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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FBN--NFL-HOW-TO-WATCH

DESCRIPTION: There’s little doubt that technology has made many things in our lives easier. Watching the NFL on television isn’t one of them. The most popular sport in the United States is also among its most confusing to watch, thanks to a myriad of streaming services and exclusive online broadcasts. By David Brandt. UPCOMING: 400 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/08/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--RAIDERS-DEFENSE

DESCRIPTION: HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders had numerous missed tackles in their preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Cause for concern or was it just one preseason game? By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos, by 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 08/08/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--ASTROS-YANKEES

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — Rookie Cam Schlittler (1-2) starts a homestand opener for the reeling New York Yankees and Hunter Brown (9-5) takes the mound for the Houston Astros. 300 words, photos, starts 7:05 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 08/08/2025 7:05 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--BROWNS-PANTHERS

DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Shedeur Sanders, the Browns fifth-round draft pick, gets the start against the Carolina Panthers. Sanders and Tyler Huntley are the only Browns QBs who will play. Bryce Young gets the start for Carolina. UPCOMING. By Steve Reed. 500 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT

UPCOMING: By 08/08/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--METS-BREWERS

DESCRIPTION: MILWAUKEE - Brandon Woodruff pitches for Milwaukee as the MLB-leading Brewers return from a 6-0 road trip to face the New York Mets. Kodai Senga pitches for the Mets, who have lost four straight. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 300 words, with photos. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 08/08/2025 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--BLUE JAYS-DODGERS

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Max Scherzer starts for the Toronto Blue Jays against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers in a rare matchup between members of the 3,000-strikeout club. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Begins 10 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 08/08/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--OBIT-HOWTON

Packers star Billy Howton, believed to have been the oldest living NFL player, dies at 95

SUMMARY: Billy Howton, a former Green Bay Packers star regarded as one of the most productive wide receivers of the pre-Super Bowl era who was a founder and the first president of the NFL Players Association, has died. He was 95. An obituary states Howton died in Houston on Monday. Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home confirmed his death on Friday. Howton was born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1930. He was believed to have been the oldest living NFL player. Howton scored the Packers’ first receiving touchdown at Lambeau Field in 1957. He led the league in receiving yards twice, was named to four Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro.

WORDS: 311 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 1:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fe1ef682a1db159f81d08107e1fee431&mediaType=text

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GLF--ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

Akshay Bhatia shoots career-best 62 to lead in Memphis. Scheffler is 5 back

SUMMARY: Akshay Bhatia had a great finish to get his PGA Tour postseason off to a great start. Bhatia closed eagle-birdie-birdie for 62 in the FedEx St. Jude Championship. That’s the low round of his PGA Tour career and gives him a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood. Two shots back was a group that included Bud Cauley and Harry Hall. They’re both on the bubble to be among the top 50 who advance in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Scottie Scheffler shot a 67 in his first tournament since winning the British Open. It was his 10th consecutive round in the 60s.

WORDS: 805 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 11:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3dac47c685ed178f32bdf9aea9011bf5&mediaType=text

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BKN--CELTICS-MAZZULLA EXTENSION

Boston Celtics sign coach Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension

SUMMARY: Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens has said throughout the offseason that that team wanted Joe Mazzulla to be its coach for a long time. It made that more than a proclamation Friday, announcing it has signed Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension. Length and details of the new deal were not released. The 37-year-old Mazzulla is coming off his third season as Boston’s coach and has guided the team to the playoffs each season, including the franchise’s 18th NBA title to cap the 2023-24 season. Under Mazzulla, the Celtics have won at least 57 games each of those seasons and topped 60 victories in each of the last two.

WORDS: 400 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 11:51 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:301b3c8d84532273aadbcf533c84a546&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDYCAR-PALOU CLOSES IN

Alex Palou’s unstoppable season: Will he clinch his fourth IndyCar title at Portland?

SUMMARY: Alex Palou is on the brink of winning his fourth IndyCar championship. He can clinch the title Sunday at Portland International Raceway. Palou leads Pato O’Ward by 121 points and needs to leave Portland with a 108-point lead to secure the championship. Despite his dominance, Palou insists the title isn’t his yet. O’Ward admits it would take a major collapse from Palou for him to win. Palou has eight wins this season, including the Indianapolis 500. He could tie the record for most wins in a season with two more victories. Palou is enjoying the ride and credits his team for his success.

WORDS: 764 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 10:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5fa8dc17e5ff6b4715326fa49a2853dc&mediaType=text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-PARSONS & JONES

Cowboys can’t afford to let Micah Parsons’ contract dispute linger into the season

SUMMARY: Jerry Jones is known for dragging contract negotiations so it’s no surprise Micah Parsons is just the latest Dallas Cowboys star player to have to wait on a new deal. Dak Prescott had to play on the franchise tag in 2020 after being unable to reach agreement on an extension, and he didn’t get another new deal last season until hours before the Week 1 opener. Jones eventually caved and made Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history with an average of $60 million per year. CeeDee Lamb held out into late August last year following an All-Pro season before Jones gave him a four-year, $136 million deal.

WORDS: 865 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 10:46 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f9b825954f9f3cf95d841c52eab4c468&mediaType=text

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FBN--BRADY-STATUE UNVEILING

Bronze statue of Tom Brady to be unveiled before Patriots’ exhibition opener

SUMMARY: Tom Brady left his imprint all over the New England Patriots’ record books during his stellar two-decade run with the team. Now, he is set to become the first player in franchise history to be honored with a statue. The bronze statue will be unveiled Friday before New England’s exhibition game against the Washington Commanders. Brady will be on hand for the ceremony, which is scheduled to include an address to fans. Fans are being allowed into the plaza in front of Gillette Stadium four hours before the game to accommodate what is expected to be a large crowd.

WORDS: 265 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:05da1548e3df03219699acdf61f40932&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAIDERS-SEATTLE RETURNS

Pete Carroll, Geno Smith return to Seattle with Raiders

SUMMARY: Pete Carroll played a new role in familiar territory Thursday night, with his first preseason game as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders coming against the Seattle Seahawks. The former Seattle coach clearly felt at home before the 23-23 tie, talking with many Seahawks players on the field during warmups and generally being his outgoing, energetic self. Carroll spent 14 seasons in Seattle, going 137-89-1. He was at the helm for some of the most memorable moments in team history, including the 2013 Super Bowl championship with the dominant “Legion of Boom” defense, before the Seahawks parted ways with him after the 2023 season. Las Vegas starting quarterback Geno Smith also made a return to Seattle.

WORDS: 377 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 2:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:164b4c6afaa129981512c4ea9bc4f3b3&mediaType=text

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BKL--SEX TOY SECURITY

How does the WNBA deal with sex-toy throwers? What to know about arrests and security

SUMMARY: The WNBA is still struggling with a string of sex-toy disturbances. In the past week and a half, sex toys have been thrown on court during games in Atlanta on July 29, Chicago on Thursday night and Aug. 1 and Los Angeles on Aug. 5, with the most recent object nearly hitting Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during Indiana’s game against the Sparks. Sex toys were also thrown at games in New York and Phoenix last Tuesday and at a second game in Atlanta last Friday, but didn’t reach the court. The distractions have created unexpected challenges for the league, the teams and the players, but also for arena security. Here’s what to know.

WORDS: 1011 - MOVED: 08/08/2025 2:22 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:71479d687f0850e4c503525c80dfec50&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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—BBO--Female Umpire

—BBO--Mariners-Ichiro

—NFL Preseason Games