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; graphics, ext. 7636.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

HKN--HURRICANES-CAMP OPENS

DESCRIPTION: The Carolina Hurricanes open training camp Thursday, roughly three months after winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history. By Aaron Beard. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-TEXAS TECH-FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

DESCRIPTION: Joey McGuire has often roamed a sideline during games in Texas on Friday nights in the fall. This time will feel much different for the Texas Tech coach. The 13th-ranked Red Raiders, the defending Big 12 champions, play their conference opener in prime time Friday night against No. 22 Houston. “It’s weird because I’m so used to Friday nights in the state of Texas is kind of holy ground when it comes to Texas high school football,” said McGuire, a former prep coach. By Stephen Hawkins. 650 words, photos.

SENT: By 09/17/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

HKN--TRADE DEMANDS

DESCRIPTION: Brady Tkachuk asked for a trade out of Ottawa and wound up in Florida. Connor Hellebuyck could soon be joining him after requesting a trade from Winnipeg. Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski also asked for a trade in recent months. It is somewhat of a coincidence that all of them won Olympic gold with the U.S. and now want a change of scenery, though they understand what especially wanting out of Canada looks like from the outside. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BKC--ARIZONA-GODFREY’S WAIT

DESCRIPTION: TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona’s RJ Godfrey is one of dozens of athletes challenging the NCAA’s new eligibility rules. Though he’s been practicing with his new team since August, the big man is still not eligible as he waits for the case to play out in the courts. By Basketball Writer John Marshall. 500 words, photos by 2 p.m. PT.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBN--PACKERS-JETS PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It has been a while since Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers walked off the field with a victory. A promising start last Sunday turned into an embarrassing fourth-quarter collapse in a 39-22 loss at Minnesota. And now they’re mired in the type of skid the franchise hasn’t seen in 35 years. Next up for the Packers (0-1) is the New York Jets (1-0), who are coming off a dominant 23-10 victory at Tennessee. By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBN--JETS-5 TIGHT ENDS

DESCRIPTION: FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Frank Reich added a wrinkle to the New York Jets’ offense in the season opener last Sunday, using all of tight ends - including all five on one play. The offensive coordinator said he had never seen that before and a team analytics staffer said it hasn’t been done in at least 20 years in the NFL. Head coach Aaron Glenn says the tight ends room “is a weapon for us.” By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBN--VIKINGS-JEFFERSON

DESCRIPTION: Justin Jefferson took a big step forward from a frustrating 2025 season with a two-touchdown performance in the opener for the Minnesota Vikings. By Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-MORE CHANGE

DESCRIPTION: The Vegas Golden Knights are coming off a surprising Stanley Cup Final run, they just signed captain Mark Stone to a contract extension and enter the season with high expectations. But the volatile if successful approach by the franchise also means Vegas is getting used to another new coach.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBN--LIONS-BILLS

DESCRIPTION: Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills put the grass turf in their new stadium to the test by hosting the Detroit Lions in their regular-season home-opener on Thursday night. By John Wawrow. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/17/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

BKN--KNICKS-TICKET SALES

Knicks pause ticket sales after error caused them to be listed at prices too high

SUMMARY: The New York Knicks are pausing ticket sales after an error caused them to be listed for amounts that were too high. The NBA champions put individual game tickets for the 2026-27 season on sale this week. The get-in price for the Oct. 20 season opener against Philadelphia was more than $1,000. The team said Thursday they are rolling back to last year’s prices plus an average increase of 12%. They added that sales will restart shortly with the correct prices, and anyone who already purchased individual tickets would be refunded the difference.

WORDS: 181 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 1:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:be25d546aed2d1737d310e6c991b4efe&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-TEXAS-ESPN

Texas’ Sarkisian says he could have ‘better’ handled postgame interview that spawned fake videos

SUMMARY: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says he should have “better” handled his postgame interview with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe after the win over Ohio State. He acknowledged the testy exchange led to the creation of fake videos and an apology from star quarterback Arch Manning. Manning joked publicly about an AI-generated video that showed Sarkisian slapping Rowe during the interview. Manning apologized the next day for his remarks and to Rowe specifically. Rowe posted on social media that she accepted Manning’s apology.

WORDS: 346 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 1:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a2a5556f00eb1b90bd14c1d23481d8b5&mediaType=text

___

HKN--CAPITALS-OVECHKIN

NHL star Alex Ovechkin says he’s ‘for peace and love’ after appearing in ad for Putin-aligned party

SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin says he’s “for peace and love” after the Russian hockey star appeared in an ad for a party aligned with Vladimir Putin. The video for the United Russia party came to light this week, days before Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals held their annual media day. The NHL’s career goal-scoring leader is back with the Capitals for a 22nd season. Ovechkin is seen in the commercial standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Ovechkin said: “I’m Russian, and I support my country.” He noted he plans to return to live in Russia once his NHL career is over.

WORDS: 447 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 12:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:75806cfde19850c70825b13bdf1792a2&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-GEORGIA-ARKANSAS PREVIEW

Second-ranked Georgia opens Southeastern Conference play at struggling Arkansas

SUMMARY: No. 2 Georgia has scored 110 points in two games to open the season. Arkansas, the Bulldogs’ host on Saturday, haven’t beaten a fellow Southeastern Conference team since October 2024 and gave up 42 points last week against No. 20 Utah. The last time Georgia visited Fayetteville, Stetson Bennett IV rallied the Bulldogs from a two-point halftime deficit to a 27-point win. Georgia won back-to-back titles shortly thereafter. Arkansas is coming off its third two-victory season since 2018.

WORDS: 656 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 12:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:848b37deb59db26e7880a0f0a3074cf4&mediaType=text

___

FBC—T25-MICHIGAN ST-NOTRE DAME PREVIEW

No. 3 Notre Dame and Michigan St. ready to revive their historic rivalry after nearly a decade off

SUMMARY: No. 3 Notre Dame and Michigan State have a storied rivalry without a recent chapter. That changes Saturday. For the first time since 2017, the Fighting Irish and Spartans (2-0) will square off in the Battle for the Megaphone — a rivalry that once was a featured annual attraction because of its national championship implications. The most notable game in the series came 60 years ago when the nation’s top two teams played to a 10-10 tie in East Lansing, Michigan. This game won’t live up to that hype but both teams are 2-0 as Notre Dame tries to avoid another September home loss.

WORDS: 772 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 12:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dc848c6728ed6d9cca39cfd284e19c53&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-UTSA-TEXAS PREVIEW

Back to No. 1 and back to the field for Arch Manning and Texas Longhorns against UTSA

SUMMARY: The excitement around Texas rising to No. 1 after beating Ohio State had barely reached its peak before landing with a thud barely 48 hours later. Arch Manning’s joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy. Manning apologized the next day and Rowe graciously accepted. The rare public relations blunder by one of the most prominent players in the country could stick with him for a while. But now he can try to turn the conversation back to football when Texas hosts UTSA in the Longhorns’ final nonconference game Saturday night.

WORDS: 674 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 12:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:15a8ce404a452da0bc5c025d2d63a7e5&mediaType=text

___

BKL--CLARK-SNEAKER

Caitlin Clark’s Nike signature shoe arrives Oct. 1, with ‘Caitlin Blue’ and ‘Warning Code Yellow’

SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark doesn’t have to wait much longer for her first signature shoe to come out. They will be available starting Oct. 1 in the U.S. and a week earlier in China. Clark will be the fifth active player to have a signature shoe, joining fellow Nike athletes Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson. Angel Reese has one with Reebok and Breanna Stewart with Puma. Sheryl Swoopes was the first women’s basketball player to have her own one in 1995. Elena Delle Donne’s signature shoe debuted at the same time as Stewart in 2022. They were the first players with signature shoes since Candace Parker in 2011.

WORDS: 481 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 12:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d028d7b16e46a2c230c76d2d8e5f2e86&mediaType=text

___

SOC--US ROSTER

Pulisic left off US roster by Pochettino, Sullivan among 13 who could make debuts

SUMMARY: Christian Pulisic has been left off the U.S. roster for the upcoming international matches. Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan is among 13 newcomers selected for the games and could become the youngest player for the American team in 20 years. Yunus Musah, a 2022 World Cup veteran, is also back on the roster. The U.S. team will play friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada starting Sept. 26. Coach Mauricio Pochettino is blending experience with potential, aiming to introduce new talents while maintaining a core of experienced players.

WORDS: 552 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 11:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c63150d236c7e510201634e6a2b534cf&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WREXHAM-SPYGATE TAUNT

Spying scandal is still haunting Southampton as Wrexham’s celebrity owners have a dig

SUMMARY: Another week, another taunt as Southampton continues to be dogged by its conduct in the “Spygate” soccer scandal. This time the jibes are coming from Wrexham’s famous co-owners. Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have released a video containing cutting references to a saga from last season that saw Southampton expelled from the playoffs for unauthorized filming of opponents’ practice sessions. It comes ahead of a match between Wrexham and Southampton in England’s second-tier Championship on Saturday. Southampton’s opponents aren’t letting this lie with many teams aiming digs at Southampton in the early weeks of the season.

WORDS: 517 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 11:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d1abc1a222616e8f279054f70dec4eab&mediaType=text

___

FBC--NORTH CAROLINA-INVESTIGATION

UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick resigns, probe into conduct in football program concludes

SUMMARY: North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick has resigned from his position as the school concludes a probe into its football program. Steve Belichick is head coach Bill Belichick’s son. The school released a statement Thursday morning saying Steve Belichick’s resignation would be effective in late October at the conclusion of a medical leave. That leave was announced early in preseason camp. That comes after the school’s investigation “determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values and standards of conduct.” The school had previously announced the resignation of general manager Michael Lombardi amid the probe.

WORDS: 400 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 10:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:89c96d53c44a6b97393df3cd9cccef61&mediaType=text

___

CAR--F1-FERRARI-HAMILTON

Lewis Hamilton denies he’s sought to replace any staff at Ferrari as his F1 title bid fades

SUMMARY: Lewis Hamilton says he has “never asked” for any of Ferrari’s staff to be replaced and praised their dedication after some tense radio exchanges over team strategy in recent Formula 1 races. Hamilton’s denial follows a report Tuesday in Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera which said Hamilton had asked for changes to Ferrari’s trackside staff and that his relationship with team principal Fred Vasseur was strained. Hamilton has sometimes questioned Ferrari’s strategy over the radio this year and asked if he was being used as a “guinea pig” on strategy during last month’s Dutch Grand Prix.

WORDS: 319 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 10:22 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5615a8f5f3b6c46b736f3337215ff398&mediaType=text

___

ENT--MUSIC-NFL-BURNA BOY

Burna Boy to headline halftime at the NFL’s first regular-season game in Paris

SUMMARY: Burna Boy is set to headline the halftime show at the NFL’s first regular-season game in Paris. The Grammy-winning Nigerian star will perform on October 25 when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France. This marks a return for Burna Boy, who last year became the first African artist to headline the stadium. The Paris game is part of the NFL’s largest international season, featuring games across several countries. Burna Boy joins a lineup that includes Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio for the NFL’s Rio de Janeiro game and Ayra Starr in London.

WORDS: 470 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 8:50 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5df2d97ab0eef818b665327a472097e0&mediaType=text

___

TEN--LAVER CUP-SHELTON WITHDRAWS

US Open runner-up Ben Shelton withdraws from Laver Cup and is replaced by Brandon Nakashima

SUMMARY: U.S. Open runner-up Ben Shelton withdrew from the Laver Cup and will be replaced by 16th-ranked Brandon Nakashima on Team World. No reason was given for Shelton’s withdrawal but he’s slated to play Davis Cup for the United States in the Czech Republic starting on Friday. Sheltong was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the U.S. Open final on Sunday. Shelton is up to a career-high No. 4 in the rankings after reaching his first Grand Slam final. It will mark Nakashima’s Laver Cup debut. He joins Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Bublik, Learner Tien and Francisco Cerundolo on Team World. Yannick Noah’s Team Europe features Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Flavio Cobolli, Rafael Jodar, Jakub Mensik and Casper Ruud.

WORDS: 169 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 7:46 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2dcb2dc12b54e837b92878500300c2f7&mediaType=text

___

CRI--LEICESTERSHIRE-BAD PITCH

English cricket club gets points deduction after pitch is damaged by heat and Bollywood filming

SUMMARY: Storied English cricket club Leicestershire faces relegation after it was docked 27 points for the poor state of its playing surface, despite the head groundsman arguing that the conditions were due to extreme heat and a Bollywood film shoot just days before a game. The points deduction drops the club to the bottom of the Division One table, although it has until Sept. 29 to appeal. Leicestershire beat Glamorgan on Aug. 20 but the match referee reported 43 instances of uneven bounce caused by cracks in the ground. Cricket’s regulator later ruled that the pitch at Grace Road was below standard. Leicestershire’s head groundsman Callum Lewin argued that the heat and Bollywood filming meant he could not work on the pitch properly.

WORDS: 408 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 7:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dc5196497c2f1068970d504617f8a4e5&mediaType=text

___

SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

The boos have started at Man United after another troubled start to the season

WORDS: 714 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 6:52 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af86cbbe37f38298e81cbf744cc00c47&mediaType=text

___

BKL--WNBA SPRINT TO FINISH

WNBA returns after a 3-week World Cup break, with 4 games left and seeding at stake

SUMMARY: The WNBA is set to resume it season Thursday after a nearly three-week break for the women’s FIBA World Cup. It will be a sprint to the finish with each team having four games left. While the playoffs teams are set, their positioning is still up from grabs. With over 50 players competing in the World Cup teams were left without many of their stars as they prepared for the final seven days of the regular season.

WORDS: 627 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:987cf2003eb354d612d8d02e052e3c12&mediaType=text

___

FBN--BUCCANEERS-MAYFIELD

Baker Mayfield doesn’t need extra motivation facing the Browns

SUMMARY: Baker Mayfield doesn’t need extra motivation after a turnover-filled performance in Week 1. His former team provides it anyway. Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in their home opener after starting the season with a 33-27 loss at Cincinnati. Mayfield lost three fumbles against the Bengals that led to 17 points, including one that was returned for a score. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Browns in 2018 and had an inconsistent tenure in Cleveland. He led the Browns to a playoff victory against Pittsburgh in 2020 but was traded after an injury-plagued 2022 season.

WORDS: 651 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fc113d85e76e3c5692693a748224bbcf&mediaType=text

___

SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

Bournemouth begins European campaign against Real Sociedad, Man City meets Norwich in League Cup

SUMMARY: Bournemouth kicks off its first European campaign at Real Sociedad on Thursday. The Premier League side earned a Europa League spot after a record season and a sixth-place finish. Bournemouth captain Adam Smith says the team needs to stay humble after a winless start to the season. Real Sociedad returns to Europe after winning the Spanish Cup. Crystal Palace also begins its European campaign against Lech Poznań. Other matches include Juventus facing Nijmegen, Besiktas hosting Marseille, and Celtic playing Ferencváros. On Wednesday, Benfica upset AC Milan, Sunderland beat AZ Alkmaar, and Lyon won at Anderlecht. Elsewhere, Manchester City faces Norwich in the League Cup in England.

WORDS: 232 - MOVED: 09/17/2026 5:44 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:283d0035beaf1745f2fb4e5c8d194949&mediaType=text

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

FBC--T25-HOUSTON-TEXAS TECH

Defending Big 12 champion No. 13 Texas Tech plays its conference opener, in a rare Friday night home game against No. 22 Houston.

___

FBC--T25-MIAMI-WAKE-FOREST

Fifth-ranked Miami goes for a 3-0 start on Friday when it visits Wake Forest, which is 2-0 in Year 2 under Jake Dickert. By Aaron Beard.

___

FBN--FOOTBALL HEAD INJURIES-TREATMENT

The Emory University School of Medicine is teaming up with the Concussion & CTE Foundation to study if baricitinib, an FDA-approved anti-inflammatory drug, can help former football players with depression and cognitive issues. By David Brandt.

___