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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BKW--FLORIDA’S FLOP

DESCRIPTION: GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida is on the verge of missing the NCAA Women’s Tournament for the ninth time in 10 years and could have a coaching change in the coming weeks. By Mark Long.

UPCOMING: By 02/27/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-DRAW

DESCRIPTION: NYON, Switzerland - The draw for the Champions League knockout bracket includes Norwegian upstart Bodo/Glimt and 15-time European champion Real Madrid who came through the knockout playoffs round this week. By Graham Dunbar UPCOMING: 500 words, photos EXPECTED: 1230 gmt

UPCOMING: By 02/27/2026 7:30 a.m. EST, Text

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US--GIRLS’ SPORTS-ACL INJURIES

DESCRIPTION: The ranks of female high school athletes who tore their anterior cruciate ligament are growing fast and researchers are pressing the sports world to take the devastating injury more seriously and trying to bolster prevention efforts. Despite decades of research on it, parents, researchers and trainers say that information isn’t being used enough by teams, coaches or sports leagues. High school-age female athletes are the most vulnerable, sustaining ACL injuries at higher rates than both adults and their male counterparts. Trainers and researchers say there are effective pre-workout warm ups and strengthening routines that are designed to reduce the risk of an ACL injury.

UPCOMING: By 02/27/2026 9:00 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

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OLY--HKO-GOLD MEDAL FUROR-EXPLAINER

DESCRIPTION: OLY--HKO-Gold Medal Furor-Explainer The United States swept the hockey gold medals at the Winter Olympics for the first time, beating Canada 2-1 in overtime in both the men’s and women’s tournaments and finishing the tournaments unbeaten. It set off a celebration that quickly became political. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/27/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--NFL COMBINE

DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS — Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, is scheduled to address the media as quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends take center stage during the NFL combine. By Michael Marot. 700 words, more on merit, with photos. Availability runs from 8 a.m.-noon ET.

UPCOMING: By 02/27/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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GLF--LPGA SINGAPORE

DESCRIPTION: Second day of the LPGA Singapore tournament and second on the so-called Asian Swing in three weeks. It will be played at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course.

UPCOMING: By 02/27/2026 5:00 a.m. EST, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--JETS-TITANS TRADE

Jets agree to trade Jermaine Johnson to the Titans for T’Vondre Sweat, AP source says

SUMMARY: A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the New York Jets have agreed to trade pass rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the NFL’s new league year starts on March 11. ESPN and NFL Network first reported the deal Thursday. Johnson joins Titans coach Robert Saleh again. Saleh was the Jets coach when New York drafted Johnson in 2022. Tennessee drafted Sweat in the second round in 2024.

WORDS: 672 - MOVED: 02/27/2026 12:41 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:15d07a3e80a00e50aec008e5a4555363&mediaType=text

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SOC--MEXICO VIOLENCE-WORLD CUP-INFANTINO

FIFA president says he has full confidence in Mexico as World Cup host despite cartel violence

SUMMARY: FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has full confidence in Mexico as a World Cup host, even after a deadly wave of cartel violence. Infantino says he spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and backs Mexico’s plans to stage its scheduled matches. The unrest follows Sunday’s killing of a major drug lord, which set off roadblocks and car burnings across many states. Mexico is set to host 13 World Cup games, including four in Guadalajara in Jalisco state. Sheinbaum says visitors face no risk even though officials have canceled a World Cup diving event over security concerns.

WORDS: 361 - MOVED: 02/27/2026 12:02 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f0b7783611c7a3e4d839a2ca5972e1eb&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA-CBA-UNION

WNBA union plans to survey players with agents seeking input in process, AP source says

SUMMARY: Leaders of the WNBA players’ union had a meeting with players this week and will send out a survey to their members to get feedback on the league’s latest contract proposal. That’s according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. In a letter to union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson that was obtained by the AP, 10 prominent WNBA player agents offered to help the union with the survey. The league and the players have been unable to reach a new collective bargaining agreement since the union opted out of the previous deal, which expired last year.

WORDS: 547 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 11:41 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d98c3c8abfb39831a3eb791195983520&mediaType=text

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HKN--HUGHES WHIRLWIND

Olympic hero Jack Hughes keeps waiting for life to return to normal. It didn’t happen in Pittsburgh

SUMMARY: Jack Hughes is still riding the emotional wave from his overtime goal that won Olympic gold for the United States. The New Jersey Devils forward received a long and loud roar of approval from fans in Pittsburgh ahead of a road game against the Penguins. Hughes said he thought he might be recognized in some way, but was caught off guard by the length of ovation. The 24-year-old said he’s welcoming the routine of returning to the grind of an NHL season even with the Devils slumping as the stretch run nears.

WORDS: 515 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 10:49 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1935b7a034e48f5e7155fed20761caf5&mediaType=text

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BKN--HORNETS-KNUEPPEL

Hornets’ Kon Knueppel breaks NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season in just 59 games

SUMMARY: Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel has reached yet another milestone in a remarkable rookie season for the No. 4 overall pick from Duke. The Hornets swingman broke Keegan Murray’s NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers. Knueppel connected on five 3s in the first half and then broke the record in the third quarter. He finished with eight 3s on 12 attempts to get to 209 for the season as the Hornets beat the Pacers 133-109. It took Murray 80 games in 2022-23 to establish the record. Knueppel needed just 59 to surpass it.

WORDS: 647 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 10:37 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:203b890002175f92ca49e92a2e368827&mediaType=text

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BKW--T25-GEORGETOWN-UCONN

Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong lead UConn to 46th straight win and another 30-win season

SUMMARY: Azzi Fudd had 24 points and four steals in her final regular-season home game and Sarah Strong added 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as top-ranked UConn cruised to an 84-52 win over visiting Georgetown to extend its winning streak to 46 games.Ashlynn Shade had 12 points, Kayleigh Heckel had 11 points and Blanca Quinonez finished with 10 points as the Huskies are 30-0 for the 10th time in program history. It was also the 29th 30-win season for UConn. The Huskies were presented with the Big East regular-season trophy following the game.Summer Davis led Georgetown (14-16, 6-13) with 12 points. Khadee Hession added 11 points.

WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 9:45 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3e0f4533e1162ee7def692d2b19090a9&mediaType=text

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GLF--COGNIZANT CLASSIC-WEIRD SHOTS

Opening round at the Cognizant Classic features bird feathers, shots from the mud and hole-outs

SUMMARY: There were some weird shots in Thursday’s opening round at the Cognizant Classic. Ryan Gerard appeared to clip a bird with his tee shot on a par 3 — and still hit the green for a routine par. Meanwhile, David Ford had a lot of adventures. He tried to hit two shots from the mud near the water adjacent to the 17th green, and both rolled back to his feet. He ended up taking a drop and making a quadruple-bogey 7. Ford later eagled two holes in a row and holed a bunker shot for par on the next hole.

WORDS: 382 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 9:13 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f23fe1a0d080346f49eff30427f4687c&mediaType=text

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HKN--PANTHERS-OLYMPIC CELEBRATION

Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews celebrate US hockey gold with ceremonial puck drop

SUMMARY: Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers has taken part in his latest celebration of the U.S. men’s hockey gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Tkachuk and U.S. teammate Auston Matthews had a ceremonial face-off before the Panthers hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Tkachuk also presented a game puck to a 101-year-old U.S. Army Air Corps veteran. He says he’s gotten “incredible” support since the team’s 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday. The Panthers had seven players who won medals, with three Canadian silver medalists and three Finns who took bronze.

WORDS: 632 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 7:40 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f73789973b732e99af963278ae4eae2d&mediaType=text

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GLF--COGNIZANT CLASSIC

Austin Smotherman leads the Cognizant Classic, making 6 straight birdies in a first-round 62

SUMMARY: Austin Smotherman is the first-round leader at the Cognizant Classic. Smotherman shot a 9-under 62 on Thursday, matching the best score of his PGA Tour career. He is winless in 81 previous tour starts. Nico Echavarria had a 63, and nobody else was better than 67 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Much of the talk this week has been about the golf course and the overseeded rye grass that makes what was once a tough test much more scoreable. Billy Horschel was among those who made clear he prefers a PGA National with more teeth.

WORDS: 779 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 7:19 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3c151d28c026de1de06d816bc7a34610&mediaType=text

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BBO--OBIT-FROEMMING

Bruce Froemming, record-setting major league umpire, dies at age 86

SUMMARY: One of the best-known umpires in Major League Baseball history has died. Bruce Froemming died Wednesday at age 86, according to his son, Steven. Froemming was a major league umpire for 37 years. He worked the third-most games in big league history and a record 11 no-hitters. His son says Froemming suffered a fall at his home in Wisconsin and died at a hospital. Froemming began umpiring in the minor leagues at age 18. He joined the National League staff in 1971. He shifted to the unified major league staff in 2000 and retired in 2007 having worked 5,163 games.

WORDS: 392 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 6:48 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1ecca549fe9191a5f0a2e370aeb3c78a&mediaType=text

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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

Stuttgart and Nottingham Forest advance in Europa League despite losing 2nd legs at home

SUMMARY: Fenerbahçe earns a rare 2-1 win in England but was still knocked out of the second-tier Europa League by Nottingham Forest in the playoffs. Coming into the game, Fenerbahçe had managed to win only one of its last 10 matches in England. Forest entered the second leg on Thursday with a healthy 3-0 lead from the opener in Istanbul and advanced to the round of 16 with a 4-2 aggregate score. Stuttgart advanced despite losing 1-0 at home to Celtic, which scored in the first minute through Luke McCowan. Stuttgart prevailed 4-2 on aggregate. Veteran striker Olivier Giroud scored to force extra time and substitute Nathan Ngoy then added a second as Lille edged Red Star 2-0 for a 2-1 aggregate victory.

WORDS: 857 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 6:38 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c6a4dd4c712b3e6997b1005e26308e86&mediaType=text

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OLY--HKW-US-FLAVOR FLAV

US women’s hockey team has date in July with Flavor Flav in Vegas to celebrate gold medal victory

SUMMARY: The United States women’s hockey team has a date with Flavor Flav in Las Vegas in July to celebrate its gold medal victory from the Milan Cortina Olympics. The rapper posted a note on his X account announcing he’s hosting a “She Got Game” event from July 16-19. The post says the event was being held to honor the women’s hockey team and other female athletes. A publicist for Flavor Flav confirmed the event. The women’s players accepted the invitation without input from USA Hockey, a person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press.

WORDS: 753 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 6:14 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:24aa9339083cb9c8221c35f89184c3e3&mediaType=text

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BBI--WBC-CUBA

Cuba says 8 World Baseball Classic delegation members denied US visas

SUMMARY: Eight members of Cuba’s delegation were denied visas to the United States for the World Baseball Classic, the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation said. Cuba is set to play against Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama and Canada in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during pool play of the WBC, which is scheduled from March 5-17. Among the Cubans that were denied visas are FCBS president Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo and general secretary Carlos del Pino Muñoz. Pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo was also denied.

WORDS: 326 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 5:07 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a410c694f8b4f79463904819262dfa43&mediaType=text

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GLF--PAVAN-ELEVATOR ACCIDENT

Reports: Italian golfer Pavan badly injured from fall down elevator shaft when car was not there

SUMMARY: Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been badly injured from falling down an elevator shaft in South Africa. Multiple reports indicate he stepped through the elevator doors without realizing the car wasn’t there. Golf Channel has spoken to his college coach at Texas A&M. J.T. Higgins says Pavan is thankful to be alive and in good spirits. Higgins says he has not spoken with Pavan but was updated on his condition after extensive surgery on his back and shoulder. The 36-year-old Pavan was scheduled to be playing in the South African Open. He is a two-time winner on the European tour.

WORDS: 215 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 5:00 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:40f86ac4552ca3cf260edb3e6f15d182&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-NBC-THROWBACK NIGHT

Reunion game: Costas, Collins, Fratello and more NBC voices reunite for 76ers-Spurs game Tuesday

SUMMARY: NBC is bringing back its classic NBA broadcast crew for a throwback game, with Bob Costas, Doug Collins and Mike Fratello calling Spurs versus 76ers on Tuesday night. NBC will also use old-style graphics and other touches from the 1995-96 era. Jim Gray will work courtside as the sideline reporter. Hannah Storm, Isiah Thomas, and P.J. Carlesimo will host a throwback “NBA Showtime” pregame show at 7 p.m. Eastern. Costas says the real draw is the reunion with old colleagues. NBC also plans a Monday dinner and a long production lunch Tuesday.

WORDS: 522 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 5:00 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ae50825c262f2282604d3f07d57f20b2&mediaType=text

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FBN--COLTS-RICHARDSON

Colts give injury-plagued QB Anthony Richardson permission to seek trade, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Indianapolis Colts have given quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to find a trade partner, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person requested anonymity because no formal announcement is expected. Indy believed Richardson could become its longtime franchise quarterback when it drafted him with the No. 4 overall selection in 2023, but nothing has gone according to plan for the Colts — or the injury-plagued former Florida star. The news came two days after Colts general manager Chris Ballard told local reporters he still believed Richardson could succeed in Indianapolis.

WORDS: 649 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 4:56 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1aaa33b75766309e938603d11a9a9dc8&mediaType=text

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FBC--POOLING TV RIGHTS-CONFERENCES

SEC, Big Ten study: Pooling TV rights ‘dangerously unworkable’ and not as profitable as suggested

SUMMARY: A study commissioned by the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten has concluded that a proposal to allow the pooling of media rights among Division I conferences would generate less revenue than if the conferences continued marketing their own games. The idea of pooling media rights among the conferences has been touted by some lawmakers and sports leaders as the best way to ensure college sports remains solvent in a new, more-expensive era brought on by name, image and likeness payments to college players.

WORDS: 741 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 4:42 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf3811033efbec089d656b6b623e540b&mediaType=text

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OLY--HKO-US-TKACHUK-VIDEO

US hockey player Brady Tkachuk slams White House TikTok as ‘clearly fake’ after anti-Canada slur

SUMMARY: U.S. hockey player Brady Tkachuk says a White House TikTok video falsely paints him as insulting Canadians. Tkachuk calls the clip clearly fake. He says the audio and lip movement do not match. The video uses fabricated audio that includes a bleeped slur about Canadians. Tkachuk says he would never use that language. He also denies shouting “close the northern border” during Team USA’s phone call with President Donald Trump after Sunday’s Olympic gold medal win over Canada. The team has returned from Italy and is resuming the NHL season.

WORDS: 854 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 3:43 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:743d42c4ad45a0eb36e281f70a505661&mediaType=text

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