KIM KARDASHIAN may have found a new athlete to grind up against.  There's a rumor going around that Kim has been secretly hooking up with New York Jets quarterback MARK SANCHEZ.

--Sources say she first started hitting that BEFORE she dated KRIS HUMPHRIES.  And they've been back at it since that relationship ended.

--One source says, quote, "Kim and Mark like to meet in hotels for dinner dates and flings.  Whenever Kim is in New York, they hang out.  They are very careful with not being seen together, Mark is seeing someone!"

SNOOKI has denied reports that she's pregnant.

--In a radio interview yesterday . . . (--On "The Opie and Anthony Show") . . . Snooki said, quote, "No . . . does that mean they're calling me fat?  I just lost all this weight.  That means that I have a belly then . . . I never said once I was pregnant."

--"Star" magazine and RadarOnline.com started the rumor. 

--A so-called "insider" told them, quote, "She's pregnant and has only told her closest friends and some family . . . she's been telling people that she has a big announcement coming."

--The source added that the pregnancy has forced producers to shift the "creative direction" of Snooki and JWOWW'S upcoming "Jersey Shore" spin-off.

The rumors were true:  Yesterday, PAULA ABDUL released a statement confirming that SIMON COWELL dropped her from "X Factor".

--She said, quote, "I won't be returning to 'The X Factor' next season.  I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations.

--"Simon and I have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation.  Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I've treasured my experience working [on the show] this past season.

--"I want nothing more than for 'The X Factor' to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams.  This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful."

--Simon later released a statement on this so-called "bloodbath," which included the dismissal of host STEVE JONES and judgeNICOLE SCHERZINGER.  But Simon gave Paula some extra lovin'.

--He said, quote, "I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of 'The X Factor' last year.  We had a lot of fun making the show together and importantly, we found some real talent and stars.

--"You do develop friendships with the people you work with . . . and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future."

MILEY CYRUS went out to lunch with boyfriend LIAM HEMSWORTH on Sunday . . . and it looked like she was wearing an ENGAGEMENT RING.  She was also wearing MOM JEANS.  (--Check out the pics here.)  (Idolator)