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--T25-JAMES MADISON-NAPIER
DESCRIPTION: HARRISONBURG, Va. — James Madison formally introduces Billy Napier as its next coach, coming as the 19th-ranked Dukes prepare for the College Football Playoff. By Mike Barber. UPCOMING: 500 words by 6 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 12/10/2025 6:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--BILLS-DEFEND THE EAST
DESCRIPTION: ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Coach Sean McDermott believes the Buffalo Bills (9-4) have established a level of toughness to their identity in how they’ve won their past two outings. And the Bills will need that to carry over if they intend to keep their slim hopes alive of winning a sixth straight AFC East title in traveling to play division-leading New England (11-2) on Sunday. By John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 7 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 12/10/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Text
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BKC--T25-MINNESOTA-PURDUE
DESCRIPTION: WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- No. 6 Purdue will try to rebound from an embarrassing loss when it resumes Big Ten play Wednesday night by hosting Minnesota. The Boilermakers suffered a rare blowout home loss Saturday to then No. 10 Iowa State. The Golden Gophers are trying to win their second straight conference game after beating then No. 22 Indiana at home last week. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 300 words, more on merit. Game time is 7 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING: By 12/10/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 15
DESCRIPTION: The AFC’s two top teams are home underdogs in Week 15. That sums up the state of the NFL in 2025. There are no dominant teams and even the ones with the best records still have much to prove. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.
UPCOMING: By 12/10/2025 10:28 p.m. EST, Text
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HKW--US-CANADA
DESCRIPTION: Canada vs. U.S. in women’s hockey Rivalry Series. Game begins at 9 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING: By 12/10/2025 11:55 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BBO--ORIOLES-ALONSO
Orioles agree to $155 million, 5-year deal with slugger Pete Alonso, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person with knowledge of the agreement says the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $155 million, five-year deal with slugger Pete Alonso. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal was pending a physical. It’s a major move for a Baltimore team that vowed to be aggressive following a last-place finish. Alonso hit .272 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs this year for the New York Mets, posting an .871 OPS that was his highest since he hit 53 home runs as a rookie in 2019. Alonso turned 31 on Sunday.
WORDS: 310 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 1:34 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d1b2e6bacefd3136b7cf688e28f02f9f&mediaType=text
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FBN--COLTS-RIVERS RETURNS
QB Philip Rivers eager to get back in the game with the Colts after coming out of retirement
SUMMARY: Philip Rivers wanted one more shot at winning that elusive Super Bowl ring. So the 44-year-old grandfather and Hall of Fame semifinalist is coming out of retirement and rejoining the Indianapolis Colts. Just hours after team officials announced they’d signed Rivers to the practice squad, the eight-time Pro Bowler told reporters he’s eager to take his first NFL snaps since 2020 and hopes to start Sunday’s crucial game at Seattle. Coach Shane Steichen says it’s possible Rivers could earn the job. Rivers says “I know there’s risk involved, what may or may not happen, but the only way to find out is going for it.”
WORDS: 816 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 1:29 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:743d55340bbe3ecfcf9c98c33d1d1038&mediaType=text
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SKI--VONN’S SEASON OPENER
Lindsey Vonn added 12 pounds of muscle to her frame and is ready for her Olympic season at age 41
SUMMARY: Twelve more pounds of muscle. Equipment dialed in. A new superstar coach. At age 41 Lindsey Vonn is feeling more powerful than she has in years. So powerful that she already pulled away from the field in the very first official downhill training session of the season. Next up Vonn will get her Olympic racing season underway this weekend with two World Cup downhills and a super-G in St. Moritz, Switzerland. She says that “physically I’m in possibly the best shape I’ve ever been in.” She adds “I was able to gain about 12 pounds this summer” which “took a lot of hard work.”
WORDS: 629 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 1:16 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2d79ba5f4347637f4fcc86c7be122def&mediaType=text
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BKN--MAVERICKS-LIVELY SURGERY
Oft-injured Mavericks center Dereck Lively II set for season-ending foot surgery
SUMMARY: Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is set for season-ending surgery on his ailing right foot, another setback for the promising but oft-injured player. The team says the surgery will be performed by Dr. James Calder in London. The Mavericks previously said Lively was seeking multiple medical opinions as discomfort in the foot lingered. He had a procedure on the same foot in the offseason. Lively’s final game of the season was a 118-115 victory over New Orleans on Nov. 21. He will have missed 148 of a possible 246 games by the end of his third season.
WORDS: 352 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 12:33 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:21454be2ce8bf68a2d257919a5ba5715&mediaType=text
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OLY--INDIA-SKIER INSPIRES
Olympic hopeful cross-country skier tries to put India on the winter sports map
SUMMARY: Most of Bhavani Thekkada’s competitors grew up on skis. She grew up on a coffee farm — in southern India. So as a cross-country skier, she’s a little behind. Thekkada has been hitting European tracks in recent weeks trying to keep her Olympic dream alive. She’s a longshot to qualify for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, but she’s reaching some other goals along the way. Thekkada is chronicling her journey on social media and making headlines back home. Her bronze medal in a recent race in Chile was hailed as India’s first international medal in women’s cross-country skiing.
WORDS: 708 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 12:22 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:01380f72cf3b383e773da29007e08cd6&mediaType=text
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SOC--SOCCER INVESTIGATION
US prosecutors seek to abandon soccer TV rights corruption case
SUMMARY: U.S. prosecutors have told the Supreme Court that they want to give up their fight to preserve the convictions of a former Fox executive and a South American sports media company in a corruption case related to the TV rights for international soccer tournaments. Tuesday’s filing follows a yearslong legal battle. Hernan Lopez is former CEO of Fox International Channels. He and the company Full Play Group SA were convicted in 2023 but subsequently granted an acquittal by a judge. An appeals court reinstated the convictions in July. But additional appeals followed, and the fate of prosecution has been uncertain. Lopez called the charges against him “baseless.”
WORDS: 509 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 11:58 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:64b611a13832119be4c001e8a3408bcf&mediaType=text
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ENT--MET GALA-HOSTS
Beyoncé, Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman and Anna Wintour will co-chair next Met Gala
SUMMARY: The next Met Gala co-chairs have been announced, and it’s a high-powered quartet: Beyoncé, Venus Williams and Nicole Kidman will join Vogue’s Anna Wintour in hosting the starry event next May. Williams will co-chair seven years after her younger sister, Serena, did the same. Beyoncé takes the role after serving as honorary chair in 2013, and Kidman served as co-chair in 2003 and 2005. The museum also announced a host committee of notables, including Sabrina Carpenter and Sam Smith. The dress code will be announced later, but will align with the spring fashion exhibit, “Costume Art,” celebrating the dressed body in art history.
WORDS: 615 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 11:51 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:46deed9b538223e498b1ebeef5fc23fe&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-EGYPT-IRAN-LGBTQ DISPUTE
Egypt and Iran complain about planned World Cup ‘Pride’ match in Seattle
SUMMARY: Egypt and Iran, two Middle East nations that target gays and lesbians, have complained to FIFA over the scheduling of a World Cup soccer match in Seattle that’s expected to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride. Leaders in the nation’s soccer federations publicly rebuked the idea of playing the match June 26 at Seattle Stadium. Local organizers say it will include a “once-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in Washington.” Iran said it planned a formal complaint at an upcoming FIFA meeting in Qatar. Seattle’s organizing committee said it was “moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament.”
WORDS: 970 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 11:31 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4372288ea3c4465fd985e686a6cccf3c&mediaType=text
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CAR--NASCAR LAWSUIT
NASCAR chairman Jim France stands firm on charter stance, citing parents’ advice
SUMMARY: NASCAR Chairman Jim France has testified in a federal antitrust lawsuit involving Michael Jordan’s racing team. France explained his refusal to grant teams permanent charters, citing advice from his late parents. He emphasized the importance of keeping promises and expressed discomfort with making permanent agreements. This aligns with testimony from NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps, who described a chaotic agreement process in September 2024. Two teams, including Jordan’s, refused to sign the agreement and sued NASCAR. The jury will decide if NASCAR violated antitrust laws, potentially leading to significant changes in the sport’s structure.
WORDS: 1037 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 10:42 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0930383d9447f9fc736534a77e0e8418&mediaType=text
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HKN--BLUES-DUBE-AHL TRYOUT
Blues sign Dillon Dube, who was acquitted in Hockey Canada sexual assault case, to AHL tryout
SUMMARY: The St. Louis Blues have signed Dillon Dube to an American Hockey League professional tryout agreement. Dube is the last remaining player acquitted of sexual assault in the high-profile case involving members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team not to sign a contract somewhere. Goaltender Carter Hart with the Vegas Golden Knights is the only one who has played in the NHL since the trial ended last summer with a not guilty verdict. Defenseman Cal Foote signed with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves last week, while forwards Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod are playing in Europe. The Blues said Dube would report to the Springfield Thunderbirds after receiving his work visa.
WORDS: 210 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 10:41 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bf9fe62170c69fa9e4fd5e2f99c7f924&mediaType=text
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OLY--WINTER GAMES-RUSSIA
Nine Russian and Belarusian skiers get neutral status to compete in Olympics qualifying events
SUMMARY: Three skiers from Russia and six from Belarus have been approved to compete in qualifying events for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games in February. They include former Olympic and world champions. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation says it cleared nine applications for neutral athlete status and return to competitions for the first time since the full military invasion of Ukraine in 2022. FIS didn’t say if some applications were rejected. Athletes must not have publicly supported the war nor have ties to military or state security agencies. The Russian ski federation won a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling last week.
WORDS: 496 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 9:06 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9c42e53ff00cf2c78f3124def6bdf2e7&mediaType=text
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YE--FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
A’ja Wilson wins AP Female Athlete of the Year following historic 4th WNBA MVP
SUMMARY: A’ja Wilson stood atop the WNBA again, winning an unprecedented fourth MVP as her Las Vegas Aces earned a third championship in four seasons. For that, she earned The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the first time. It’s the second consecutive year a basketball player won the award after Caitlin Clark was honored in 2024. A group of 47 sports journalists from the AP and its members voted. Wilson received 17 votes, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka was second with nine and Paige Bueckers was third with five.
WORDS: 867 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 7:01 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d03cf675a65e30c7410c27efddee09e7&mediaType=text
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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS
10 months after Super Bowl, Mahomes and Hurts struggle in historic week of turnovers
SUMMARY: Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts have had a rough week, marking a first in NFL history. Mahomes threw three interceptions and no touchdowns in the Chiefs’ 20-10 loss to Houston, ending Kansas City’s nine-year division title streak. Hurts threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in the Eagles’ 22-19 overtime loss to the Chargers. This is the first time both Super Bowl quarterbacks from the previous season threw at least three interceptions and no touchdowns in the same week. Mahomes’ performance was the worst for a Chiefs QB since 2010, and Hurts made history with two turnovers on the same play.
WORDS: 1253 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 6:00 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c67822955860b648bbbdb2b29e5dc554&mediaType=text
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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Pressure is on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso ahead of Champions League match against Man City
SUMMARY: The pressure is mounting on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match with Manchester City. Madrid has won just two of its last seven in all competitions including a 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo over the weekend. Ahead of the City match Alonso had to contend with reports in the Spanish media that he had lost control of the locker room. Doubts over Kylian Mbappé’s availability added to Alonso’s concerns. The France striker trained separately to the rest of the team on Tuesday, having reportedly had issues with is left leg.
WORDS: 216 - MOVED: 12/10/2025 2:26 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a1c04d20464f069de252535e99cf9676&mediaType=text
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AP Sports Extra: College Football Playoffs & Bowl Season
A paginated preview of the college football playoffs and bowl season, which starts this Saturaday, is available in AP Newsroom by searching for “Sports Extra” under the Graphics tab. Three page sizes are available — full broadsheet, half broadsheet and tabloid — with space for local advertising or content. The pages list all the bowls and look at the matchups in the College Football Playoffs. Please contact Barry Bedlan at bbedlan@ap.org with any questions.
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MOVING TOMORROW
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FBN--FALCONS-BUCCANEERS
TAMPA, Fla. — The Atlanta Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Game starts at 8:15 p.m.
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ENT--MARIACHI RAMS
The Mariachi Rams are reshaping NFL game day by blending traditional Mexican music with Los Angeles’ hip-hop and rock influences. The ensemble’s members are a mix of teachers, office workers and classical music performers who deliver a mix of traditional mariachi music and their interpretation of classics like “California Love” and “Crazy Train” to give Rams home games a unique Los Angeles flair. By Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr.
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US--COLLEGE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS-CBAS
LAS VEGAS — Collective bargaining agreements could be coming to college athletics, something athletic directors acknowledged this week at a forum in Las Vegas. By Mark Anderson.
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