AP Sports Digest
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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SOC--WORLD CUP COVERAGE
SOC--WCUP-DALLAS-JERRY JONES
DESCRIPTION: ARLINGTON, Texas —Jerry Jones is finally set to be in the home of his Dallas Cowboys for the World Cup. The billionaire businessman plans to attend the semifinal between France and Spain at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday. It’s the last of a tournament-high nine games in the venue with the giant video board above the field and below the retractable roof. By Schuyler Dixon.
UPCOMING: By 07/14/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
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SOC--WCUP-FRANCE-SPAIN
DESCRIPTION: Kylian Mbappé and France take on Spain with clutch goal-scoring substitute Mikel Merino in the first World Cup semifinal match. It is only the second time they have played each other on soccer’s biggest stage.
UPCOMING: By 07/14/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT
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BBO--LABOR
DESCRIPTION: Less than five months before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement and the likely start of a lockout that could threaten the 2027 season, Commissioner Rob Manfred and union head Bruce Meyer hold separate news conferences with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. By Ronald Blum, 800 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/14/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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CYC--TOUR DE FRANCE
DESCRIPTION: Following a rest day for the tired peloton, French riders will celebrate Bastille Day in the gruelling mountains with two big climbs on Stage 10
UPCOMING: By 07/14/2026 1:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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FBN--TOP 5-RUNNING BACKS
DESCRIPTION: A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers votes on the top five running backs in the NFL. By Pro Football Josh Dubow. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/14/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--TOP 5-LINEBACKERS
DESCRIPTION: A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers votes on the top five off-ball linebackers in the NFL. By Pro Football Josh Dubow. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/14/2026 4:30 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--ALL-STAR GAME
DESCRIPTION: The American League and National League play at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
UPCOMING: By 07/14/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKN--JAZZ-ALEXANDER
Jazz guard Trey Alexander taken from court on stretcher in NBA Summer League game
SUMMARY: Utah Jazz guard Trey Alexander was taken from the court on stretcher Monday night after appearing to injure his side on a drive to the basket in an NBA Summer League game against the Chicago Bulls. Alexander, who signed a two-way deal with Utah last week, made contact with the Bulls’ Caleb Wilson while driving toward the basket and, after tossing the ball toward the hoop, went behind the basket clutching his side or abdomen. He then dropped to the ground, seemingly in great pain. The 23-year-old Alexander was taken from the Thomas & Mack Center court on a stretcher. There was no immediate word from the Jazz on Alexander’s injury.
WORDS: 185 - MOVED: 07/14/2026 12:40 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5b639aa5a3e492006b2cebad2e8daded&mediaType=text
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BBO--HOME-RUN-DERBY
Jordan Walker spoils Philly’s Kyle Schwarber party, rallies to win Home Run Derby
SUMMARY: Jordan Walker silenced Philadelphia’s boo birds by homering on his last six swings, chasing down Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber in the final round and becoming the first St. Louis Cardinal to win the Home Run Derby. Schwarber hit 11 homers during his 15-swing turn in the final round. Philly fans, who loudly booed everyone but Schwarber and Bryce Harper throughout the night, quietly headed toward the exits when Walker’s winning shot soared over the left field wall. The 24-year-old Walker seemed nonplussed by the jeers and the massive stage during All-Star Game festivities.
WORDS: 1117 - MOVED: 07/14/2026 12:03 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5dcc1b03ebb96723a9e1b74cc362cc59&mediaType=text
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BBO--FANDUEL-PHILLIES-HARPER
Bryce Harper says FanDuel used his Cameo video as VIP reward without consent in a gambler’s case
SUMMARY: Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Bryce Harper says FanDuel SportsBook had “no right” to use its logo on a Cameo video he made. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported last week that Harper’s video was sent to a fan with a gambling addiction. The fan, Terry Thompson, had wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel. Harper says he was unaware of FanDuel’s intentions or Thompson’s situation. The video was marked with FanDuel’s logo, and Harper says he did not consent to this use. He addressed the issue on social media Monday, hours before the Home Run Derby.
WORDS: 358 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 8:22 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62c27c42313ef6ce3cd49fdda050948e&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-FRANCE-SPAIN PREVIEW
Neither France nor Spain has trailed at this year’s World Cup, but only one can reach the final
SUMMARY: Kylian Mbappé and France haven’t trailed at all in this year’s World Cup. Neither has Spain with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Only one can reach the final. France and Spain play Tuesday in the first of two powerhouse semifinal matches. France has outscored its opponents 14-2, with Mbappé matching Lionel Messi’s eight goals for the scoring lead at the tournament. Spain has outscored opponents 10-1, with Mikel Merino scoring decisive goals as a substitute in the past two games. This is the first World Cup since 1990 that each of the final four teams are former champions. Defending champion Argentina and England play in the other semifinal match.
WORDS: 1034 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 7:55 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1fcbd397cb402688024b706f222b1b93&mediaType=text
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BKW--NCAA TOURNAMENT-BRACKETING
A major bracket shake-up: NCAA women’s tournament to seed the top 16 by true ranking next year
SUMMARY: Beginning with next year’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament, the top 16 teams will be placed in the bracket in their true ranking regardless of conference affiliation. In the past, the top four teams in a conference would be placed in different regions to protect them from playing each other until the Final Four. For example, the tournament this past season had four SEC teams in the top eight overall seeds. Texas was third, South Carolina fourth, LSU fifth and Vanderbilt seventh. The Gamecocks and Tigers would now be in the same region instead of moving them to different ones.
WORDS: 352 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 6:35 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:75345fbc4184ffd537af22a7bc5a7636&mediaType=text
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BBO--LOOMING LOCKOUT
Baseball’s All-Stars don’t like MLB’s salary cap proposal but say there’s time to find a deal
SUMMARY: Major League Baseball is facing a potential work stoppage over management’s proposed salary cap. The current labor contract expiries Dec. 1 and a lockout is expect. The proposal aims to reduce payroll disparities, but All-Stars like Juan Soto, Bryce Harper and Paul Skenes oppose it. They argue it would limit earnings and opportunities for young players. Negotiations began in May and will continue after the All-Star break. Players are seeking expanded free agency and arbitration rights. Concerns are growing about a possible shortened or lost 2027 season.
WORDS: 835 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c7981a08d098ce6bbc4f2277bf9f48f2&mediaType=text
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BBO--VELOCITY RULES
The heat is on: The average MLB fastball velocity is up for the 6th straight year to 94.7 mph
SUMMARY: Major league pitchers are throwing harder than ever. Four-seam fastballs averaged 94.7 mph through Saturday, up from 94.5 mph last year, 93.7 mph in 2021 and 91.9 mph when Major League Baseball first started tracking in 2008. The average was 94.4 mph for the first half of 2025, and this year’s final figure could increase by a tick. Six pitchers are at 100 mph in average four-seam velocity led by a pair of relievers, the Athletics’ Mason Miller (101.3 mph) and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Edgardo Henriquez (100.6 mph).
WORDS: 860 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 6:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ec16cd00bd28b1e66504c0114754d26&mediaType=text
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BBO--ALL-STAR-COACH-MATTINGLY
Don Mattingly has a weird role at this All-Star Game, coaching against his former Blue Jays
SUMMARY: Don Mattingly felt a tinge of awkwardness when he was offered the chance to serve as a coach under Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts at the All-Star Game. Mattingly passed on a guaranteed spot when he left his job as Toronto’s bench coach for manager John Schneider after the World Series when the Blue Jays lost the World Series in seven games to the Dodgers. He’s now the interim manager for the Philadelphia Phillies and has them back in the thick of the playoff race. He’ll also coach against Schneider and his Blue Jays staff at Tuesday’s All-Star Game played in Philadelphia’s home Citizens Bank Park.
WORDS: 582 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 5:58 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:30e3762dad033d1bc8eb0b77db125420&mediaType=text
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FBN--RAMS-JACKSON-ARRESTED
Rams left tackle Jackson assigned to pre-filing diversion and can avoid domestic violence charge
SUMMARY: Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on June 9 on suspicion of felony domestic violence, has the opportunity to avoid criminal charges. Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office spokesman Ivor Pine confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press that Jackson’s case has been assigned for a pre-filing diversion available to eligible individuals. The City Attorney Hearing is an alternative to misdemeanor criminal prosecution. Though charges will not be filed against Jackson at this time, the case remains open and can be re-evaluated if there are more developments.
WORDS: 245 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 4:53 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:22627debc7a54e3a0439a6c656c8128f&mediaType=text
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FBN--TOP 5-QUARTERBACKS
Josh Allen is voted the NFL’s top quarterback by AP writers
SUMMARY: Josh Allen was voted the NFL’s top quarterback by The Associated Press in a preseason survey. The 2024 AP NFL Most Valuable Player beat out Patrick Mahomes, who earned the top spot each of the three previous seasons. Allen received five first-place votes from a panel of eight AP pro football writers, who ranked the top five quarterbacks entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
WORDS: 644 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 2:49 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:60391a69c6b5f8053b283adfaae86971&mediaType=text
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GLF--BRITISH OPEN
Jordan Spieth returns to Royal Birkdale looking for the magic that made him a British Open champion
SUMMARY: Perhaps even more astonishing than the way Jordan Spieth won the British Open at Royal Birkdale is what followed. He won the claret jug nine years ago. He was still 23 and had three legs of the career Grand Slam. Spieth is still stuck on three majors in his return to Royal Birkdale this week. And he has won only two times on the PGA Tour. Spieth says that Open victory gave him a blueprint of how to be his best. And he still believes he can get back to that level. The frustration has been waiting on the results.
WORDS: 915 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 2:29 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f19cf76b101e795d28e1182ae1d5e3c5&mediaType=text
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BBO--ALL-STAR LINEUPS
Kyle Schwarber of host Phillies will lead off for NL in All-Star Game
SUMMARY: Kyle Schwarber of the host Philadelphia Phillies will lead off for the National League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game as the replacement for designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who is skipping the showcase to have a knee procedure ahead of the season’s second half. New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice and outfielder Cody Bellinger, and Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene gained American League starting spots because of injuries. Rice, third in the major leagues with 29 home runs, starts at first base because Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is skipping the game to rest a bad back. Guerrero’s initial replacement, the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz, sprained a thumb.
WORDS: 372 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 2:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:74a7587e0816f04d4a1542d243318383&mediaType=text
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MMA--MCGREGOR-SURGERY
McGregor outlines plan for surgery, rehab and another fight following knee injury against Holloway
SUMMARY: Conor McGregor has disclosed his plan for surgery, rehabilitation and another fight following his knee injury in his shortened UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway. McGregor outlined his play to “Go again” to the final fight of his contract in his post on Instagram. McGregor’s first fight in five years lasted only a little longer than one minute because of a knee injury sustained while attempting an opening roundhouse kick on Saturday. McGregor’s return to the octagon was highly anticipated but ended in disappointment when he awkwardly landed on his right knee in the opening seconds.
WORDS: 230 - MOVED: 07/13/2026 1:45 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fd41eafa9be095260c2332c815a407a2&mediaType=text
