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.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

TEN WIMBLEDON

FORMATS: Alternate Headlines, Text, Photo

1. WITH: TEN WIMBLEDON

2. DESCRIPTION: LONDON -- Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is in third-round action at Wimbledon on Friday, and No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces Britain’s Emma Raducanu. By Howard Fendrich. 600 words. Photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

4. WITH: TEN WIMBLEDON CHEAP TICKETS

5. DESCRIPTION: LONDON -- It might just be the best deal in all of major professional sports: Tennis fans can get a chance to watch stars such as Carlos Alcaraz compete on Centre Court at Wimbledon by forking over about $20. By Howard Fendrich. 700 words. Photos.

6. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

___

SOC--CWC

FORMATS: Text, Photo

7. WITH: SOC--CWC-FLUMINENSE-AL HILAL

8. DESCRIPTION: ORLANDO -- Club World Cup quarterfinal between Fluminense and Al-Hilal. Match begins at 3 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). With photos.

9. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 9:50 a.m. EDT

10. WITH: SOC--CWC-PALMEIRAS-CHELSEA

11. DESCRIPTION: Club World Cup quarterfinal between Palmeiras and Chelsea. Match starts at 9 p.m. local time (0100 GMT Saturday). With photos.

12. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 9:50 a.m. EDT

___

CAR--F1-BRITISH GP PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: A look ahead to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Includes coverage of both Friday practice sessions. By James Ellingworth. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1600 GMT, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

SOC--EURO 2025

FORMATS: Text, Photo

13. WITH: SOC--EURO 2025-DENMARK-SWEDEN

14. DESCRIPTION: GENEVA - Denmark plays Sweden in the opening game of Group C at Women’s Euro 2025. By Graham Dunbar UPCOMING: 450 words, photos EXPECTED: kickoff 1600 gmt, final whistle 1800 gmt

15. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 2:15 p.m. EDT

16. WITH: SOC--EURO 2025-GERMANY-POLAND

17. DESCRIPTION: Eight-time champion Germany begins its begins its Women’s European Championship campaign against Poland in St. Gallen in Group C. Poland is making its first appearance at the tournament after qualifying through the play-offs.

18. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT

___

CAR--NASCAR-CHICAGO

DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — Shane van Gisbergen already has one Cup Series win this season, and now he is going back to a Chicago street course that has treated him quite well. By Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 500 words, file photos by 6 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

BBO--ASTROS-DODGERS

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Lance McCullers Jr. starts for the Houston Astros against Ben Casparius and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series opener between division leaders. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Begins 9 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 07/04/2025 9:10 p.m. EDT, Text

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

US--TRUMP-IOWA-AMERICA250

Trump wants to celebrate 250 years of independence with a UFC fight at the White House

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump wants to celebrate 250 years of American independence with a UFC match at the White House. Trump announced the plan Thursday in Iowa during the kickoff event for a year of festivities leading up to that milestone birthday on July 4, 2026. The White House UFC fight would be one of many events held across the country. Trump is a UFC enthusiast who has attended several matches in recent months. The Republican president also announced an athletic competition for high school students and a tour of fairgrounds across the country.

WORDS: 259 - MOVED: 07/04/2025 12:14 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a9a819e6610a8390b5d1a794c276d03e&mediaType=text

___

BBO--YANKEES-BLUE JAYS

George Springer homers twice, Blue Jays sweep Yankees to take AL East lead

SUMMARY: George Springer hit two two-run home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 8-5 on Thursday night to complete a four-game sweep and take sole possession of the AL East lead. Addison Barger had a solo homer among his three hits for Toronto. New York slugger Aaron Judge drew his 23rd intentional walk in the eighth, matching Mickey Mantle’s 1957 team record. Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt left after three innings because of tightness in his forearm. Schmidt allowed three runs and four hits. Jasson Domínguez had four hits for New York, but the Yankees were swept for the second time. They lost all three at Boston between June 13 and 15.

WORDS: 368 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 10:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dedfa827a4d29759764b34e3189c8154&mediaType=text

___

BBO--HOME RUN DERBY

Nationals slugger James Wood joins Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh as participants in Home Run Derby

SUMMARY: Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood became the third player to announce he will take part in the Home Run Derby. The derby will be held on July 14, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Wood joins Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 33 homers, in the contest. Wood has 23 homers this season. He’s the third Nationals player to take part in the Home Run Derby, joining Juan Soto (2022) and Bryce Harper (2013 and ’18). The 22-year-old Wood has 12 homers that have been hit harder than 110 mph.

WORDS: 215 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 10:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:026a7c3abb59c84cfc79447fd0a8080d&mediaType=text

___

BBO--JUDGE-INTENTIONAL WALKS

Aaron Judge draws 23rd intentional walk, matches Mickey Mantle’s 1957 Yankees record

SUMMARY: New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge drew his 23rd intentional walk of the season in the eighth inning Thursday night against Toronto, matching Mickey Mantle’s 1957 team record. Baseball began tracking intentional walks in 1955. Judge matched Albert Pujols (2010) as the only player to receive 23 free passes before the All-Star break. Toronto led 6-5 when former Yankee Chad Green intentionally walked Judge with two outs and the bases empty. It was Judge’s fifth intentional walk of the series, the most ever by a Yankee in a single series. Judge has 91 career intentional walks.

WORDS: 110 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 10:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cebdf1d973d39d38205727d93675d308&mediaType=text

___

US--MEXICAN BOXER ARRESTED

Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. arrested by ICE for deportation, federal officials say

SUMMARY: Federal officials say famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested and will be deported to Mexico, where he faces organized crime charges. The 39-year-old box was arrested Wednesday in Studio City, California, only days after the former middleweight champion lost a match to Jake Paul in Anaheim, California. The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Chávez for overstaying a tourist visa and lying on his green card application. They said he has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives and is believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel.

WORDS: 945 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 9:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e8f600abb9c7e5adfe60de8739fd12df&mediaType=text

___

GLF--JOHN DEERE

Doug Ghim sets pace at John Deere Classic with a 62 and a 1-shot lead

SUMMARY: Doug Ghim has set the pace on a day of low scoring in the John Deere Classic. Ghim holed out from the fairway for eagle on his way to a 62. That gives him a one-shot lead over Max Homa and Austin Eckroat at the TPC Deere Run. The tournament is renowned for producing first-time winners on the PGA Tour. Ghim is in his sixth year on the PGA Tour and has played 160 times as a pro without winning. He’s been around long enough to know Thursday is little more than a good start. Aldrich Potgieter opened with 67.

WORDS: 637 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 8:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:442f57fef448f42088002ba08a8a7992&mediaType=text

___

BOX--MEXICAN BOXER ARRESTED-EXPLAINER

Who is Julio César Chávez Jr., the Mexican boxer facing deportation from the US?

SUMMARY: Julio César Chávez Jr. is the firstborn son and namesake of the man considered the best Mexican boxer in history. The elder Chávez won world titles in three weight classes in the 1980s and ’90s and became a sporting icon in Mexico, where he remains revered. Chávez Jr., who’s now 39, fought as an amateur at age 11 and made his professional debut at 17. He reached the pinnacle of his career when he won the World Boxing Council middleweight title in 2011. Known as “The Son of a Legend,” Chávez has also struggled with substance abuse. He was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday for overstaying his visa.

WORDS: 645 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 7:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0e49fd6acbb0b113ae35a9149b66e424&mediaType=text

___

BBO--GUARDIANS-ORTIZ

Guardians’ Luis Ortiz subject of MLB gambling investigation, placed on leave, AP sources say

SUMMARY: Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz is the subject of a Major League Baseball gambling investigation and was placed on non-disciplinary leave Thursday, two people with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the nature of the investigation. The investigation is related to in-game prop bets on two pitches thrown by Ortiz that received higher activity than usual during his starts at Seattle on June 15 and his recent outing against St. Louis on June 27. The gambling activity on the pitches was flagged by a betting-integrity firm and forwarded to MLB.

WORDS: 674 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 6:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:06134e96597c96df1e76c5a96141de53&mediaType=text

___

US-EX-NBA PLAYER-RAPE CONVICTION

Oregon jury convicts former NBA player Ben McLemore of raping incapacitated woman at team party

SUMMARY: A jury in Oregon has found former NBA player Ben McLemore guilty of raping a 21-year-old incapacitated woman during a lake house party attended by many of his then-teammates from the Portland Trail Blazers. The jury found 32-year-old McLemore guilty of rape, unlawful sexual penetration and one count of sexual abuse. He was found not guilty on another count of sexual abuse. Sentencing was scheduled for Wednesday. The charges stemmed from a party on Oct. 3, 2021, at a home owned by Robert Covington, McLemore’s then-teammate. Prosecutors claimed during the trial that the sexual encounter was rape, while McLemore’s attorney countered it was consensual sex.

WORDS: 572 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 6:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9c8ac0eca30d0aeecea9ddeb2df6e06d&mediaType=text

___

TEN--WIMBLEDON

Djokovic sets another record at Wimbledon and jokes about sipping margaritas on beach with rivals

SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic added another record to his name by reaching Wimbledon’s third round for a 19th time with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Dan Evans on Centre Court. It was Djokovic’s 99th match win at Wimbledon overall, and his 19 third-round appearances put him one ahead of Roger Federer for most by any man in the Open Era. It’s hardly the most prestigious record for Djokovic, whose 24 Grand Slam titles are the most by a male player. But he used it to poke fun of his younger rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. He said “19 is a great stat” and that it’s “probably almost as much as Sinner and Alcaraz have years in their lives.”

WORDS: 753 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 4:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:76f98603d7e32a54cca0ad601927ddde&mediaType=text

___

SOC--LIVERPOOL-JOTA

Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother killed in a car accident in Spain

SUMMARY: Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off a road near the northwestern city of Zamora. Police were investigating the causes. They said there were no other vehicles involved. The 28-year-old Jota and his brother, 25-year-old André Silva, both Portuguese players, were in the car. Jota also played for Portugal’s national team. Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

WORDS: 1044 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 4:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d7df70a74100e52ee28aa2810d6673d0&mediaType=text

___

SOC--CWC-FAN FEELINGS

Some fans question US readiness for 2026 World Cup after Club World Cup experience

SUMMARY: Soccer fans have mixed feelings about the United States hosting the World Cup next year. Some worry about stadium readiness and security. Fans also cite concerns about extreme heat, game scheduling, and the lack of enthusiasm in some places during the ongoing Club World Cup. Others, however, praise improvements in security and organization, saying the U.S. has the infrastructure to host successfully. The Club World Cup is seen as a test run for the World Cup, allowing organizers to address challenges before welcoming even more global soccer fans next year.

WORDS: 955 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 3:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0fac529b7c4b225afe192dfa57098f44&mediaType=text

___

TEN--WIMBLEDON-SINNER

Wimbledon: No. 1 Jannik Sinner moves into the 3rd round with a straight-set victory over Vukic

SUMMARY: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has moved into Wimbledon’s third round with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Aleksandar Vukic of Australia at Centre Court. Sinner had 38 winners and just 11 unforced errors in the 1-hour, 40-minute match and saved all four break points he faced Thursday. The owner of three Grand Slam titles advanced to face 52nd-ranked Pedro Martinez of Spain on Saturday. Wimbledon is the only major tournament where Sinner has yet to reach a final; he lost in the 2023 semifinals at the All England Club.

WORDS: 158 - MOVED: 07/03/2025 3:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c1af24782fa3a35663b2d2e8bcfd0afe&mediaType=text

___