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

——————————

FBC--T25-OHIO ST-WHAT’S NEXT

DESCRIPTION: COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Coach Ryan Day and quarterback Julian Sayin meet with reporters for the first time since No. 6 Ohio State’s loss to top-ranked Texas. By Joe Reedy. 550 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/15/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

GLF--ON THE FRINGE-CIGANDA

DESCRIPTION: She is not to be mistaken for Seve Ballesteros when it comes to battling the Americans for a trophy every two years. Carlota Ciganda still brings a passion to the Solheim Cup the Americans could use. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 900 words, photos. With Golf Notes and Golf Glance.

UPCOMING: By 09/15/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-MISSISSIPPI-KIFFIN’S RETURN

DESCRIPTION: Mississippi coach Pete Golding knows no one wants to hear him say that the Rebels’ season won’t be defined by a Week 3 match-up with LSU and former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. Golding sees his ascension to his first head coaching job as something made possible by Kiffin, who he considers a friend -- even if Kiffin did lure several prominent Ole Miss players to LSU last winter. By Chris Burrows. With AP Photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/15/2026 5:30 p.m. EDT, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

US--SPORTS BETTING-LETTER

5 major sports leagues and players associations ask for protections from sports bettors’ threats

SUMMARY: Five professional sports leagues and their players associations have aligned forces to ask for protections for players and staff who face threats and harassment from sports bettors. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter sent Tuesday to gambling regulators in 35 states and the District of Columbia. In the letter, the NFL, Major League Baseball, NBA, Major League Soccer and the NHL and the leagues’ players associations asked that rules be established to permanently revoke betting privileges for any person found to have threatened or “abusively harassed” any professional or amateur athlete, coach, official or team personnel.

WORDS: 370 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 1:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d23630637dfbacd12a141a0ab334480e&mediaType=text

___

HKN--DEADLINE DEALS

NHL teams rush to sign players to eight-year contracts before the new CBA deadline

SUMMARY: NHL teams are rushing to re-sign players to eight-year contracts while they still can, before midnight when the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in and sets a new ceiling of seven years. Washington locked up Ryan Leonard for $84 million and Ottawa signed Drake Batherson for $86 million, the richest contract in franchise history. Buffalo did the same with 22-year-old center Noah Ostlund, who has played just 71 games in the league. Players signing maximum-length extensions this summer will be under contract through 2035.

WORDS: 834 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 12:27 p.m. EDT. Will be updated throughout the day.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4733aaf37c3169cbd0cef9ced2b2c0c&mediaType=text

___

GLF--TOUR ELIGIBILITY

PGA Tour will have an elite tier and outlines the path to get there and stay there

SUMMARY: The PGA Tour has outlined plans for its two-tier system in 2028. The top level is the Championship Series. That elite tier will be for the top 90 on the points list, the top 20 from the lesser Challenger Series, players who win multiple times on the Challenger Series and anyone who has won in the upper level the previous two years. The tour also is allowing the top college senior to go to the Championship Series. One of the differences is that winners of the majors and The Players Championship get the same benefits as winning a Championship Series event.

WORDS: 844 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 12:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3eccb205457d6982b1ead33d8ee9f660&mediaType=text

___

BKL--FEVER-CUNNINGHAM

Sophie Cunningham expresses thoughts on next WNBA commissioner, has discussed them with Adam Silver

SUMMARY: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told reporters that she has discussed the soon-to-be vacant WNBA commissioner’s position with Adam Silver after the NBA commissioner reached out to her. Cunningham spoke at practice Monday as the league remains on its FIBA World Cup break. Current WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently announced she will retire at the end of the year. And while the outspoken Cunningham has plenty of thoughts about what traits are needed in the league’s next leader, she didn’t offer any names for the position. It’s not unusual for Silver to speak with players in either the NBA or the WNBA about issues pertaining to either league. The league declined to comment on the specifics of what Silver and Cunningham discussed.

WORDS: 802 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 11:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:95cfcda3780bb26598c74dd4a70606d1&mediaType=text

___

GLF--PGA TOUR-LIV

PGA Tour not contemplating path back for LIV players similar to Brooks Koepka

SUMMARY: PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp says he is not currently contemplating a path back for LIV Golf players similar to the plan Brooks Koepka received. Koepka was the first LIV player to return at the start of this year under a returning member program. Rolapp offered Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith the same deal and three weeks to accept. He also said there was no guarantee it would be offered again. That remains the case. It takes on heightened interest because LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week and it’s future with Saudi funding remains murky.

WORDS: 687 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 11:30 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac44be20fed98e399d9dbc42eaa5420f&mediaType=text

___

FBN--GRASS VS ARTIFICIAL SURFACES

In Buffalo and elsewhere, NFL players find grass to be the better choice over artificial turf

SUMMARY: There’s little debate when it comes to NFL players’ preference for playing on grass versus artificial surfaces. The NFL Players Association says 92% of its members favor grass. Or just ask Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who looks forward to experiencing fewer turf burns as Buffalo makes the switch to grass after moving into its new Highmark Stadium. The debate resurfaced this year when some NFL facilities temporarily installed grass to host World Cup games before returning to artificial turf. The NFL doesn’t have a preference and is instead working with the NFLPA to establish standards to achieve as much consistency as possible across all 30 playing surfaces.

WORDS: 1139 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 11:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:836fb9af5135b880c888ef9e37b46925&mediaType=text

___

SOC--STERLING-DANGEROUS DRIVING

English soccer star Raheem Sterling admits dangerous driving after highway collision

SUMMARY: Former England forward Raheem Sterling has admitted to dangerous driving after a highway collision. Sterling pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court to driving his Lamborghini Urus dangerously before crashing on the M3 in southern England on May 28. Officials previously said no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported. The 31-year-old also admitted possession of six nitrous oxide canisters and failing to provide a specimen. Sterling, who scored 20 goals in 82 appearances for England, is currently without a club. He has played for four teams in the Premier League: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal.

WORDS: 135 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 11:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7f49b3bfb16d417043baa5ff61f374e0&mediaType=text

___

SPD--LEERDAM-SEASON OFF

Olympic speedskating star Jutta Leerdam says she won’t race this season

SUMMARY: Olympic champion speedskater Jutta Leerdam is taking a season away from the ice. She was a global star at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, cheered on by her fiance Jake Paul. Leerdam says in a video message on her YouTube channel: “One thing is for sure, you will not see me skate this season.” She’s not retiring though. The Dutch skater adds: “I’m 27, life changes, feelings change, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying I’m fully retiring.” Leerdam won Olympic gold in February in the 1,000 meters at Milan. Leerdam’s home country the Netherlands hosts speedskating at the 2030 Olympics.

WORDS: 247 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 10:51 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e9224c8d5f26e63d6238198f7ad6e3e9&mediaType=text

___

HKN--BLACKHAWKS-BEDARD

Blackhawks center Connor Bedard becomes second-youngest captain in franchise history

SUMMARY: Connor Bedard has been named the 37th captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, capping a busy offseason for the young center. The 21-year-old Bedard is the second-youngest captain in the history of the storied franchise, behind Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks had gone without a captain since trading Nick Foligno to Minnesota in March. Bedard says it’s “an unbelievable honor.” The long-expected move comes after Bedard agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract in July. It occurs as Bedard ramps up his rehab in his recovery from an operation on his left shoulder.

WORDS: 347 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 10:38 a.m. EDT. Will be updated.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2f023a4e7dcf0f29cca63a123f3461fc&mediaType=text

___

ATH--WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

World Athletics Championships to be staged in Africa for the first time with Nairobi as host

SUMMARY: The World Athletics Championships are heading to Africa for the first time as Kenya’s capital Nairobi has been confirmed host of the 2029 edition. Kenya has long been a superpower in distance running and is second on the all-time worlds medal table behind only the United States. “Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe says. It is the sport’s biggest event outside of the Olympics. Salim Mvurya, the Kenyan government minister responsible for sports, says “the world will come to a country where running is more than competition, it is our national story.” The championships also return to Germany in 2031 after a 22-year wait, with Munich hosting.

WORDS: 549 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 9:58 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:96f9e311ee74ec2c9e153f286b49e3a6&mediaType=text

___

SOC--UEFA-FINALS-VENUES

Barcelona’s Camp Nou beats Wembley to host 2029 Champions League final. Munich confirmed for 2028

SUMMARY: Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou has been picked over Wembley Stadium in London to host the 2029 Champions League final. UEFA’s choice gives Barcelona a marquee game one year before Spain co-hosts the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco. Barcelona’s victory comes seven months after its formal withdrawal from legal action against UEFA linked to the divisive Super League project that quickly failed in 2021. UEFA’s executive committee also confirmed the 2028 Champions League final will return to Bayern Munich’s stadium which was the only bidder. Munich hosted the 2025 final. Lyon will host the Women’s Champions League final in 2028, followed by Cardiff in 2029.

WORDS: 702 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 9:37 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e402e5d574a21b37392802e41def41ee&mediaType=text

___

FBN--BEHIND THE CALL

Gambles by Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay backfire on the NFL’s opening weekend

SUMMARY: The NFL’s opening weekend saw two major backfires. Packers coach Matt LaFleur made a debatable call by taking points off the board, leading to Green Bay’s collapse in a 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Trey Smack had nailed a field goal, but LaFleur accepted a penalty instead, resulting in a failed fourth-and-1 attempt. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams lost 27-7 to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. The Rams arrived just a day before kickoff, unlike the 49ers, who acclimated for a week. Australian players in the NFL suggested the Rams’ travel strategy contributed to their poor performance.

WORDS: 894 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:21714a0d9c83596e3a834f1061febb85&mediaType=text

___

AS--ASIAN GAMES-CRUISE SHIP

All aboard. The Asian Games will lodge thousands of athletes on an Italian cruise ship

SUMMARY: The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena will house up to 5,000 officials and athletes for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. It received its official welcome on Tuesday at Kinjo Pier in the host city. The 16-day games open Saturday and run through Oct. 4. Without a dedicated athletes village, officials are using the cruise ship, hotels and converted containers to house more than 11,000 athletes. That’s more than the 10,700 athletes who attended the Paris Olympics in 2024.

WORDS: 221 - MOVED: 09/15/2026 4:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab357f8bfc14c1ce7ac9fc14abaed7ca&mediaType=text

___

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

With a nearly seven-month wait since the Super Bowl for meaning NFL games, it’s only natural for Week 1 to fuel some overreactions. What happened last season was the latest example of why that might not be wise. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow.