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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CAR F1 SINGAPORE GP PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: A look ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix. Will be updated with preview and sprint qualifying coverage.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 9:15 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--49ERS-PURDY

DESCRIPTION: Brock Purdy hasn’t run into many road blocks early in his career with the San Francisco 49ers as he’s been one of the game’s most efficient passers as a seventh-round rookie in 2022. That’s what has made his struggles against Mike Macdonald’s defenses so glaring, highlighted by the way last season ended with losses to the Seattle Seahawks in a Week 18 showdown for the NFC West title and two weeks later in a divisional round loss. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--BUCKS-AFTER ANTETOKOUNMPO

DESCRIPTION: The Milwaukee Bucks are beginning a new chapter as they adjust to the absence of the most impactful player in franchise history following the offseason trade of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. By Steve Megargee. 750 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN-ON FOOTBALL-EAGLES’ WOES

DESCRIPTION: Injuries are piling up for the Philadelphia Eagles. Key starters are gone. A new offensive coordinator is off to a rough start. The head coach is hearing more criticism. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--JAGUARS-HUNTER

DESCRIPTION: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There’s no need to ask Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen about 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter playing receiver. It’s not part of the team’s current plan, at least not against Philadelphia in London on Sunday – and maybe not again this season.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--JAGUARS-LAWRENCE-LONDON

DESCRIPTION: By the Numbers: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence in London ... a look at Lawrence’s history in international games. By Ken Maguire. Upcoming: 600 words; photos

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--JAGUARS-LONDON

DESCRIPTION: Jacksonville Jaguars hold practice outside London ahead of game vs. Philadelphia Eagles

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN-BUCCANEERS-ANALYSIS

DESCRIPTION: TAMPA, Fla. — Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels led the Buccaneers to their first win of the season with an impressive performance at Dallas. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--VALKYRIES-ACES

DESCRIPTION: The Golden State Valkyries visit the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of their best-of-five WNBA playoffs semifinal series. Breakout on merit.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 9:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--COWBOYS ANALYSIS

DESCRIPTION: Dallas Cowboys analysis coming off Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. By Pro Football Writer Schuyler Dixon.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--US WOMEN-HAYES’ VISION

DESCRIPTION: As much as U.S. coach Emma Hayes loves winning, she has even loftier ambitions for the national team — and women’s soccer overall. Hayes wants to fundamentally reframe the entire women’s soccer ecosystem, which she laments is just the men’s game applied to women. Instead, she suggests a holistic approach through a female lens. By Anne M. Peterson

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO-RAYS-WAIT

DESCRIPTION: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After sweeping the Yankees, the Rays wait for the White Sox-Guardians winner for the upcoming ALCS. By Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-IOWA-WASHINGTON

DESCRIPTION: Iowa plays Washington at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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CAR--NASCAR-CHARLOTTE-BUSCH REMEMBERED

DESCRIPTION: Samantha Busch, the widow of late NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, is expected to speak at a celebration of life ceremony at Charlotte Motor Speedway after the Truscks Series race. By Steve Reed. 500 words.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-IOWA STATE-BYU

DESCRIPTION: No. 8 BYU faces a stiff home test against Iowa State after moving into the top 20 of the AP Top 25 this week. By John Coon. Text, photos. Starts at 10:15 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2026 10:15 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--ALDS-GUARDIANS-WHITE SOX

José Ramírez homers as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-5 to force a decisive Game 5 in ALDS

SUMMARY: José Ramírez homered and drove in three runs, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 to send their AL Division Series to a winner-take-all Game 5. Pinch-hitter Patrick Bailey also went deep and Game 2 starter Gavin Williams got the last three outs as the Guardians won for the second consecutive day in Chicago after beginning their postseason with two straight losses at home. Jo Adell hit a two-run single to cap a six-run sixth inning for the AL Central champions. Cleveland is looking to become the first major league team to come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series since the 2017 New York Yankees accomplished the feat against, well, Cleveland. Game 5 is back in Cleveland on Saturday night.

WORDS: 947 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 1:42 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e0210e68ca08e3780cc3d34dc4714224&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS CONCERN

Jerry Jones’ Cowboys have plenty of reason for concern after home loss to winless Buccaneers

SUMMARY: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ concerned look just got more bleak. This was a game they expected to win. Instead, the Cowboys fell behind quickly in the second half against the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dallas is 2-3 after the 24-16 loss on Thursday night. Tampa Bay scored 17 points on its first three drives after halftime. After a two-play opening drive out of the break, the Bucs added scores following an interception by Dak Prescott and then a fumbled kickoff return. Dallas still had a chance to tie the game after the 2-minute warning before another of Prescott’s passes was deflected and intercepted.

WORDS: 742 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 1:12 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:89bbe81e37812c5045f229e97d576a18&mediaType=text

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FBN--BUCCANEERS-COWBOYS

Bucky Irving and rookie QB Jalon Daniels help Bucs beat sloppy Cowboys 24-16 for 1st win of season

SUMMARY: Bucky Irving ran for a career-high 165 yards, including a 72-yard run to set up the touchdown that put Tampa Bay ahead for good while scoring twice himself, and the Buccaneers beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 night for their first win of the season. Jalon Daniels threw for a TD pass to Irving in the first half while directing a turnover-free offense amid several Dallas miscues in the just the second start for the undrafted rookie. Daniels is filling in for franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield. Dak Prescott led a 99-yard scoring drive but threw two interceptions as the Cowboys continued an up-and-down start to the season.

WORDS: 836 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 12:31 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aa21decb44dfc200027b45a03c5fc0b5&mediaType=text

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BKN--76ERS-JAMES

LeBron James has a strong start in his first game with the 76ers and expects things to get better

SUMMARY: LeBron James looks set to make a big impact on the Philadelphia 76ers, and the NBA’s career scoring leader may not even need to shoot much to do it. James made his first appearance with his new team Thursday night, getting started on the expected final stop in his NBA career. He did a little bit of everything in the first half of the 76ers’ exhibition game against the Brooklyn Nets. James, who joined the 76ers this summer for his NBA-record 24th season, had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first half, helping the 76ers to a 58-56 lead.

WORDS: 677 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 11:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8f5fcfc5af2c14dc138365d86523a8e5&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA MVP-WILSON-ADEBAYO

Heat center Bam Adebayo kept the secret that A’ja Wilson was the WNBA’s MVP again

SUMMARY: A’ja Wilson has been named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player and her partner, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, knew about the win last week but kept it a secret. This is Wilson’s fifth MVP award. The couple has been together since meeting at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Adebayo frequently attends Aces games, and Wilson supports him at Heat games. Wilson has dominated the WNBA since her debut, receiving 54% of first-place votes over nine seasons. She is also an eight-time All-Star with the highest career points per game in WNBA history.

WORDS: 404 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 10:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:51afab4ee549df0573bf41298307ae82&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-PREDICTION MARKETS

NFL urges the Supreme Court to rule on regulation of prediction markets

SUMMARY: The NFL is urging the Supreme Court to rule on the regulation of prediction markets, arguing in an amicus brief that states are better positioned to oversee sports-related contracts “given the current landscape.” The NFL is supporting New Jersey’s request for the Supreme Court to rule on the governing authority for prediction markets, which provide an opportunity to trade — or wager — on the result of future events. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has maintained it has exclusive federal jurisdiction, while states have argued that the array of typically yes-or-no questions is akin to gambling and falls under their purview.

WORDS: 808 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 8:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:602681c51cbcf9f3616467bc3f25e0a0&mediaType=text

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BBO--RAYS ADVANCE

Singing `New York, New York,′ Rays revel in recognition as they head to AL Championship Series

SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Rays are celebrating after sweeping the New York Yankees and securing a spot in the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2020. They’ll host the Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Guardians on Monday in their first ALCS game at Tropicana Field since 2008. The Rays, who had an AL-best 98-64 record, are aiming for their first World Series title. The Rays drew their largest crowds of the year for their Division Series games against the Yankees

WORDS: 704 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 8:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:10898439b0c934d01499d0d86ca4756b&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES FLOP

Yankees end 17th straight season without a title. Imagine how George Steinbrenner would’ve reacted

SUMMARY: The New York Yankees have failed to win a World Series for the 17th straight season. George Steinbrenner, their former owner, would have been furious. Yankees captain Aaron Judge says the team must focus on winning a championship. The Yankees struggled at the plate after Judge was injured in May. Ten players, including closer David Bednar and second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., could become free agents this offseason. General manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone are expected to stay in leadership roles. Judge hopes owner Hal Steinbrenner will invest in strengthening the roster.

WORDS: 743 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 7:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c23bc46f567a4f4785c7e1a2b3c0f44a&mediaType=text

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BKL--ACES-WILSON-MVP

A’ja Wilson wins her third straight WNBA MVP and record fifth overall

SUMMARY: A’ja Wilson has won the WNBA MVP for a third straight year and record fifth time overall. Besides becoming the first player to three-peat, Wilson also won the award in 2020 and 2022. The 30-year-old Wilson once again led the league in scoring at 26.2 points while shooting nearly 53% from the field. She also averaged 9.4 rebounds, a career-best 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks. Wilson has the defending champion Aces back in the WNBA semifinals for the eighth consecutive season. No WNBA player besides Wilson has more than three MVPs, with Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson each having a trio.

WORDS: 627 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 6:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab0569024af48fbb9683162c44e781d3&mediaType=text

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BKL--VALKYRIES-ACES PREVIEW

Down 2-0 to Valkyries in WNBA semifinals, defending champion Aces face elimination at home

SUMMARY: The Las Vegas Aces are on the brink of their offseason arriving earlier than hoped if they can’t get it together in a hurry back home. The defending WNBA champions are down 2-0 to the upstart Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA semifinals heading into Game 3 on Friday night. Coach Becky Hammon still believes Las Vegas can win three straight and return to the finals. Yet she insists her group’s championship pedigree and postseason history don’t matter all that much at this stage.

WORDS: 656 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 6:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84c8603ed5268f8045e595c2ea0f4a32&mediaType=text

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BBO--LABOR-SHORTENED SEASON

MLB proposes shortening regular season to 154 games in 2029, expanding Division Series to best-of-7

SUMMARY: Major League Baseball proposed to shorten the regular season to 154 games from 162 games starting in 2029 and to expand the Division Series to best-of-seven in bargaining with players. Owners also proposed to allow higher-seeded teams in the first two rounds of the postseason to pick their opponents beginning next year and to make Monday a day off for most teams starting in 2029 except for those in one or two nationally broadcast games. Cutting regular-season games would reduce the opportunity for players to set season and career records.

WORDS: 773 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 2:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6e6a09937388ea6be90386c408b716a1&mediaType=text

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BKL--LIBERTY-MUST WIN

A disputed timeout leaves the Liberty reeling as they fall to Atlanta in OT, down 2-0

SUMMARY: The New York Liberty return home trying to keep their season alive after a loss to Atlanta in Game 2 of their best-of-five WNBA semifinals series left the team in a major hole and confused about whether they had a timeout at the end of the game. The eighth-seeded Liberty trail 2-0 after falling 101-98 in overtime to the Dream on Wednesday night. They now must win three games in a row to reach the WNBA Finals. No team has ever rallied from a 2-0 deficit in league history. Game 3 is Friday night in New York.

WORDS: 482 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 2:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9005b97d69a0acdca72cd9273712cdc3&mediaType=text

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BKL--FEVER-CLARK

Caitlin Clark denounces the hateful messages Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell says she received

SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark still wants Kelsey Mitchell as a teammate — even though Clark understands that’s not always easy. In her final interview of the season, Clark denounced the hateful messages Mitchell says she received on social media and urged the soon-to-be free agent to stay with the Indiana Fever next season. Mitchell made her comments during an exit interview Saturday. Clark responded Thursday by saying she not only “loves” Mitchell and wants to keep playing with her. Clark also said she was “upset” that Mitchell or anyone else should be subjected to any degrading remarks.

WORDS: 1108 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 2:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:65e7dee2199cafe0149ec238c5399049&mediaType=text