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AP Sports Digest

Posted 8/20/26

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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GLF--BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: ST. LOUIS -- Scottie Scheffler leads the 50-man field at the BMW Championship, where the top 30 at the end of the week advance to the FedEx Cup finale. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/20/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--ATHLETICS-STADIUM

DESCRIPTION: Athletics and construction officials provide an update to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on the progress of the ballpark, which is scheduled to open in 2028.

UPCOMING: By 08/20/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBC--HOUSE ERA-FINDING CASH

The playbook for college sports revenue is expanding from logos and fees to entertainment districts

SUMMARY: Universities are getting creative to keep up with the expensive world of college athletics. They’re adding corporate logos to jerseys and fields, and building entertainment districts to generate revenue beyond game days. The NCAA’s 352 Division I schools reported nearly $20.5 billion in revenue for 2024, but many athletic departments are still losing money. Schools are also forming public-private partnerships and developing mixed-use facilities. Washington, for example, is raising funds through uniform patch deals and loans on future TV revenue. Tennessee has added a NIL fee to tickets, but demand remains high. Schools are also hosting concerts and events to boost income.

WORDS: 1462 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 1:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce62a755db2b26a884c3b961a7ce9cf8&mediaType=text

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HKN--NHL IN GERMANY

Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers to play NHL games in Germany in 2027

SUMMARY: The NHL and NHLPA say the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers will play two regular season games in Germany next year. The Bruins are set to play in Munich, while the Oilers will play in Cologne during the 2027-28 NHL season. The league aims to grow hockey in Germany by bringing more games to Europe. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says this move will deepen engagement with fans and partners. The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators are already scheduled to play in Düsseldorf in December. The NHL and NHLPA plan to continue bringing games to Germany for at least the next three seasons.

WORDS: 221 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 12:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d1aa9bb8a9ca3daecab091c78b281a7d&mediaType=text

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SOC--FIFA-INFANTINO-FAN PETITION

Soccer fans launch global petition urging FIFA boss Infantino to resign over World Cup ‘betrayal’

SUMMARY: Soccer fan groups from around the world have launched a petition calling for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president after he tried to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The petition also calls for FIFA “to be rebuilt so that the current debacle can never happen again.” The fan groups include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa and, in North America, the Independent Supporters Council, plus about 40 national fan groups worldwide. Infantino’s plan for a commercial spinoff was dropped amid a global backlash.

WORDS: 428 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 12:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aa25d658091045debb190e13e9bb5140&mediaType=text

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US--UNIVERSITY-SPORTS-NONPROFITS

Cash-hungry college sports programs are starting nonprofits to make money to stay competitive

SUMMARY: To compete in the increasingly commercialized world of college sports, a growing number of universities are turning to nonprofits, limited liability companies and other “associated entities” to generate more revenue. There’s “feverish” interest from higher education in these offshoots, say experts. But there’s also scrutiny from Congress. Widespread privatization could further transform universities into profit-driven businesses resembling professional sports franchises, weaning them off fatigued donors and opening the door to private capital. University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird says athletic departments will do whatever they can “to create even the smallest sort of competitive advantage.”

WORDS: 1290 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 12:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a0b99119b33677e9f1adec85bd85637&mediaType=text

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FBC--SEC PREVIEW

SEC desperate to end 3-year championship drought. Will Alabama, Georgia, LSU or Texas come through?

SUMMARY: Blame Alabama and Georgia. Point fingers at Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, too. The Southeastern Conference, once the most dominant league in the land, lost its stranglehold on college football over the last three years. The organization that boasts a combined 19 national championships since 1990 hasn’t even made the title game since Georgia won it all in back-to-back years to close out the 2021-22 seasons. It’s a drought the league desperately would like to end this season. But the path back to the top could seemingly be harder with the addition of a ninth conference game.

WORDS: 794 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 11:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a27e3d5789ec904c6328a1af5215dbf&mediaType=text

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CAR--F1-VERSTAPPEN CONTRACT

Max Verstappen extends contract with Red Bull to 2030 after he weighed up leaving F1

SUMMARY: Max Verstappen has extended his Formula 1 contract with Red Bull to 2030, the team has announced. Verstappen has won four world driving championships since making his debut with the team in 2016 and has 71 Grand Prix victories. The announcement Thursday ahead of Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix this weekend ends speculation he could seek a blockbuster move to another team. It comes despite Red Bull struggling to match the pace of leading team Mercedes this season.

WORDS: 695 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 11:05 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b45d265b469b541184cf8579d808a43c&mediaType=text

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TEN--US OPEN-PRIZE MONEY

US Open singles champions to earn a record $5.5 million, total player compensation up 20%

SUMMARY: The U.S. Open singles champions will earn $5.5 million, the highest winnings in Grand Slam tennis history. Overall compensation for the final major of the year is rising to a record $108 million, a 20% increase from last year and a 44% jump since 2024. The financial details were announced Thursday by the U.S. Tennis Association, with play set to begin next week. Players will earn $140,000, largest in tennis history, just for making it into the 128-player singles main draw. A quarterfinalist earns $780,000, a semifinalist $1.45 million and the runner-up $2.8 million.

WORDS: 294 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 10:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e0eb66a82c94d6a67390955c78cd024d&mediaType=text

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TEN--GRAND SLAMS-PLAYER COUNCIL

Grand Slam tournaments create player council to give players more input into biggest tennis events

SUMMARY: The Grand Slam tennis tournaments have created a player council, giving players greater input into matters involving the biggest events in the sport. The Grand Slam Player Advisory Council was announced Thursday by the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. It will begin following the final major of the year, which begins next week in New York. Players have been seeking a larger share of revenues from the Grand Slams, along with better representation, health options and pensions.

WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 10:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5212c65ebe100a694588b136b55f6fe9&mediaType=text

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SOC--WEST HAM-DISCRIMINATION

West Ham urges fans to stop singing chant containing ‘anti-Palestine message’

SUMMARY: West Ham has called on its fans to stop singing a chant “containing an anti-Palestine message” as the club prepares to host its first home game of the season in England’s second-tier Championship. West Ham says in a statement it is “aware of an offensive and divisive chant” being sung by a section of its supporters during its opening Championship match at Burnley on Sunday. One of West Ham’s summer signings was Israel winger Manor Solomon, who joined from Tottenham on a three-year deal.

WORDS: 186 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 7:25 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c4adfb0d073a7b37ff5204d6ece993b&mediaType=text

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FBC--PICK SIX-WHAT’S NEW

A new college football season brings CFP tweaks, new rules and jersey patches among the changes

WORDS: 850 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 7:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:90f91b0040fc19d0da09f4beb6e13411&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

Once homeless and in liquidation, Coventry back in the Premier League after painful 25-year absence

WORDS: 598 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 6:48 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3fde2688e1e4af6d0e9578dac39399a8&mediaType=text

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US-COLLEGE SPORTS-STATES

States pour taxpayer dollars into college sports as athlete pay, soaring costs squeeze budgets

SUMMARY: A growing number of states are providing tax dollars to university athletics. The move comes as major college sports programs now are paying millions of dollars to athletes. The financial battle for the best athletes has strained many athletic departments, which are now running deficits. North Carolina and Louisiana are earmarking sports betting taxes for their universities. Wisconsin has added money in its state budget for athletic costs at its flagship university. And Connecticut has created a tax credit program to benefit university athletics. Analysts see the state funding efforts as an emerging trend.

WORDS: 926 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 6:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:73aba2a54785f23a3e1b7f268648ba7b&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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FBC--BIG 12 PREVIEWS

Season previews for Big 12 football teams and a conference overview.

FBC--T25-NOTRE DAME-CARR RETURNS

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr returns for his second season as the starter.

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