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.
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UPCOMING
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GLF--ST JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: Scottie Scheffler and the rest of the PGA Tour’s top players begin the postseason at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The ultimate goal is to be among the 30 to reach the finale. The immediate goal for Jordan Spieth and so many others is advance to next week. 800 words.
UPCOMING: By 08/12/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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ATH--EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
DESCRIPTION: Day 3 of the European championships in Birmingham. 300 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/12/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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SOC--UEFA SUPER CUP
DESCRIPTION: UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. 400 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/12/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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BBO--FIELD OF DREAMS RETURNS
DESCRIPTION: Major League Baseball returns to the Field of Dreams movie site in Iowa for a regular season game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Minnesota Twins. By Dave Campbell. 800 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/12/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT
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SWM--PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
DESCRIPTION: The Pan Pacific Championships begin in the pool with U.S. stars Katie Ledecky and Gretchen Walsh and Summer McIntosh of Canada competing. By Beth Harris. 500 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/12/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--LEAGUES-CUP-LEON-MIAMI
FORMATS: Text, Photo
1. WITH: SOC--LEAGUES-CUP-LEON-MIAMI
2. DESCRIPTION: Inter Miami faces Club León in a must-win Leagues Cup match with its tournament hopes hanging by a thread and Lionel Messi’s status unclear after he missed Saturday’s loss to Monterrey following the death of his father. By Alanis Thames. Text, photos. Match starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
3. UPCOMING: By 08/12/2026 10:30 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: SOC--MESSI-TRIBUTE
5. DESCRIPTION: Lionel Messi shared a tribute to his late father, Jorge, on social media on Wednesday, opening up about how difficult it was to lead Argentina to the World Cup final and expressing uncertainty about whether he will continue playing soccer.
6. SENT: By 08/12/2026 10:30 p.m. EDT
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKN--LAKERS-SALE
A blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agree to buy the Lakers, AP source says
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold for the second time in a year, going to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking price. This sale agreement is $12.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because neither side revealed specific details. ESPN first reported Wednesday that Kushner and Iger are buying the NBA’s most valuable franchise. The businessmen had been involved in trying to get an expansion team for Las Vegas. By buying the Lakers, Iger and Kushner simply don’t have to wait for that decision. Expansion might not take place until the 2028-29 season.
WORDS: 1142 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 1:37 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d5058bb845d87873e23e270a6bb9be9f&mediaType=text
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CAR--INDYCAR-SCHEDULE
St. Petersburg again, then Phoenix and Arlington: IndyCar’s 2027 opening stretch
SUMMARY: IndyCar announced Wednesday that the racing series will start its 2027 season March 7 on the streets of St. Petersburg. The series released the locations and dates for the first eight races of the upcoming season. This will be the 17th time IndyCar has started a season at St. Petersburg. Then IndyCar goes to Phoenix Raceway on March 13 and Arlington on March 21. This will be the second straight year the season starts with races on three consecutive weekends. The April races are at Barber Motorsports Park and Long Beach. Then it’s off to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May for the road course race and the 111th Indianapolis 500.
WORDS: 268 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 12:16 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f41931578b4b975334f738c75b3507d7&mediaType=text
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FBN--STEELERS-A PAIR OF HOMECOMINGS
Mike McCarthy and Eli Heidenreich’s Pittsburgh homecomings get real as preseason begins
SUMMARY: Mike McCarthy and Eli Heidenreich will take the final steps of their homecoming journey when the two Pittsburgh natives take the field as the Steelers host Green Bay in the preseason opener. The Steelers hired McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin in January. The club selected Heidenreich in the draft after a record-setting career at the Naval Academy. Both say they will take a minute to soak in the moment when they step on the Acrisure Stadium turf. After that, however, it will be down to business. Heidenreich hopes to make an impact on special teams, while McCarthy will use the game as a progress report on his first training camp.
WORDS: 865 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 12:09 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b15fc90225e6c17a59bf596747006ac0&mediaType=text
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BKN--NBA SCHEDULE
The Knicks will also open their NBA Cup title defense against LeBron James and the 76ers
SUMMARY: The New York Knicks are going to open both of their title defenses against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers. The league announced Wednesday that the Knicks will travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Oct. 30 on the opening night of NBA Cup games. The teams are already scheduled to meet in the Oct. 20 season opener at Madison Square Garden, when James plays his first game since signing with the 76ers last month. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in the title game last year, then became the first NBA Cup champions to refuse to hang a banner to acknowledge the achievement.
WORDS: 297 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 11:56 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ead1eb2182b9c3d24d0ed98cc2d13356&mediaType=text
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SOC--MESSI-TRIBUTE
Lionel Messi shares tribute to late father Jorge, expresses doubts about continuing to play soccer
SUMMARY: Lionel Messi has shared a tribute to his late father, Jorge, on social media, opening up about how difficult it was to lead Argentina to the World Cup final and expressing uncertainty about whether he will continue playing soccer. Jorge Messi played a fundamental role in the soccer star’s career, serving as his agent and managing his business affairs. He died Saturday at the age of 68. Lionel Messi led Argentina to the World Cup final and said in the post he wanted to win it for his father. He missed Inter Miami’s recent match. It isn’t clear when he will rejoin the team.
WORDS: 366 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 11:37 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:97fb8bfd2d8cc669842a32205397eb0a&mediaType=text
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CAR--F1-CADILLAC-BUDKOWSKI
Cadillac replaces team principal Graeme Lowdon a week before F1 season resumes
SUMMARY: Formula 1’s newest outfit Cadillac has replaced its first team principal Graeme Lowdon with former Alpine director Marcin Budkowski. Cadillac says the move is part of a “planned leadership transition as the organization evolves from its initial build phase into the next stage of racing performance.” It comes a week before the F1 season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix after the mid-season break.
WORDS: 194 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 10:47 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:574e027ed014e662f5307bd34b4b262e&mediaType=text
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FBN--NFL-DIAGNOSING CTE
Former NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck part of latest CTE frontier — diagnosing brain disease in the living
SUMMARY: Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has participated in a study at Boston University to find ways to diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy in living individuals. The degenerative brain disease linked to head trauma currently can only be diagnosed after death. Hasselbeck, who played in the NFL for 17 years, hopes his involvement will aid researchers in finding ways to diagnose CTE accurately. Michael Alosco leads the study, which seeks participants who played football or have Alzheimer’s disease. The research aims to distinguish CTE from Alzheimer’s and develop diagnostic markers. Hasselbeck’s participation highlights changing attitudes towards head injuries in football.
WORDS: 1394 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 9:15 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:38d51e4b84ac01c022dccbd483b69397&mediaType=text
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FBC--PICK SIX-CRITICAL GAMES
6 must-watch matchups that could play key role in setting the 2026 College Football Playoff field
SUMMARY: The road to the 2026 College Football Playoff could hinge on several key games. Ohio State faces Texas on September 12, with both teams looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025. LSU meets Ole Miss on September 19 in a high-stakes SEC clash. Georgia and Alabama, the SEC powerhouses, battle on October 10 in Tuscaloosa. Indiana, the reigning national champion, hosts Ohio State on October 17. Miami visits Notre Dame on November 7, with both teams seeking playoff spots. BYU and Utah’s Holy War on November 7 could impact the Big 12 race. These games promise to shape the playoff picture.
WORDS: 820 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:568216577b5f75115a12669b73fcbeb6&mediaType=text
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BKO--HALL OF FAME-CRAWFORD
Joey Crawford knew as a kid he wanted to be a referee, and it led him to the Basketball Hall of Fame
SUMMARY: Joey Crawford is getting enshrined in this year’s Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class, more than a decade after his final NBA game. Growing up, Crawford was drawn to refereeing, inspired by his father, a baseball umpire. He officiated over 2,500 regular-season games and nearly 400 postseason games, including 50 NBA Finals. Known for his fiery temper and showmanship, Crawford became one of the game’s most beloved figures. Despite controversies, like a 1998 tax scandal and a suspension in 2007, Crawford’s impact on refereeing is undeniable. He always believed the game was about the players, not the referees.
WORDS: 843 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e45462a34062e0977dc1683039c30d37&mediaType=text
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SOC--SUPER CUP
PSG looks for Super Cup success over Villa for first of six possible trophies this season
SUMMARY: Paris Saint-Germain will get back on the trophy trail in the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa. There are six pieces of silverware up for grabs for PSG this season. The No. 1 priority is a third straight Champions League title to cement its status as one of the greatest club teams in soccer history. The first trophy could be lifted inside Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria, in the annual match between the most recent winners of the Champions League and Europa League. It starts at 9 p.m. local time. PSG is bidding for a second straight Super Cup win after beating Tottenham in a penalty shootout last year.
WORDS: 378 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 5:27 a.m. EDT. Will be updated.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ef39b99225c051d676bff95bcb81f19&mediaType=text
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BBO--DODGERS-SNELL RETURNS
Blake Snell fans 10 in 6 innings in return for the Dodgers after a 3-month elbow injury layoff
SUMMARY: Blake Snell struck out 10 batters in six innings in his return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers after being sidelined for three months with elbow issues. He struck out the side in the first against the Kansas City Royals. Snell allowed one run and three hits in six innings before leaving with the game tied 1-1. The Dodgers went on to win 5-4 in 10 innings. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is returning from an injury in the second half for the third consecutive season. The NL West-leading Dodgers are looking for him to quickly get back on track.
WORDS: 819 - MOVED: 08/12/2026 2:27 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e35fe904d3ca8f2ed83d0b45bc069e2d&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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BBO--FIELD OF DREAMS RETURNS-THE GHOST PLAYERS
The passion for baseball in the farmlands of northeast Iowa persists nearly four decades after the filming of “Field of Dreams” with a group of locals who dutifully show up in old-time garb to have a catch with fans at the movie site.
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FBN--ON FOOTBALL WITH ROB MAADDI
Kirk Cousins has a different perspective on mentoring rookie Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas. He shares his view on the AP’s On Football podcast.
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FBC--PICK SIX-UNDER THE RADAR
Some of the nation’s best players on teams likely to struggle.
