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-B12-ARIZONA ST-IOWA ST
DESCRIPTION: Seventh-ranked and No. 5-seeded Iowa State plays Arizona State in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. By Dave Skretta. 300 words, photos. Game starts 11:30 a.m. CT. Also: BKC--B12-Cincinnati-UCF: 300 words, photos. Game starts 2 p.m. CT. BKC--B12-BYU-W Virginia: 300 words, photos. Game starts 6 p.m. CT. BKC--B12-Oklahoma St-TCU: 300 words, photos. Game starts 8:30 p.m. CT.
UPCOMING: By 03/11/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKN--HEAT-ADEBAYO’S 83
DESCRIPTION: Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game — the second-most ever scored in an NBA contest — was celebrated by some, criticized by others. Either way, the Miami Heat know it’ll be on the NBA’s all-time scoring list for a long, long time. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. 700 words, photos. With: BKN--AP Was There-Kobe Scores 81. MOVED. BKN--AP Was There-Wilt Scores 100. MOVED.
UPCOMING: By 03/11/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo, Video
___
BKC--T25-ACC-SMU-LOUISVILLE
DESCRIPTION: No. 24 Louisville, which failed to claim a double bye in the ACC Tournament, will face SMU in a second-round matchup. By Steve Reed. 300 words, photos. Game starts 2:30 p.m. ET. Also: BKC--ACC-NC State-Pitt, Noon ET. 250 words. BKC--ACC-Florida State-California, 7 p.m. ET, 250 words BKC--ACC-Clemson-Wake Forest, 9:30 p.m. ET, 250 words.
UPCOMING: By 03/11/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKW--T25-VANDERBILT-BLAKES
DESCRIPTION: High-scoring Mikayla Blakes, the first sophomore since A’ja Wilson to be named the Southeastern Conference’s player of the year, has her sights on much more having led Vanderbilt to its most wins in program history before the NCAA Tournament. By Teresa M. Walker.
UPCOMING: By 03/11/2026 5:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
___
BKC--NCAA TOURNAMENT
DESCRIPTION: The NCAA Tournament selection committee is scheduled to speak with reporters Wednesday to discuss the process. Then they’ll spend the rest of the weekend behind closed door selecting the 68-team tourney field. By Michael Marot. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/11/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
FBN--FREE AGENCY RDP
DESCRIPTION: The NFL’s new league year begins with free agent players officially able to sign with new teams after two days of legal tampering. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 900 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/11/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKC--BIG EAST TOURNAMENT
DESCRIPTION: BKC--BEast-Providence-Butler. 300 words. Game starts 4 p.m. ET. BKC--BEast-Xavier-Marquette. 300 words. Game starts approximately 6:30 p.m. ET. BKC--BEast-Georgetown-DePaul. 300 words. Game starts approximately 9 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING: By 03/11/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
FBN--CHIEFS-KELCE
Travis Kelce returns to Kansas City Chiefs for 14th season with Patrick Mahomes and Co.
SUMMARY: Travis Kelce has put off retirement one more time to return to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 14th season. The Chiefs made his return official on Wednesday with the start of the new league year. His deal pays $12 million and includes incentives that could push the total to $15 million. Kelce said during an appearance this week on “The Pat McAfee Show) that he still loves the work and the game, and he was inspired by his fiancee, the pop star Taylor Swift. Kelce also wants to play once more with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose season last year ended three games early with a torn knee ligament. Mahomes hopes to be ready for Week 1.
WORDS: 708 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 1:32 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:34dd82c5e7090de7bb8850246d32a9ca&mediaType=text
___
BKC--A RARE BREED
In an era of unprecedented player movement, why one college basketball senior stuck around
SUMMARY: Duquesne’s David Dixon is part of an exclusive club in college basketball. The senior forward is among a small group of players who have spent their entire college career with the same school. Relaxed rules around the transfer portal have created unprecedented player movement in collegiate sports. Dixon says he has no problem with athletes looking for a better situation but added he chose the stability he found at Duquesne over potentially more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. Dixon will play in his school-record 127th game when the Dukes open the Atlantic 10 tournament against Rhode Island.
WORDS: 1057 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 1:21 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:719d36e72a0dfabbcd7cf2ab6ad56a24&mediaType=text
___
FBN--RAVENS-FREE AGENCY
Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson heading to Baltimore on 4-year, $112 million deal, AP source says
SUMMARY: Four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has agreed on a four-year, $112 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. EDT. The Ravens backed out of a blockbuster trade for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby late Tuesday. A person with knowledge of Baltimore’s decision told the AP that Crosby failed his physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those results are private. So the Ravens quickly pivoted to the best pass rusher on the market.
WORDS: 562 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 1:07 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:192dda4045454bb1727b1f32e949554d&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-IRAN-MINISTER
Iran’s sports minister says the country can’t take part in the World Cup because of US attacks
SUMMARY: Iran’s sports and youth minister said that the country is in no position to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in its ongoing war. Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country’s soccer team players are not safe in the U.S., according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.
WORDS: 274 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 1:02 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8e4d152ee19807adaf70c95522bf951b&mediaType=text
___
SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Champions League: Real Madrid and Man City square off again, PSG hosts Chelsea
SUMMARY: Real Madrid and Manchester City go at it again in the Champions League. For the fifth season in a row, the rivals have been drawn against each other in European club soccer’s biggest competition. By the end of the round of 16 they will have played each other three times this season after meeting in the league phase. City won 2-1 on that occasion but goes into the latest encounter knowing it has been eliminated by Madrid in each of the last two seasons.
WORDS: 172 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 12:22 p.m. EDT. Will be updated from games starting at 4 p.m. EDT.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:81929fc2c9cd3a8654695f6226afb065&mediaType=text
___
OLY--PARALYMPICS-RUSSIA
Russian anthem played again at Paralympics after Germany athletes’ protest at Milan Cortina
SUMMARY: The Russian national anthem has played again at the Paralympics a day after Germany athletes appeared to stage a protest in the podium ceremony at Milan Cortina. Ivan Golubkov won Russia’s third gold of these Games in the men’s Para cross-country 10km interval start sitting, then Anastasiia Bagiian added the nations’ fourth gold by winning the women’s Para cross-country 10km interval start classic for athletes with vision impaired. The anthem had played for the first time in more than a decade at the Paralympics on Monday, and again on Tuesday when Anastassia won the Para cross-country sprint classic.
WORDS: 424 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 10:43 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c4631b29276d801f0947a0deb56759cb&mediaType=text
___
BKC--SYRACUSE-AUTRY FIRED
Syracuse fires coach Adrian Autry following 3 unsuccessful seasons in post-Jim Boeheim era
SUMMARY: Adrian Autry has been fired as head basketball coach at Syracuse after three largely unsuccessful seasons. The school announced the decision Wednesday, one day after the Orange lost 86-69 to SMU in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. Syracuse lost its final six games and 12 of the last 15 under Autry to finish 15-17. Autry was 49-48 over three seasons after replacing Jim Boeheim and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. Autry said in a statement on Tuesday that it had been an honor to coach at his alma mater and thanked the school for its support. A national search for a replacement will begin immediately, the school said.
WORDS: 818 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 10:17 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:88a4f4d89ea54809bd4603ec4fc4c41c&mediaType=text
___
FBN--RAIDERS-RAVENS-CROSBY
Ravens nix trade for Raiders’ Crosby after he fails physical, pivot to Hendrickson, AP source says
SUMMARY: The blockbuster trade sending star pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens is off. And the fallout from that reversal could have a ripple effect throughout the NFL as the new league year begins. The Ravens quickly pivoted to Trey Hendrickson, agreeing on a four-year, $112 million deal with the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher on Wednesday morning, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The Las Vegas Raiders said Tuesday night that Baltimore backed out of the trade that was supposed to send Crosby to the Ravens for two first-round draft picks. The deal was agreed to last Friday but couldn’t be finalized until Wednesday.
WORDS: 928 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 9:31 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:abe432e2db31c4bc9432e18832c2b20f&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WOMEN’S-ASIAN-CUP-IRAN-EXIT
Most of Iranian women’s soccer team left Australia after declining last-minute airport asylum offers
SUMMARY: Two more members of the Iranian women’s soccer team were granted asylum in Australia before their teammates departed, but one later changed her mind and will return to Iran. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told reporters Wednesday the pair was reunited with five players who were granted humanitarian visas a day earlier. The rest of the team left Sydney to return to Iran late Tuesday.
WORDS: 1066 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 8:48 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1ca19122b348021793652598e577a339&mediaType=text
___
BBO--IKF’S LEAD-FINAL REVIEW
MLB report settles World Series Game 7 plate drama: IKF was out by feet, not inches
SUMMARY: The official report from MLB’s replay review says a critical play in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ wild Game 7 World Series win last year was determined by feet, not inches. Toronto’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa was thrown out at home plate in the bottom of the ninth inning on a play that would have won it for the Blue Jays. Catcher Will Smith’s foot briefly came off the plate while he caught the ball. Replays showed his foot reconnected with the plate while Kiner-Falefa was inches away. Fans lamented Kiner-Falefa’s conservative lead off third base. But MLB’s report says Smith’s foot was on the plate when he initially caught the ball, while Kiner-Falefa still several feet away. Smith homered in the 11th inning and the Dodgers held on to win.
WORDS: 842 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 8:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c2ff4ce64859f63a62fbb1e13e290f35&mediaType=text
___
SOC--NWSL-SAVY’S RETURN
Ten months after her heart stopped during a game, Angel City’s Savy King returns to the pitch
SUMMARY: That Savy King not only survived a life-threatening on-field cardiac event but is now poised to return this season for Angel City is nothing short of miraculous. During the second half of Angel City’s home match against the Utah Royals last May 9, King sat on the field in the 74th minute, appearing dazed. Then everything went black. The 20-year-old’s heart had stopped. Ten months later, King is preparing for the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season.
WORDS: 905 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0fc810f6bc288f4e44669555ba1ab828&mediaType=text
___
FBN--ON FOOTBALL-QB BARGAINS
Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa could end up being the best bargains in NFL free agency
SUMMARY: Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa could end up being the best bargains in free agency if either quarterback can regain their Pro Bowl form. While NFL teams have committed billions of dollars on the first two days of the legal tampering period, the Atlanta Falcons snagged Tagovailoa for the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million. The Dolphins owe him $54 million. Murray will cost a team $1.3 million because the Cardinals are on the hook for $36.8 million of his remaining salary that was guaranteed. The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks got their quarterback in free agency last year. Could Tagovailoa or Murray lead a team to a Lombardi trophy? Probably not. But they don’t have to win a championship to bring value.
WORDS: 637 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:73667637b6ad844b61cb28f7266a5478&mediaType=text
___
GLF--PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP-PREVIEW
The Players Championship is set to deliver major excitement at the TPC Sawgrass
SUMMARY: Whether The Players Championship should be considered a major is up for debate. What gets little argument is whether it’s among the most entertaining tournaments in golf. Attribute that to the Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass. Drama seems to be the rule, not the exception. Adam Scott was asked to describe the tournament with one word. He called it exciting. Scottie Scheffler loves the test because it never seems to favor one style of golf. The biggest question is defending champion Rory McIlroy. He had to withdraw from Bay Hill with back spasms and was not due to arrive until Wednesday.
WORDS: 920 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ea3ed2d6609386b9b0b0479db7720b06&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-IRAN-US
Infantino says he’s talked to Trump and was assured that Iran can come to US for World Cup
SUMMARY: FIFA is still anticipating that Iran’s national team will be allowed to come to the United States, even with war going on between the countries, and compete in the World Cup that begins in about three months. Iran and is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday night “to discuss the status of preparations” for the tournament and received assurances that Iran would be permitted to come to the U.S.
WORDS: 465 - MOVED: 03/11/2026 2:27 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fa2ccd07962592815477619fce06a838&mediaType=text
___
——————————
MOVING TOMORROW
——————————
SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW
A lookahead to the next round of the Premier League, focusing on the troubles at relegation-threatened Tottenham. By Steve Douglas.
___
BBO--CONTACT HITTING
While Toronto led the major leagues in batting average and came within two outs of a World Series title, don’t expect other teams to follow the Blue Jays’ example and usher in an era of emphasis on contact hitting. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum.
