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AP Sports Digest

Posted 5/27/26

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. …

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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.

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UPCOMING

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SOF--NCAA-WCWS PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Preview of the Women’s College World Series, which opens Thursday with all teams in play: Texas, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Alabama, UCLA, Arkansas and Nebraska. By Tim Willert. Text, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--THUNDER-SPURS-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Oklahoma City needs one win to return to the NBA Finals. San Antonio needs one win to keep its season alive. Game 6 of the Western Conference finals is Thursday in San Antonio, with the Thunder leading the Spurs 3-2 after an emphatic showing in Game 5. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-CARROLL’S IMPACT

DESCRIPTION: Corbin Carroll broke his hand in spring training and went through a difficult stretch early in the season. Since then, he’s been playing some of the best baseball of his young career, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks turn around a season that had been spiraling away. By John Marshall. 600 words, photos by 2 p.m. PT.

UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Photo, Text

    1. WITH: HKN--MIDSEASON-COACH-CHANGES

      2. DESCRIPTION: The late-season move by the Vegas Golden Knights to fire coach Bruce Cassidy and bring on John Tortorella might have seemed to be out of desperation on the surface. It comes with a history of some success. The Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final and now has a chance to become the sixth team since 2000 to win the title after firing a coach during the season. By Josh Dubow. 900 words, photos.

      3. UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

    4. WITH: HKN--AVALANCHE-WHAT’S NEXT?

      5. DESCRIPTION: The Colorado Avalanche’s speed was neutralized by the Vegas Golden Knights, leading to a sweep in the Western Conference Final. Despite a strong regular season, their power play faltered. Changes could be on the horizon, possibly involving coaching or playing style. By Pat Graham. 500 words, photos.

      6. UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

    7. WITH: HKN--HURRICANES-CANADIENS

      8. DESCRIPTION: Carolina tries to take a 3-1 lead over Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final. Text, photos. 8 p.m. ET start.

      9. UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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FBN--DOLPHINS-ACHANE

DESCRIPTION: Dolphins running back De’Von Achane is fresh off a new contract extension and looking to take a new leadership role for the new-look Miami Dolphins. By Alanis Thames. UPCOMING 500 words, photos by 6 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBN--LIONS-CAMPBELL

DESCRIPTION: The Detroit Lions aim to draft, develop and re-sign players and linebacker Jack Campbell is the latest example. By Larry Lage. 400 words.

UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--NCAA WOMEN

DESCRIPTION: Stanford and Southern California, the top two teams in women’s golf, meet in the final of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at La Costa. Both programs are seeking their fourth NCAA title. 500 words.

UPCOMING: By 05/27/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN

Djokovic pushed in 4-set win amid heat wave at French Open. Rybakina beaten in big day for Ukraine

SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic was pushed by 74th-ranked Valentin Royer for more than 3½ hours before he reached the third round of the French Open with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3 victory. For the fourth straight day of this year’s tournament the temperature rose beyond 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit). This year’s Australian Open winner Elena Rybakina was beaten by Ukrainian opponent Yuliia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4). Also advancing were Ukrainians Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk who are coming off trophies at the Madrid Open and Italian Open. Four-time champion Iga Swiatek improved her career record at Roland Garros to 42-3 by eliminating 35th-ranked Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3.

WORDS: 597 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 1:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:39b3fee3867f63cba93832ac4fa6887c&mediaType=text

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US--COLLEGE SPORTS-CONGRESS

Key Sens. Cruz, Cantwell look to break college sports logjam in Congress with a bipartisan bill

SUMMARY: The senators trying to fix college sports will introduce a bipartisan bill designed to break a congressional logjam that would regulate payments to players, limit them to one “free” transfer over their careers and create a “Lane Kiffin Rule” to restrict coach movement during the season. Senators Ted Cruz, a Republican, and Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, briefed The Associated Press on details of the bill they crafted in hopes it could get the 60 votes needed to clear the Senate. They are trying to overcome more than a year of inaction in Congress, which is seeking to enshrine rules created by a lawsuit settlement that allowed players to be paid.

WORDS: 891 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 1:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b715ea4cb6ffbc302bfc3fd41b00e157&mediaType=text

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SOC--SOCCER INVESTIGATION

Federal judge drops charges against ex-Fox executive in soccer corruption prosecution

SUMMARY: A federal judge in Brooklyn has agreed to dismiss charges against a convicted former Fox executive and South American sports media company in a corruption case related to TV rights for international soccer tournaments. Judge Pamela K. Chen on Wednesday accepted U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.’s explanation that the prosecution of Hernan Lopez “doesn’t fit” the Trump administration’s prosecutorial priorities. A smiling Lopez, the former CEO of Fox International Channels, said outside federal court that he was relieved that “a case that never should have started is finally over.” Lopez and Full Play Group SA were convicted in 2023 of paying tens of millions of dollars in bribes to nab broadcasting rights to the World Cup and other top matches.

WORDS: 279 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 12:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e5ec2eef8a97b676dd4ee667977f78f0&mediaType=text

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FBN--ATHLETE-HOME BURGLARIES-ARRESTS

Argentine police arrest 2 Chileans suspected of being in a group targeting NBA and NFL stars

SUMMARY: Argentine police have arrested two Chilean citizens suspected of being part of a transnational crime gang that targeted the homes of NFL and NBA stars and other elite athletes. Argentine federal police confirmed the arrests took place at the Retiro bus station in Buenos Aires. The gang allegedly robbed the homes of prominent athletes including NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and former tennis player Juan Martín Del Potro. According to the FBI, these organized crime rings used social media to track athlete movements. The detainees are awaiting extradition proceedings requested by the United States.

WORDS: 274 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 12:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:481e4f318edf926d1c831043784aece7&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-TRAVIS KELCE

Travis Kelce joins Cleveland Guardians ownership group as a minority investor

SUMMARY: Travis Kelce is a three-time Super Bowl champion, four-time All-Pro and fiance of music superstar Taylor Swift. On Wednesday he added minority investor in the Cleveland Guardians to his resumé. The Guardians announced before their game against the Washington Nationals that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has purchased a minority share in the franchise. The Cleveland Heights native bought a small share of David Blitzer’s 35% stake. Blitzer can become the controlling owner after the 2027 season or he can wait to exercise that option later.

WORDS: 635 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 12:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:19d2c74e50b424cf4a6783aa870947b6&mediaType=text

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BKN--SPURS-WEMBANYAMA

Victor Wembanyama held to series-low 20 points, Spurs fall in Game 5 of West finals to Thunder

SUMMARY: It’s been a very simple formula for the San Antonio Spurs in these Western Conference finals. When Victor Wembanyama has been the best player on the floor, they win. When he isn’t, they lose. He wasn’t the best player on the floor Tuesday night. That was not the only reason why the Spurs fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the West finals — there were many — but it was certainly among them. Wembanyama, who has had 41-point and 33-point outings in winning efforts during the series, never seemed to get fully rolling and the Spurs lost 127-114.

WORDS: 580 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 11:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3813008da7ea09e4f203e03a0ac0d942&mediaType=text

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OLY--IOC-SPORTS PROGRAM

IOC president Kirsty Coventry says sports cut from 2032 Brisbane Games could return in future

SUMMARY: IOC president Kirsty Coventry says sports and medal events cut from the 2032 Brisbane Olympics program will have a path to return at future Summer Games. Coventry gave the reassurance at the annual meeting of Summer Games sports bodies known as ASOIF. She had warned in February of “uncomfortable” talks ahead to make future Olympic hosting more efficient. The International Olympic Committee aims to soon finalize the list of sports on the Brisbane program. Coventry previously told sports leaders there will be fewer than the 36 sports being played at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

WORDS: 786 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 11:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3421b7f188637fcfacee9c69e1d6b645&mediaType=text

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SOC—WCUP-PLAYERS TO WATCH

10 players to watch at the World Cup

WORDS: 1186 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 10:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3736db3b8d066a81bf358d8fad867b94&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-CURACAO’S TIME

The Blue Wave from tiny Curaçao is making World Cup history

SUMMARY: Curaçao has already crafted a story like none other in World Cup history. The tiny autonomous territory of about 156,000 residents is now the smallest, both in terms of population and land mass, to make it to soccer’s biggest stage. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s doing so under a coach in Dick Advocaat who, at 78, is about to become the oldest the tournament has ever seen. They know what the world is probably thinking: Their country is too small, their coach is too old, they don’t have a chance. They heard all that through the qualifying process as well — and here they are.

WORDS: 1514 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 9:03 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6059bef0da4be024190d524f50494ffd&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-TRANSIT

World Cup transit sticker shock hits fans with tickets to matches in some US host cities

SUMMARY: Fans heading to the World Cup in the U.S. are facing a new source of sticker shock: mass transit. In New Jersey and Massachusetts, some train fares tied to matches will cost fans far more than normal NFL gameday trips. That is drawing criticism from international fans used to free transit at past World Cups. Some supporters are now organizing their own transportation to the stadiums. A group of Scottish fans booked school buses to Scotland matches near Boston for about half the official price. Transit experts say the high costs could further hurt the United States’ image with foreign visitors.

WORDS: 1279 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 8:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f66d51bf1ed1de1bf568ac4fd319b8f8&mediaType=text

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AS--NEPAL-EVEREST-CHALLENGES

Climbers meet in Nepal to discuss the challenges of scaling Mount Everest

SUMMARY: Climbers and officials have met in Kathmandu to discuss the risks of scaling Mount Everest. The meeting comes during a record-breaking season with hundreds of climbers and Sherpa guides reaching the summit. Nepal issued a record 494 permits, with over 900 climbers believed to have reached the top. A Sherpa warned that the numbers are creating problems. Photos show long lines of climbers waiting to reach the summit. Keeping the mountain clean is a challenge, with strict rules often ignored. The Nepal government is considering new regulations requiring climbers to have experience before receiving permits.

WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 7:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4402a8782162e31a27d0b51dfec4276f&mediaType=text

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SOC--CELTIC-SCHMEICHEL

Denmark and former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel retiring because of shoulder injury

SUMMARY: Denmark and Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who was part of the Premier League-winning team with Leicester in 2016 in one of soccer’s biggest shocks, has announced his retirement from soccer because of a serious shoulder injury. Schmeichel said in an interview with TV2 in Denmark broadcast Wednesday that “this is the right time now to announce that I have played my last professional football match.” The 39-year-old Schmeichel has been sidelined since February. Schmeichel, who is the son of Manchester United goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel, revealed in March he required two surgeries but that he wanted to try to salvage his career.

WORDS: 229 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 6:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:75a5fe114437aec9ca350b43929d2a82&mediaType=text

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US--TRUMP-UFC

UFC fighting cage rises on White House lawn for bout celebrating America’s 250th anniversary

SUMMARY: Crews are busy building a temporary octagon-shaped cage on the White House South Lawn for a UFC bout. This event is meant to help mark the nation’s 250th anniversary and falls on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. Online renderings show the fight space ringed by a red, white, and blue stage beneath an arch with stars-and-stripes patterns. The cage will be surrounded by 5,000 seats, with additional large screens nearby broadcasting the fight. Trump says demand for tickets is high. This project is part of Trump’s broader White House renovations, including a new patio, Presidential Walk of Fame and a ballroom.

WORDS: 481 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 6:39 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4fa60d8e0cd34448b55f34f41b18c116&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-THE HUNT LEGACY-ABRIDGED

Lamar Hunt’s legacy: World Cup adventures with sons Clark and Dan, and the foundation of US soccer

SUMMARY: The late businessman Lamar Hunt was instrumental in bringing professional soccer to the U.S., founding the North American Soccer League and later Major League Soccer. He played a key role in the 1994 World Cup organization. Now, his sons Clark and Dan continue his legacy, organizing matches for the upcoming World Cup in Kansas City and Dallas. They believe their father would be thrilled with the progress.

WORDS: 1025 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 6:11 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce65fbdbc21492bb0ddb14c2da08ec7c&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-THE HUNT LEGACY

The US is a two-time World Cup host. Without Lamar Hunt, it is likely neither would have happened

SUMMARY: Clark and Dan Hunt share fond memories of their late father, Lamar Hunt, beyond their World Cup adventures. Lamar Hunt’s passion for soccer helped shape the sport in the U.S. He invested in the North American Soccer League and later helped found Major League Soccer, crucial for hosting the 1994 World Cup. The Hunt brothers now have leading roles in the NFL and MLS, and are also helping Kansas City and Dallas host World Cup matches, fulfilling Lamar Hunt’s dream.

WORDS: 1805 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4c0c5deae5a1741cdb5345202f8581a4&mediaType=text

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HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-ADVANCE

Shades of the 2023 Stanley Cup team: Golden Knights win with depth scoring, defense and goaltending

SUMMARY: The Vegas Golden Knights have made it to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in nine seasons, solidifying their status as a top expansion franchise in North American sports. They defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Tuesday night, completing a sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy winners. This year’s team, like the 2023 squad, has relied on depth scoring and strong defense. Coach John Tortorella praised the contributions from the third and fourth lines. Goalie Carter Hart has been outstanding, with a 12-4 record and a .924 save percentage in the playoffs.

WORDS: 615 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6ee7dce84d2033274f655ea7854336ed&mediaType=text

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SOC--CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL

Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano fans clash in Leipzig ahead of Conference League final

SUMMARY: German police say supporters of Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano have clashed in Leipzig as their teams prepare to play in the Conference League final. Police say bottles, beer glasses and furniture were thrown Tuesday evening when a group of around 300 Rayo fans encountered Palace fans who were sitting outside restaurants. Police also intervened in another incident when around 60 Palace fans “provoked” Spanish supporters. Two people were detained. A win for Palace would keep English clubs on track for a potential sweep of all three main European men’s club continental competitions.

WORDS: 188 - MOVED: 05/27/2026 3:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a1a0da4db7eb8f137907a8dc7807be5b&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN

Play continues at the French Open.

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BKN--NBA POSTSEASON COVERAGE

Coverage of the NBA postseason.

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HKN--NHL POSTSEASON COVERAGE

Coverage of the NHL postseason

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