peel back effect

AP Sports Digest

Posted 2/3/26

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. …

delmar logo

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $14.99 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

AP Sports Digest

Posted

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

FBN--SUPER BOWL

FORMATS: Text, Video, Photo

    1. WITH: FBN--PRO BOWL

      2. DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO — The players selected for this year’s Pro Bowl all-star festivities face off in skills challenges, including a flag football game.

      3. UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 8:00 p.m. EST

    4. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-SEAHAWKS-MACDONALD DEFENSE

      5. DESCRIPTION: The Seattle Seahawks have embodied the no-nonsense, workmanlike mindset of coach Mike Macdonald in his second year at the helm. The Seahawks’ defense has been a textbook extension of Macdonald, who is just one win away from becoming the first head coach to win a Super Bowl as the primary defensive play caller for his team. Lots of coaches have done so while calling plays on offense, but few on defense. By Andrew Destin. 650 words, photos.

      6. UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

    7. WITH: FBN-SUPER BOWL-POLITICS

      8. DESCRIPTION: The NFL faces pressure to take a stance against the Trump administration’s immigration policies ahead of the Super Bowl. Over 184,000 people have signed a petition urging the league to denounce Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s potential presence at the game. The liberal group MoveOn plans to deliver the petition to the NFL’s New York City headquarters on Tuesday. Bad Bunny, the halftime show’s headliner, is expected to address the moment. The Grammy-winning artist has criticized President Donald Trump on various issues. Trump has said he doesn’t plan to attend this year’s game and has derided Bad Bunny as a “terrible choice.”

      9. SENT: By 02/03/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

    10. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-PATRIOTS-THE VRABEL WAY

      11. DESCRIPTION: SANTA CLARA, Calif. The “Do your job” approach Bill Belichick cultivated during his two-decade run with the Patriots produced six Super Bowl wins, but wasn’t it the most pleasant atmosphere to play in. But Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots player under Belichick, has brought fun back to Patriots locker room in his first season. He’s instituted little things that shine the spotlight on his players like game-specific captains, individual player introductions and racing to the locker room to hug every player after wins or losses. It extends into the locker room with spotlight “one clap” acknowledgements to multiple players in addition to traditional game balls. In short, he’s made is first season in New England about imploring his team to enjoy winning — and experiencing it with teammates whose backgrounds they know and can appreciate. By Kyle Hightower. 800 words, photos.

      12. UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

    13. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-DARNOLD

      14. DESCRIPTION: Sam Darnold’s career had bottomed out when he arrived in San Francisco in 2023. A year under coach Kyle Shanahan as Brock Purdy’s backup helped revive Darnold’s path and now he returns to Levi’s Stadium to start the Super Bowl. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 700 words, photos.

      15. UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

___

BKN--ALL-STAR ROSTERS

FORMATS: Photo, Text

    16. WITH: BKN--ALL-STAR ROSTERS

      17. DESCRIPTION: The NBA will unveil its U.S. and World team rosters for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, detailing how the 24 selections will be split up for the mini-tournament on Feb. 15. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. 500 words, photos.

      18. UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 7:30 p.m. EST

___

OLY--US-MINNESOTA STRONG

DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Winter Olympic teams have long had a strong Minnesota showing, with the North Star State’s rich history on the ice a major influence, and this year is no exception. Many of the 26 athletes hailing from Minnesota going to the Milano Cortina Games are carrying more than local pride this time, with both heaviness and inspiration from the federal immigration crackdown that has roiled and riled up the state. By Martha Bellisle and Dave Campbell. 730 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 3:00 p.m. EST, Text, Video, Photo

___

FBN--BROWNS-MONKEN

DESCRIPTION: Todd Monken will be introduced as the Cleveland Browns’ new head coach during a news conference. By Joe Reedy. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

FBN--CARDINALS-LAFLEUR

DESCRIPTION: The Arizona Cardinals introduce new head coach Mike LaFleur on Tuesday at the team’s practice facility. LaFleur was the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator the past three seasons. By David Brandt. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

SOC--ITALIAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Bologna hosts AC Milan in the Italian league.

UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

SOC--FRENCH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Marseille hosts Rennes in the last 16 round of the French Cup, with Reims up against Le Mans.

UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Arsenal protects a 3-2 lead heading into a home second leg against Chelsea in the English League Cup semifinals. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 400 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/03/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

OLY--SKI-VONN INJURED

Lindsey Vonn is ‘confident’ she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee

SUMMARY: Lindsey Vonn is “confident” she can compete at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite the left knee injury she sustained in a crash four days ago. Vonn says she “completely ruptured” her ACL, has bone bruising “plus meniscal damage.” She’s had three days of physical therapy and consultations with doctors. Vonn has been skiing with a brace on her knee. She says, “It feels stable, it feels strong.” She is “confident” to race. Vonn crashed in a downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday and ended up in the safety nets.

WORDS: 972 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 1:29 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bdb3be60608cc894af5f2c0c5a54dea1&mediaType=text

___

OLY--LA OLYMPICS-VISA CONCERNS

Olympic officials from Africa quiz 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games leaders on visa concerns

SUMMARY: Olympic officials from Africa have taken their concerns about a visa program for entering the United States to leaders of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. International Olympic Committee members from Ethiopia and Djibouti quizzed the LA organizing team about how fans and visitors would get “equal access” to the U.S. in 2 ½ years’ time. The Trump administration has imposed a travel ban or limits on entry to people from dozens of countries including Zimbabwe, which is the home of IOC President Kirsty Coventry. The U.S. government has promised exemptions for athletes for major sports events but not fans.

WORDS: 652 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 1:26 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ef3c890a6e2cc2871f920e115e14f811&mediaType=text

___

GLF--LIV-RANKING

LIV Golf to get world ranking points for the first time. Only the top 10 players get them

SUMMARY: LIV Golf is finally getting world ranking points. The Official World Golf Ranking board has approved the Saudi-backed league to start getting points for the first time since it launched in 2022. The unanimous decision means LIV players will get points starting this week with the season opener in Saudi Arabia. But the decision comes with some conditions. Only the top 10 finishers and ties at each event will get points. That’s different from other tours where everyone gets points in full fields and only the bottom finishers get left out in short fields. LIV has 57 players.

WORDS: 913 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 1:19 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a95a50aaa2f0a854d3ad1f1405fcba01&mediaType=text

___

OLY--FIG-MINIONS MUSIC

Minions music leads to nightmare for Olympic skater while putting a spotlight on a yearslong problem

SUMMARY: Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate faces a major challenge just days before the Milano Cortina Olympics. He revealed on social media that he can’t use his short program music, a medley from the Minions film, due to copyright issues. Sabate said Monday that he will now have to revert to an older program. This situation highlights ongoing struggles with music rights in figure skating. The International Skating Union relaxed rules in 2014 to allow lyrics, but modern music often isn’t public domain. Skaters must navigate a complex process to clear music, leading to confusion and frustration.

WORDS: 907 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 10:57 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3b45bb7397c06b4979aeb09e824168b&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR PREVIEW

Denny Hamlin’s rollercoaster offseason: Lawsuit win, father’s death, and a return to racing

SUMMARY: Denny Hamlin is gearing up for the upcoming NASCAR season, which unofficially begins with The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina. Hamlin’s offseason has been tumultuous. He lost the Cup Series championship in November and faced a federal antitrust trial in December. The trial involved his team, 23XI Racing, and resulted in a settlement with NASCAR. Tragically, Hamlin’s father passed away in a house fire in late December. Despite these challenges, Hamlin, the oldest full-time driver in the Cup Series, is committed to racing. The season officially starts with the Daytona 500 on February 15.

WORDS: 1171 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 10:23 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:490022e9fe82dd2217040f3c9181fb4c&mediaType=text

___

GLF--ON THE FRINGE-KOEPKA

Brooks Koepka gets a warm reception in PGA Tour return. It might have been about more than him

SUMMARY: Brooks Koepka was grateful and relieved to get such a warm reception in his return to the PGA Tour after four years chasing Saudi riches on LIV Golf. Strange about that vibe at Torrey Pines is that Koepka was never this beloved even before he left for LIV. He was more admired for his five majors than he was adored. Perhaps it was summed up by a voice in the stands during the opening round. The spectator welcomed him back and said the PGA Tour was better with him. More than a major champion, Koepka perhaps was viewed as a symbol of moving past the disruption.

WORDS: 1040 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 9:44 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2b823396959f10a0a22672d43d48b800&mediaType=text

___

OLY--SBD-GERARD’S FAMILY

Red Gerard’s family returns to Winter Olympics with double the support

SUMMARY: Red Gerard’s family will return to the Winter Olympics to cheer him on. This year doubling the size of those that traveled to support him at PyeongChang. Having missed the 2022 Winter Olympics due to COVID restrictions, Gerard’s family is coming to this year’s game in full force with over 40 friends and family members coming to cheer him on as he vies for gold.

WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 9:35 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:54e56b9248a0df2e6ec3af44e41da587&mediaType=text

___

OLY--US-FLAGBEARERS

Speedskater Erin Jackson, bobsledder Frank Del Duca picked as US flagbearers for Winter Olympics

SUMMARY: Speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca have been chosen as the U.S. flagbearers for the Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. Jackson is the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Del Duca, a sergeant in the Army, is the first bobsledder in 70 years to carry the flag. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the names on Tuesday. Del Duca, with deep Italian roots, finds the opportunity especially meaningful as the games are in Italy. The opening ceremony will be unique, with events spread across several Italian cities.

WORDS: 625 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 8:47 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:979f5378681e4fbe98297b02d695262d&mediaType=text

___

BKN--AROUND THE NBA

As the trade deadline nears, a history-based look at how this NBA season may end

WORDS: 746 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b1021ca5d7d8a923b81d55bca95106fb&mediaType=text

___

FBN--SUPER BOWL-ROLE PLAYERS

Unheralded players who could make a big impact in the Super Bowl

SUMMARY: The Super Bowl often highlights star players, but lesser-known athletes can make a big impact. Milton Williams helped the Eagles win last year, leading to a contract with New England. Kansas City relied on unsung heroes in previous victories. This Sunday, New England’s Mack Hollins and Seattle’s Drake Thomas could shine. Hollins has been a reliable receiver, while Thomas is a key defensive player. New England’s Craig Woodson and Seattle’s Michael Dickson also have potential to influence the game. New England’s Khyiris Tonga and Seattle’s George Holani might play crucial roles as well.

WORDS: 752 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2dfe8f0d4e1aa638b4289f6b1c5b60ea&mediaType=text

___

TEN--ATP-WTA-RANKINGS

Sabalenka stays top-ranked on women’s tour despite loss, Djokovic up to third on men’s tour

SUMMARY: Carlos Alcaraz completed a career Grand Slam of singles victories with his Australian Open title, but there was some solace for the man he defeated, 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic. While Alcaraz maintained his No. 1 ranking on the ATP tour ahead of Jannik Sinner, Djokovic, who beat Sinner in the semifinals at Melbourne Park, moved up one place to No. 3. It is the first time the 38-year-old Djokovic has been inside the top three since August 2024. On the WTA Tour, Aryna Sabalenka maintained her top ranking despite her loss in the final to Elena Rybakina.

WORDS: 228 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 1:49 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c8358baefb1a73bf7b58c437d9044153&mediaType=text

___

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

FBN--NFL-INTERNATIONAL

The NFL has shown no signs of slowing down on its international push. A game in Melbourne next season is part of a multi-year commitment and represents a new frontier for the NFL’s aggressive international plan. The league has never staged a regular-season game so far from home, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has already said Asia will follow “shortly thereafter.” Ahead of the Super Bowl, the league announced Paris as a new host, too. By Ken Maguire.

___

FBN--SUPER BOWL-PRO PICKS

AP picks the winner of Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, a rematch of the 2015 title game won by the Pats. The Seahawks have been installed as early favorites. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

___

FBN--SUPER BOWL-INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Drake Maye and Sam Darnold came into the NFL in similar fashion as No. 3 overall picks tasked with being franchise quarterbacks for struggling franchises. Their path to the Super Bowl couldn’t be much different with Maye looking to be the rare high pick to win it all with his original team, while Darnold tries to become the first QB to win it all after playing for four others franchises. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow.

___

OLY--HKO-ARENA CONSTRUCTION

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman voiced concern for years about the slow pace of construction on the main hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Olympics. It went down to the wire, with a new scoreboard installed just a week before the puck drops on the women’s tournament on Thursday. By Stephen Whyno, Daniella Matar and John Wawrow.

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X