What Happened to TMZ Sports?
TMZ Sports is a prominent digital and television platform that delivers breaking news and gossip from the intersection of sports and celebrity culture. Launched in 2013 as a dedicated section of TMZ.com, it expanded into a syndicated television show and radio program, eventually finding a home on Fox Sports 1 (FS1). In 2021, Fox Entertainment acquired all TMZ-branded properties, including TMZ Sports, from WarnerMedia, integrating it further into the Fox ecosystem while maintaining its signature investigative and often controversial reporting style.
Quick Answer
TMZ Sports continues to operate as a digital news platform and a television show on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), providing daily coverage of athletes' off-field lives, controversies, and breaking sports-related celebrity news. Since its acquisition by Fox Entertainment in September 2021, it has remained a key part of the TMZ media empire, leveraging Fox's broader reach. As of August 2026, the brand is actively producing content, covering major sports stories with its unique tabloid approach, and maintaining a consistent presence across its digital and linear platforms.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Rumors of TMZ Sports Launch
Rumors began circulating that TMZ founder Harvey Levin was interested in creating a TMZ-branded sports website, though initial plans for a 2010 launch did not materialize.
TMZ Sports Launches as Website Section
TMZ Sports officially launched as a dedicated branded section on the main TMZ.com website, marking its entry into sports-focused celebrity news.
Daily TMZ Sports Radio Show Debuts
Premiere Networks launched a daily TMZ Sports radio show, expanding the brand's reach into audio broadcasting.
TMZ Hollywood Sports TV Show Test Markets
A television show, initially named 'TMZ Hollywood Sports,' began test-marketing on select regional Fox stations, exploring a visual format for its sports content.
TMZ Sports TV Show Moves to FS1
The television series rebranded as 'TMZ Sports' and moved to Fox Sports 1 (FS1), securing a national broadcast platform for its daily sports news and gossip.
Reports on NBA Teams Changing 'Owners' Term
TMZ Sports reported that multiple NBA teams were moving away from using the term 'owners' due to racial insensitivity, opting for terms like 'managing partners' or 'chairman.'
Fox Entertainment Acquires TMZ (Including Sports)
Fox Entertainment acquired all TMZ-branded properties, including TMZ Sports, from WarnerMedia for an estimated $50 million, integrating the tabloid news empire into Fox's portfolio.
TMZ Sports Continues Live Streaming from Newsroom
TMZ Sports actively streamed live discussions from its newsroom, engaging with viewers on YouTube, X, and TikTok, covering topics like Cardi B's defense of Stefon Diggs.
Reports on U.S. Hockey Gold Medal Win Breaking TV Record
TMZ Sports reported that the U.S. Men's Hockey gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics averaged 20.7 million viewers, setting a record for a pre-9 AM ET sporting event.
Reports on World Baseball Classic Final Viewership Record
TMZ Sports covered the 2026 World Baseball Classic final between USA and Venezuela, which drew over 10 million viewers, marking it as the most-watched game in tournament history.
TMZ Sports TV Show Viewership on FS1
The 'TMZ Sports' television program on FS1 recorded an audience of 139,000 viewers, making it the fourth most popular show on the network at that time.
Reports on Spurs Announcer Firing
TMZ Sports reported on the firing of a San Antonio Spurs play-by-play announcer amid alleged cheating scandal involving a player's sister, highlighting its focus on sports controversies.
Reports on MLB Legend Tommy John's Passing
TMZ Sports reported that MLB pitcher Tommy John had entered hospice care shortly before his death at 83, demonstrating its coverage of significant events in sports figures' lives.
Reports on Jeanie Buss' Siblings Selling Lakers Stake
TMZ Sports broke news that Jeanie Buss' siblings intended to move forward with selling their remaining ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, despite her opposition.
Reports on Rashod Bateman Arrest and WNBA Incident
TMZ Sports reported on the arrest of NFL star Rashod Bateman for alleged family violence and a separate incident where a sex toy was thrown on the court during a WNBA game.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
TMZ Sports emerged from the successful entertainment news brand TMZ, which debuted in 2005. Recognizing the significant overlap between celebrity culture and the lives of professional athletes, TMZ founder Harvey Levin began exploring a dedicated sports vertical as early as 2009. The concept materialized in June 2013 with the launch of a branded section on the main TMZ website, quickly followed by a daily radio show in October 2013. The venture expanded into television, initially test-marketing a show in January 2014, which later aired as 'TMZ Hollywood Sports' on Reelz before rebranding to 'TMZ Sports' and moving to Fox Sports 1 (FS1) in November 2015, solidifying its broadcast presence.
A significant turning point for TMZ Sports, and the entire TMZ brand, occurred in September 2021 when Fox Entertainment acquired all TMZ properties from WarnerMedia for an estimated $50 million. This acquisition was part of AT&T's broader strategy to divest non-core media assets from WarnerMedia, which was preparing for its merger with Discovery. For Fox, the deal represented an opportunity to expand its digital footprint and integrate a proven, high-engagement content engine into its portfolio, including its ad-supported streaming service, Tubi. Harvey Levin remained at the helm, overseeing day-to-day operations and reporting to Fox Entertainment's President of Alternative Entertainment and Specials.
Under Fox's ownership, TMZ Sports has continued its distinctive approach, focusing on breaking news, exclusive interviews, and often sensational stories concerning athletes' personal lives, legal troubles, and off-field antics. The platform is known for its aggressive reporting, often catching athletes and sports figures in candid moments. This strategy has allowed it to carve out a unique niche, distinct from traditional sports journalism, by emphasizing the 'celebrity' aspect of sports stars. The content is distributed across its website, social media channels, and the daily television show on FS1.
As of August 2026, TMZ Sports remains an active and relevant entity in the sports media landscape. Its website consistently publishes new stories, with multiple updates daily, covering a range of topics from athlete arrests and personal relationships to major sporting event viewership figures and business dealings within sports. The television program on FS1 continues to air, drawing an audience of 139,000 viewers as of July 2, 2026, making it the fourth most popular show on the network at that time. The brand also maintains a strong presence on platforms like YouTube, streaming live discussions from its newsroom. Despite some online discussions in early 2026 questioning TMZ's overall relevance, its sports division continues to break news and engage its audience with its signature style, demonstrating its enduring role within the Fox Entertainment portfolio.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if TMZ Sports made different choices?