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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FBC--MICHIGAN-WHITTINGHAM
DESCRIPTION: ORLANDO, Fla. -- Kyle Whittingham is introduced as the 22nd head football coach in Michigan history, taking over a program reeling from Sherrone Moore getting fired and jailed over an affair with a staffer. By Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/28/2025 2:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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BKW--T25-SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA-TEXAS
DESCRIPTION: AUSTIN, Texas — No. 2 Texas (14-0) hosts Southeastern Louisiana (2-7) in the Longhorns’ final non-conference game before starting Southeastern Conference play. 300 words, photos. Game starts 1 p.m. CT
UPCOMING: By 12/28/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--EAGLES-BILLS
DESCRIPTION: Buffalo’s James Cook and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, two of among the NFL’s top running backs, square off on Sunday when the Bills (11-4) host the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles (10-5). By John Wawrow. 750 words, photos. Game starts at 4:25 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 12/28/2025 4:25 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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FBC--CFP-COTTON BOWL ARRIVALS
DESCRIPTION: Defending national champion and rested Ohio State returns for its third consecutive Cotton Bowl, while Miami is back in the state of Texas just a week after opening its first College Football Playoff with a win at Texas A&M. By Stephen Hawkins. 550 words, file photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/28/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--BEARS-49ERS
DESCRIPTION: Chicago Bears plays San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/28/2025 8:20 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Crystal Palace hosts Tottenham after Leeds visits Sunderland in the Premier League. 400 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/28/2025 2:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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TEN--SABALENKA-KYRGIOS EXHIBITION
Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in latest ‘Battle of the Sexes’ in tennis
SUMMARY: Nick Kyrgios has won the latest version of the “Battle of the Sexes” in tennis. He beat top-ranked women’s player Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match that represented light entertainment rather than another landmark moment for gender equality. There was laughing and joking between the players, some under-arm serves, over-the-top grunting on shots, and even some dancing from Sabalenka during a timeout to entertain the crowd at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The “Battle of the Sexes” name was borrowed from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets. That took place amid King’s efforts to start a female tour and get equal pay in tennis.
WORDS: 435 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 1:42 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2a3fc16fb5f151129747fe6bd8985ca&mediaType=text
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SKI--WCUP-WOMEN’S SLALOM
US ski star Shiffrin keeps streak going with come-from-behind win in World Cup night slalom
SUMMARY: Mikaela Shiffrin has come from behind to win a World Cup night slalom in tough conditions and extend her winning streak in the discipline to six races. The American was fourth, more than half a second off the pace in the opening run on a rapidly deteriorating course. But she posted the fastest time in the evening to beat first-run leader Camille Rast. The world champion from Switzerland finished 0.09 seconds behind. Italian-born prodigy Lara Colturi was 0.57 back in third. Colturi competes for Albania. Shiffrin says she “didn’t expect to come down with the green light.”
WORDS: 475 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 1:35 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a1bb23c13ce4aa629409ecaf4f5c5ec6&mediaType=text
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HKN--PANTHERS-TKACHUK
Matthew Tkachuk practices with Panthers for 1st time this season, indicating game return is near
SUMMARY: Matthew Tkachuk is back on the ice with the Florida Panthers, appearing at practice on Sunday for the first time this season. He had surgery more than four months ago to repair a sports hernia and torn adductor muscle. Tkachuk has not played since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, when the Panthers clinched their second consecutive title. He wore a yellow non-contact jersey, indicating he’s not yet ready for game action. The Panthers play Washington on Monday and Montreal on Tuesday. Tkachuk has said he aims to return for the NHL Winter Classic on Friday and hopes to play in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.
WORDS: 326 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 12:37 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f10450a28f2b078d735f2915b63eca49&mediaType=text
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FBN--PANTHERS-MCMILLAN
Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan active for Seahawks game despite being added to injury report
SUMMARY: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is active and expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks despite being added to the injury report with an illness. McMillan leads the Panthers with 65 receptions for 924 yards and seven touchdowns. He was the No. 8 overall pick from Arizona. The Panthers can wrap up the NFC South today with a win over Seattle and a Tampa Bay loss or tie against Miami.
WORDS: 161 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 11:59 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4537f06e47b88ec6d357e3118e2f7d7f&mediaType=text
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FBN--RAMS-FALCONS-STAFFORD
Rams Pro Bowler Stafford heads into Monday night game against the Falcons as the top passer in NFL
SUMMARY: Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford is leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns as the playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams prepare to play the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Falcons coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson have much praise for Stafford, the former University of Georgia star. Robinson says Falcons second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. drew comparisons to Stafford when the Falcons made Penix a first-round pick in 2024. Penix is recovering from a season-ending knee injury, leaving veteran Kirk Cousins to start against the Rams. The starting role is reserved for Penix in 2026.
WORDS: 903 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 11:14 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b99bfb1ea778a796615bed06ea3ef474&mediaType=text
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SOC--ITALIAN ROUNDUP
Pulisic ends 2025 with a goal for AC Milan. He’s hoping for more with US at home World Cup in 2026
SUMMARY: Christian Pulisic scored the opener and Christopher Nkunku added two more as AC Milan beat Hellas Verona 3-0 to move atop Serie A. Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan hasn’t lost in Serie A since getting beat by Cremonese in the season opener in August. Milan moved one point ahead of Napoli as the defending champion won 2-0 at Cremonese and two points ahead of Inter Milan before the Nerazzurri visit Atalanta later. Pulisic was in the right place at the right time to volley in from close range in first-half added time. Nkunku converted a penalty for his first Serie A goal and then turned in a rebound four minutes later. Rasmus Hojlund had a brace for Napoli.
WORDS: 378 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 11:05 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd536111cbfc63596551cdf94a425455&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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GLF--TIGER AT 50
Tiger Woods had crushed the hopes of Ernie Els with an eagle-birdie-birdie finish when Els said, “He’s 24. He’s probably going to be bigger than Elvis when he gets into his 40s.” Woods turns 50 on Tuesday and whether he stacks up to Elvis is up for debate. But even amid questions about his future — whether he plays the PGA Tour Champions, whether he plays at all — his influence on golf is strong as ever. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. With GLF--Tiger at 50-Timeline, GLF--Tiger at 50-Records.
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BKW--WOMEN'S POLL AT 50-ALL-TIME RANKINGS
The AP, using the data from the nearly 900 polls that have ranked teams over the last 50 years, developed a formula to rank the Top 25 programs over the last half century. That included a number of factors such as how many appearances a team has made in the poll and its average ranking. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.
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FBN--RAMS-FALCONS
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams will try to improve their playoff position when they visit the Atlanta Falcons, who have won two straight after being eliminated from postseason contention, on Monday night. By Charles Odum. Game starts at 8:15 p.m.
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