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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HKO--HOCKEY DIVERSITY ALLIANCE-SUMMERFEST

DESCRIPTION: The Hockey Diversity Alliance is adding a football element to its youth SummerFest in Toronto this weekend, with former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch serving as a special guest. Aside from competing in a celebrity ball hockey game, Lynch will also host a football clinic at the HDA’s fourth summer event being held on Saturday. The HDA was launched by current and former NHL players of color in 2020 to speak out against racism and intolerance, and with an objective to open up hockey to minorities and underserved communities. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 380 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/22/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--SEC MEDIA DAYS

DESCRIPTION: Coverage of SEC Media Days on merit. By Eddie Pells. Text, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/22/2026 11:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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CYC-TOUR DE FRANCE

DESCRIPTION: Tour de France Stage 17 between Chambery and Voiron.

UPCOMING: By 07/22/2026 1:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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GLF--3M OPEN PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: World golf rankings leader Scottie Scheffler headlines the 3M Open in Minnesota this year, right after the last major of the season with the race for the tour playoffs in full swing. By Dave Campbell. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/22/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBC--SEC RIVALRIES

SEC’s move to 9-game conference schedules pauses some rivalries and awakens others

SUMMARY: Some of the Southeastern Conference’s longest rivalries are on hiatus. The league is introducing a nine-game conference slate in an attempt to boost strength of schedule for what is now a playoff system that has a committee awarding seven at-large spots in the 12-team field. It means no Tennessee-Florida matchup for the first time in 37 years. LSU-Alabama is on the way out and Florida-LSU and Georgia-Tennessee are gone, too. Under the new system, in place through 2029, each school will play three “annual” foes. It’s the price of progress in the SEC, which has grown from 10 teams in the old days to 16 now.

WORDS: 986 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 10:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e45823e9c02e881c885eafc91657a8d6&mediaType=text

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BBO--REDS-FERGUSON

Reds’ Caleb Ferguson apologizes for his outburst toward umpire Bill Miller that went viral

SUMMARY: One day after Caleb Ferguson was caught on camera yelling at umpire Bill Miller and appearing to use profanity, the Cincinnati Reds lefty apologized. Before Tuesday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners, Ferguson said it was “unprofessional” for him to express his frustrations toward Miller the way he did. Miller got in the way of Reds second baseman Edwin Arroyo on a single by Victor Robles, shortly after Cal Raleigh hit a grand slam off Ferguson to make it 7-0. Various social media accounts posted videos that made it clear Ferguson was insulting Miller.

WORDS: 309 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 7:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a7ee54ce682509cf35bf0a20193065f7&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SUCCESS

World Cup final between Spain and Argentina watched by roughly 60 million on Fox and Telemundo

SUMMARY: The World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico wasn’t perfect, but has still been widely hailed as a success. The tournament featured 48 teams and 104 games, with stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé captivating audiences. Despite some political issues and weather challenges, the games mostly went smoothly. Fox and Telemundo reported strong viewership, with the Spain-Argentina final drawing millions. Fox said Tuesday that the Spain-Argentina game drew 38.937 million viewers — including a peak of 51.685 million — which easily set the record as the most-watched English language soccer telecast in U.S. history, according to Nielsen Media Research.

WORDS: 921 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 7:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:444951fd3ad6a19a8a1e1fabed868181&mediaType=text

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FBC--GEORGIA-DOWDELL

Georgia running back Dante Dowdell sidelined indefinitely after off-campus accident

SUMMARY: Georgia running back Dante Dowdell was injured in a recent off-campus accident and Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart didn’t offer specifics. ESPN reported that Dowdell was involved in an ATV accident. The outlet confirmed with Smart that Dowdell is receiving care at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a medical facility specializing in treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord and brain injuries. Dowdell transferred to Georgia after rushing for 560 yards and three scores last season for Kentucky. The tailback from Picayune, Mississippi, was slated to compete for carries behind starter Nate Frazier.

WORDS: 238 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 7:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9aef1688516681647ca2b50b12628895&mediaType=text

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BKO--HALL OF FAME-CURRY EXHIBIT

Stephen Curry to have a dedicated exhibit at the Basketball Hall of Fame, a 1st for an active player

SUMMARY: Stephen Curry is headed to the Hall of Fame, making more basketball history with a first-of-its-kind exhibit for an active player. Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc is set to open Friday, celebrating the career of the two-time MVP and the NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the exhibit Tuesday, saying it was the first time in the museum’s nearly 75-year history that an active player would have a dedicated feature experience. Developed in partnership with Curry’s Thirty Ink business team, the exhibit will feature video footage of Curry’s career, memorabilia and audio and video components.

WORDS: 351 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 6:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:163d382098e6e628eec9aaa45f7eb39a&mediaType=text

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BBO--LABOR

MLB players propose expanded draft eligibility in another sign of looming labor confrontation

SUMMARY: Baseball players have proposed expanding eligibility for the amateur draft rather than decreasing it, maintaining 20 rounds of selections and moving it back to June. It’s another signal the sport is heading to a labor confrontation this offseason. The union proposed allowing college sophomores to be eligible for the draft along with those finishing their junior years. That’s a group eligible under the current rules along with high school seniors. Players proposed moving the draft back to June, when it was held through 2020. They asked that draft slot values continue to be increased at the same percentage as industry revenue through 2027.

WORDS: 648 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 5:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:324cb70b36dfd5f5bc18a5fe39ba1923&mediaType=text

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TEN--US OPEN FIELD

Two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon winner Jannik Sinner lead the US Open fields

SUMMARY: Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon winner Jannik Sinner lead the fields for the U.S. Open that begins next month. The U.S. Tennis Association announced the direct entry lists Tuesday for the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. Based on the July 20 rankings on the WTA and ATP Tours, the cutoff was No. 102 for the women and No. 101 for the men. Sabalenka tops the women’s rankings and will try to become the first woman to win three straight U.S. Open titles since Serena Williams from 2012-14. Sinner aims to regain the title that Carlos Alcaraz took from the 2024 champion last year.

WORDS: 312 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 5:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b92454660ffb3e3c6d5306c1066c6d32&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA ALL-STAR 3-POINT CONTEST

Mabrey and Howard lead a loaded WNBA All-Star 3-point contest in Chicago

SUMMARY: Marina Mabrey and Rhyne Howard headline the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest that will be contested Friday night in Chicago. Mabrey and Howard are 1-2 in 3-pointers made this season for Toronto and Atlanta respectively. Joining the pair are Dallas rookie Azzi Fudd, Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman, Portland’s Bridget Carleton and Golden State’s Janelle Salaun.

WORDS: 169 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 4:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:896a2694be11cd645d2984398ef7f034&mediaType=text

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SOC--FIFA-INFANTINO-TEBAS

Tebas: Infantino should resign for ‘destroying the football industry’

SUMMARY: La Liga president Javier Tebas has called on Gianni Infantino to resign as head of FIFA. He accuses Infantino of “destroying the football industry” by expanding international competitions. Tebas also criticizes the FIFA president for considering a proposal to expand the 2030 men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams. He argues the sport’s focus on the World Cup harms the national competitions that sustain soccer. Tebas also slams FIFA for the new hydration breaks and extended halftime intervals during the recent tournament. But he acknowledges Infantino is unlikely to step down due to strong support.

WORDS: 752 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 3:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf84afc1fe3507414ff87527bdf7c4f4&mediaType=text

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FBC--SEC-KIRBY SMART

Kirby Smart knows his voice as the dean of SEC coaches only gets heard if Georgia keeps winning

SUMMARY: He’s the dean of Southeastern Conference coaches who also has two national titles at on his resume, so what Georgia’s Kirby Smart says about the state of college football is bound to resonate outside his own state. At SEC media days, Smart made clear that to become dean of SEC coaches and win those national titles, he’s had to focus on the little picture more than the big one — because it’s the only thing he truly can control.

WORDS: 856 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 3:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aaa526ddcf10ad129538e84bb72efcd0&mediaType=text

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US--ESPN-LAYOFFS

ESPN starts layoffs tied to NFL Network acquisition, memo says

SUMMARY: ESPN is undergoing a significant round of layoffs for the first time in three years after taking over NFL Network in April. Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a memo to employees Tuesday morning, obtained by The Associated Press, that most moves are the result of ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network and other league digital assets last year. While most of the layoffs affect production and behind-the-scenes personnel, some on-air talent were affected, including ESPN’s Ryan Clark and Karl Ravech as well as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

WORDS: 511 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 2:36 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c5d77a9109f6bb44a162410480412028&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-CAMP PREVIEW

NFL training camps set to open with 10 new head coaches, several QB changes and plenty of hope

SUMMARY: The countdown is over. NFL training camp has arrived. Bryce Young and the defending NFC South champion Carolina Panthers report on Wednesday. So do the Arizona Cardinals, led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur. The teams will meet in the Hall of Fame Game that kicks off the preseason on Aug. 6. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots open camp on Friday. They’ll face off in a Super Bowl rematch that starts the regular season on Sept. 9. Many teams have plenty of questions to answer before Week 1. It’s a long road to Los Angeles, which hosts Super Bowl 61 on Feb. 14.

WORDS: 863 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 2:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:721d031f4e61247a67e5b1de862ea701&mediaType=text

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