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 BEARS COMMANDERS PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: There are plenty of story lines tied to the matchup between the Commanders and the Bears on Monday night, including the Hail Mary that ended the teams’ game a year ago, the QB showdown between Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, and Washington’s pursuit of current Chicago coach Ben Johnson before hiring Dan Quinn. Nothing might matter as much as what happens when the Commanders run the ball. By Howard Fendrich. 700 words. AP Photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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US--COLLEGE SPORTS-BILLIONAIRE BOOSTER

DESCRIPTION: One of the most vocal and potentially powerful voices in college sports lashed out at conference commissioners as stymieing changes he thinks could save the industry, including the potential pooling of TV rights, a move he believes could add an additional $7 billion for schools to spend to support their teams. By Eddie Pells

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 4:13 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--WNBA-FINALS-ACES-DOMINANCE

DESCRIPTION: PHOENIX — The Las Vegas Aces looked vulnerable in a tough semifinals series aginst the Indiana Fever, but have found their dominant streak in the WNBA Finals. Now they’re just one win away from a third championship in four years and can clinch on Friday night against the Phoenix Mercury. By David Brandt. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 2 p.m. PT

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--COACH DAME

DESCRIPTION: At one point after Damian Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers, he was chatting with coach Chauncey Billups about what his role with the team would be this season as he recovered from an Achilles injury. Billups had joked that Lillard would be the “highest paid assistant coach in the league” but the nine-time All-Star expressed concern that he didn’t want to overstep his bounds with the guidance of the young players. “And I’m saying, Dame, you’re Dame. You’re OK, bro. Just be you,” Billups laughed. By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming: 600 words and photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--NORTH CAROLINA-BELICHICK’S BUMPS

DESCRIPTION: CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The first six weeks of Bill Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina have not gone as planned. Alleged recruiting allegations. Anonymous parents ripping the school’s “toxic environment.” A canceled documentary. Speculation that the school might cut ties with the 73-year-old Super Bowl-winning coach signed only 10 months ago to a five-year, $10 million contract. Worst of all, perhaps: A 2-3 record by a team that was supposed to be built into an NFL-like powerhouse in the revenue-sharing era, with all three losses coming by at least 25 points. It all prompted statements from the coach and the school that all is well, even though that doesn’t appear to be so. By Aaron Beard. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--POSTSEASON

FORMATS: Text

1. WITH: BBO--NLDS-PHILLIES-DODGERS

2. DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Tyler Glasnow starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who try to close out their NL Division Series against Cristopher Sanchez and the Philadelphia Phillies. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Begins 6 p.m. ET.

3. UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BBO--ALDS-MARINERS-TIGERS-PREVIEW

5. DESCRIPTION: SEATTLE— The Seattle Mariners are hoping home field is an advantage against Detroit in Game 5 of their AL Division Series after splitting two games on the road. By Andrew Destin.

6. UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BBO--BLUE JAYS ADVANCE

8. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- Forget the preseason prognostications. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the worst-to-first Toronto Blue Jays believe they’re as good as anybody. Hard to argue after the way they dispatched Aaron Judge and the powerful New York Yankees in their AL Division Series. And now, manager John Schneider’s pesky Blue Jays are set up pretty nicely for the next playoff round. Headed to its first American League Championship Series in nine years, AL East champion Toronto will host Detroit or Seattle in Game 1 on Sunday. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. UPCOMING: 615 words, with photos.

9. SENT: By 10/09/2025 6:00 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: BBO--NLDS-BREWERS-CUBS

11. DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — Sal Frelick and the Milwaukee Brewers face Dansby Swanson and the Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of their NL Division Series. The Brewers have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts 9:08 p.m. ET.

12. UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 11:55 p.m. EDT

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BKC--BIG TEN-MEDIA DAYS

DESCRIPTION: ROSEMONT, Ill. – The list of new coaches in the Big Ten this season includes Indiana’s Darian DeVries, Iowa’s Ben McCollum, Maryland’s Buzz Williams and Minnesota’s Niko Medved. They’re looking to replicate the success of Michigan’s Dusty May, who led the Wolverines to a Sweet 16 berth in his debut season last year. By Rich Rovito. UPCOMING: 600 words, with photos, expected by 6 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 7:28 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBN--EAGLES-GIANTS

DESCRIPTION: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, coming off their first loss of the season, visit the New York Giants. By Stephen Whyno. 600 words, photos, breakouts on merit. Game starts at 8:15 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 8:15 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKL--REESE-VICTORIA’S SECRET

Angel Reese to make history as first professional athlete in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

SUMMARY: Angel Reese is getting a pair of wings. The Chicago Sky star announced on Instagram that she will be walking in the upcoming Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Oct. 15. It will be the first time a professional athlete will walk the runway in the show. The retailer posted a video on Instagram of the announcement showing the WNBA player in a pink robe, black lingerie and white feather wings. The lingerie show began in 2001 and took place annually for nearly two decades. Victoria’s Secret canceled the show in 2019, but brought it back last year.

WORDS: 186 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bdd88e6c04fd4e19c67c0945cec9e1a3&mediaType=text

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SOC--GERMANY-CRUNCH TIME

‘We need win after win’: Crunch time looms for Germany in World Cup qualifying

SUMMARY: A World Cup without Germany used to be unthinkable. Now the four-time champion needs to turn things around to ensure a spot at next year’s tournament. A shock 2-0 loss to Slovakia in World Cup qualifying means Julian Nagelsmann’s team may need a perfect record in the rest of its qualifiers. That starts with wins over Luxembourg on Friday and Northern Ireland on Monday. Germany needs to win each of its games unless Slovakia slips up. Second place would put Germany into a bracket of four teams competing for one spot early next year.

WORDS: 508 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9663c1a038db133a274f14c82ede729c&mediaType=text

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ENT--MUSIC-COMMON

Common’s journey from Bulls ball boy to NBA theme song composer

SUMMARY: Common has teamed up with collaborators to compose “Victory,” the official theme for NBA on Prime. The streaming platform made the announcement Thursday. The song will be part of Amazon’s first exclusive NBA season. Common, along with Karriem Riggins and James Poyser, created three versions of the score, including orchestral, hip-hop, and rock. The theme will debut on October 24 during Prime Video’s opening-night doubleheader. Common, a former Chicago Bulls ball boy, sees this as a dream fulfilled. The collaborators hope “Victory” resonates for generations and inspires more artists of color in sports scoring.

WORDS: 633 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 12:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:07b24b1db4fd46f3bb192b4ff1dafaef&mediaType=text

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BKO--USA BASKETBALL-SPOELSTRA

Miami’s Erik Spoelstra top pick to coach US men’s basketball team at 2028 Olympics, AP sources say

SUMMARY: Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next coach of the U.S. men’s basketball team for the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Sources say USA Basketball is closing in on an announcement that could be finalized in the coming days. Spoelstra would replace Steve Kerr, who led the team to a gold medal at the Paris Games. Spoelstra is entering his 18th season as coach of the Heat. He’s won two NBA titles as head coach and was part of USA Basketball’s coaching staff under Kerr.

WORDS: 581 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 12:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:198cca47a287261f5bbc5000db3ef7bc&mediaType=text

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SKI--SHIFFRIN’S SEASON

Shiffrin entering Olympic season with more confidence but still skipping downhill after injuries

SUMMARY: After two major crashes the last two seasons and a battle with PTSD, American skiing standout Mikaela Shiffrin is entering the upcoming Olympic season on a more positive note. Shiffrin tells The Associated Press in an interview that “my confidence is getting better, generally I feel more comfortable.” She’s still not ready to race in downhills again, however, and might drop super-G as well in a reduced World Cup schedule ahead of the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Shiffrin is content to compete in slalom and giant slalom and maybe super-G as she rebuilds her confidence following two injury-marred campaigns.

WORDS: 662 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 11:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3216777c3536e5cebec0f2f0e9d1a7a7&mediaType=text

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SOC--FIFA-ISRAEL-PROTESTS

FIFA president Infantino calls on protesters to keep calm at Israel’s soccer games amid peace talks

SUMMARY: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has issued an appeal for protesters to keep calm ahead of Israel’s upcoming soccer World Cup qualifying matches in Norway and Italy after an agreement was reached with Hamas to a pause in their devastating two-year war. Pro-Palestinian protesters approached the gates of the Italy squad’s training center in Florence last week to demand that next Tuesday’s Italy-Israel match in Udine isn’t played. Infantino says “now everyone should be happy about (the peace plan) and everyone should support the process.” Israel visits Norway on Saturday before traveling to Italy where an estimated 10,000 people were planning to protest the match in Udine before the peace talks began.

WORDS: 869 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 11:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:79fca58dfe911f544d9e1fec60dc8e42&mediaType=text

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TEN--WUHAN OPEN

Sabalenka’s Wuhan winning streak reaches 19 matches. Swiatek and Gauff also advance

SUMMARY: Aryna Sabalenka’s winning streak at the Wuhan Open has rolled on to 19 matches after she beat Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000-level tournament. Top-ranked Sabalenka’s streak here includes winning titles in 2018, 2019 and 2024. No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek also advanced, 7-6 (2), 6-4 against Belinda Bencic, the former Olympic champion. Earlier Thursday, Jessica Pegula recovered from an early service break in the third set to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 and advance to the final eight.

WORDS: 353 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 11:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac82a54b691f090b6625620fda4d1764&mediaType=text

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FBC--UNDEFEATED MEAN GREEN

North Texas hasn’t been undefeated this late in a season since before ‘Mean’ Joe Greene

SUMMARY: The last time North Texas was undefeated this deep into a season was 1959. The team then was still known as the Eagles, and it was nearly a decade before “Mean” Joe Greene would be the school’s only consensus All-American. The Mean Green are now 5-0 with a redshirt freshman quarterback who never started a varsity game in high school and a roster with 50 new transfers. They host 24th-ranked South Florida on Friday night. Drew Mestemaker has thrown for 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s one of only three FBS quarterbacks with more than 1,000 yards and no interceptions.

WORDS: 816 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 11:05 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce90a426216cc1188f24305030af31dc&mediaType=text

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GYM--WORLDS-INDONESIA-ISRAEL

Indonesia to block Israeli team from competing at gymnastics world championships in Jakarta

SUMMARY: Indonesia will block Israeli athletes from competing at the upcoming gymnastics world championships in Jakarta, a government official says. The decision to deny visas to the Israeli athletes comes after their planned participation had sparked intense opposition in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, which has long been a staunch supporter of Palestinians. Israel is registered to compete at the worlds that start in Jakarta on Oct. 19, with a team highlighted by 2020 Olympic gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat in the men’s floor exercise. Now its participation is in doubt, even though the Israeli Gymnastics Federation said in July that it had been assured by Indonesian officials that it would be welcome at the worlds.

WORDS: 717 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 10:38 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fb325108354ee4a1074a787f00b63e46&mediaType=text

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TEN--SHANGHAI MASTERS

Djokovic sets up Shanghai Masters semifinal against No. 204-ranked Vacherot

SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic had a relatively straightforward victory at the Shanghai Masters for a change as he beat unseeded Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 to reach the semifinals. He will next face No. 204-ranked qualifier Valentin Vacherot from Monaco. The 38-year-old Djokovic has struggled in the hot and humid conditions in Shanghai, vomiting during previous matches and needing medical attention when he slumped to the ground in exhaustion after being taken to a third set by Jaume Munar in the previous round. The only major blip against Bergs was being broken when he led 5-4 in the second set, before finally converting his third match point.

WORDS: 302 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 9:34 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2afa863bdd1366b7684188de9b501997&mediaType=text

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FBN--BROWNS-JAGUARS TRADE

Jaguars and Browns trade cornerbacks, with Campbell going to Cleveland and Newsome to Jacksonville

SUMMARY: Jacksonville and Cleveland have swapped starting cornerbacks, with Tyson Campbell going to the Browns and Greg Newsome heading to the Jaguars. The teams also exchanged late-round draft picks in 2026, with Jacksonville getting a sixth-rounder from Cleveland and the Browns getting a seventh-rounder from the Jaguars. The swap should put both in better situations. The Browns play more man-to-man coverages than the Jags, a scheme that should fit Campbell. The Jaguars are in a mostly zone scheme that should highlight Newsome’s strengths.

WORDS: 382 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 9:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:05ed70893e68dbd9eba7952aede0a0f5&mediaType=text

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BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL AT 50

50 years of the women’s basketball poll: From scrappy beginnings to a force in the sport

SUMMARY: Women’s college basketball wasn’t always the behemoth with storied programs like UConn, Tennessee and South Carolina dominating the headlines and the Final Four. A half-century ago, tiny Immaculata won the first three national AIAW titles and then Delta State did the same thing before the likes of Louisiana Tech, Old Dominion and Rutgers started a slow trend of bigger programs becoming the backbone of a fledgling sport that a nation was – and is – still learning to appreciate. The women’s basketball poll, founded by the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Mel Greenberg in 1976, was there for all of it. It began six years before the first NCAA Tournament in 1982 as a roadmap. The upcoming season will be the 50th year of the women’s basketball poll with the AP rankings setting the table for the season.

WORDS: 989 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 9:05 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9666f6163e588a0df36c02da0a963853&mediaType=text

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CAR--FIA-BEN SULAYEM

FIA candidate list indicates Mohammed Ben Sulayem could be re-elected unopposed as president

SUMMARY: Mohammed Ben Sulayem is on course to be re-elected unopposed as president of auto racing’s governing body the FIA, which oversees Formula 1. A list of candidates for other posts indicates that his would-be challengers would not be able assemble the team needed for a campaign. FIA presidential candidates must submit a list including seven vice-presidential candidates from various regions of the world including South America. Ben Sulayem has previously said the only eligible South American candidate would be part of his presidential list. The rules bar the same person from being part of the team of more than one candidate.

WORDS: 322 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 6:14 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:442b52199b1dd17bae46027f36979411&mediaType=text

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BBO--BLUE JAYS ADVANCE

Guerrero and Blue Jays set up nicely for ALCS after putting away Yankees in Game 4

SUMMARY: Forget the preseason prognostications. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the worst-to-first Toronto Blue Jays believe they’re as good as anybody. Hard to argue after the way they dispatched Aaron Judge and the powerful New York Yankees in their AL Division Series. And now, manager John Schneider’s pesky Blue Jays are set up pretty nicely for the next playoff round. Headed to its first American League Championship Series in nine years, AL East champion Toronto will host Detroit or Seattle in Game 1 on Sunday. Those teams are set to decide their Division Series on Friday in Game 5 at Seattle.

WORDS: 676 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 6:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:91e56e4b28883051e9d5176e281a1b8d&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALDS-BLUE JAYS-YANKEES

Blue Jays beat Yankees 5-2 in Game 4 to reach first ALCS since 2016

SUMMARY: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer each drove in a run, and eight Toronto pitchers shut down the New York Yankees in a 5-2 victory that sent the Blue Jays to the American League Championship Series for the first time in nine years. Nathan Lukes provided a two-run single and Addison Barger had three of Toronto’s 12 hits as the pesky Blue Jays bounced right back after blowing a five-run lead in Tuesday night’s loss at Yankee Stadium. AL East champion Toronto took the best-of-five Division Series 3-1 and will host Game 1 in the best-of-seven ALCS on Sunday against the Tigers or Mariners. Those teams are set to decide their playoff series Friday in Game 5 at Seattle.

WORDS: 1102 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 5:56 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:febd0ed46ff70572255f6a1721cbc80b&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES ELIMINATED

Aaron Judge remains without World Series ring as Yankees’ title drought reaches 16 years

SUMMARY: Aaron Judge’s brilliant season wasn’t enough to end the New York Yankees’ championship drought. The Yankees lost to Toronto in the AL Division Series, marking their 16th consecutive season without a World Series title. Judge hit .500 in seven playoff games but couldn’t carry the team to victory. Despite winning his first AL batting crown and being on a Hall of Fame track, Judge remains without postseason success. The Yankees’ bullpen and rotation faltered against Toronto, and the team faces potential roster changes. Gerrit Cole, recovering from Tommy John surgery, expects to return by May, but the Yankees need a bullpen rebuild.

WORDS: 949 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 5:34 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c185ae85e92e6e10ca493e2eca988a35&mediaType=text

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SUM--UKRAINIAN SUMO STAR

A 21-year-old Ukrainian-born sumo wrestler is surging to the top of the rankings in Japan

SUMMARY: Danilo Yavhushyshyn left his native Ukraine 3 1/2 years ago — just after Russia launched a full-scale invasion — and has risen rapidly to stardom in Japan as one of the country’s top sumo wrestlers. He’s so good that three months ago the 21-year-old defeated one of the sport’s top wrestlers. This was not just any top wrestler. He beat Mongolian-born Hoshoryu who, with Japanese-born Onosato, is one of the two highest-ranked wrestlers in Japan. They both carry the title of grand champion — or yokozuna.

WORDS: 574 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 3:44 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3213f9c00842270c696567a6a670d8ac&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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BBO--ALDS-TIGERS-MARINERS

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are hoping home field is an advantage against Detroit in Game 5 of their AL Division Series after splitting two games on the road. By Andrew Destin. Game starts at 1:40 p.m. or 5:08 p.m.

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SOC--ECUADOR-US

AUSTIN, Texas — The United States plays Ecuador in the first of six friendlies remaining before coach Mauricio Pochettino calls in players for his pre-World Cup training camp. Game starts at 8:30 p.m.

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