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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BKL--COLLIER-CBA NEGOTIATIONS

DESCRIPTION: Napheesa Collier's searing statement on the WNBA and its leadership could have broader implications than just a star player lashing out at the commissioner. Collier, as a vice president of the players’ union, will be sitting across from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert at the negotiating table, which could make already strained negotiations even more difficult. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--POSTSEASON

FORMATS: Text

1. WITH: BBO--TIGERS-GUARDIANS

2. DESCRIPTION: CLEVELAND — Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians look to avoid elimination when they face Riley Greene and the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series. Casey Mize starts for Detroit while Tanner Bibee gets the call for Cleveland. By Joe Reedy. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game is underway.

3. UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BBO--PADRES-CUBS

5. DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres try to avoid elimination when they take on Seiya Suzuki and the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series. Chicago won 3-1 in the opener of the best-of-three series. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 3:08 p.m. EDT.

6. UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BBO--RED SOX-YANKEES

8. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — Carlos Rodón starts for the New York Yankees and Brayan Bello for the Boston Red Sox in the second game of their best-of-three AL Wild Card Series. After losing the opener, Aaron Judge and the Yankees need a win to extend their season. Boston can advance to a Division Series against Toronto. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 6:08 p.m. EDT.

9. UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: BBO--REDS-DODGERS

11. DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who try to close out Zack Littell and the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 9:08 p.m. EDT.

12. UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT

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FBC--ACC-REPLAY REVIEW-TV

DESCRIPTION: The ACC has become the first in the country to let TV viewers listen live to replay reviews during select broadcasts. Viewers can hear the frame-by-frame discussion between officials studying the play from the stadium and the replay command center at the league headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina — offering a welcome dose of transparency. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 1,000 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--STARS-RANTANEN PRESENCE

DESCRIPTION: FRISCO, Texas — Mikko Rantanen knows where he will be for quite a while now, after going from Colorado to Carolina to Dallas in a six-week span last season. The high-scoring winger has already become a big presence for the Stars, with a spectacular playoff performance and settled in for his $96 million, eight-year contract extension that was part of the deadline trade that brought him to Dallas. By Stephen Hawkins. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 5:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--OLYMPIC BUBBLE

DESCRIPTION: Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson were left off the U.S. 4 Nations team. Same for Robert Thomas with Canada. They are just a few of many players on the bubble to make their national teams for the upcoming Olympics in Milan. By Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 1,000 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 5

DESCRIPTION: The Eagles and Bills are the only unbeaten teams remaining heading into Week 5 in the NFL. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos, graphic.

UPCOMING: By 10/01/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--ROCKIES-SCHMIDT

Rockies GM Bill Schmidt steps down after one of the worst seasons in MLB history

SUMMARY: The Colorado Rockies say general manager Bill Schmidt has stepped down after one of the worst seasons in major league history. The team is now searching for his replacement. Schmidt, who joined the Rockies in 1999 and became GM in 2021, oversaw a third consecutive 100-loss season. The Rockies finished 43-119, narrowly avoiding the worst record since 1961. Executive vice president Walker Monfort says the team aims to find a leader with a fresh perspective. The new GM will decide on the next manager, with Warren Schaeffer currently serving as interim skipper. The Rockies face challenges, including a struggling starting rotation.

WORDS: 543 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 1:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26a16a45b159a70302d550df208921e8&mediaType=text

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BBO--BRAVES-SNITKER STEPS DOWN

Brian Snitker, who managed Braves to 2021 World Series title, won’t return to dugout next season

SUMMARY: Brian Snitker, who managed the Atlanta Braves to the 2021 World Series championship as the highlight of almost a half-century with the organization, will not return to the dugout next season. The Braves have announced that the 69-year-old Snitker will move to an advisory role and will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame next year. Snitker has been with the organization for 49 years as a long-time minor league manager, major league coach and finally major league manager. Snitker led Atlanta to 811 wins, six NL East division titles and the the 2021 World Series championship in his 10 seasons as manager.

WORDS: 766 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 1:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:726b447306ad134659b50c32715c9ed0&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-FIFA-TRUMP

FIFA VP pushes back on Trump comments about moving World Cup games from ‘dangerous’ cities

SUMMARY: U.S. President Donald Trump has been reminded that FIFA and not government ultimately decides which cities will host World Cup games. Trump suggested last week he could declare cities “not safe” for the 104-game soccer tournament that the U.S., Canada and Mexico co-host next summer. That would alter a detailed hosting plan FIFA confirmed in 2022 that includes New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. FIFA would face logistical and legal issues to change before the June 11 kickoff. FIFA’s vice president from Canada Victor Montagliani says in London “it’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions.”

WORDS: 396 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 1:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e279b7f9c76afd751ac61643dfa1527a&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-DELAUTER

Cleveland’s bold move: OF Chase DeLauter to make big league debut as Guardians look to stay alive

SUMMARY: Chase DeLauter will make his major league debut for the Cleveland Guardians as they face elimination by the Detroit Tigers in the AL Wild Card Series. DeLauter, playing center field and batting seventh, becomes the first Cleveland player to debut in a postseason game. Manager Stephen Vogt says the team needs to generate more offense. Cleveland struggled with 15 strikeouts and only four hits in a 2-1 loss to the Tigers on Tuesday. DeLauter, who has battled injuries this year, was informed of his potential debut on Monday. Vogt expressed confidence in DeLauter’s readiness and talent.

WORDS: 472 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 12:10 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:60515ac92e1ac14f8d7ac8ce171fc4f3&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS

College football picks: The discussion has turned to parity, close games and upsets

WORDS: 1223 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 12:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:df9a52ebb7f1603b173dfb263410467b&mediaType=text

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BBO--PITCH CLOCK VIOLATIONS

Dodgers lead with 26 pitch clock violations. Baz tops pitchers with 6, Butler heads batters with 3

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers topped the major leagues with 26 pitch clock violations this season. According to Major League Baseball, the Dodgers committed one more violation than the Mets. Cincinnati and Kansas City tied for the fewest infractions with three each. Overall, there were 465 violations this year, down from 602 last year and 1,048 in 2023 in the first year of the clock. Batters committed 369 violations, while pitchers had 91 and catchers five. There were 35 pitcher disengagement violations, a decrease of one, and five batter timeout violations, the same as in 2024.

WORDS: 410 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 11:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f54ba9374410c0760f51e477c939ffb7&mediaType=text

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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

NFL sees a surge in blocked kicks, impacting games significantly

WORDS: 1104 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 10:51 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b2c9ebc79044618a3806f2087e6b7118&mediaType=text

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HKW--PWHL SCHEDULE

With 2 new teams, PWHL announces 120-game schedule and opportunities for more neutral site stops

SUMMARY: With the addition of two teams in the Pacific Northwest, the PWHL released an expanded 120-game coast-to-coast schedule, which also includes as many as 20 options for yet-to-be-announced neutral site outings. The puck drops on the PWHL’s third season with two games on Nov. 21, including Seattle traveling to play Vancouver in a showdown of the league’s two expansion franchises. All teams will meet a minimum of four times with the season ending with four games on April 25. And the schedule features the league’s first Olympic break, a 28-day stretch starting on Jan. 29.

WORDS: 622 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 10:15 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a2d5361fca441b7414ce0d2d4886dac7&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-MANNING & LAGWAY

Once Heisman front-runners, QBs Arch Manning and DJ Lagway have become SEC disappointments

SUMMARY: Texas’ Arch Manning and Florida’s DJ Lagway opened the season as Heisman Trophy hopefuls. Some even considered them front-runners. The highly touted quarterbacks with TV commercials, endorsement deals and probably as much name, image and likeness money as anyone in college were supposed to be the next great ones at their schools. But a month into the season, Manning and Lagway are two of the most disappointing players in the Southeastern Conference. Manning and Lagway will share the spotlight Saturday when the ninth-ranked Longhorns open SEC play at reeling Florida in the Swamp.

WORDS: 834 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 10:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f41dae0f0b078d4dadb2d33c78ec526f&mediaType=text

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TEN--TENNIS HALL OF FAME

Roger Federer leads the Tennis Hall of Fame nominees. See who else made the list

SUMMARY: Roger Federer leads the list of nominees for the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s class of 2026. The ballot was announced Wednesday. Federer was the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles and ushered in an era of unprecedented greatness with younger rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Federer won 103 tour-level trophies and 1,251 matches in singles, totals surpassed among men only by Jimmy Connors in the Open era. Federer is joined in the player category on the ballot by Svetlana Kuznetsova and Juan Martin del Potro. There are two nominees in the contributor category: Mary Carillo and Marshall Happer.

WORDS: 804 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 10:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:589b943c5d481f296c4d94a5f282a5bc&mediaType=text

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SOC--WORLD CUP-TICKETS

FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets have gone on sale. Here’s how to try to get them

SUMMARY: Tickets for next year’s FIFA World Cup officially go on sale Wednesday. Buyers were selected from 4.5 million applicants in a lottery last month. FIFA says winners will be informed by email. The U.S., Canada and Mexico automatically qualify as hosts, but the full schedule and locations won’t be finalized until December. Despite uncertainties, fans are eager to secure tickets. FIFA President Gianni Infantino calls it a strong statement of global passion for soccer. The U.S. State Department advises travelers needing visas to apply now. Additional ticket phases and promotions are planned in the coming months.

WORDS: 1062 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 9:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:019bf1ee0c6b6da597ace23df8449e8c&mediaType=text

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FRE--SNOW LEAGUE-GU

Eileen Gu to return to mountain where she won Olympic gold to compete in Shaun White’s Snow League

SUMMARY: Eileen Gu will head back to the mountain where she won an Olympic title to ski in the Snow League, the halfpipe circuit founded by Shaun White. Gu won a halfpipe and big air gold and slopestyle silver in freeskiing at the 2022 Beijing Games. She is one of eight women who will take part in freeskiing on Dec. 6 at China’s Yunding Snow Park. Among her competition will be Cassie Sharpe of Canada, who won halfpipe gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and finished runner-up to Gu four years later. Gu grew up in California but competes for China, her mother’s home country.

WORDS: 256 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 9:32 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8d77aaccdbb3df4f1cfbd9b085b075f&mediaType=text

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TEN--MONFILS RETIREMENT

Gael Monfils, the last French ‘Musketeer,’ announces that he will retire at the end of 2026 season

SUMMARY: Gael Monfils has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season. The former world No. 6 shared the news on social media, saying the upcoming year will be his last. Monfils, known for his spectacular style, began playing professionally at 18 and has enjoyed a 21-year career. He has won 13 ATP titles and reached two Grand Slam semifinals. Monfils expressed peace with his decision to retire. He is the last of a group of French players known as “The Musketeers” to retire, following Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet.

WORDS: 440 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 9:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dbd6085798f700ccba1ed0957acaa55c&mediaType=text

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FBN--BROWNS-GABRIEL

Rookie Dillon Gabriel named Browns starting QB after Joe Flacco is benched

SUMMARY: Rookie Dillon Gabriel will get his first NFL start on Sunday when the Cleveland Browns face the Minnesota Vikings in London. The Browns are benching Joe Flacco after he struggled to lead the offense in the first four games. Cleveland is 1-3 and ranked next-to-last in scoring, averaging 14 points per game. The team has scored 17 points or fewer in nine straight games. Gabriel will be the fifth different starting QB in 10 games. Gabriel was selected in the third round of April’s draft. He has seen action in two games and has completed all three of his passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.

WORDS: 411 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 9:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:410e884eeecb54856b12b579bdf0b05b&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-WHAT TO WATCH

College football Week 6: No. 3 Miami-No. 18 Florida St and No. 16 Vandy-No. 10 Alabama top schedule

SUMMARY: College football heats up as October kicks off with conference races and the chase for playoff spots ramping up. Only two Top 25 matchups are on the schedule: Miami at Florida State and Vanderbilt at Alabama. Miami aims for its first win in Tallahassee since 2019 while Vanderbilt seeks a historic 6-0 start. In the Big 12, Houston faces Texas Tech and Iowa State visits Cincinnati. Heisman watch sees Oregon’s Dante Moore leading after a strong performance against Penn State. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s coach Luke Fickell feels the pressure heading into its game at No. 20 Michigan.

WORDS: 940 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 7:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a141b776932439e50f0c427fbcf764e6&mediaType=text

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BBO--BUSTING SLUMPS

Even star players like Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman must get back to basics during hitting slumps

SUMMARY: When Freddie Freeman goes through a rough stretch at the plate, he gets back to his hitting basics, just like his father always encouraged him to do. Return to the tee for some low-pressure swings. That even served as a reset of sorts for the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman before a mid-September game in San Francisco and he delivered three hits in consecutive games. Managers try to offer their support as needed, and Cubs skipper Craig Counsell provides an important reminder: There’s a lot of failing in baseball.

WORDS: 1122 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:87c32f299b1684b88c7439ed0753d60b&mediaType=text

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BKL--ACES-HISTORY

Las Vegas Aces eye historic third WNBA title in four years

SUMMARY: The Las Vegas Aces have a chance to make history in the WNBA Finals. They could become champions for the third time in four years, a feat only surpassed by the Houston Comets. The Aces, who won titles in 2022 and 2023, will host the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in the best-of-seven Finals. The Aces have beaten the Mercury three times this season. A’ja Wilson, a four-time MVP, has been crucial in leading the team.

WORDS: 394 - MOVED: 10/01/2025 2:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ebc6b3463f1f8406c68bedc3cf49deea&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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FBN--49ERS-RAMS

San Francisco 49ers plays Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Game starts at 8:15 p.m.

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FBN--OLDER COACHES

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders’ Pete Carroll is the NFL’s oldest coach, but coaches performing at a high level 70 and older it not uncommon, especially in college sports. What keeps these coaches motivated when they could be enjoying the fruits of a successful career? By Mark Anderson.

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HKN--BETTER WITH AGE

Sidney Crosby was a point-a-game producer at 37. Brad Marchand scored six goals in the Stanley Cup Final at the same age, when 40-year-old Corey Perry was also one of the best players in the series. Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record at 39. Thanks to changes in sports science, training and technology over the past two decades, the NHL’s window for stars to remain in their prime seems longer. Significant investment by ownership groups has helped, and it could eventually deepen the player pool with expansion coming at some point. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. 650 words, photos.

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BBO—POSTSEASON

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