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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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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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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FBN--HEAT SAFETY-KOREY STRINGER
DESCRIPTION: NFL teams take many more insights, precautions and resources into training camp now, 25 years after Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Korey Stringer died of heat stroke from a strenuous practice. By Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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FBN--GIANTS-DART
DESCRIPTION: Jaxson Dart has a chip on his shoulder that he says is the result of the New York Giants going 4-13 during his rookie year and is trying to prevent a repeat of another rough season, starting in training camp. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--MLB-TRADE-DEADLINE-PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: A trio of star pitchers - including two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta and Mason Miller - are among the top players available as Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approaches on Monday. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 1,000 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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GLF--ROCKET CLASSIC
DESCRIPTION: Peter Malnati took a two-shot lead into the second round of the final Rocket Classic, shooting for his third PGA Tour title. By Larry Lage. 550 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 6:35 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--LIONS-CAMP
DESCRIPTION: The Detroit Lions are hoping small changes in training camp lead to a big change in a bounce-back season. UPCOMING: 550 words.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 6:38 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBN--RAIDERS-QUARTERBACKS
DESCRIPTION: All eyes are on Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza as they compete in training camp.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBW--WPBL BEGINS
DESCRIPTION: The Women’s Professional Baseball League practices on the eve of the first game of its inaugural season. Opening day for the first women’s professional baseball league in the U.S. in decades is Saturday, when the New York Heights face the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BKL--FEVER-FIRE
DESCRIPTION: The Indiana Fever visit the Portland Fire. There were concerns about a possible pre-game rally and counter-protest surrounding Fever player Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments about transgender participation in youth sports. By Annie Peterson.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--RED SOX-DODGERS
DESCRIPTION: Boston plays Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. By Beth Harris. 300 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/31/2026 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BBO--PADRES-TATIS CATCH
Tatis makes spectacular catch to rob Devers of a 3-run home run
SUMMARY: San Diego right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. made a spectacular leaping catch to rob San Francisco’s Rafael Devers of a three-run home run in the first inning of the Padres’ 4-1 loss Thursday night. Devers did get a sacrifice fly, but Tatis added on to his impressive list of home run robberies. Tatis tracked Devers’ fly ball and leaped to get his glove high above the short wall in right-center at Petco Park to make the catch. He landed and tumbled onto his backside, but flipped the ball to center fielder Jackson Merrill, who tossed it into the infield.
WORDS: 176 - MOVED: 07/31/2026 12:43 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d6f2bc682ad978d703afa0c5a792c406&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-FIFA-INVESTORS
European nations vow FIFA World Cup boycott over Infantino private equity plan as opposition spreads
SUMMARY: UEFA member federations will boycott all FIFA competitions in protest of Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. The European soccer body says it’s a unanimous decision after an urgent online meeting of the 55 members. The strategy meeting was called to counter FIFA president Infantino’s offer of $20 million to each of its 211 global members that has to be accepted by mid-September. Infantino’s secret proposal was revealed Tuesday to spin off its commercial operations in a $20 billion operation 20% owned by private investors. The North American soccer body rejected Infantino’s plan later Thursday. In a statement early Friday, FIFA said that “nobody is selling football” and that it plans to continue the consultation process.
WORDS: 1236 - MOVED: 07/31/2026 12:31 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:76169d3e9bb68f4d174b3c87f6b53e50&mediaType=text
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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI OUT
Dodgers rest Shohei Ohtani amid lingering left knee soreness
SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani isn’t in the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Seattle Mariners. The team has decided to rest him due to lingering soreness in his left knee. Manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani wanted to play, but the decision was made after Ohtani told the training staff about his discomfort. He hasn’t pitched since July 3 because of the knee issue, but he continues to serve as the designated hitter.
WORDS: 384 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 9:16 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:11e953524e820a39ebc4c216970d9bc6&mediaType=text
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GLF--ROCKET CLASSIC
Peter Malnati shoots 9-under 61, takes early lead in 8th and final Rocket Classic in Detroit
SUMMARY: Peter Malnati shot a career-best 9-under 61 to take the lead among the early starters in the first round of the final Rocket Classic. Malnati had seven birdies on the front nine and two birdies on the back in his bogey-free round at the new-look Detroit Golf Club on Thursday. Rickie Fowler and Ryan Gerard shot 63s, putting them two shots back and one stroke ahead of Patrick Cantlay and Patrick Fishburn. Michael Brennan surged up the leaderboard after starting 2 over through four holes with eight straight birdies — one shy of the PGA Tour record. He finished with a 65.
WORDS: 565 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 7:31 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dd18c95b0e8fa8873528b37e1a5c3854&mediaType=text
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FBN--SEAHAWKS-DARNOLD
Sam Darnold uninterested in narratives about him, but ready to help Seahawks defend Super Bowl crown
SUMMARY: Less than six months removed from his first NFL title, Sam Darnold briefly chuckled to himself. Darnold was asked Thursday if he feels the narratives about him have gone by the wayside. For years, the discourse on Darnold centered around him being a bust, considering his pedigree as a former No. 3 overall pick, and a transient quarterback who hopped from team to team. Darnold’s first year under center for the Seahawks, after all, marked his fifth team in eight seasons. Despite the scrutiny, Darnold said his confidence in himself has never wavered.
WORDS: 690 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 7:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9c0f2d0bc839d493a7ccf08b273ab9fa&mediaType=text
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US--COLLEGE SPORTS-CONGRESS
In NIL stalemate, Cruz insists new $48M cap would be a hard cap. SEC, Big Ten not convinced
SUMMARY: One key difference between Senate negotiators and the conferences holding out on proposed legislation to regulate college sports is whether language in the bill would truly create a “hard salary cap” that would eliminate many third-party payments that have sent roster costs skyrocketing. A bill co-sponsor, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, said the cap is a hard cap, with no loopholes. But the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences’ refusal to sign off on changes to the Protect College Sports Act during a frenzied week of negotiating is a sign that they do not agree with Cruz’s assessment and would like to see stronger language in the bill.
WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 6:45 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aa1ddc58eca84d5c67ff55e035a3341f&mediaType=text
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FBC--BIG TEN-SCHEDULING
Big Ten seeking clarity on playoff expansion before addressing its nonconference scheduling policy
SUMMARY: The Big Ten appears in no hurry to change its status as the only major conference that doesn’t require its schools to schedule at least one nonconference game against another Power Four member each year. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said this week at the Big Ten media days event that any proposed scheduling decisions would have to wait until a final decision comes on playoff expansion. The Big Ten is pushing for a 24-team approach to replace the current 12-team format. That’s fine with many of the conference’s coaches and athletic directors.
WORDS: 768 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 6:32 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dd6fdca6f1bf41371b548385cbf1d856&mediaType=text
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FBN--GIANTS-NABERS
Still no target for a return, Malik Nabers on the field at Giants training camp sparks optimism
SUMMARY: Malik Nabers is still not a full participant in team practice sessions but the New York Giants’ No. 1 receiver running routes and taking part in individual drills is the talk of their training camp in West Virginia. Nabers is 10 months removed from tearing the ACL in his right knee and going through a lengthy road back that included a second cleanup surgery earlier this year. Neither Nabers nor Giants officials are publicly setting a timeline for his return. The 23-year-old isn’t saying whether he expects to be ready by the season opener on Sept. 13.
WORDS: 809 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 5:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:405fd089698017e27461dd49a5d4d442&mediaType=text
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FBC--B10-INDIANA’S CHALLENGE
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti is ‘stalking complacency’ as Hoosiers get ready to begin their title defense
SUMMARY: Indiana coach Curt Cignetti says he’s “stalking complacency” as he makes sure there’s no championship hangover now that he’s orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history. Cignetti took over a program that had the most losses in Football Bowl Subdivision history and led it to College Football Playoff appearances in each of his first two seasons. The defending national champion Hoosiers are now attempting to show they have staying power as a contender as they attempt to replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
WORDS: 699 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 5:26 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:db38b4a80ba8b2e9d3bdb774de4ca805&mediaType=text
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BBO--ROYALS-TWINS-NO-HITTER
Royals lefty Noah Cameron has a no-hitter broken up by the Twins’ Ryan Jeffers to start the 7th
SUMMARY: Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron had his no-hitter broken up in the seventh inning by the Minnesota Twins. Cameron allowed a single to right-center field by Ryan Jeffers to lead off the inning. He finished a one-hitter over eight shutout innings. The Royals lost 4-3 on a game-ending grand slam by Kody Clemens in the ninth. Cameron was 9-7 with a 2.99 ERA in 24 starts last season and finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year award voting. The 27-year-old threw 6 1/3 no-hit innings in his major league debut on April 30, 2025, at Tampa Bay.
WORDS: 281 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 5:15 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cecb89b60ed60e6577374932a21ebcd6&mediaType=text
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FBN--BUCCANEERS-MAYFIELD
Baker Mayfield feels ‘disrespected’ by Buccaneers ownership after failing to agree on a new contract
SUMMARY: Baker Mayfield feels “disrespected” by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is focused on playing his best football. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback didn’t get the contract extension he sought and plans to play out the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal. Mayfield, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by Cleveland, revived his career in Tampa Bay after replacing Tom Brady in 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons while leading the Bucs to consecutive NFC South titles.
WORDS: 807 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 4:10 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:24452d84b0c66758bc066127183f1c41&mediaType=text
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FBC--NORTH CAROLINA-BELICHICK
Bill Belichick says Tar Heels adjusting duties with GM on paid leave and under school investigation
SUMMARY: North Carolina coach Bill Belichick says his program is adjusting internal duties with general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave and the subject of a school investigation. Belichick spoke to reporters as the Tar Heels opened a second preseason camp under the NFL coaching great. Belichick says the staff is “working through some things” to adjust duties. The school announced Monday that Lombardi had been placed on leave but didn’t provide details as to the reason. UNC released another statement on Thursday morning saying its Office of University Counsel was conducting an investigation.
WORDS: 707 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 3:21 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8923ab388080d0bd86868b0ff7d65518&mediaType=text
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BKL--WNBA-BUECKERS-REESE BET
Social media post showing Bueckers and Reese betting on game ‘missed the mark,’ WNBA says
SUMMARY: The WNBA says a social media post showing stars Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese betting $400 on the outcome of a game between their teams “missed the mark.” A person with direct knowledge of the matter tells The Associated Press the players won’t be punished for the bet. The league posted the video from All-Star Weekend, days before Bueckers’ Dallas Wings and Reese’s Atlanta Dream were set to play. The clip featured Bueckers and Reese placing what appeared to be a personal wager on Wednesday’s game. The WNBA moved quickly to delete the message, but not before it was shared on social media.
WORDS: 342 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 2:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b013b5652be5fa903f3479f0d9ac8f5b&mediaType=text