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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BBO--WORLD SERIES
BBO--WORLD SERIES-PITCHING PRODIGIES
DESCRIPTION: Trey Yesavage and Roki Sasaki are barely babes in the woods when it comes to Major League Baseball experience. Which only makes their postseason success more impressive. Both in the minors last month, Yesavage and Sasaki are suddenly two of the most important pitchers in the World Series as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Friday night. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT
WITH: BBO--WORLD SERIES
DESCRIPTION: TORONTO — An increasingly international sport has an international World Series, with the Toronto Blue Jays back in the title matchup for the first time since 1993, the Los Angeles Dodgers seeking their second straight title and Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hoping to shine. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 800 words, photos, by 5 p.m., to be updated after Dodgers availabilities.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT
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FBN--49ERS-RUNNING GAME
DESCRIPTION: SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers have rediscovered their offensive identity with a strong running game. After struggling in the first six weeks, Christian McCaffrey and the ground attack excelled in a 20-10 win over Atlanta in a formula the Niners will now look to replicate. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
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FBC--T25-UCLA-INDIANA PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: Indiana coach Curt Cignetti understands UCLA has a losing record. He still views the Bruins as an unbeaten. No, it’s not because of those familiar coaching cliches about going 1-0 or that it’s the most important game because it’s the next game. Cignetti sees through the reality of today’s new world. After changing both coordinators and bringing in an interim coach, the Bruins have won three straight so he’s tossing out the first four games and focusing on the last three as No. 2 Indiana tries to remain perfect. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: MANCHESTER, England — Liverpool will look to close the gap on Premier League leader Arsenal after three straight losses in the league. Defending champion Liverpool plays Brentford on Saturday and can move to within one point of Arsenal, which plays Crystal Palace on Sunday. By James Robson. UPCOMING: 600 words by 1200 GMT, with photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 7:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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BKW--T25-IOWA ST-WILLIAMS
DESCRIPTION: Jada Williams, a social media influencer with more than 1 million followers, is the new point guard at No. 14 Iowa State after transferring from Arizona. She feels at home, so much so that she bought a four-bedroom fixer-upper with her NIL earnings. By Eric Olson. 850 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 1:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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BBO--COLLEGE TO MAJORS
DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO — Tony Vitello’s ascension from college coach to manager in the pros is a journey that is unprecedented in the modern majors. The college to professional path has been taken several times in some other major sports leagues with some success and failures in the NFL, NBA and NHL over the years. By Josh Dubow. UPCOMIMNG: 900 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--COMMANDERS-CHIEFS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders have a high-profile Monday night date with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--MARINERS WRAPUP
DESCRIPTION: SEATTLE — Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto, General Manager Justin Hollander and Manager Dan Wilson will be available to the media to discuss Seattle’s season, which culminated in a Game 7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series. By Andrew Destin. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BKC--T25-BYU-AJ ARRIVES
DESCRIPTION: AJ Dybantsa was recruited by nearly every major program before deciding to play at BYU. The decision by the No. 1 recruit shook up college basketball and ratcheted up expectations for the Cougars like never before. By Basketball Writer John Marshall. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN-ON FOOTBALL-WITH ROB MAADDI-WEEK 8
DESCRIPTION: Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson talks about his career journey from working in a fast-food restaurant to getting picked in the seventh round to becoming a starter for a Super Bowl champion.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Audio
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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Nottingham Forest hosts Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, just two days after Sean Dyche became the club’s third manager of the season. Another Premier League club, Aston Villa plays away at the Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles and Roma meets Viktoria Plzen in Rome.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 5:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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CAR--NASCAR-LAWSUIT
DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR returns to court Thursday for a summary judgement hearing after two days of private mediation with a federal judge in the antitrust suit filed against the organization by two teams, one owned by Michael Jordan. By AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. Hearing begins at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--BREWERS-OFFSEASON PLANS
DESCRIPTION: MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy and president of baseball operations Matt Arnold wrap up the season and discuss the team’s offseason plans after a year in which they posted the best regular-season record in the majors before getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 700 words, with photos, expected by 7 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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GLF--UTAH CHAMPIONSHIP
DESCRIPTION: IVINS, Utah — Defending champion Matt McCarty and Maverick McNealy lead the field as the Bank of Utah Championship gets started at Black Desert. UPCOMING: 600 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BKN--THUNDER-PACERS
DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers open their season at home against Oklahoma City in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. The Thunder won the title in seven games, but the Pacers will be without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton , who is expected to miss the entire season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the first half of Game 7. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 300 words, more on merit, with photos. Game scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 10:15 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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FBN--VIKINGS-CHARGERS
DESCRIPTION: INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Chargers, who have lost three of four. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8:15 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/23/2025 11:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKN--WIZARDS-BUCKS-MIDDLETON’S RETURN
Wizards’ Khris Middleton gets huge ovations as he plays at Milwaukee for 1st time since trade
SUMMARY: Khris Middleton considers a standing ovation from an opposing team’s crowd one of the ultimate signs of respect. Middleton received a few of them Wednesday as he played at Milwaukee for the first time since the Bucks sent the three-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards at last season’s trade deadline. Middleton scored 23 points in the Wizards’ 133-120 loss to the Bucks and said afterward the reception he got from Milwaukee fans exceeded even his most optimistic expectations.
WORDS: 922 - MOVED: 10/23/2025 12:40 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aefdd2210ad3af1a10a7266e9db14b42&mediaType=text
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BKN--SPURS-MAVERICKS
Wembanyama scores 40 as Spurs spoil Flagg debut with 125-92 rout of Mavericks
SUMMARY: Victor Wembanyama had 40 points and 15 rebounds, helping the San Antonio Spurs spoil No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg’s debut in a 125-92 rout of the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg is the second-youngest player to start in his NBA debut by two days behind LeBron James. The 18-year-old from Duke didn’t score until the first possession of the second half and finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Dylan Harper was the second overall pick in the draft. He came off the San Antonio bench midway through the first quarter and had 15 points.
WORDS: 345 - MOVED: 10/23/2025 12:40 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:73bc613beef6e49b63409266c4e105e0&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-EDGECOMBE’S DEBUT
76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe scores 34 points in opener, most in NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain
SUMMARY: VJ Edgecombe scored 34 points for the Philadelphia 76ers in their 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics. This performance marks the most points by a player in their first NBA game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1959. Edgecombe also set a record with 14 points in the first quarter, surpassing LeBron James. Edgecombe’s impressive debut included seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Teammates praised his composure and confidence and gave him a hard time for missing two free throws in the final seconds.
WORDS: 547 - MOVED: 10/23/2025 12:23 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cfd75b2cffa0cebbaf66635fc4eb1a4e&mediaType=text
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BKN--KNICKS-BROWN’S DEBUT
Mike Brown gets a win and a hug from Spike Lee in his first game as Knicks coach
SUMMARY: Mike Brown got a hug before his first game from Spike Lee, who was dressed in an orange-and-blue suit. Brown said he asked, “Spike, do you know who I am?” Brown is the guy the New York Knicks are counting on to take them across the finish line after Tom Thibodeau got them all the way there. So of course Lee, one of the Knicks’ most famous fans, and just about everyone else in the building knew the coach. And they had to be happy with what they saw after the Knicks opened the season with a 119-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
WORDS: 611 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 11:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dc17d45e29f79f1763a6fb7103165fa0&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-CELTICS
Maxey scores 40 points as 76ers rally to beat Celtics 117-116
SUMMARY: Tyrese Maxey scores 40 points, and VJ Edgecombe adds 34 to help the Philadelphia 76ers rally from a fourth-quarter deficit and beat the Boston Celtics 117-116 in their season opener on Wednesday night. Philadelphia led by four with 22 seconds left, but it was down to one point when Edgecombe missed two foul shots with 9.1 seconds to play. Payton Pritchard had two shots for the game-winner and missed both. Joel Embiid played for the first time since February, scoring four points on 1-of-9 shooting. Boston’s Jaylen Brown returned from a preseason hamstring injury to score 25 points.
WORDS: 280 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 10:53 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:76529e891b7531777a5d0d6f400d2505&mediaType=text
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BBO--GIANTS-MANAGER
Giants name Tennessee’s Vitello manager, gambling on a college coach with no professional experience
SUMMARY: The San Francisco Giants are hiring University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello as their manager for his first professional coaching job. It’s a bold gamble by San Francisco executive Buster Posey on a coach with no previous experience in the pros. The 47-year-old Vitello is making the jump after spending his entire career at the college level. He guided the Vols to their first NCAA title last year. The Giants went 81-81 this season under Bob Melvin. Posey calls Vitello “one of the brightest, most innovative and most respected coaches in college baseball today.”
WORDS: 943 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 8:16 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c6dc9add3e3f8ecb551f80946aa06939&mediaType=text
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US--NCAA-PRO GAMBLING
NCAA allows college athletes to bet on professional sports starting Nov. 1
SUMMARY: The NCAA approved a rule change on Wednesday that will allow athletes and athletic department staff members to bet on professional sports. Two weeks after the Division I cabinet approved the change, Division II and III management councils signed off on it, allowing the new rule to go into effect Nov. 1. This doesn’t change the NCAA rule which forbids athletes from betting on college sports. The NCAA also prohibits sharing information about college competitions with bettors. The institution also doesn’t accept advertising or sponsorships of NCAA championships by betting sites.
WORDS: 281 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 7:29 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7e34635dd4738fe9ad7393bc1301ca41&mediaType=text
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FBN--RAVENS-JACKSON
Lamar Jackson back on practice field for Ravens after missing 2 games with hamstring injury
SUMMARY: Lamar Jackson has returned to the practice field for the Baltimore Ravens after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Jackson initially did not take the field with Baltimore’s other two quarterbacks, but with practice still open to reporters, he came out with his helmet on and did some throwing on Wednesday. The Ravens have been holding out hope that Jackson’s return can help save their season after four straight losses. Now all eyes will be on the two-time MVP to see what progress he makes this week. The Chicago Bears are in town Sunday.
WORDS: 623 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 6:37 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3bf0f9026edda9a9daa546ebcc8ae9a8&mediaType=text
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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Liverpool rebounds with 5-1 win at Frankfurt in Champions League; Chelsea and Bayern also win big
SUMMARY: Liverpool has bounced back from a losing streak with a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. The team had been struggling, including a recent defeat to Manchester United. On Wednesday, Liverpool equalized through Hugo Ekitike, who scored against his former team. Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté then headed in corners to secure a comfortable halftime lead. Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai added goals in the second half. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Bayern Munich also secured comfortable wins, and Real Madrid maintained its perfect start with a 1-0 victory over Juventus.
WORDS: 746 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 6:17 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:803957e1a1aa27467ed7253189b3bccf&mediaType=text
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US--TRANSGENDER ATHLETE-MINNESOTA
Minnesota court gives win to transgender powerlifter who was barred from competing as a woman
SUMMARY: The Minnesota Supreme Court has delivered a win to transgender weightlifter JayCee Cooper, saying she’s protected by the state’s expansive human rights law. But the organization that banned her from competing in its women’s division said it still has a chance. The high court ruled Wednesday that USA Powerlifting’s policy barring her is “facially discriminatory” under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The high court sent the case back to the trial court for further proceedings but the two sides disagree over whether that matters. USA Powerlifting rejected Cooper’s application in 2018, leading to a lawsuit in 2021. The case has drawn significant national attention.
WORDS: 987 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 5:11 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:de59a64b128ed46e6ca486732d16d739&mediaType=text
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BBO--WORLD SERIES-FREEMAN’S ROOTS
Freeman returns to his Canadian roots as Dodgers face Blue Jays in Toronto to open World Series
SUMMARY: Freddie Freeman is returning to his family roots as the Los Angeles Dodgers open their World Series defense against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Friday. Freeman’s parents are from Ontario, with his father from Windsor and his late mother from Peterborough. Freeman was born in California after his family moved for his father’s work. He holds dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship and chose to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Freeman often finds envelopes with family photos in his locker when in Toronto. He wears long sleeves during games as a tribute to his mother, who died of melanoma in 2000.
WORDS: 593 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 4:49 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1d01421316c1898d467382682fe6bcbd&mediaType=text
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BBO--WORLD SERIES-DODGERS DYNASTY?
Baseball could be in the midst of a Dodgers dynasty
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the verge of being considered a modern-day baseball dynasty. Winning a third World Series title in six years would solidify their status. The Dodgers have already won 12 of the last 13 NL West titles. However, the definition of a dynasty is debated. Some believe sustained success, rather than consecutive titles, qualifies a team for this status. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says winning another title would place them among the top sports organizations. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts says each championship boosts his goal of reaching the Hall of Fame.
WORDS: 769 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 4:35 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ca58be19ceefc7dbec20409b7b00da49&mediaType=text
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FBN--JETS-STARTING QB
Fields or Taylor? Jets coach Aaron Glenn keeping Bengals guessing on starting quarterback
SUMMARY: Aaron Glenn knows who the New York Jets’ starting quarterback will be against Cincinnati, but he isn’t revealing his plan. Glenn said simply on Wednesday that the team will have a quarterback on Sunday. Justin Fields was benched after a poor performance last Sunday and Tyrod Taylor played the second half of New York’s loss to Carolina. Glenn said Monday he would deliberate over his decision, considering who gives the Jets the best chance to win. Taylor is dealing with a knee issue and is day to day at practice. Owner Woody Johnson has expressed concerns about Fields’ performance.
WORDS: 982 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 4:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:45af8c5c0acce703fec75e8d14074524&mediaType=text
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US--FBN--MARK SANCHEZ-STABBING
Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez’s trial date set in case over fight with truck driver
SUMMARY: An Indianapolis judge has confirmed a Dec. 11 trial date for Fox Sports analyst and former NFL player Mark Sanchez. He’s charged with attacking a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel over a parking dispute. The pretrial conference on Wednesday was brief, and Sanchez, who’s recovering from his injuries, was not present. The incident happened Oct. 4, and Sanchez has been off the air since. Prosecutors charged him with felony battery and three misdemeanors. Sanchez was stabbed during the altercation. The truck driver, claiming self-defense, is suing Sanchez and Fox Sports. Sanchez remains free on bond and has not commented on the allegations.
WORDS: 611 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 4:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3063e4c4f90187f936214c8981c345d1&mediaType=text
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EU--OLY--MILAN-CORTINA-POSTERS
Milan-Cortina 2026 unveils official posters for Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games
SUMMARY: The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic organizing committee has unveiled two official posters for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. These bold graphic depictions are designed to represent the character of the destinations. Posters have been part of Olympic history since the early 20th century. Olimpia Zagnoli’s “Olympic Vision” poster captures Milan’s style and Cortina’s mountain location. Carolina Altavilla’s untitled Paralympic poster depicts all six sports with vibrant colors. Large versions will be displayed at Milan’s Triennale museum. The organizers also released 10 artistic posters by five female and five male artists this summer.
WORDS: 242 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 4:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6175fe638120dd8dc9be4d80d6a60609&mediaType=text
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OLY--SKI-SHIFFRIN’S PLANS
Shiffrin narrowing her focus to fewer events for Milan-Cortina Olympics after challenges in Beijing
SUMMARY: Mikaela Shiffrin has already ruled out competing in the downhill at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Another event may be on the way out too. The two-time Olympic champion is on the fence about competing in the super-G only because of a lack of training time. She may focus on slalom and giant slalom for the Feb. 6-22 games. Shiffrin says in a video conference call with reporters “I adore super-G. So I don’t want to let it go entirely. But it also means that I’ve got to get quite a bit more super-G training in the next weeks which is hard to balance.”
WORDS: 626 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 2:46 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f51543869fa73f332cac9abe2a3960fd&mediaType=text
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SOC--LIVERPOOL-SALAH
Mohamed Salah dropped to bench for Liverpool’s game at Frankfurt in Champions League
SUMMARY: Mohamed Salah has dropped to the Liverpool bench for only the second time this season against Eintracht Frankfurt as coach Arne Slot seeks to end his team’s four-game losing run. Hugo Ekitiké returns to the starting lineup to face his old club Frankfurt in Wednesday’s Champions League game, with Florian Wirtz also returning for his first game in Germany since joining Liverpool at the end of last season. Ryan Gravenberch did not travel to Germany with the Liverpool squad after twisting his ankle in the loss to United.
WORDS: 187 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 2:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2486fc52801f4c9e54138ebf6089e54e&mediaType=text
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FBN--TRADE DEADLINE-HISTORY
From Fred Dean to Christian McCaffrey: How midseason trades reshaped NFL history
SUMMARY: The NFL trade market has become more active in recent years. A new generation of general managers is more willing to take risks, and a later trade deadline allows teams to plan for the future. According to Spotrac, there have been 50 trades between October 1 and the deadline over the past three seasons, compared to just 16 from 2015 to 2017. There have been many notable midseason trades in NFL history with some of the most impactful involving players like McCaffrey, Fred Dean, Mike Haynes, Herschel Walker, Marshawn Lynch and Von Miller.
WORDS: 989 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 2:38 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fa19b8ecc63f1f9c4dcf1509e40c9ab5&mediaType=text
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FBN--NFL OWNERS MEETINGS
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show is not being reconsidered, NFL commissioner says
SUMMARY: The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny as its Super Bowl halftime headline performer. Commissioner Roger Goodell made that clear Wednesday at the league’s annual fall owners meeting. Goodell said the league is accustomed to getting blowback for its entertainment choices given the size and breadth of its fan base. The Puerto Rican artist has been vocal in his opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump and his policies. He decided to do a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding stops in the mainland U.S. as a form of protest. Trump on a conservative TV news network called the NFL’s decision crazy and ridiculous.
WORDS: 861 - MOVED: 10/22/2025 2:13 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf6172f0dc3e7724c2abb11d0d20fd2f&mediaType=text
