Tony Clark resigns as MLB players' union head as possible cap fight looms
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tony Clark has resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the union announced said, as a possible salary cap fight looms during a federal investigation of its finances. Clark was asked to resign by the eight-man executive subcommittee of the players’ association after an investigation by the union’s outside counsel discovered evidence that Clark had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, a union employee since 2023, a person familiar with the union’s deliberations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because that was not announced.
Tiger Woods isn't ruling out a return to the Masters. Ryder Cup captaincy also uncertain
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The immediate future of Tiger Woods is in the boardroom instead of the golf course. Woods still won't rule out returning to the Masters. All he says is that playing the first major of the year isn't off the table. But he is coming off a year in which he didn't compete in a single tournament for the first time in his career. He had disk replacement surgery in October. Most of his time is occupied in the PGA Tour boardroom as head of the committee reshaping the schedule. Also on hold is being Ryder Cup captain.
Japan’s Ami Nakai surges into Olympic lead after short program as US struggles at the Winter Games
MILAN (AP) — Japan has upstaged the United States in the short program of the women's figure skating competition at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Ami Nakai and teammate Kaori Sakamoto were 1-2 in the standings Tuesday night, while Alysa Liu of the U.S. was third. Nakai rode her opening triple axel to a career-best 78.71 points, while Sakamoto was right behind with 77.23 as she chases just about the only gold medal she has yet to win. Things didn’t go quite so well for the rest of the American team. Isabeau Levito was eighth, and U.S. champ Amber Glenn was 13th.
Champions League: Vinicius Junior says he was racially insulted in Real Madrid win, Doue rescues PSG
The Champions League playoffs were overshadowed by claims of racism towards Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior in angry scenes after the Brazilian scored a brilliant winning goal against Benfica. Play was halted when Vinicius claimed he had been racially insulted by an opponent during Madrid’s 1-0 win. Desire Doue came off the bench to rescue Paris Saint-Germain just when its Champions League title defense looked to be unraveling in Monaco - inspiring a comeback 3-2 win.
Union offers WNBA new CBA proposal, slightly lowering revenue share numbers, AP source says
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA Players’ Association sent a counterproposal to the WNBA on Tuesday for a new collective bargaining agreement that included some concessions on revenue sharing and housing a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. The union is now asking for an average of 27.5% of the gross revenue — revenue before expenses — over the course of the CBA. The would include only 25% in the first year of the new deal. In its previous offer the union had been asking for an average of more than 30%.
Doug Moe, the rumpled, irreverent coach of the high-scoring Denver Nuggets, dies at 87
DENVER (AP) — The rumpled and irreverent basketball coach Doug Moe has died. Moe's son, David, informed friends of the coach's death after a long bout with cancer and one of those friends, longtime Denver sportscaster Ron Zappolo, confirmed Moe's death to The Associated Press. Moe was an All-American at North Carolina who played in the ABA. He went on to coach the high-scoring Denver Nuggets in the 1980s as well as San Antonio and Philadelphia. He was the coach of the year in 1988. Moe’s trademark was his motion offense. He could also excoriate players but later hang with them at the bar or coffee shop, wondering where that foul-mouthed man on the sideline had come from. Doug Moe was 87.
Detroit’s stunning surge: Pistons enter post-All-Star play with the NBA’s best record
The Detroit Pistons have surged from years of misery to the NBA’s best record as play resumes after the All-Star break. Detroit sits at 40-13 and barely leads Oklahoma City when games resume Thursday. The Pistons avoid long skids and rarely lose big. They also beat strong teams more than anyone. Cade Cunningham says the team stays focused and keeps building. History suggests the title picture centers on Detroit, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Boston, Denver and New York. Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead the scoring race. Injuries and the 65-game rule shake up awards.
Madrid game at Benfica halted for several minutes as Vinícius says opponent racially insulted him
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The match between Real Madrid and Benfica in the Champions League has been halted for several minutes after Vinícius Júnior accused an opponent of racially insulting him. French referee François Letexier stopped the match in the 52nd minute, just after Vinícius had given Madrid a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the knockout playoffs. Benfica players were not happy with Vinícius because he celebrated by dancing in front of the corner flag, and some went to confront him, including Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni was complaining to Vinicius while covering his mouth with his jersey, and then the Brazil forward suddenly pointed to him and ran toward the referee. Cameras picked up Vinícius telling Letexier that Prestianni called him “monkey.”
The hottest show in hockey, 'Heated Rivalry,' is embraced by fans and players at Winter Olympics
MILAN (AP) — Olympic hockey knows all about big hits. That includes “Heated Rivalry,” a gay hockey romance TV series in which two players from opposing teams carry out a secret relationship. The steamy connection between the characters — Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov — has attracted fans to both the show and the sport itself. The show’s impact was evident even before the Winter Olympics when co-stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie carried the Olympic flame. And it hasn’t stopped there. Athletes and fans from Canada and the U.S. are feeling the show’s impact.
Arizona State upsets No. 13 Texas Tech 72-67 as Red Raiders lose star forward JT Toppin to injury
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Maurice Odum scored 23 points, Massamba Diop added 14 and Arizona State held on for a 72-67 upset over No. 13 Texas Tech, which lost star forward JT Toppin to an injury in the second half. The Red Raiders — who were coming off a 78-75 overtime win at then-No. 1 Arizona — had a three-game winning streak snapped. It was Arizona State’s first victory over a nationally ranked opponent since beating No. 23 West Virginia 65-57 on Jan. 21, 2025. Toppin appeared to hurt his right leg while driving to the basket with 6:03 remaining. The preseason All-America selection needed assistance to limp off the court and didn’t return.
