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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BBO--POSTSEASON

FORMATS: Text, photos

1. WITH: BBO--PHILLIES-BRAVES

2. DESCRIPTION: Atlanta right-hander Tyler Mahle is expected to face Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in Wednesday’s second game of the series. Mahle was 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA in nine games with Atlanta. By Charles Odum. 500 words, photos. Game scheduled for 2:15 p.m. EDT start.

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

4. WITH: BBO--RED SOX-YANKEES

5. DESCRIPTION: The Yankees try to eliminated the Red Sox in their three-game AL Wild Card Series. Game starts at 8 p.m. EDT.

6. UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BBO--CUBS-PADRES

8. DESCRIPTION: The Padres try to finish off the Cubs in their NL Wild Card Series. Game starts at 10 p.m. EDT.

9. UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 11:59 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: BBO--WHITE SOX-ASTROS

11. DESCRIPTION: Just a season removed a third straight 100-loss season, the Chicago White Sox can advance to the AL Division Series with a win over the Houston Astros in Game 2 of a Wild Card Series. Game starts at 5 p.m. EDT.

12. UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

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FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 4

DESCRIPTION: The Chiefs and Raiders meet in a surprise matchup of unbeatens to highlight Week 4. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--GIANTS-QUARTERBACKS

DESCRIPTION: J.J. McCarthy practices with the New York Giants for the first time since they acquired him in a trade from Minnesota, while Jameis Winston remains the starter for at least this weekend’s game against Arizona. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--RAVENS-HENRY-FACING TITANS

DESCRIPTION: Three years after leaving Tennessee to join the Baltimore Ravens, Derrick Henry prepares to face the Titans this weekend. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--WNBA PLAYOFFS

FORMATS: Text, Photo

13. WITH: BKL--DREAM-MYSTICS

14. DESCRIPTION: The Mystics will try to stay alive in the playoffs as their first-round series against Atlanta shifts to Washington for Game 2. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

15. UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT

16. WITH: BKL--VALKYRIES-WINGS

17. DESCRIPTION: The Valkyries look to advance to the semifinals with a win in Dallas when the visit Paige Bueckers and the Wings. By Schuyler Dixon. Game starts at 9 p.m. EDT.

18. UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 11:59 p.m. EDT

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FBN--RAIDERS-COUSINS

DESCRIPTION: Kirk Cousins was supposed to be the bridge quarterback until Fernando Mendoza was ready to take the reins for the Las Vegas Raiders. But Cousins has been anything but that in leading the Raiders to a 3-0 start and tied for the league lead with nine touchdown passes.

UPCOMING: By 09/30/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--RAVENS HENRY-FACING TITANS

Derrick Henry says the Titans did little to keep him when he left in free agency for Baltimore

SUMMARY: Derrick Henry says his old team did not do much to try to keep him when he left in free agency for Baltimore. Henry said Wednesday he knew the handwriting was on the wall in 2023, his final season with the Tennessee Titans. Then he went to the Ravens in free agency. Baltimore hosts Tennessee on Sunday. It’s the first time the teams have met since Henry’s move. Joining a contending team in Baltimore has been great for him. He’s rushed for more than 1,500 yards in his first two full seasons with the Ravens.

WORDS: 243 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 1:05 p.m. EDT. Will be updated.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a44bb57b0a0033b283c0d6df356b5247&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN-CITY-CHAIRMAN-PROFILE

The chairman of scandal-hit Man City has worked with Trump and Macron as part of the UAE elite

SUMMARY: Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is a public face of the 2023 Champions League winner that is now embroiled in one of soccer’s biggest scandals. He’s a soccer official who sat with Donald Trump in Davos this year signing on to the U.S. president’s Board of Peace on behalf of the United Arab Emirates government. He also sat with French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles this year at a business summit. The U.S.-educated Al Mubarak also heads a $385 billion sovereign wealth fund. His father was the UAE’s ambassador to France when he was assassinated in 1984.

WORDS: 1017 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 12:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1be322938faaa94b68e72d49c2f94185&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-TEXAS-PLAYER CONDUCT

Texas AD calls top-ranked Longhorns’ vulgar celebrations ‘embarrassing’ for the school

SUMMARY: University of Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte has apologized for the top-ranked Longhorns’ vulgar on-field celebrations during their win over Tennessee and called them “embarrassing” for the school. In rare criticism directed at his own program and players, Del Conte addressed the fallout from the celebrations by defensive end Colin Simmons and running back Raleek Brown on Tuesday in his weekly “Forty Acres Insider” blog post on Texas athletics. Del Conte wrote that similar conduct by players cannot happen again.

WORDS: 463 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 12:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3f831378343ceff28ff81a4dca4f3c98&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY-WHAT NEXT?

Potential sanctions against Man City could range from fines to expulsion from the Premier League

WORDS: 900 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 11:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5892f34bcba7d4209d2299dee1e5da7b&mediaType=text

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BBO--ATTENDANCE

MLB attendance rises for 4th straight year to 71.75 million, boosted by Rays’ return to Trop

SUMMARY: Major League Baseball attendance rose for the fourth straight year to 71.75 million, reaching its highest total since 2017 with a boost from the Tampa Bay Rays’ return to Tropicana Field. Teams averaged 29,589 for 2,425 dates, a 0.4% increase from the average of 29,471 last year, when attendance totaled 71.4 million. MLB attendance has risen in four straight seasons for the first time since 2004-07. Tampa Bay had biggest increase, up 628,255 to 1,414,975 as the Rays won the AL East for the first time since 2021. The Rays spent 2025 at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training ballpark, while damage to their stadium from Hurricane Milton was repaired.

WORDS: 454 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 11:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26807622e09663d0f0fef08befbdadd1&mediaType=text

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OLY--CONGRESS-SAVING THE OLYMPICS

How a bill intended to rein in NIL and ‘protect’ college sports could also save the US Olympic team

SUMMARY: The Protect College Sports Act, passed by the Senate this week, aims to safeguard Olympic sports in the U.S. The bill addresses issues like name-image-likeness payments and requires colleges to maintain scholarships and roster spots for Olympic sports. This is crucial as many U.S. Olympic athletes come from college programs. The bill also includes a new retention pool, with $5 million per school earmarked for women’s and Olympic sports. Despite potential challenges, Olympic leaders believe the bill offers a sustainable solution. However, with uncertain House passage, they are exploring other options to support these sports.

WORDS: 1177 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 11:46 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a2836fbcb0d2e9a8ee6aafa7f10f9e8&mediaType=text

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FBN--COMMANDERS-LONDON

Daniels has chance to start for Commanders vs. Colts in London despite elbow injury, Quinn says

SUMMARY: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has a shot to start Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in London and would wear a brace on his injured left elbow. Washington coach Dan Quinn says it’s “too early to call” if Daniels, who dislocated his elbow in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, would return after missing last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Quinn says “as we’re working through the week, he’ll get more reps. ... By Friday we’ll have a definite determination of where we’re at.”

WORDS: 558 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 11:36 a.m. EDT. Will be updated.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:29193a3b2007d005d0037965100d6d52&mediaType=text

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HKN--AVALANCHE-BEDNAR EXTENSION

Avalanche agree to terms with coach Jared Bednar on a 4-year extension through 2030-31

SUMMARY: The Colorado Avalanche agreed to terms with Jared Bednar, the head coach with the most wins in franchise history, on a four-year extension Wednesday. His new deal was announced hours before the season opener against the Los Angeles Kings and runs through the 2030-31 season. Bednar led the Avalanche to a Stanley Cup title in 2022 behind a nucleus that included Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog. The team gave Bednar a vote of confidence in the offseason after being swept in the Western Conference final. Bednar said leading into training camp they were in discussions to get a deal completed. His team was the Presidents’ Trophy winner last season with a franchise-best 121 points.

WORDS: 372 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 10:27 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d3843d49de11ae6f6d97653c0e6a118e&mediaType=text

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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy find themselves in unfortunate company early this NFL season

SUMMARY: Drake Maye has followed up a season when he was the MVP runner-up with an opening month that has been reminiscent of some of the biggest recent draft busts. J.J. McCarthy also finds himself among not-so-illustrious company after being dealt away following a quick flameout in Minnesota. Two of the record-tying six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2024 draft aren’t having the best starts to the 2026 season.

WORDS: 1376 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 9:20 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af9ba154a7cf3bf28dc548d30580a4ce&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY CHARGES-GUARDIOLA

Guardiola says he’s staying ‘behind my club’ Manchester City despite bombshell charges

SUMMARY: Coach Pep Guardiola says he’s staying “behind my club” Manchester City after it was found guilty of dozens of financial violations in the Premier League during his decade-long tenure. While he was in charge from 2016 to 2026, Guardiola led City to six Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League crown and three FA Cup trophies. In his first public comment since an independent panel published its report on Tuesday, Guardiola wrote on social media on Wednesday that he’s standing by the club. He writes “Let me be clear: we will get through this together.”

WORDS: 225 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 9:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b35d1812f9e64140f6bb471c28a7731e&mediaType=text

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AS--ASIAN GAMES

Alex Eala eyeing LA Olympics if she takes tennis gold at the Asian Games

SUMMARY: Alex Eala wants the tennis gold medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya because it comes with a two-for-one deal. The champion also gets an automatic berth into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The Philippines’ Eala has not competed at the Olympics. She defeated Joanna Garland of Taiwan 7-5, 6-0 on Wednesday to reach Thursday’s semifinals against Wang Xiyu of China. The winner advances to Friday’s final.

WORDS: 323 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 8:21 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:594561fb3c70c38ef749947e64bb54be&mediaType=text

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CAR--F1-BAHRAIN GP IN MALAYSIA-WHAT TO KNOW

Why Malaysia is hosting F1’s relocated Bahrain Grand Prix, with rain and haze likely

WORDS: 630 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 8:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0c15556ddd3fed1fe2f55d7317349c3d&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-RICE

Ben Rice, rare Ivy Leaguer in major leagues, had route to stardom that was anything but routine

SUMMARY: Ben Rice’s journey to stardom with the New York Yankees is anything but routine. The 27-year-old Ivy League graduate has filled some of the offensive void left by Aaron Judge’s injury-filled season. Rice hit a grand slam with six RBIs in a 9-0 win over Boston that opened an AL Wild Card Series. A 12th-round pick from Dartmouth in the amateur draft, Rice grew up a Yankees fan in Massachusetts. Despite struggles mid-season, he finished strongly and is likely to get MVP votes.

WORDS: 652 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fc61c87d8494f93f8dc72e35e6db9f3d&mediaType=text

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BKL--LIBERTY-ADVANCE

New York Liberty sweep the Minnesota Lynx 87-71, 1st No. 8 seed to oust a No. 1 in WNBA playoffs

SUMMARY: New York pulled off a historic upset, becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the league’s 30-year history by completing the two-game sweep of the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night with an 87-71 victory in Game 2 of the quarterfinals. Next up for the Liberty is a semifinals matchup against either Atlanta or Washington. The Dream are up 1-0 with Game 2 of that series Wednesday night.

WORDS: 564 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6df4ad76fee5f2216284bc9170aa9b15&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY-CHARGES

Man City guilty of almost all the 115 financial charges, Premier League says in explosive verdict

SUMMARY: An independent panel has found that Manchester City artificially inflated its revenue by more than $1 billion over nearly a decade, circumventing fair-play rules that restricted rival clubs and allowing it to pad its roster with some of soccer’s biggest stars. The panel’s findings were published Tuesday after a lengthy investigation into the Premier League giants. City now faces severe sanctions that could include a huge points deduction or even expulsion from the world’s most popular soccer league. League chief executive Richard Masters says panel’s report “details how the club systematically broke Premier League rules for nearly a decade.” The allegations of financial malfeasance emerged in 2018 from leaked club emails and documents.

WORDS: 1133 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 5:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2da2890d5a18b1cf234d39fb40c2a3d&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN CITY-CHARGES-EXPLAINER

Man City scandal: What to know about the controversy surrounding the Premier League soccer team

WORDS: 1288 - MOVED: 09/30/2026 3:27 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:279a90a5081834b9efe06b09ca25b033&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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BBO--ATHLETICS-PARALYZED PROSPECT

Ryan Lasko was a promising outfielder in the Athletics organization on a path he hoped would one day make him a major leaguer, having established himself in Double-A ball. Speed and defense were his greatest assets. His plans changed in an instant on June 30, on one hustle play he’d made hundreds of times. Playing center field for the A’s Midland team at Frisco, Texas, Lasko sprinted toward the ball as right fielder Devin Taylor did the same. Their heads crashed when both went diving to make the catch, and Lasko needed immediate surgery for two broken vertebrae in his neck. He was paralyzed. Now, the goal has changed, he tells The Associated Press: He’s working to become independent again.

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BBO--POSTSEASON

Coverage of Major League Baseball’s postseason.

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BKL--WNBA PLAYOFFS

Coverage of the first round of the WNBA playoffs.