happening time after time!! I'm so sorry to these families. Violence is not the answer people. Retaliation isn't the solution as well. #PrayersUpToTheFamilies #WeHaveToDoBetter

A photo posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:06pm PST

Twitter blew up with other prominent sports stars speaking out as well.

Magic Johnson expressed his disappointment with the situation in Ferguson by tweeting: "We must work together to stop the unnecessary loss of young men of color. Justice was not served in Ferguson."

We must work together to stop the unnecessary loss of young men of color. Justice was not served in Ferguson.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2014

Serena Williams also tweeted her shock. 'Wow. Just wow. Shameful. What will it take???,' she said.

Wow. Just wow. Shameful. What will it take???
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 25, 2014

NFL star Reggie Bush also tried to put it in perspective.

No matter who you are, what color skin you have, where you live, we are all in this together! This… http://t.co/iDYzkjygbE
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) November 25, 2014

A-Rod considering going to U of Miami for MBA: Report

Alex Rodriguez is apparently making good use of his free time during his suspension. Besides picking the brains of finance wizards Steve Cohen and Warren Buffett, the Yankees third baseman is considering going back to school for an MBA.

A-Rod is pondering getting the advanced degree at the University of Miami, reported Page Six of the N.Y. Post.

And why not? He already has his PED.

Rodriguez, suspended from the Yankees for 162 games, was spotted meeting with SAC Capital Advisers founder Cohen at the bar of the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills last week, according to CNBC.

The pair met with a group of eight before attending this week’s Milken Institute Global Conference. Rodriguez was seen at Milken events — on Tuesday, he went to a reception celebrating women business leaders.

Wednesday he was at a panel discussion on the business of sports with Magic Johnson and football star Larry Fitzgerald.

A-Rod was on his way to Omaha to the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting Friday night, held by billionaire Buffett, with one source telling us, “When he’s not on the field, Alex takes his business interests very seriously.”

Rodriguez would need a lot of undergrad credits before pursuing an MBA. He never went to college after being recruited as quarterback and signing a letter of intent to play baseball with the Hurricanes before becoming a rookie with the Seattle Mariners right out of high school.

I wonder if those offers at The U still stand?

Donald Sterling asks the girlfriend: 'How Can We Make This Go Away?': Report

While everyone from NBA players to the President have spoken out about the racist comments attributed to Donald Sterling, the Los Angeles Clippers owner reportedly contacted his ex-girlfriend Sunday and, in a far-fetched attempt to quell the controversy, asked her flatly, "How can we make this go away?"

Sources close to Sterling told TMZ that the team owner is keenly aware V. Stiviano is in possession of more than 100 hours of recordings — some of which are extremely damaging to Sterling's reputation. 

It was Stiviano's  Instagram photo (below) of her with NBA legend Magic Johnson that was apparently enough for Sterling to go off on his publicized offensive rant, according to the gossip site.

Stiviano insists that she had nothing to do with the recordings being released to the public.

The sources say Stiviano told Sterling to call her lawyer ... and thereby opened the door to settlement discussions.  It's obvious the incentive for Sterling is to make sure the rest of the tapes never see the light of day. 

TMZ Sports contacted Stiviano's lawyer Mac E. Nehoray ... who had no comment. 

We know Stiviano is extremely upset that the Clippers and Donald Sterling publicly embraced a lawsuit filed by Sterling's wife Shelly against Stivianio, claiming she stole $1.8 million from Donald. 

As for why Stiviano (whom Sterling reportedly showered with the cash and cars) taped so many conversations ... as TMZ Sports reported, she told friends the Clippers owner wanted her to record him and he knew he was being recorded ... partly because he frequently forgot what he said and the tapes refreshed his memory ... at least that's her version of the story, said TMZ.

And on a side note, Stiviano's Instagram page, she constantly tagged photos with "#RandomHouse" and "#Simon&Schuster" ... both large book publishing companies. 

Sources connected with Stiviano tell us ... she is in the process of writing a book "about life" — but she insists it is not about Sterling.

The National Basketball Players Association has demanded Sterling be barred from all playoff games this season. The players also want an accounting of past accusations of racism against Sterling and a guarantee that the league commissioner will work with the association; and assurance the investigation will be conducted swiftly.

Yankees bring out the A-List crowd at Dodger Stadium

What happens when you combine the Dodgers and Yankees — two of the most storied baseball franchises in history — with Tinseltown?  More high-wattage celebrities than your Ray-Bans can handle, that's what.

When the New Yorkers, with what recently seems like a B-List roster, invaded Dodger Stadium Tuesday night, there seemed to be more A-List stars sitting in the blue seats than strutting on your typical red carpet —  or at least a Lakers-Knicks game.

Chavez Ravine Tuesday was the place where big names from the world of sports, music and film got to chomp on Dodger Dogs and see up-and-coming Yasiel Puig and soon-to-be going Mariano Rivera  in the flesh.

Spotted in the stadium crowd were Rob Reiner, LL Cool J, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Dodger legend Tommy LaSorda and team co-owner Magic Johnson. But the brightest Klieg was reserved for, who else, Jack Nicholson.

Not a B-Lister among the lot. Hooray for Hollywood.

Kobe says Magic's support for gay son is a lesson in 'tolerance'

Over the weekend Magic Johnson came out in support of his openly gay son Earvin Johnson III and said he could be any happier for his 20-year-old kid. The former NBA great told TMZ that he and his wife Cookie "support him in every way" and "we're very proud of him."

Kobe Bryant was so impressed by Magic's stand on his son's personal life, he lauded Johnson's support as a lesson to be learned by everyone — including pro athletes.

"Of course Magic is supportive of and loves his son," Bryant told TMZ on Tuesday, "Why should anyone be surprised?

"What I can't tolerate is a lack of tolerance," he added.

Incidentally, Bryant was fined $100,000 in 2011 when he referred to a referee with a homophobic slur. The basketball player apologized the next day and learned from his mistake. He even scolded two fans in February on Twitter for their negative use of the word "gay."

Bryant's support carries a lot of weight — especially with all of the talk of a pro athlete reportedly ready to come out of the closet and continue playing. The strong implication from the Lakers star is that tolerance isn't just limited to parents and their children — but may soon make its way into relationships between straight and gay professional athletes.

The younger Johnson — nicknamed EJ3 — was spotted with his new boyfriend on the Sunset Strip and  told reporters he was a huge fan of his dad's former team, the Los Angeles Lakers,  and was "hoping and praying" for the team this season.

Both Magic and Kobe's stature in the world of sports means their statements could help pave the way for players coming out in the future.

It seems like it's only a matter of time.

Magic Johnson's son goes public with boyfriend and loyalty to Lakers

Magic Johnson's 20-year-old son was spotted making the scene on the Sunset Strip with his boyfriend this weekend and it's hard not to see the resemblance to his famous father — especially when he grins.

Earvin Johnson III — nicknamed EJ3 — was hand-in-hand with his equally smiling BF when TMZ caught up with the happy couple.  EJ3 is one of Magic's three children and it sounds like the father and son have a great relationship together. The former Lakers star has already told the gossip site," Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way." he added. "We're very proud of him."

And the bond between the NYU student and his wealthy dad — who is part owner of the Dodgers — extends into the world of sports too.  The younger Earvin said he caught a sneak peak at the "black print" of the remodeled Dodger Stadium and, from what he saw, said the new bathrooms looked "fabulous."

The fur-clad EJ — stylin' more like Walt Frazier's Clyde (sans purse) than Johnson's Magic — wasn't so enthusiastic about his father's former team's chances for the playoffs.

"The Lakers have a lot of work to do," he said. "I'm hoping and praying for my Lakers."

When the folks are in New York, it sounds like EJ plans the social agenda. According to TMZ, back in August, Magic tweeted, "Thx to my son EJ for hosting me at NYU. Look forward to taking him to dinner tonight in the city."

EJ might want to hope and pray mostly for a healthy Kobe Bryant.

Jay-Z opens Barclays Center wearing Brooklyn Nets jersey

Brooklyn's own Jay-Z opened up the new downtown Barclays Center with a bang.  The first event ever held in the new arena was a hometown showcase for the singer who promoted its newest tenants — the Brooklyn Nets — by sporting a No. 4 team jersey.

Jay-Z made his dramatic Barclays Center debut — the first of eight concerts — wearing a Nets cap and the the old school-style black uniform jersey that the team had been keeping under wraps until recently.  Yup, there it was underneath all the gold chains for everyone to see.

The 19,000 fans at the venue's housewarming party included an roster of celebrities and sports stars.  The Nets star point guard, Deron Williams,  even made the trip from Manhattan to see his boss perform.  Also spotted in the crowd were New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz, NBA legend Magic Johnson and even NBC weatherman Al Roker.

While the borough's most famous rapper wore his Brooklyn on his sleeve — well his arm at least — Jay-Z paid homage to the genre's Brooklyn pioneers.  He insisted on a moment of silence for Notorious BIG and later had Big Daddy Kane come out for an high energy encore.

"Tonight is a celebration of the borough where I'm from," Jay-Z told the crowd.  "Welcome to my house."

Jay-Z's fingerprints are all over the place. From the 40/40 Club to the unis to the music, it is his house.

"I've been on many stages , been all around the world, but nothing feels like like tonight," he exclaimed to his fans about the thrill of performing in the state-of-the-art arena in front of his hometown fans.

The minority owner of the Nets is proud of his Brooklyn roots and satisfaction that he helped bring the borough its first major professional sports team in 50 years.

If last night's opening was any indication, the Brooklyn Nets are going to give the Knicks a run for their  money or, at least with Jay-Z as the front man, they might be the biggest attraction in New York this winter.

Jon Barry is not well liked in Miami

A spectator with good timing and bad handwriting jumped behind the postgame crew at AmericanAirlines Arena— after the Heat defeated the Thunder— and held up a handwritten "Jon Barry Sucks" sign with Barry sitting right there on live television.

While Magic Johnson was droning on about the 91-85 win, a young man held up the crudely made sign for a few seconds before security made him stop and leave the area.



It looks like Barry didn't see the sign but he would have probably had a hard time reading the chicken-scratch comment if he did.

'MAGIC/BIRD' To Hit Broadway Stage In Spring Of 2012

It was always a great drama which started in the late '70's and raged throughout the 80's and now, the love/hate relationship between NBA stars Magic Johnson and Larry Bird will be brought to The Great White Way and no, that's not a reference about Bird's style of play.

In the spring of 2012, the drama "MAGIC/BIRD" will make its debut on Broadway and bring the storied careers and the bitter rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics stars to the stage.

The white vs. black, blue-collar vs. Hollywood themes and battles for one NCAA title and three NBA championships will surely provide plenty of dramatics with a hardwood backdrop.

The play itself may not replace a LeBron, Kobe or 'Melo on the court -- if there is a lockout--  but brings its own collection of all-stars to the front court.

Hitting the boards just got a new meaning in the theater world.

'MAGIC/BIRD' has its own two stars and a pretty good bench.

It was written by playwright Eric Simonson-- the same man who wrote the critically-acclaimed "Lombardi," and will be directed by Tony Award-nominated Thomas Kail of "In the Heights" fame.  The rest of the creative team will be filled by award-winning sound and costume designers.

'MAGIC/BIRD' will be a first on many levels.

Besides the unique subject matter, the play will be the first production endorsed by the NBA (or any professional sports league) and both Johnson and Bird have provided their own creative input throughout the development of the drama.

The set will be highlighted by spectacular basketball footage.  The historic backdrops will be displayed over the stage via projector.

It sounds like the NBA has high hopes for this production about two of its most legendary players.

Johnson, who loves the spotlight as much as Bird disdains it, had this to say.

"I have great love and respect for Larry Bird," he said.  "And am elated that our personal and professional relationship will now be exposed to an even larger audience through the dramatic production."

No preview date has been released.

Just wait for those tight gold Lakers and green Celtics shorts to make a comeback in the over-priced Times Square souvenir shops.