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
——————————
BKN--NBA SCHEDULE
DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- The NBA releases its schedule for the 2026-27 season.
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 3:30 p.m. EDT, Text
___
ATH--EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
DESCRIPTION: Day 4 of the European track and field championships. Upcoming: 300 words; photos
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
FBN--BEARS-STADIUM
DESCRIPTION: Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey and team president Kevin Warren meet with the media. McCaskey and Warren could provide an update on the team’s long-running stadium saga. By Jay Cohen.
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
GLF--ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP
DESCRIPTION: MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1 seed and Jackson Koivun is at No. 70 as the PGA Tour postseason begins at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
FBC--COLORADO-GO-GO OFFENSE
DESCRIPTION: New coordinator Brennan Marion has implemented his innovative, fast-paced “Go-Go” offense at Colorado. Described by his players as “backyard football,” it could be just the thing to spark young quarterback Julian Lewis and the Buffaloes. By Pat Graham. 750 words, photos.
WORDS: 800 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 1:52 p.m. EDT
___
BBO--PHILLIES-TWINS
DESCRIPTION: Philadelphia plays Minnesota at Field of Dreams. 300 words, photos. By Dave Campbell.
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 7:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
GLF--US AMATEUR
DESCRIPTION: ARDMORE, Pa. -- Ryder Cowan is among three players from the top 10 amateurs in the world who advanced to the second round of the U.S. Amateur at Merion. 400 words.
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
FBN--PACKERS-STEELERS
DESCRIPTION: Mike McCarthy and Eli Heidenreich, both Pittsburgh natives, will take the field at Acrisure Stadium for the first time as members of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason opener against Green Bay on Thursday. By Will Graves. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
GLF--LPGA TOUR
DESCRIPTION: PORTLAND, Ore. — First-round play in The Standard Portland Classic at Columbia-Edgewater. 350 words.
UPCOMING: By 08/13/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
CAR--NASCAR-JOHNSON
Jimmie Johnson set to leave NASCAR with famous friends in tow and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame
SUMMARY: Jimmie Johnson is gearing up for his final NASCAR Cup race at next season’s Daytona 500, reclaiming his old No. 48. Despite nearing retirement, Johnson remains a major figure in racing. He’s busy off the track as the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, attracting celebrity investors like Bryce Harper and Darius Rucker. Johnson is focused on growing his team and making it profitable. He’s also been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he hopes to unveil during Daytona 500 week. Johnson’s legacy in racing continues to evolve, both on and off the track.
WORDS: 1214 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 1:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3c9df477a84d1fdef56e78cfa1604469&mediaType=text
___
FBN--ON FOOTBALL WITH ROB MAADDI
Kirk Cousins’ view on mentoring is different from Joe Montana and Brett Favre’s
SUMMARY: Joe Montana wasn’t interested in teaching Steve Young when the two Hall of Fame quarterbacks played together in San Francisco. Brett Favre felt the same after Green Bay drafted Aaron Rodgers. Montana and Favre wanted to keep their starting jobs as long as they could. Kirk Cousins has a different perspective on mentoring rookie Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas. Cousins told the AP On Football podcast he’s happy to be a resource to the No. 1 overall pick but he’s careful about using the mentor label.
WORDS: 602 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 12:47 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:20dfc003bf95387420bfab92b15c7873&mediaType=text
___
OLY--FBO-FLAG FOOTBALL GOES GLOBAL
How flag football is key to the NFL’s plans to further global reach
WORDS: 1213 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 12:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9f935d425f9025cb9bb3b0e701b176d3&mediaType=text
___
SOC--FIFA-INFANTINO
FIFA chief Infantino receives support from 6 Arab federations amid revolt over World Cup plan
SUMMARY: The heads of six Arab soccer federations have expressed their “full support” and “confidence” in Gianni Infantino as the embattled FIFA president fights to keep his job. The backing has come from 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon and Sudan. Four of the signatories are FIFA council members. The signatories write that they “deeply appreciate Mr. Infantino’s sustained efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the game’s role in bringing people and communities together.” Infantino is facing a revolt after his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.
WORDS: 464 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 8:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab8ab11c93bffddaeeca675cc7e4d1d8&mediaType=text
___
FBC--PICK SIX-UNDER THE RADAR
Arkansas’ Quincy Rhodes Jr. heads AP list of quality players at teams expected to struggle
SUMMARY: Arkansas defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. had just sat down for his Southeastern Conference media days press conference this summer when he was asked about personal goals for his senior season. Rhodes gave his response but closed his response by saying that “I just want to win.” He hasn’t done nearly enough of that thus far in his career despite developing into an excellent defender. Rhodes collected eight sacks last season for an Arkansas team that went 2-10. That makes Rhodes one of the most notable examples of a quality player on a team that’s expected to struggle this season.
WORDS: 952 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:15543860a8dbdae74358319778a0ec11&mediaType=text
___
BKO--HALL OF FAME-RIVERS
Doc Rivers reflects on getting into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and those who made it possible
SUMMARY: Doc Rivers reflects on his upcoming induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He says his speech will focus on those who helped him along the way. Rivers emphasizes that his journey was a collective effort. He ranks sixth in NBA history with 1,194 regular-season wins and won a championship with Boston in 2008. Rivers retired after coaching the Milwaukee Bucks last season. He plans to stay involved in basketball, but not as a coach. Rivers acknowledges the sacrifices his family made during his career and looks forward to spending more time with them.
WORDS: 1101 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4520616e93beedab14b80f998acd2b3e&mediaType=text
___
BBO--FIELD OF DREAMS RETURNS-GHOST PLAYERS
Field of Dreams nostalgia lives on through the Ghost Players and their passion for Iowa and baseball
SUMMARY: The Iowa farmland mystique from “Field of Dreams” still lives on through a group of locals who call themselves the Ghost Players. They’re fashioned after the dead baseball players who emerged from the cornfield in the fantasy film. They started appearing at the movie site in 1990 and have taken their traveling ballplaying troupe to 28 countries and dozens of states. Major League Baseball has returned to the Field of Dreams site with a game between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. The event is another point of pride for the Ghost Players and their passion for Iowa and baseball.
WORDS: 997 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:71de3aae8be70a97ad8759532b4bc32c&mediaType=text
___
US--AP POLL-YOUTH SPORTS-EDUCATION
Higher-income families more likely to enroll kids in organized sports, an AP-Ipsos poll finds
SUMMARY: A new AP-Ipsos poll finds Americans overwhelmingly see major benefits to children playing organized sports, but higher-income families are more likely to participate. Learning teamwork and reducing screen time are among the perceived benefits of youth sports. About half of U.S. parents with K-12 school-aged children say their kids play a structured sport, but participation is more common among higher-income parents. About two-thirds of K-12 parents with at least one child playing sports estimate spending up to $2,000 annually on equipment, fees, training and travel for youth athletics.
WORDS: 1276 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 5:04 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1bb4f4f02f46bf728b6748a485e11b96&mediaType=text
___
ATH--EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS-BRITAIN-HUNT
‘I want it all’: British sprinter Amy Hunt hits high notes in medal charge at European championships
SUMMARY: British sprinter Amy Hunt has stormed into the spotlight at the European championships. The 24-year-old Hunt won the 100-meter final and hopes it’s not her only gold at the meet. She’s also competing in the 200 and is in contention to be in two relay teams. Hunt will line up in the final of the 200 on Thursday night at Alexander Stadium alongside rivals including teammate Dina Asher-Smith. The ever-affable Hunt likes to quote a “High School Musical” character when she says “I want it all” on the track. But the University of Cambridge alum can get more serious, too, like when she recently discussed the legacy of colonialism associated with the Commonwealth Games. Here’s what to know about her career.
WORDS: 615 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 4:19 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5c139fef21a166e80b4a95ee2e6a9bf5&mediaType=text
___
BBO--DODGERS-FREEMAN’S FALL
Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman somehow avoids serious injury in frightening fall into visitors’ dugout
SUMMARY: Freddie Freeman apparently avoided serious injury when the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman took a frightening tumble down the stairs and into the visitors’ dugout as he tried to catch a foul popup in the eighth inning Wednesday night. Freeman isn’t sure whether he’ll play when the Dodgers begin an important four-game series with the MLB-leading Brewers on Thursday, but he’s grateful his freefall to the dugout floor wasn’t much worse. Freeman stayed in the game and finished the top of the eighth, but Tommy Edman pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the inning before Los Angeles closed out a 4-2 victory, its fourth in five games.
WORDS: 490 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 2:31 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eada565758ba9fe947b62c615ab6038c&mediaType=text
___
SWM--PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Katie Ledecky surges to 1,500 free win for her first home-soil international medal
SUMMARY: Katie Ledecky won the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships, earning her first international medal on home soil. Ledecky finished in 15 minutes, 36.09 seconds at the outdoor pool in Irvine, California. Lani Pallister of Australia took silver and Moesha Johnson earned bronze. The U.S. set a world record in the 4 x 100 medley relay to conclude a dominant night. Gretchen Walsh also shined, winning the 50 butterfly over U.S. teammate Kate Douglass before they teamed on the relay. American Luca Urlando broke Michael Phelps’ 20-year-old championship record in the 200 butterfly with the 28-time Olympic medalist watching from the stands.
WORDS: 745 - MOVED: 08/13/2026 1:58 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0c85c914ace69642ebaab8c693f12259&mediaType=text
___
——————————
MOVING TOMORROW
——————————
BKO--HALL OF FAME-PREVIEW
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne and Doc Rivers headline the Naismith Hall of Fame class that will be enshrined over the weekend. Parker and Delle Donne are the latest WNBA greats to go into the Hall of Fame. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.
SWM--PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Day 3 of the Pan Pacific Championships features American star Katie Ledecky and Canadian rival Summer McIntosh in the 400-meter freestyle.
