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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OLY--PARALYMPICS-PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: The Winter Paralympics Games will celebrate its 50th anniversary as it returns to Italy for the second time in history, 20 years after Torino 2006. After setting a record as the most successful Asian nation at a single Winter Paralympics in 2022, going from one medal in the previous Games to winning the medal count at home in Beijing, China is set to return as strong as ever for the Games in Italy.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 5:00 a.m. EST, Text, Photo
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CAR--F1-NEW RULES-WHAT TO KNOW
DESCRIPTION: A Formula 1 rules revolution is making cars lighter and smaller for 2026, with more electrical power. A guide to key concepts which could decide who wins, how they do it, and whether it’s fun to watch.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text, Photo
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WRE--NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
DESCRIPTION: CORALVILLE, Iowa -- The Iowa City area is a fitting place to host the first NCAA women’s wrestling championships. It’s known as “Wrestletown USA.” The event will be held Friday and Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, a couple miles from the University of Iowa campus, which is widely regarded as the epicenter for the sport. 650 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text, Photo
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BKL--UNRIVALED-CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE
DESCRIPTION: The 3-on-3 league Unrivaled will have its championship game on Wednesday night with co-founder Breanna Stewart’s Mist squad facing Kelsey Plum’s Phantom BC team. After playing a thrilling pair of semifinals on the road in New York in front of a star-studded sellout crowd at Barclays Center, the title game for the 3-on-3 league will be back at its home base in Miami. Stewart said that the league thought about having the championship game also at Barclays Center but decided it was better to keep it at the 1,000-seat home arena.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text
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BKL--UNRIVALED-CHAMPIONSHIP
DESCRIPTION: Coverage of Unrivaled’s title game in Miami, Florida. By Alanis Thames. UPCOMING: 400 words, photos. Game starts 9:30 PM.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 10:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
BBI--WBC-OHTANI
DESCRIPTION: Sure it’s the World Baseball Classic, but for the games in Tokyo it’s all about Shohei Ohtani and Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 7:00 a.m. EST, Text, Photo
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CAR-F1-APPLE
DESCRIPTION: Apple succeeded when it brought Formula 1 to the big screen last year. It hopes many of those viewers will watch on their televisions and mobile devices when the season begins this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix, as Apple TV starts as F1’s U.S. broadcast partner. By Joe Reedy. 650 words, file photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Text
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OLY--US-GOLD-VICTORY LAP
DESCRIPTION: A joke from Hilary Knight on “Saturday Night Live” and a couple of fist bumps between her and Jack and Quinn Hughes on “The Tonight Show” put a wrap on the whirlwind victory lap by the U.S. men’s and women’s gold-medal winning hockey teams. It also reset the narrative between them after a joke by President Donald Trump at the expense of the women’s players, laughed at by some of the men, put their relationship and sexism in the spotlight. Dozens of people at multiple agencies, leagues and networks spent time coordinating a series of television appearances that put the focus back on their accomplishments in Milan. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Text
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BKW--BIG 12 TOURNAMENT
DESCRIPTION: BKW--B12-Cincinnati-Kansas St KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No. 13 seed Cincinnati plays No. 12 seed Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. UPCOMING: 150 words, more on merits. Games starts 11 a.m. CT. BKW--B12-Houston-BYU KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No. 16 seed Houston plays No. 9 seed BYU in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. UPCOMING: 150 words, more on merits. Games starts 1:30 p.m. CT. BKW--B12-Arizona-Arizona St KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No. 15 seed Arizona plays No. 10 seed Arizona State in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. UPCOMING: 150 words, more on merits. Games starts 5:30 p.m. CT. BKW--B12-UCF-Kansas KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No. 14 seed UCF plays No. 11 seed Kansas in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. UPCOMING: 150 words, more on merits. Games starts 8 p.m. CT.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 1:02 p.m. EST, Text
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BBI--US-WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
DESCRIPTION: The United States team plays its final exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday before heading to Houston for the World Baseball Classic. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 500 words, photos from 1 p.m. first pitch.
UPCOMING: By 03/04/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKC--ARIZONA ST-HURLEY’S FINALE?
Hurley goes out a winner in what could be his final home game at Arizona State
SUMMARY: Arizona State scratched and clawed its was to a 70-60 win over No. 14 Kansas in what may be coach Bobby Hurley’s final home game. Arizona State jumped out to a 20-point lead, let the Jayhawks back in it and made all the key plays down the stretch to close out its home schedule with a win. Hurley’s contract was not renewed beyond this season, so the Sun Devils will likely need a miracle run through the Big 12 tournament for the coach to keep his job. Hurley led Arizona State to three NCAA Tournaments, including two straight, but didn’t win consistently enough. He at least went out with a bang, if this was the end.
WORDS: 617 - MOVED: 03/04/2026 12:57 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:91f03b043ef2fd39ed0e3e6cf0b56bca&mediaType=text
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BKC--T25-TOLEDO-MIAMI (OHIO)
No. 19 Miami of Ohio beats Toledo 74-72, extends season-opening winning streak to 30 games
SUMMARY: Pete Suder scored 19 points, Antowne Woolfolk added 14 and No. 19 Miami (Ohio) closed within a victory of a perfect regular season with a 74-72 win over Toledo that extended the RedHawks’ season-opening winning streak to 30 games. The RedHawks (17-0 Mid-American Conference) remain the only undefeated team in Division I men’s basketball. Miami extended the best start in program history and added to its school record for wins in a season. Miami also boasts the best start and longest win streak in MAC annals. Brant Byers added 13 points and Luke Skaljac chipped in 12 for the RedHawks. Leroy Blyden Jr. led Toledo (16-4, 10-7) with 21 points and Sonny Wilson added 13.
WORDS: 385 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 10:27 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:61a5661628ac1bca9f02e615526b5ef8&mediaType=text
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BBO--BLUE JAYS-SCHERZER
Scherzer calls daughter’s letter to Blue Jays ‘the cutest thing you can possibly imagine’
SUMMARY: Max Scherzer says the note his daughter composed that asked the Toronto Blue Jays to re-sign the three-time Cy Young Award winner arose as his kids were writing letters to Santa Claus in December. Scherzer’s wife posted the handwritten note on Instagram after the three-time Cy Young Award winner signed a one-year, $3 million contract to stay in Toronto. Scherzer told reporters that “it’s the cutest thing you can possibly imagine when you read that.”
WORDS: 643 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 9:24 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62c4f83554d3e852706a4ae6a33bf8fe&mediaType=text
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BBO--BRAVES-PROFAR-DRUG TEST
Atlanta Braves’ Jurickson Profar suspended for 2026 season following second positive drug test
SUMMARY: Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for the 2026 season by Major League Baseball following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, the commissioner’s office said, which means testosterone that was not produced by his body. Because it was a second offense, the length of Profar’s suspension was 162 games. An All-Star in 2024, Profar was suspended for 80 games last March 31 following a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that helps production of testosterone. He issued a statement then saying: “I would never willingly take a banned substance.”
WORDS: 638 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 9:14 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b60b2da421060606e45623b379db1aec&mediaType=text
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BKN--SPURS-BARNES OUT
Snooze and lose: San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes ends iron man streak because of nap injury
SUMMARY: San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes missed his first game since 2021 because he woke up from a pregame nap with a sore left ankle. Barnes’ streak of 364 straight games played ended Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. Barnes was a surprise late addition to the injury report. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said only that Barnes reported soreness when he woke up from the nap and received pregame treatment from the medical staff.
WORDS: 125 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 8:41 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:08677ce3446fbf872e65ffa42c4c8e7c&mediaType=text
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FBC--FLORIDA-SUMRALL
Florida coach Jon Sumrall’s photoshoot with a 7-foot alligator includes some tense moments
SUMMARY: Florida coach Jon Sumrall has a new appreciation for the gator chomp. Sumrall got hissed at and snapped at while posing for promotional pictures with a live alligator last week. It was enough to prompt Sumrall to backpedal like his college playing days at Kentucky. When Sumrall learned he was doing the shoot, he thought it was with a footlong alligator “you might see on a riverboat cruise in Louisiana.” Instead, he got a 7-footer named Helena. The gator walked in and out of shots while Sumrall flipped a football and eventually turned on the coach.
WORDS: 379 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 8:34 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:52b7d635db881b6ab91c9cea3dd6e89e&mediaType=text
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BBO--PHILLIES-ROJAS-DRUG TEST
Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas contesting possible 80-game drug suspension, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person familiar with the process tells The Associated Press that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas is contesting a possible 80-game suspension by Major League Baseball following an alleged failed test for a performance-enhancing substance. Under MLB’s drug agreement with the players’ association, the appeals process for an initial positive test for a performance-enhancing substance takes place before a public announcement of discipline.
WORDS: 195 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 6:35 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:91b9dfce2e7abebe077d8495c0e5150b&mediaType=text
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FBN--BEARS-DALMAN
Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman is retiring after 5 seasons, AP source says
SUMMARY: Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman is retiring after five seasons, a person with knowledge of the decision said Tuesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he hasn’t publicly announced his plans. The 27-year-old Dalman played a big role in solidifying the interior of the offensive line after signing a $42 million, three-year contract last March. He made his first Pro Bowl after spending his first four seasons in Atlanta and helped Chicago win the NFC North at 11-6.
WORDS: 307 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 6:18 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3137010f95b23246820bef75b6977295&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-100 DAYS
With 100 days to go, World Cup faces new challenges with Iran war and Mexico violence
SUMMARY: With 100 days to go until the World Cup, the Iran war has added a new layer of complexity to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. How the conflict will affect the world’s most watched sporting event is the latest issue facing organizers. FIFA was already grappling with cartel violence in one of the Mexican host cities, scaled-back plans for fan festivals in the U.S. and pushback from fans over soaring ticket prices. The tournament kicks off on June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City. It will be the biggest World Cup ever with 48 participating teams.
WORDS: 1078 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 5:32 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c5a3ea55d97e69729b314d9d67623f25&mediaType=text
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FBN--FRANCHISE TAG RDP
Colts place transition tag on Daniel Jones and Breece Hall gets franchise tag from Jets
SUMMARY: The Indianapolis Colts placed a transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones and the New York Jets used the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall as teams beat the deadline to place tags on potential free agents. The Colts opted to use the $37.8 million transition tag instead of the $43.9 million franchise tag, opening up the possibility that he could still leave without compensation for Indianapolis. Hall got the $14.3 million franchise tag from New York, meaning the Jets would get two first-round picks as compensation if they didn’t match any potential offer sheet.
WORDS: 934 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 5:05 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4f601074701092d4d31256d2248d5044&mediaType=text
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FBN--CARDINALS-MURRAY
Cardinals inform 2-time Pro Bowl QB Kyler Murray they plan to release him next week, AP source says
SUMMARY: The Arizona Cardinals have informed two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray that they plan to release him at the beginning of the new league year on March 11, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move can’t be officially announced until next week. Murray — who is owed $36.8 million in guaranteed money in 2026 — will be free to sign with any team once he’s released.
WORDS: 610 - MOVED: 03/03/2026 4:59 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3455bb80d20f34803b3c397ee5eab0db&mediaType=text
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