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AP Sports Digest

Posted 6/26/25

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. …

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AP Sports Digest

Posted

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; graphics, ext. 7636.

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UPCOMING

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BKN--NBA DRAFT COVERAGE

FORMATS: Photo, Text

    1. WITH: BKN--NBA DRAFT

      2. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- The second round of the NBA draft is held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. 500 words, photos.

      3. UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT

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SOC--CWC

FORMATS: Text, Photo

    4. SOC—CWC-JUVENTUS-MANCHESTER CITY

    5. SOC—CWC-WYDAD-AL AIN

    6. SOC—CWC-AL-HILAL-PACHUCA

    7. SOC—CWC-SALZBURG-REAL MADRID

    8. WITH: SOC-CWC-INTER-MIAMI-FAMILIAR FACE

      9. DESCRIPTION: Leo Messi and several Inter Miami teammates will go against a familiar face when their MLS club plays their former coach Luis Enrique and French juggernaut Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup round of 16. Miami will be a heavy underdog against Messi’s former squad, who he will face for the first time since spending two years there. By Alanis Thames. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4 p.m. EST.

      10. UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT

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BBO--WANDER FRANCO-TRIAL

DESCRIPTION: A court in the Dominican Republic will announce a verdict on suspended Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco, who faces charges of sex abuse involving an underage girl. Prosecutors asked for a five-year prison term. 500 words.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text, Video

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HKN--NHL DRAFT-MISA’S MOMENT

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Michael Misa has showed he knows how to put his team first during his junior career by playing on the wing in a supporting role. The gifted center is directly under the spotlight this week as possibly the first forward chosen in the NHL draft, and he’s eager to get started on his next chapter. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 3 p.m. PDT.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--NHL DRAFT-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: A little over a month since being hired, New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche has the advantageous opportunity of placing his stamp on the franchise’s future in having the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Friday. The question is, which player he’ll choose among a prospect pool that features little separation between defenseman Matthew Schaefer and center Michael Misa, with Boston College’s James Hagens and Sweden’s Anton Frondell also in the mix. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 700 words, photos by 6 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--ALL-STARS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani and the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge were the leading candidates to be the first players picked for the July 15 All-Star Game as the top vote-getters in the first phase of fan balloting. 300 words, photos, announced about 6:15 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 6:15 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--SPARKS-FEVER

DESCRIPTION: The Los Angeles Sparks visit the Indiana Fever. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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MMA--UFC 317 PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — Ilia Topuria moves up a class to fight flyweight Charles Oliveira in UFC 317. By W.G. Ramirez. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos, by 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--ROCKET CLASSIC

DESCRIPTION: DETROIT — The Rocket Classic field is relatively strong with nine of the top 50 in the world, including Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley coming off a win at the Travelers Championship, Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Cantlay. By Larry Lage. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--LPGA TOUR

DESCRIPTION: MIDLAND, Mich. — Jeeno Thitikul and Ruoning Yin open their title defense in the Dow Championship, the LPGA Tour’s lone team event. UPCOMING: 300 words.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--BRAVES-METS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Atlanta Braves face the New York Mets in the finale of a four-game series between NL East rivals.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--US SENIOR OPEN

DESCRIPTION: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Miguel Angel Jimenez begins play in the U.S. Senior Open in a bid for his second straight major victory. By National Writer Eddie Pells UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--IRELAND-US

DESCRIPTION: COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The U.S. women’s national team, giving some of its Europe-players a rest, has a young roster heading into Thursday night’s game against Ireland at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. 400 words. Game starts at 9 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2025 11:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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US--NCAA SETTLEMENT-OLYMPIC SPORTS

Funding of Olympic sports a bargaining chip as NCAA seeks antitrust help, AP sources say

SUMMARY: College sports leaders seeking antitrust and other protections from Congress have a potential bargaining chip: School assurances that they will provide funding for their increasingly imperiled Olympic programs, by far the biggest pipeline of talent for Team USA. Four people familiar with the talks tell The Associated Press that the discussions are ongoing. The idea is to find common ground that could help legislation win enough Democratic support make it through a narrowly divided Congress.

WORDS: 981 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 1:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:98e974041f0af901b047d69672ad3176&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROCKIES-MONFORT

Rockies promote owner’s son to leadership role amid one of worst MLB starts

SUMMARY: The Colorado Rockies are promoting the oldest son of team owner Dick Monfort amid one of the worst starts in baseball history. Walker Monfort has been named executive vice president of the Rockies. He will immediately begin leading the team alongside outgoing President and COO Greg Feasel, who is stepping down at the end of this year after 30 years in the front office. The 18-62 Rockies made both of those announcements Thursday. The 38-year-old Walker Monfort had been the team’s vice president of corporate partnerships since 2015. He will officially assume Feasel’s responsibilities by January.

WORDS: 382 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 1:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fd423db4e980ec61443561443a3b4143&mediaType=text

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FBN--BENGALS STADIUM

Cincinnati Bengals and county reach tentative $470M deal to renovate Paycor Stadium and extend lease

SUMMARY: The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County leaders have reached a tentative deal for $470 million in renovations to Paycor Stadium. The preliminary agreement announced Thursday would keep the team at the stadium for at least 11 more years. Final approval is still needed from the team and county commissioners. The county will contribute $350 million, while the Bengals will pay $120 million. The original lease expires next June. Details on what the renovations will include were not announced. But the team has been seeking upgrades to the stadium’s suites, concessions and scoreboards. The Bengals have called Paycor Stadium home since 2000.

WORDS: 193 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 12:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6c1ff84e440845e5b2bbbfaa88505e78&mediaType=text

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FBN--BUCCANEERS-EXTENSIONS

Buccaneers extend coach Todd Bowles, GM Jason Licht

SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have rewarded coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht with multi-year contract extensions. The team announced the extensions on Thursday. Bowles is coming off his third year as coach in which he led the Bucs to a fourth-straight NFC South title. His 27 regular-season victories are the franchise’s second-best total through three seasons behind Bowles’ predecessor, Bruce Arians. Licht is the fifth longest-tenured general manager in the league and is credited with drafting and retaining key players in Vita Vea, Tristan Wirfs, Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Chris Godwin. The team did not provide details of the extensions.

WORDS: 369 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 12:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e8da5265d4568932205348057cff1b6c&mediaType=text

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OLY--IOC-COVENTRY

IOC’s Coventry pauses 2036 Olympics hosting contest in 1st big decision of her presidency

SUMMARY: India’s push toward winning the 2036 Olympics hosting contest has seemed to stall a little in the first big decision of Kirsty Coventry’s IOC presidency. Coventry paused the fast tracking of a preferred bidder that’s been a signature policy of her predecessor and mentor Thomas Bach. The decision Thursday to create a working group is a concession to International Olympic Committee members who have wanted more say in decisions under new leadership. India has been seen as gaining momentum in the 2036 race that involves at least 10 bidders in talks including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Istanbul in Turkey.

WORDS: 726 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 12:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8703988f0678d9a5f358678cf9213741&mediaType=text

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SOC--RONALDO CONTRACT

Ronaldo declares ‘Al Nassr forever’ after signing a two-year deal to stay in Saudi Arabia

SUMMARY: Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract extension with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. The Portugal great’s deal lets him continue playing until at least the age of 42. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner moved to Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022 in one of the most shocking transfers in soccer history after leaving Manchester United. The deal was reportedly worth up to $200 million a year and led to a slew of top players leaving Europe for the oil-rich kingdom. The deal is evidence the former Real Madrid forward wants to achieve more. The move to a less-challenging league has also not hindered his standing with his national team.

WORDS: 494 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 11:52 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:49af494548b353fcb3e121fff2ddf3cb&mediaType=text

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BKL--FEVER-CLARK

Fever’s Caitlin Clark ruled out of Thursday night matchup vs Sparks with groin injury

SUMMARY: The Indiana Fever will be without star Caitlin Clark against the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night. The team announced that the former No. 1 pick is battling a groin injury and will miss at least one game. Clark had recently returned from a quad injury that kept her sidelined for five games. She returned to action June 14 and helped the Fever to a 102-88 victory against the Liberty with an explosive 32-point performance. The Fever are currently 7-7. Clark is averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds on the season.

WORDS: 139 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 11:40 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8851f57845106f2d04e16d91500cba0&mediaType=text

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SOC--EURO 2025-GROWTH

Bigger, better, more popular: Women’s Euro 2025 set to break records

WORDS: 1216 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 11:30 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3838ba22b6c4841755b9e1524e1a9bcd&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-RWR SALE

T.J. Puchyr agrees to buy Rick Ware Racing with plans to build a 3-car NASCAR team

SUMMARY: One of the founders of Spire Motorsports has entered an agreement to purchase the NASCAR team owned by Rick Ware and is jumping back into the stock car series because he believes the current charters are grossly undervalued. T.J. Puchyr in 2018 alongside Jeff Dickerson launched the Spire team to take over the charter that Furniture Row Racing could not unload. He told The Associated Press he and Rick Ware Racing have a deal for him to take over Ware’s organization next season. He expects it to be a three-car team by 2027 and thinks NASCAR charters are worth $75 million.

WORDS: 978 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 11:01 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ccd9b642548cfa30192befea81b15ad3&mediaType=text

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BKN--CELTICS-STEVENS

Celtics’ Brad Stevens says Jayson Tatum progressing well, but won’t return until ‘fully ready’

SUMMARY: When Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the Celtics’ conference semifinals loss the the New York Knicks, everything about Boston’s immediate future changed. But what won’t change is the Celtics’ front office’s prudence in making sure he has the space and time to make a full recovery. Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said the All-Star is progressing well following surgery last month. But asked about whether the team had put a potential timeline on Tatum’s return, Stevens was definitive that there would be no rushing the star’s rehabilitation.

WORDS: 435 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 10:42 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bbff17a941d083e3c67bdd7da6f10414&mediaType=text

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TEN--WIMBLEDON PREVIEW

Wimbledon 2025: Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz give tennis two young superstars

SUMMARY: Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz are ushering in a new era for tennis. Wimbledon begins Monday, and the sport’s most recent Grand Slam champions are Gauff and Alcaraz. She is a 21-year-old American. He is a 22-year-old Spaniard. Both are No. 2 in the rankings and both are coming off French Open titles secured in riveting finals against the sport’s No. 1 players. They are young, they are charismatic on the court and they are media-friendly off it. And along with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and former No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the women’s game, and No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the men’s, they offer a bright future for the sport.

WORDS: 797 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 10:31 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:968df8b92ea7ba95779b9d91d123d4df&mediaType=text

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US--TRUMP’S TARIFFS-YOUTH SPORTS

Families and businesses are concerned about the effect of tariffs on youth sports

SUMMARY: Youth sports are a big part of Karli Casamento’s life. Her 15-year-old son, Jax, golfs and plays on three baseball teams. Her 7-year-old son, Colt, plays baseball and basketball. The costs add up in a hurry. That’s why Casamento and her husband, Michael, are watching closely for the ramifications of tariffs on their rising youth sports budget. Karli Casamento, a second-grade teacher in suburban Philadelphia, says it’s a concern. For families like the Casamentos and businesses in the marketplace, there is continued uncertainty surrounding the possible effects of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on youth sports.

WORDS: 1243 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 9:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0a7aa7e06165e336583bbb00137e1810&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA DRAFT

Cooper Flagg is the new Maine man for the Mavericks as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft

SUMMARY: Cooper Flagg is headed to the Dallas Mavericks, who may have found their next franchise superstar less than five months after trading one away. The Mavericks took the Duke forward with the No. 1 pick in the draft Wednesday night, selecting the 18-year-old who was the college player of the year in his lone season. Mavericks fans were furious when Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1, some immediately threatening to end their support of the team. But the ones who stuck around may quickly love Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four. Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by San Antonio with the No. 2 pick.

WORDS: 1001 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 9:30 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:315cf506494acafe615e1809531b5be4&mediaType=text

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SOC--PSG-MBAPPÉ

Mbappé files harassment complaint against PSG and judicial officials are investigating

SUMMARY: Kylian Mbappé has filed a legal complaint against Paris Saint-Germain, accusing the club of moral harassment. French prosecutors have confirmed an investigation has opened. Mbappé claims PSG owes him 55 million euros in unpaid wages and alleges mistreatment after he decided not to extend his contract before the 2023-24 season. He was isolated from the main squad, a practice known in France as “lofting.” Mbappé left PSG last summer for Real Madrid after a tense standoff with the club. His departure followed disputes over unfulfilled promises and contract disagreements, ending a seven-year stint with a record 256 goals for PSG.

WORDS: 435 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 8:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5adb6705e2b41f8a6e12ae95560b1496&mediaType=text

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ATH--KIPYEGON-4 MINUTE MILE QUEST

Faith Kipyegon will try to become first woman to break 4-minute mile in Paris

SUMMARY: Triple Olympic gold medalist Faith Kipyegon will try to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes later Thursday in Paris. Kipyegon is already the world-record holder in the mile and 1,500 meters. The Kenyan will make the attempt at Stade Charléty. She will need to shave at least 7.65 seconds off her world record time of 4:07.64. It was more than 71 years ago when British runner Roger Bannister became the first man to eclipse four minutes in 3:59.4.

WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 6:22 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5376a6d3a95fd7ba905499f185e53a7f&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA DRAFT-BEST AVAILABLE

Fleming, Raynaud, Penda headline the list of best available players entering Round 2 of NBA draft

SUMMARY: The freshman-heavy first round of the NBA draft squeezed out some veteran college big men. That means players like St. Joseph’s junior Rasheer Fleming and Stanford senior Maxime Raynaud are among the notable names waiting to hear their name called entering the second round Thursday night. The list includes fifth-year big men in Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Auburn’s Johni Broome. The list of best-available talents includes French forward Noah Penda and Marquette guard Kam Jones. Minnesota is on the clock for the first pick of the second round.

WORDS: 944 - MOVED: 06/26/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:66500ec56bfc52b7ffb0ccca8eed9d0c&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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—BKN--NBA Draft-2026 Lookahead

—TEN--Wimbledon Draw

—CAR--F1-Austrian GP Preview

—BOX--Alvarez-Crawford

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