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--MANAGER OPENINGS
DESCRIPTION: A look at the pros and cons of taking each of baseball’s current managerial openings. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-WITH ROB MAADDI-WEEK 5
DESCRIPTION: Tim Tebow talks about the readiness of college players for the NFL, the impact of NIL deals and how some first-round picks don’t get much time to develop.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Audio
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HKN--BETTER WITH AGE
DESCRIPTION: 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.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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HKN--TEAM PREVIEWS-WEST
DESCRIPTION: Team preview capsules (450 words, photos) for U.S. based NHL teams in the Western Conference, along with Central and Pacific divisional previews.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Nottingham Forest hopes to mark its first home game in European competitions after almost 30 years with the first win for recently hired manager Ange Postecoglou.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 5:15 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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BBO--POSTSEASON
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: BBO--PADRES-CUBS
2. DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres take on Ian Happ and the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of their NL Wild Card Series. The winner advances to a matchup with Milwaukee in a NL Division Series. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.
3. UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: BBO--TIGERS-GUARDIANS
5. DESCRIPTION: CLEVELAND - Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians host Riley Greene and the Detroit Tigers in the deciding game of their AL Wild Card Series. The winner takes on the Seattle Mariners in the AL Division Series. By Joe Reedy. 500 words, photos. Game starts at 3:08 p.m.
6. UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT
7. WITH: BBO--RED SOX-YANKEES
8. DESCRIPTION: The Red Sox and Yankees play the decisive third game of their AL Wild Card Series. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum.
9. UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT
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MMA--UFC 320 PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — Magomed Ankalaev defends his light heavyweight championship against top-ranked challenger Alex Pereira in UFC 320. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos, by 8 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BKL--WNBA FINALS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Aces will try to win their third championship in four years when they meet the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals. The Mercury will try to win their fourth title and tie the league record. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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GLF--SANDERSON FARMS
DESCRIPTION: JACKSON, Miss. — Rasmus Hojgaard goes from a Ryder Cup victory in his debut to Mississippi to battle for his PGA Tour card in the second of seven Fall Series tournaments. UPCOMING: 350 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 8:30 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--49ERS-RAMS
DESCRIPTION: San Francisco 49ers plays Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. 300 words, more on merit.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 11:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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GLF--LPGA TOUR
DESCRIPTION: HONOLULU — Akie Iwai took a one-stroke lead into the second round of the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship at Hoakalei Country Club. UPCOMING: 350 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/02/2025 11:50 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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FBC--COLORADO-PRIME RETURN TO TCU
DESCRIPTION: FORT WORTH, Texas — There were a lot of unknowns before coach Deion Sanders made his Colorado debut. Now for the first time since their prime upset in that much-hyped 2023 season opener, the Buffaloes play at TCU again. By Stephen Hawkins. 750 words, photos.
SENT: By 10/02/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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FBC--T25-GEORGIA-BOUNCING BACK
DESCRIPTION: ATLANTA — Georgia hasn’t lost back-to-back games in the regular season since Kirby Smart’s first season as coach. Coming off a bitter loss to Alabama, the No. 12 Bulldogs can’t afford another slip-up as they face Kentucky. By Paul Newberry. SENT: 550 words, photos
SENT: By 10/02/2025 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--WORLD CUP-VISAS
US will increase staffing at embassies and consulates to handle visas for World Cup fans
SUMMARY: The State Department will increase staffing at certain U.S. embassies and consulates to accommodate an expected major jump in visa applications from soccer fans wanting to attend World Cup matches in the United States next year. The department will send hundreds of additional consular officers to “designated countries” to handle the demand for visa interviews. The number of staffers and the countries where they will go have yet to be determined because the 48-team field for the 2026 World Cup hasn’t been finalized. Fans from the mainly European and Asian countries in the Visa Waiver Program won’t likely require an interview.
WORDS: 357 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 1:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af11bdeacaa7bc51cd68f2660e14e073&mediaType=text
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FBN--LONDON-GOODELL
NFL to launch professional flag football leagues ahead of 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
SUMMARY: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league plans to launch women’s and men’s professional flag football leagues “in the next couple of years.” The timeline outlined by Goodell at the Leaders in Sport conference in London would see the leagues created ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which will feature flag football for the first time. The league has prioritized flag football as a way to attract young fans, both male and female. Goodell says “the demand is there. We’re seeing colleges in the states and universities internationally also that want to make it a part of their program.”
WORDS: 508 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 1:28 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f556067f67b161eca8e48147181660c7&mediaType=text
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GLF--EUROPEAN TOUR
Ryan Brehm shares lead in Dunhill Links debut; Ryder Cup quartet on a victory lap
SUMMARY: American Ryan Brehm is surprisingly atop the leaderboard with Matthew Jordan and Darius Van Driel in the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. Dustin Johnson is among those one behind. The European tour event is mostly a time to decompress for four players on Team Europe coming off a euphoric Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black. They held their own. Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre opened with 66. Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick were at 67. They also got a rousing ovation on the first tee at Carnoustie as the Ryder Cup celebration continues. Johnson shot 64 at Carnoustie.
WORDS: 569 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 1:16 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e1d8a5a1ea7e3ee24091afd5d35c09d5&mediaType=text
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BKL--FEVER-CLARK
Caitlin Clark says Collier made valid points and Commissioner Engelbert hasn’t contacted her
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark says WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hasn’t reached out to her in the aftermath of Napheesa Collier’s statement about an alleged private conversation in which the league’s leader made comments about Clark. The Indiana Fever guard spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since the league’s All-Star Game in July. Clark said Minnesota Lynx star Collier made valid points in her lengthy statement that criticized league officials, particularly Engelbert, for what Collier portrayed as a lack of accountability and care for WNBA players.
WORDS: 281 - MOVED (UPDATES COMING): 10/02/2025 12:29 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a9ce6315a68a4b1eea11855a258c5388&mediaType=text
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FBC--FCS PLAYOFFS-PRIVATE EQUITY
FCS playoffs are a financial drain for most of the 24 teams. Could private equity change that?
SUMMARY: Commissioners of Football Championship Subdivision conferences are exploring the possibility of bringing private equity investment into the FCS playoffs. Most of the 24 playoff teams either lose money or break even. Big Sky Conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill says this is why FCS commissioners are considering a proposal from Sequence Equity to make the playoffs profitable. Wistrcill said the FCS conferences would be majority owners and Sequence would hold a minority stake. The NCAA’s current rules and TV contracts could complicate this shift. Some experts doubt the NCAA would allow an outside entity to run the playoffs.
WORDS: 970 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 11:43 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f5235fe691bf91a13c77ecdb7f67ea79&mediaType=text
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BBO--NLDS-DODGERS ADVANCE
Dodgers advance to NL Division Series with terrific offense, starting pitching and shaky bullpen
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers have started the postseason strong in defense of their World Series title. Their starting pitching and offense are performing well. However, the bullpen has been shaky. On Wednesday night, the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-4, sweeping their NL Wild Card Series. They advance to their 20th NL Division Series appearance and will face the Phillies starting Saturday in Philadelphia. Shohei Ohtani will make his postseason pitching debut in Game 1. The Dodgers’ Japanese players, including Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, are expected to play key roles as the postseason progresses.
WORDS: 719 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 9:05 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a68042cb3fa44e1c713923c00f123a4b&mediaType=text
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FBN--OLDER COACHES
Pete Carroll among coaches working into 70s, opting for team building over retirement
SUMMARY: Pete Carroll returned to coaching to take on the challenge of revitalizing the Las Vegas Raiders. The 74-year-old Carroll thrives on competition and in returning to the sidelines he joined a group of older coaches, like Geno Auriemma and Rick Pitino, who continue to succeed in their 70s. Experts say successful older coaches often have the resources to maintain their health and mental acuity. Carroll’s energy and forward-thinking approach sets the tone for the Raiders.
WORDS: 1101 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8930b50bcf41c94a8034989f5581f4ed&mediaType=text
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FBN--BROWNS-BRITISH BACKERS
Mind the gap: British fans of Cleveland Browns know the risks but stay loyal to hard-luck underdog
SUMMARY: There are sexier NFL teams to support, but Browns fans in Britain say they’re drawn to Cleveland’s ethos of loyalty and passion and clearly the team’s win-loss record is not a factor. Some just like the colors, too. They’ve made their London-based fan club, the British Bulldawgs Browns Backers, not only the largest of the team’s 29 international chapters, but also one of the biggest overall. They’ll be out in force Sunday when the Browns face the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
WORDS: 827 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd08475e995c02babdeffbdbbae211eb&mediaType=text
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BBO--NLDS-DODGERS-OHTANI
Shohei Ohtani to make postseason pitching debut for Dodgers in Game 1 of NLDS
SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani is set to make his postseason pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He will start against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Dodgers open the best-of-five series on Saturday in Philadelphia. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani as the starter after the Dodgers completed a sweep in the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday night. Ohtani didn’t pitch last season due to elbow surgery. He finished this regular season with a career-high 55 home runs. Ohtani never made the playoffs during his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
WORDS: 296 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 2:19 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1ef19f620a470029f9c0019e0b7b133b&mediaType=text
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BBO--DODGERS-SASAKI
Roki Sasaki’s dazzling postseason debut comes after rookie season filled with ups and downs
SUMMARY: Roki Sasaki shined in his postseason pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, sealing their sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a flawless ninth inning in the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday night. The rookie from Japan celebrated with his team after their 8-4 victory, which advanced the Dodgers to the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Sasaki’s performance included striking out two batters with 100-mph pitches. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Sasaki’s ability to handle high-pressure situations. Sasaki’s journey has seen ups and downs, including a shoulder injury earlier this year.
WORDS: 417 - MOVED: 10/02/2025 1:54 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:53bf65d6d850b680aedcb17f62b62b98&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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—BKL--WNBA Finals
—CAR--F1-Singapore GP Preview
