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

——————————

GLF--ON THE FRINGE-US OPEN

DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Open likes to boast of being the most open of four majors, and that much remains true. But the biggest day for qualifying had some of the smallest fields and the fewest amount of qualifying spots available. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 800 words, photos. With Golf Notes and Golf Glance.

UPCOMING: By 06/09/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

FBN--49ERS-MCCAFFREY

DESCRIPTION: It seems like the only person around the San Francisco 49ers not worried about the heavy workload All-Pro Christian McCaffrey handled last season is McCaffrey himself. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/09/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BBO--MLB-HITTING-IN-30S

DESCRIPTION: It’s a tough time to be a veteran MLB hitter. Only a handful of players who have hit the age of 35 are having success in the big leagues this season, including Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Christian Walker. There are several reasons for the trend, including a move toward younger players that’s been driven by analytics. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 1,000 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/09/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BKN--NBA FINALS

FORMATS: Text, Photo

1. WITH: BKN--NBA FINALS

2. DESCRIPTION: The last time the New York Knicks lost, they didn’t do it again for another month and a half. Now they have to show how they can respond again in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, after the San Antonio Spurs cut their lead to 2-1. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. Text, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 06/09/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN--NBA FINALS-UNDAUNTED SPURS

5. DESCRIPTION: Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs thrived in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden and are undaunted by the hostile environment and the series deficit they face against the New York Knicks. They get the chance to even things up in Game 4 on Wednesday night, with another intense crowd of nearly 20,000 fans trying to will their team to the verge of its first championship since 1973. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

6. UPCOMING: By 06/09/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

___

HKN--STANLEY CUP

DESCRIPTION: The Vegas Golden Knights take a 2-1 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes into Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. By Mark Anderson. Text, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m. Eastern.

UPCOMING: By 06/09/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

TEN--SERENA WILLIAMS COMEBACK

Serena returns: Williams begins her comeback in doubles at Queen’s Club

SUMMARY: Serena Williams is back on a professional tennis court. The 44-year-old Williams was given a standing ovation as she walked onto the grass court at Queen’s Club for her first-round doubles match together with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko. They were playing third-seeded duo Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in Williams’ first professional match in nearly four years, after the American last week announced her return to doubles. Williams immediately received the loudest ovation of the day at the Andy Murray Arena, even from a crowd that had earlier watched British players Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter secure wins in the singles tournament at the HSBC Championships.

WORDS: 360 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 1:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4267d4ff546e0ab929418e6d1c7f83d1&mediaType=text

___

FBN--BROWNS-BITONIO RETIRES

Joel Bitonio announces retirement after 12 seasons, all with the Cleveland Browns

SUMMARY: Joel Bitonio has announced his retirement after 12 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The offensive guard played his entire career in Cleveland after he was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. Bitonio said in a statement released through the team that he was fairly confident he was going to retire at the end of last season. However, he was still coming into the team facility during the offseason to rehab from injuries. Bitonio started all 17 games last season and played 1,027 offensive snaps. His 178 games are ninth in franchise history. Bitonio was a two-time All-Pro pick and selected seven times for the Pro Bowl.

WORDS: 714 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 1:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0c40ec55d65a2aadae315abe67720f2e&mediaType=text

___

FBN--RAMS-JACKSON ARRESTED

LA Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson has been arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence

SUMMARY: Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson has been arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The Los Angeles Police Department says Jackson was arrested at his home in the San Fernando Valley after a dispute with a woman. He allegedly attempted to take a phone away from the woman when he thought he was being recorded, and the woman had scratches on her arm. Jackson has been the Rams’ starting left tackle for the past three seasons. The former undrafted free agent re-signed with the Rams on a three-year, $57 million deal in February 2025.

WORDS: 315 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 1:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a0c12d29874e3908231caab579ea17a&mediaType=text

___

US--WCUP-HOMELESSNESS

Some host cities are aiming to house, not arrest, homeless people ahead of the World Cup

SUMMARY: The World Cup is offering the 16 host cities a chance to take action against one of the biggest problems they face — homelessness. Some, like Atlanta and Dallas, have embarked on ambitious plans to house people living on their downtown streets. But a survey by The Associated Press found most host cities are relying on existing services — without any fresh funding — to address homelessness. Advocates worry some cities will rely on a strategy of temporarily removing the homeless from areas where fans gather and games are played, rather than providing them with long-term housing. Such tactics have been seen in the past at large sports and political events worldwide.

WORDS: 2076 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 1:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:503d6dd10b274ab1bc5e63782d5e6f0e&mediaType=text

___

US--TRUMP-UFC-WHITE HOUSE-HISTORY

From tennis to T-ball, the White House’s South Lawn is no stranger to sports. But not like the UFC

SUMMARY: The White House’s South Lawn has hosted many sports over the decades but never a UFC fight like the one President Donald Trump is organizing for his 80th birthday. The lawn is known for low-contact sports like T-ball and putting and joyful events geared toward children or bipartisanship. Now the lawn features an octagon cage and arena seating for upward of 5,000 people. This marks a shift from past presidential sports traditions. Teddy Roosevelt introduced sports to the White House with a tennis court in the early 1900s. Other presidents added their own sports facilities. Trump’s love for UFC reflects his cage match approach to politics and his connection with UFC chief Dana White.

WORDS: 1274 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 12:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f6fa24c5e972349a4721bda7a29f8077&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-IRAN-TICKETS

Iran soccer body claims fans’ tickets for World Cup games in the US have been revoked

SUMMARY: The Iranian soccer federation claims FIFA has revoked its ticket allocation for fans at the team’s three World Cup games in the United States. Each federation for the 48 teams taking part is entitled to receive and distribute 8% of stadium capacity for each of its games at the World Cup. That’s several thousands of tickets. Iran opens its World Cup on June 15 in Inglewood near Los Angeles against New Zealand. The federation claims in reports by semi-official state media it’s now unable to provide any tickets to its supporters. It adds to turmoil between Iranian soccer, FIFA and tournament co-host the U.S.

WORDS: 831 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 12:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:33e5b6dcffa104896007f146357ec9ae&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-REF DENIED ENTRY

World Cup ref denied entry to the US was about to make history for Somalia

SUMMARY: The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently dropped from the tournament by FIFA had been set to make history for his country. Omar Artan was due to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at the World Cup. He is one of Africa’s top referees. U.S. Customs and Border Protection say in a statement he was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over “vetting concerns.” It didn’t give details of those concerns. Somalia was one of the countries subjected to new travel restrictions last year under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.

WORDS: 897 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 10:54 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:04dc046d9807582d5b69e0149181e5f1&mediaType=text

___

FBC--TEXAS TECH-SORSBY-WHAT TO KNOW

Why is Brendan Sorsby still eligible after gambling? What to know after QB wins injunction vs. NCAA

SUMMARY: Texas Tech transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby has won a temporary injunction against the NCAA. He is still eligible to play after he acknowledging thousands of impermissible bets. Some were on his own team when he was a freshman at Indiana. That order Monday from a judge in Texas sent shockwaves through college sports since one of the NCAA’s foundational rules is the ability to ban players for gambling. The NCAA has twice denied Texas Tech’s petition to have Sorsby’s eligibility restored. Now the organization is appealing the injunction that came after the quarterback filed a lawsuit.

WORDS: 865 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 9:24 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3e5e3fb81781864f45e1680bcc2a9e3&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP PREVIEW

From Trump to Messi, Iran to ICE, politics and sport collide at the biggest World Cup in history

WORDS: 1139 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 5:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf00c59942083a7e787c0a67335fc8d8&mediaType=text

___

BKN--NBA MOCK DRAFT

AP’s NBA mock draft: BYU’s Dybantsa is No. 1 ahead of Kansas’ Peterson, Duke’s Boozer, UNC’s Wilson

SUMMARY: AJ Dybantsa is at the NBA Finals this week, working in a media role as a player correspondent. Perhaps he can get the Washington Wizards there one day. The freshman forward from BYU remains the player atop AP’s second mock draft, with the Wizards set to make the No. 1 pick on June 23. He’s joined in the top tier of one-and-done prospects by Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. Michigan is poised to have three Wolverines taken in the first round after winning its first NCAA title since 1989.

WORDS: 2570 - MOVED: 06/09/2026 4:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:22b3192d01498b3f563e74622fc5c5f4&mediaType=text

___

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

BKN--NBA POSTSEASON COVERAGE

Coverage of the NBA postseason.

___

HKN--NHL POSTSEASON COVERAGE

Coverage of the NHL postseason.

___

MMA--UFC-WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON -- UFC week at the White House kicks off with a media day.