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--SUPER BOWL

FORMATS: Text, Photo, Video, LiveVideo

1. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2. DESCRIPTION: Drake Maye and Sam Darnold came into the NFL in similar fashion as No. 3 overall picks tasked with being franchise quarterbacks for struggling franchises. Their path to the Super Bowl couldn’t be much different with Maye looking to be the rare high pick to win it all with his original team, while Darnold tries to become the first QB to win it all after playing for four others franchises. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 950 words, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

4. WITH: SUPER BOWL ADS-PREVIEW

5. DESCRIPTION: As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the battle off the field for advertisers to win over 120 million-plus viewers will be just as heated as the rivalry on the field. Advertisers are hoping that Americans tuning in will remember their brand names as they stuff their ads with celebrities ranging from Kendall Jenner (Fanatics Sportsbook) to George Clooney (Grubhub), and tried-and-true ad icons like the Budweiser Clydesdales. This year’s trends include health and telehealth companies advertising weight loss drugs and advertisers showcasing AI.

6. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

7. WITH: FBN--NFL-INTERNATIONAL

8. DESCRIPTION: LONDON — The Los Angeles Rams landed in London just 30 hours before kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars in October. That won’t fly when they play in Australia next season. The Melbourne game is part of a multiyear commitment and represents a new frontier for the NFL’s aggressive international plan. The league has never staged a regular-season game so far from home, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has already said Asia will follow “shortly thereafter.” Goodell hopes to eventually stage 16 games per season internationally. By Ken Maguire. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos.

9. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

10. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-PROP BETS

11. DESCRIPTION: Prop bets again are popular among those wagering on the Super Bowl. By Mark Anderson. 500 words.

12. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

13. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-PATRIOTS-DIGGS IMPACT

14. DESCRIPTION: SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Stefon Diggs’ future was unclear after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans. The veteran wide receiver has found a new stride in New England. He not only led the team in targets and receptions but posted his seventh 1,000-yard receiving season in his eighth year in the league. Diggs also has been the emotional leader of the team, leading fiery pregame speeches and providing energy in a locker room full of young players that had never played in a playoff game prior to this season. He’s also done it while managing a high-profile relationship with rapper Cardi B, and after being accused in December of strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. By Kyle HIghtower. 800 words, photos.

15. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

16. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-HALFTIME CONTROVERSIES

17. DESCRIPTION: The Super Bowl halftime show, lasting about 13 minutes, has sparked decades of conversation through flashpoint moments from Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s “wardrobe malfunction” to Jennifer Lopez’s “caged kids” reference on the NFL’s biggest stage. By Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. AP Photos. UPCOMING: 1,000 words.

18. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

19. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-SEAHAWKS-DEFENSE

20. DESCRIPTION: The Seattle Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense has been critical to its success in 2025. The unit is elite at a multitude of levels, whether it be a stingy run defense led by the likes of Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II, a stout linebacker corps headlined by the leader of the unit in Ernest Jones IV or a solid secondary that has All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon leading the way. It’s a difficult unit to score on, and that figures to be the case for the Patriots, too. By Andrew Destin. 750 words. Photos.

21. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

22. WITH: FBN--SUPER BOWL-PRO PICKS

23. DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO — AP picks the winner of Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, a rematch of the 2015 title game won by the Pats. The Seahawks have been installed as early favorites. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

24. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 7:00 p.m. EST

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BKC--LAPCHICK CHARACTER AWARD

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK __ Mike Brey, James Jones, Lisa Bluder and Ernie Johnson will be this year’s recipients of the Joe Lapchick Character Award.This is the 18th year the award will be presented to those who have shown the character traits of Lapchick, who coached at St. John’s and with the New York Knicks. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. Upcoming: 450 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text

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OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Video, LiveVideo, DigitalPlans, Text, Photo, Audio

25. WITH: OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS FEATURES COVERAGE

26. DESCRIPTION: AP text features planned today:

27. OLY--Milan-Cortina What’s New -- Kirsty Coventry, elected last March as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee, has touted the Milan Cortina Winter Games that officially open on Friday as “the most gender-balanced in history.” That’s reflected in, and helped by, the changes to the sports and events on the schedule over the coming weeks. By Howard Fendrich. 650 words, photos.

28. OLY—Post-Covid-Games – Four years after spending three weeks in the pandemic bubble in Beijing — Canadian snowboarder Mark McMoris described it as a “sports prison” — all these skiers, skaters, and sliders get to feel the celebration of a normal Olympics in Italy. By Eddie Pells and Stephen Whyno. 700 words, photos.

29. OLY--Cortina’s Pasta -- Every corner of Italy has its own culinary traditions and in Winter Olympics co-host Cortina d’Ampezzo the signature dish is the colorful, stuffed pasta known as casunzei. AP asked a chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Cortina to demonstrate how to make it. By Andrew Dampf. 500 words, photos, video.

30. OLY--Fossil Fuel Sponsors Norwegian skier Nikolai Schirmer thinks it’s suicidal for winter sports to be sponsored by fossil fuel companies since burning oil, coal and natural gas is cutting winter short. He launched a petition in January to ask the IOC to evaluate whether fossil fuel sponsorships in winter sports is acceptable and several Olympians signed on. He plans to present it to the IOC, with 20,000 signatures, in Milan --Text, photo and video.

31. ALPINE SKIING: BIATHLON: BOBSLED/LUGE/SKELETON: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING/SKI MOUNTAINEERING: CURLING: FIGURE SKATING: FREESTYLE SKIING/SNOWBOARDING:

32. OLY--SBD-Snowboard Glossary: Don’t know a method grab from a Melon or a triple cork from a Tomahawk? No worried. A glossary of snowboard and freeski terms where these athletes are speaking a language all their own. By Joseph Wilson and Eddie Pells. 700 words.

33. ICE HOCKEY: OLY--HKO-Arena Construction NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman voiced concern for years about the slow pace of construction on the main hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Olympics. It went down to the wire, with a new scoreboard installed just a week before the puck drops on the women’s tournament on Thursday. By Stephen Whyno, Daniella Matar and John Wawrow. 700 words, photos.

34. OLY--HKW--US-Favorites Though buoyed by the Americans’ four-game sweep over Canada in their recent pre-Olympic Rivalry Series, U.S. captain Hilary Knight isn’t taking the results for granted as the 10-nation women’s hockey tournament opens at the Milan Cortina Games on Thursday. The U.S. is favored to win gold for what would be the third time since women’s hockey was introduced at the 1998 Nagano Games. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 750 words, photos.

35. SKI JUMPING/NORDIC COMBINED: SPEEDSKATING: Fun and goofy off-ice bonding is no guarantee of Olympic success, of course, but the U.S. Speedskating team that will be competing at the Milan Cortina Olympics does find that the ridiculous plastic foot attached to a phone case and schoolkid’s pink backpack that Casey Dawson is forced to schlep around town might just be a helpful distraction. By Howard Fendrich. 600 words.

36. UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 8:30 a.m. EST

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FBC--NORTHWESTERN-KELLY

DESCRIPTION: New Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly meets with the media. The former Oregon and Philadelphia Eagles head coach was hired in late January after being fired as Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator. By Andrew Seligman. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 1:30 p.m. EST, Text

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GLF--PHOENIX OPEN

DESCRIPTION: Brooks Koepka had a solid return to the PGA Tour, even if his putter didn’t always cooperate. His second event will be at the rowdy Phoenix Open, where he’s won before but will also have a field that includes top-ranked Scottie Scheffler. By John Marshall. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/04/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--HEAT-2006 TEAM

Shaquille O’Neal calls 2006 Miami Heat title his favorite, as team celebrates 20th anniversary

SUMMARY: Shaquille O’Neal says his favorite NBA championship is the one he won with the Miami Heat in 2006. The team celebrated their 20th anniversary this week with events on Monday and Tuesday. O’Neal explains that the pressure to win without Kobe Bryant made this title special. The Heat were seen as underdogs that season, and O’Neal recalls the team as a group of “misfits” who found a way to succeed. Dwyane Wade also calls it his favorite title, as it was his first major win. The celebration included most of the 2006 team and highlighted the lasting impact of that championship.

WORDS: 932 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 10:08 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b5df1d47eae9b051badc126d91958042&mediaType=text

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BKN--CLIPPERS-CAVALIERS TRADE

James Harden to Cavs, Darius Garland to Clippers in deal of All-Star guards, AP source says

SUMMARY: James Harden is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to send the 11-time All-Star back to the Eastern Conference during his highest-scoring season in six years. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the NBA had not approved the trade. Harden is averaging 25.4 points this season, his most since averaging 34.3 points in 2019-20. He’s been a huge part of the Clippers’ resurgence after a 6-21 start. Garland is a two-time All-Star who’s averaging 18 points this season.

WORDS: 367 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 8:43 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8caf2285682a2d1098759b9a2710e3b3&mediaType=text

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BKN--ALL-STAR ROSTERS

Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant to team up at All-Star Game. Kawhi Leonard added to roster

SUMMARY: Stephen Curry is teaming up with LeBron James and Kevin Durant at the NBA All-Star Game. The NBA has announced the rosters for this season’s event, which has a new U.S. vs. The World format. The game is set for February 15 at the Los Angeles Clippers’ home in Inglewood, California. The U.S. teams are split by age into USA Stripes and USA Stars. Kawhi Leonard was added Tuesday to the USA Stripes squad. That move likely sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the World team. Towns has played for the Dominican Republic in international events. Giannis Antetokounmpo is not expected to play for the World team due to injury.

WORDS: 500 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 8:06 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:55e9f15191216f1b65a8b4172a3f68ba&mediaType=text

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OLY--SKI-VONN-INJURED-EXPLAINER

Lindsey Vonn’s decision to compete with a torn ACL is risky but ‘possible,’ experts say

SUMMARY: Experts in orthopedics and sports medicine say Lindsey Vonn’s decision to compete with a torn ACL is risky but not unexpected. Vonn revealed Tuesday she has a ruptured ACL and damage to the meniscus in her left knee. The 41-year-old came out of retirement to qualify or the Olympics in Alpine skiing. She injured her knee when she crashed in a World Cup downhill event in Switzerland on Friday. Dr. Catherine Logan, an orthopedic surgeon in Colorado who has worked with U.S. athletes, says elite athletes can push through injuries in a way that ordinary people could not.

WORDS: 590 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 7:16 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:63365d48f418f066ea6fb48cc1fae744&mediaType=text

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BKN--GRIZZLIES-JAZZ TRADE

Jaren Jackson Jr. traded from Memphis to Utah in 8-player deal that includes 3 draft picks

SUMMARY: Jaren Jackson Jr. has been traded to the Utah Jazz in an eight-player, multiple-pick deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Jackson, Jock Landale, John Konchar, and Vince Williams Jr. are heading to Utah. In exchange, Memphis will receive Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks. The Grizzlies also gain three first-round picks. Jackson, a former defensive player of the year, averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this season.

WORDS: 237 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 7:10 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a001cf67ef5fe0215f9aad6625873d05&mediaType=text

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BKN--CELTICS-BULLS TRADE

Celtics adding Vucevic in trade with Bulls for Simons, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Boston Celtics are adding depth for the playoff run by acquiring Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls. The trade involves guard Anfernee Simons and a package of second-round draft picks. Vucevic, 35, is joining his fourth team after stints with Philadelphia, Orlando, and Chicago. He has averaged 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds this season. Simons, who joined Boston last summer, averaged 14.2 points this season. The move reduces Boston’s tax bill significantly and offers financial flexibility for future deals. Both players are set to be free agents this summer.

WORDS: 238 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 6:56 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:99a4d97cbacb89054e8ee417005f07ff&mediaType=text

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FBN--SUPER BOWL-DARNOLD

Sam Darnold’s season as a backup with the 49ers helped him reach the Super Bowl

SUMMARY: San Darnold’s NFL career had hit rock bottom when he arrived in San Francisco in 2023 after failing at two spots to live up to his high draft billing. Less than three years later, he’s ready to step on football’s biggest stage as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Darnold’s journey from draft bust to Super Bowl quarterback is a remarkable one and it began during his one year with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, when he started only one game and threw only 46 passes.

WORDS: 876 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 6:47 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2140116ffb52d4cba30279ba981ad900&mediaType=text

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OLY--US-FLAG BEARERS

Speedskater Erin Jackson, bobsledder Frank Del Duca picked as US flag bearers for Winter Olympics

SUMMARY: Speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca have been chosen as the U.S. flag bearers for the Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. Jackson is the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Del Duca, a sergeant in the Army, is the first bobsledder in 70 years to carry the flag. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the names on Tuesday. Del Duca, with deep Italian roots, finds the opportunity especially meaningful because the Games are in Italy. The opening ceremony will be unique, with events spread across several Italian cities.

WORDS: 627 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 4:47 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:979f5378681e4fbe98297b02d695262d&mediaType=text

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FBN--SUPER BOWL-NFLPA

NFL players’ union interim boss David White says players have ‘no appetite’ for an 18-game season

SUMMARY: Don’t add to the regular season as well as provide well-maintained natural grass surfaces for NFL players. That was a main message from the NFL Players Association to the league. NFLPA interim executive director David White pointed out that several teams had significant injuries in mid-December: Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons tore ACLs in Week 15. Last week, Patriots owner Robert Kraft made it seem inevitable that the league would eventually expand the regular season from 17 to 18 games. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pulled that back on Monday, saying it’s “not a given.” The current collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players’ union expires in 2030.

WORDS: 742 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 4:44 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6a05e8c1d33089a3b778c1a720579138&mediaType=text

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OLY--SKI-VONN INJURED

Lindsey Vonn is ‘confident’ she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee

SUMMARY: Lindsey Vonn is “confident” she can compete at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite the left knee injury she sustained in a crash four days ago. Vonn says she “completely ruptured” her ACL, has bone bruising “plus meniscal damage.” She’s had three days of physical therapy and consultations with doctors. Vonn has been skiing with a brace on her knee. She says, “It feels stable, it feels strong.” She is “confident” to race. Vonn crashed in a downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday and ended up in the safety nets.

WORDS: 990 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 3:51 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bdb3be60608cc894af5f2c0c5a54dea1&mediaType=text

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OLY--SBD-GERARD’S FAMILY

Red Gerard’s family returns to Winter Olympics with double the support

SUMMARY: Red Gerard’s family will return to the Winter Olympics to cheer him on. This year doubling the size of those who traveled to support him at Pyeongchang. Having missed the 2022 Winter Olympics due to COVID-19 restrictions, Gerard’s family is coming to this year’s Games in full force, with over 40 friends and family members coming to cheer him on as he vies for gold.

WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 3:24 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:54e56b9248a0df2e6ec3af44e41da587&mediaType=text

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OLY--US-MINNESOTA STRONG

Minnesota athletes head into the Winter Olympics with concerns about turmoil back home

SUMMARY: Many Minnesota-based athletes at the Winter Olympics this week have more on their minds than sports. Turmoil in the state from the immigration crackdown has created angst and added motivation. The U.S. Olympic contingent in Italy counts 26 athletes who are native to Minnesota. That trails only Colorado for the most by state. About a dozen others either call Minnesota home now or compete and train there in sports like curling or hockey. Biathlon team member Luci Anderson is from the Twin Cities area. She followed from afar when her family members joined a recent protest march in Minneapolis.

WORDS: 794 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 2:28 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6e323b38fd7ddd06f687c9e41a6dc3b8&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV-RANKING

LIV Golf to get world ranking points for the first time. Only the top 10 players get them

SUMMARY: LIV Golf is finally getting world ranking points. The Official World Golf Ranking board approved the Saudi-backed league to start getting points for the first time since it launched in 2022. The decision means LIV players will get points starting this week with the season opener in Saudi Arabia. But the decision comes with some conditions that did not sit well with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. Only the top-10 finishes and ties at each event will get points. That’s different from other tours where everyone gets points in full fields and only the bottom finishers get left out in short fields. LIV has 57 players.

WORDS: 1084 - MOVED: 02/03/2026 1:54 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a95a50aaa2f0a854d3ad1f1405fcba01&mediaType=text

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