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.
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918.
——————————
UPCOMING
——————————
BKC--T25-ARIZONA-ARIZONA STATE
DESCRIPTION: No. 1 Arizona tries to set a school record with its 22nd straight win when the Wildcats play at rival Arizona State. By David Brandt. 300 words, photos. Game starts at 2 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 4:30 p.m. EST, Text
___
HKN--RANGERS-PENGUINS
DESCRIPTION: The surging Pittsburgh Penguins carry a five-game winning streak into Saturday’s visit by former coach Mike Sullivan and the New York Rangers. By Will Graves. 300 words, photos. Game starts at 3:30 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 6:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
___
GLF--FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN
DESCRIPTION: Justin Rose had a four-shot lead over Seamus Power in the Farmers Insurance Open going into a weekend at Torrey Pines that includes Brooks Koepka in his return from Saudi-funded LIV Golf. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 800 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
___
MMA--UFC 325
DESCRIPTION: Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces second-ranked challenger Diego Lopes in UFC 325. By W.G. Ramirez. 500 words, file photo.
UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 10:00 p.m. EST, Text
___
BOX--LOPEZ-STEVENSON
DESCRIPTION: Teofimo Lopez defends his 140-pound title against Shakur Stevenson, who tries to win a belt in a fourth weight class. Main event ringwalks expected around 10:50 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 11:55 p.m. EST, Text
___
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
OLY--US SECURITY-ICE PROTEST
Demonstrators in Milan protest ICE unit at Winter Olympics
SUMMARY: Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in Milan to protest the deployment of ICE agents during the upcoming Winter Olympics. Saturday’s protest took place in Piazza XXV Aprile, a square named for Italy’s liberation from Nazi fascism in 1945. The protest occurred despite clarifications that agents will participate in security for the U.S. delegation and not operate on the streets. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has said they are not welcome. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has been called to Parliament to testify about the deployment this week. ICE unit Homeland Security Investigations frequently sends its officers to overseas events like the Olympics.
WORDS: 469 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 1:23 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0cf0308828bd0ae672e1c81b0ba33d5f&mediaType=text
___
BKN--76ERS-GEORGE SUSPENDED
NBA suspends Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George 25 games for violating anti-drug policy
SUMMARY: Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. The league announced the suspension on Saturday but did not disclose the substance involved. George released a statement to ESPN saying he took something that was “improper.” He apologized to the team and its fans, saying he takes “full responsibility for my actions.” This is George’s first violation, according to the agreement between the NBA and the Players Association. The suspension will cost him approximately $11.7 million of his salary. George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season, ranking third on the team.
WORDS: 580 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 1:11 p.m. EST. Will be updated from Sixers' pregame.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6366e5e85bede589970ada95a9e73709&mediaType=text
___
SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP
Arsenal routs Leeds 4-0 to open seven point lead in the Premier League
SUMMARY: Arsenal has powered seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Leeds 4-0. Mikel Arteta’s team has ended a three-game winless run in style at Elland Road and strengthened its title charge. Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus were all on target. Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow added an own goal. Manchester City and Aston Villa can cut Arsenal’s lead back to four points when they play on Sunday.
WORDS: 422 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 12:38 p.m. EST. Will be updated. Liverpool-Newcastle starts at 3 p.m. EST.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a001a4cc24471c3c9ddf70c91f9d9a84&mediaType=text
___
FBN--BILLS-LEONHARD
New Bills coach Brady fills defensive coordinator job by agreeing to hire Leonhard, AP source says
SUMMARY: The Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement to hire Jim Leonhard as their defensive coordinator under new head coach Joe Brady, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Leonhard has yet to sign a contract. ESPN first reported the agreement. The 43-year-old Leonhard spent the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, including last year as the team’s assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator. He is the second Broncos assistant to join Brady’s staff. Pete Carmichael was hired as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator.
WORDS: 415 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 12:37 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62697467f4a2580e3b112e4ed30c38c2&mediaType=text
___
BKC--T25-FLORIDA-BEDIAKO
‘We’re gonna beat ‘em anyways’ becomes a main storyline for Alabama-Florida hoops matchup
SUMMARY: Florida coach Todd Golden insists he wasn’t being disrespectful when he said “we’re gonna beat ’em anyways” while responding to Alabama center Charles Bediako’s return to college basketball. It remains his approach with Bediako and the 23rd-ranked Crimson Tide visiting Gainesville on Sunday. Golden calls it “good for media or for kind of a buildup to the game.” But he doesn’t believe it will be a factor in the outcome. Golden’s quip surely will be as much of a storyline as Bediako’s ongoing court case when No. 19 Florida hosts Alabama inside a sold-out O’Connell Center.
WORDS: 792 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 10:25 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ad04699c75c7c5858e5649dedb800b83&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-GERMANY-BOYCOTT
German soccer federation rules out World Cup boycott despite calls to oppose Trump
SUMMARY: The German soccer federation has ruled out a boycott of the World Cup despite calls from within to send a message to U.S. President Donald Trump. The federation says, “We believe in the unifying power of sport and the global impact that a FIFA World Cup can have. Our goal is to strengthen this positive force – not to prevent it.” The federation says its executive committee met and discussed the option of a boycott of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a consideration first proposed last week by DFB vice president Oke Göttlich. But the DFB says “debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public.”
WORDS: 378 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 9:35 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f44777ee42754e892a8e1b5e771e1d80&mediaType=text
___
TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-WOMEN’S FINAL
Elena Rybakina wins Australian Open by beating No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for her 2nd Grand Slam title
SUMMARY: Elena Rybakina has won the Australian Open title with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka that avenged her loss in the championship decider here in 2023. Three years ago she won the first set but lost the final in three. This time, after breaking in the first game and taking the first set, she rallied after losing the second set and going down 3-0 in the third. She won five straight games and then closed out with an ace on her first championship point.
WORDS: 883 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 8:51 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:411b9678d3188a86d4819914cd2b583e&mediaType=text
___
OLY--WINTER GAMES-FUTURE SPORTS
Olympic program review opens path to relax Winter Games mandate for only sports on snow and ice
SUMMARY: Olympic winter sports currently must be played on snow and ice. It’s the actual law in the Olympic Charter. But could a muddy field of play get its chance at a future Winter Games? Even as soon as in the French Alps in 2030 or Utah in 2034. Or on parquet in an indoor hall? The IOC is reviewing the Olympic sports programs. Cyclocross and cross-country running have influential supporters. Snow volleyball is ready. Sports on the far fringes of joining the Summer Games like flying disk and cheerleading see a way indoors to the lighter Winter Games schedule.
WORDS: 832 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 8:25 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d3af04bd1b8339e91f4d98165a64270&mediaType=text
___
BKN--NETS-DEMIN
Nets guard Egor Demin sets NBA rookie record with a 3-pointer in 34th straight game
SUMMARY: Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin made a 3-pointer in an NBA rookie-record 34th straight game on Friday night against the Utah Jazz. Demin set the record on the first basket for the Nets. He finished 6-of-12 from long distance, scoring 25 points and collecting 10 rebounds in a 109-99 victory for Brooklyn. Demin entered Friday’s game tied with Portland’s Rudy Fernandez (2008-09) and Philadelphia’s Landry Shamet (2018-19).
WORDS: 455 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 7:15 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cd994e4b20396ceb5bd72c2231665dc1&mediaType=text
___
BOX--MADISON SQUARE GARDEN-FIGHTING
Madison Square Garden warns that anyone fighting can be ‘banned for life’ after brawls at event
SUMMARY: Madison Square Garden says anyone fighting at the arena may be “banned for life” after there were multiple altercations at one of its events. Video on TMZ.com showed two fights breaking out Friday, when fighters weighed in for the boxing card Saturday night headlined by Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson. One of the videos showed a brawl breaking out as Bill Haney, father of boxer Devin Haney, was conducting an interview near the stage. The press conference Thursday for the title fight between Lopez and Stevenson became heated as the fighters traded insults about family members. There was also an altercation near the cage on Nov. 15 when MSG hosted UFC 322.
WORDS: 235 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 7:01 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:348aa64a85bebb149f599c428a6279da&mediaType=text
___
OLY--SKI-VONN INJURED
Lindsey Vonn sits out final race before Olympics but remains on track for Games after crash
SUMMARY: Lindsey Vonn is sitting out a World Cup super-G race on Saturday after crashing and injuring her left knee a day earlier but remains on track for the Milan Cortina Olympics. Vonn’s personal head coach Chris Knight tells The Associated Press in a text message “No she is not racing today but preparing for Cortina as usual.” Vonn posted on Instagram that “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to race today.” She adds “Doing my best right now….” with praying hands and fingers-crossed emojis. Vonn crashed in a downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday and ended up in the safety nets.
WORDS: 251 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 4:15 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:49ee4b8f5eab4d10ffdbae550caac65c&mediaType=text
___
TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-MEN’S FINAL PREVIEW
Djokovic and Alcaraz have shots at tennis history in the Australian Open final
SUMMARY: One of the first people Novak Djokovic acknowledged after reaching the Australian Open final was Margaret Court. The 83-year-old Australian, who also has 24 Grand Slam singles titles, watched Djokovic’s five-set win over Jannik Sinner. Djokovic is potentially one win away from a 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would make him the most decorated player of all time. He faces Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday. The 22-year-old Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. They’re both coming off grueling five-set semifinals.
WORDS: 871 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 3:22 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f82fa34f53146759611109345990bb6f&mediaType=text
___
——————————
MOVING TOMORROW
——————————
TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Novak Djokovic will be aiming for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz will be aiming to be the young man to ever complete a career Grand Slam when they meet in the Australian Open final. Match starts at 3:30 a.m. EST.
___
OLY--FRE-EILEEN GU
The biggest action-sports star in the world competes for China, not the United States. Freeskier Eileen Gu is moving into the second chapter of an Olympic career that is defined by much more than what she does on the mountain. By Eddie Pells.
___
OLY--SKI-VONN’S PLACE
For Lindsey Vonn, Cortina d’Ampezzo represents more than just the town where she’s going to try and win an Olympic medal at age 41 on her new titanium knee. By Andrew Dampf.
___
OLY--FIG-THE NEXT GENERATION
Four of the American figure skaters headed to the Milan Cortina Olympics next weekend trace their roots to parents who skated in the former Soviet Union. One of them is the overwhelming favorite to win the gold medal. By Dave Skretta.
