The sporting world of TMZ: It’s not just for Hollywood anymore

The celebrity gossip site has expanded its reach by taking down some big names in sports.

DONALD STERLING, EX-OWNER, L.A. CLIPPERS

TMZ scoop: In April, it posted audio recordings of Sterling’s racially charged diatribe to his girlfriend V. Stiviano.

Impact: The uproar was strong and immediate. The National Basketball Association forced Sterling to sell the team.

TIGERWOODS, PRO GOLFER

TMZ scoop: The website broke many of the stories of the golfer’s extramarital affairs.

Impact: Those revelations significantly damaged Woods’ public image, which has never quite recovered.

JAMEIS WINSTON, QUARTERBACK, FSU

TMZ scoop: It broke the 2013 story that the Heisman Trophy candidate was being investigated for sexual assault of a fellow student.

Impact: Prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges; the university is still investigating whether he violated the student code of conduct.

RAY RICE, RUNNING BACK, BALTIMORE RAVENS

TMZ scoop: On Monday, it posted a video of the football star knocking out his fiancee in an Atlantic City elevator.

Impact: The video amplified the fury over Rice’s two-game suspension in the domestic-abuse case. The Ravens released him that day, and the NFL suspended him indefinitely. The reverberations continued through the week.