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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FBC--COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S MESS

DESCRIPTION: The awkward and angst-filled way coach Lane Kiffin departed from Ole Miss will happen again. It’s inevitable unless college administrators and football coaches agree to reimagine an imperfect calendar that has been a mess for decades.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBC--T25-TEXAS TECH-BIG MONEY PAYOFF

DESCRIPTION: National sacks leader David Bailey understands when people want to talk about the millions and millions of dollars Texas Tech spent in the transfer portal, much of it on defense, to put together a team that now has a chance to win its first Big 12 championship before going into the 12-team College Football Playoff. By Stephen Hawkins. 800 words.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 4:30 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--COWBOYS-LIONS PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: DETROIT — The Detroit Lions host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night in a game both teams need to win to improve their chances of making the playoffs. By Larry Lage. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 5 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

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BBO--TROPICANA FIELD

DESCRIPTION: The City of St. Petersburg is hosting a media day at Tropicana Field, which is ready to re-open in 2026 after hurricane damage forced the Tampa Bay Rays to play elsewhere in 2025. Availability begins at 2:30 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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FBC-T25-BIG TEN-DEFENSES

DESCRIPTION: While most of the focus on Saturday’s Big Ten Championship game between top-ranked Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana is on quarterbacks Julin Sayin and Fernando Mendoza, both teams also have outstanding defenses. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are the top two teams in the nation in scoring defense. By Joe Reedy. 700 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Arsenal looks to regain its five-point lead in the Premier League by beating Brentford at home in one of six games in the latest round of England’s top flight. Among the other games is Liverpool hosting Sunderland and Chelsea at Leeds. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 5:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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SKI--HINTERMANN’S RETURN

DESCRIPTION: BEAVER CREEK, Colo. -- Swiss racer Niels Hintermann is about to make his 101st career World Cup start this week in Beaver Creek, Colorado. This moment is especially significant for him as it’s his first race since being declared cancer-free. Hintermann, 30, was diagnosed with lymph node cancer in October 2024 and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy. He only began training again on snow in August. Hintermann isn’t focused on wins or the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics, but rather on enjoying the moment. He announced he was cancer-free in February and is now working to regain his rhythm and speed. By Pat Graham. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 4 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 6:01 p.m. EST, Text

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FBC--T25-AMERICAN CONFERENCE-QB SHUFFLE

DESCRIPTION: DENTON, Texas — National passing leader Drew Mestemaker from North Texas and Tulane’s Jake Retzlaff will face off in the American title game. Both are leading teams whose starting QBs left in the transfer portal last offseason — and those QBs they replaced now play each other in the ACC championship game. By Stephen Hawkins. 700 words.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 6:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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FBN--WARD AND SANDERS

DESCRIPTION: NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, has started every game for the Tennessee Titans, and he has as many wins as Shedeur Sanders has in two starts for Cleveland. They meet for the first time as pros Sunday when the Titans visit the Browns in this season’s first game pitting quarterbacks drafted in April. By Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 6 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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FBN--BILLS

DESCRIPTION: ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo’s dominating win over the Pittsburgh Steelers was a step in the right direction. The next challenge for the Bills (8-4) is carrying over the performance and maintaining a level of consistency after winning just four of eight and preparing to host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) on Sunday. By John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 7 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Text

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CAR--NASCAR LAWSUIT

DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A top NASCAR executive returns to the stand Wednesday in an antitrust case accusing NASCAR of monopolistic practices. The lawsuit, filed by 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, claims NASCAR’s charter agreements are unfair. By AP Auto Racing Writer. Court can go until 6 pm.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 7:30 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--RAIDERS-CROSBY-BOWERS

DESCRIPTION: HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders’ top two players, defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers, are playing at a high level despite the team’s dismal season. Their examples have made a difference with the rest of the season. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 10:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBC--SIGNING DAY

DESCRIPTION: Southern California appears poised to land the nation’s top-ranked class as high school senior football players across the country finalize their college plans. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 800 words, with photos, expected by 6 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 10:53 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 14

DESCRIPTION: First place is on the line in three matchups in Week 15, including Bears-Packers, Colts-Jaguars and Steelers-Ravens. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 12/03/2025 10:56 p.m. EST, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--THANKSGIVING GAMES-RATINGS

Cowboys-Chiefs Thanksgiving matchup on CBS is the most-watched regular-season NFL game ever

SUMMARY: The Dallas Cowboys’ 31-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day was the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history. CBS reports the game averaged 57.23 million viewers. The early game between Green Bay and Detroit also drew big numbers, averaging 47.7 million viewers. This makes it the second-most watched regular-season game since Fox began carrying the NFL in 1994.

WORDS: 296 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 1:42 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c87db0da5d16040095425e3b1a802628&mediaType=text

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FBC--ACC-PLAYOFF UNCERTAINTY

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips is emphatically pushing for No. 12 Miami, league champ to get CFP bids

SUMMARY: Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips is pushing for No. 12 Miami to earn a bid to the College Football Playoff along with the winner of the league championship game between No. 16 Virginia and Duke. In an interview with The Associated Press, Phillips was emphatic in making his case first for the Hurricanes and the league’s eventual champion. That comes with the ACC facing at least a chance of being squeezed out of the 12-team playoff entirely based on Tuesday night’s rankings. Phillips told the AP he has “conviction and confidence in our teams, starting with Miami.”

WORDS: 1168 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 1:21 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1b599807c7e257c4e9082094648f0034&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROCKIES-GM

Colorado Rockies hire Josh Byrnes as general manager to turn around franchise, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Colorado Rockies have hired Josh Byrnes as their new general manager, a person familiar with the decision told the The Associated Press. Byrnes joins the Rockies from the Los Angeles Dodgers and fresh off winning back-to-back World Series titles. Byrnes will reunite with Paul DePodesta, who was recently named Colorado’s president of baseball operations. The two previously worked together in Cleveland in the 1990s. Byrnes aims to turn around a struggling Rockies franchise that has gone through three consecutive 100-loss seasons. Byrnes has also held front-office roles with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 1:16 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8089c136750f5e220363434d85c3603d&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP DRAW-WHAT’S NEW

The World Cup draw is usually a spectacle. This time, FIFA hopes bigger is better

SUMMARY: A record 64 nations will be in Friday’s World Cup draw as FIFA expands the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. This means 104 games instead of 64, running from June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, aims to win consecutive World Cups. Newcomers include Cape Verde and Curaçao. Ticket prices are at a record high, with concerns about affordability. Weather could impact games, with only four U.S. venues having roofs. The draw will be hosted by Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez.

WORDS: 930 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 1:12 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5f03934e8c0b8d0f999e6b0aca2073d9&mediaType=text

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HKN--STARS-SEGUIN

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin expected to miss rest of NHL season with a torn ACL

SUMMARY: Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin is expected to miss the rest of the NHL season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Coach Glen Gulutzan says Seguin will be out several months after the 33-year-old was injured Tuesday night at the New York Rangers. Seguin got tangled up with Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavirkov in the first period. Seguin went down in pain, could not skate and needed help to get off the ice and down the tunnel to the locker room. Gulutzan said the team did not get positive news Wednesday about Seguin’s knee after it was looked at more closely.

WORDS: 507 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 12:41 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3558808e1afb04367cb083b9be8a3fd0&mediaType=text

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SOC--WOMEN’S EURO 2029-HOST

Germany picked by UEFA to host 2029 European Championship in women’s soccer

SUMMARY: Germany will host the 2029 Women’s European Championship. UEFA voted Wednesday for the Germany bid in a three-candidate contest, opting for the promise of record revenue and attendances with the national team playing in sold-out soccer stadiums in Munich and Dortmund. Germany’s eight-city project for an expected 16-team, 31-game Women’s Euros beat Poland and a co-hosting bid by Denmark and Sweden.

WORDS: 666 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 12:11 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:badd0b55db872466699c964d126851e2&mediaType=text

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FBN--BROWNS-WATSON

Deshaun Watson will practice with the Browns for first time in more than a year

SUMMARY: Deshaun Watson is set to practice with the Cleveland Browns for the first time this year, starting Wednesday. This opens a 21-day window for him to return to the lineup. Coach Kevin Stefanski says Watson will begin with individual drills before possibly joining the scout team. Watson has been on the physically unable to perform list since the season began because of a ruptured Achilles tendon. He has been rehabbing and involved in team meetings. Watson is 9-10 as Cleveland’s starter and has faced criticism for his contract and performance. The Browns have reworked his contract twice for financial flexibility.

WORDS: 536 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 11:58 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8a446197ae9d9460846d5bad283654ab&mediaType=text

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FBC--KANSAS ST-KLIEMAN

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman stepping down after 7 seasons, AP source says

SUMMARY: Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman is stepping down after seven seasons with the Wildcats. A person familiar with the decision has told The Associated Press. Klieman’s tenure included a Big 12 championship and a bowl trip every year but one. The school is targeting Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein as his replacement. Klein played quarterback for Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder at Kansas State and later served on Klieman’s first staff. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Klieman’s decision had not been announced. Klieman and athletic director Gene Taylor will speak at a news conference later Wednesday.

WORDS: 605 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 11:47 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3dfcc747efa13b30493aefe1b1a80a98&mediaType=text

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FBN--HALL OF FAME-FINALISTS

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft selected as finalists for 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

SUMMARY: Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft have been selected as finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Belichick is the coaching candidate, while Kraft is the contributor. The announcement came on Wednesday. Three senior candidates, Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, also advanced. The selection committee can vote for three finalists, with candidates needing 80% of the votes to be inducted. Belichick led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins from 2001 to 2018. Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994 and has overseen 10 Super Bowl appearances. The committee will also vote on 15 modern era finalists.

WORDS: 716 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 11:16 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c27fd47eabc33d62d644c9a01e7ae2e1&mediaType=text

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OLY--DOPING AT YOUR DOORSTEP

Doping at your doorstep: The next Olympic drug crisis could be coming through the mail

SUMMARY: A new wave of peptides, often banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, is easily available online, raising concerns about potential Olympic doping scandals. These substances, marketed for benefits like anti-aging and workout recovery, are hard to detect and can be bought on platforms like Amazon and Alibaba. With the Milan Cortina Games approaching, officials are worried about repeating past scandals involving Russia and China. The peptides, many unapproved by the FDA, are difficult to regulate. Despite efforts to remove them, listings persist.

WORDS: 1133 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 11:12 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:60dc626b6e9870292746e3c16ad5df4c&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-WHAT TO WATCH

Championship week: No CFP worries for Big Ten with No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup; anxiety reigns elsewhere

SUMMARY: The Big Ten will be the only conference with a sense of calm this weekend with No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana squaring off in its championship game. Those two unbeatens are locks for the playoff and even the loser could receive a top-four seed. Oregon likely is the third Big Ten entry. Outcomes of Georgia-Alabama in the SEC, Duke-Virginia in the ACC and BYU-Texas Tech in the Big 12 will impact how many teams from each conference will be in the playoff. James Madison could sneak in if it wins Sun Belt and five-loss Duke wins ACC.

WORDS: 1046 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 10:55 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dd65de86415b414fa4f1195fd97e720a&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-DRAW-EXPLAINER

How does the World Cup draw work? The AP explains FIFA’s process for dividing teams into groups

SUMMARY: The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place Friday at the Kennedy Center. The purpose is to divide the 48-team field into 12 groups of four. Once the tournament starts, 32 teams will advance from those preliminary groups to the single-elimination knockout rounds. The 12 World Cup groups are designated Group A, Group B ... and so on, down to Group L. Balls corresponding with the competing countries will be separated into four pots of 12, and each group will include one team drawn from each pot.

WORDS: 758 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 10:31 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3baf3f4a49ff64f6a82e7af72f0f2a2b&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP-HEISMAN

Sayin, Mendoza chase Big Ten title and Heisman Trophy when No. 1 Ohio St faces No. 2 Indiana

SUMMARY: Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza each have one prize in mind for their showdown this weekend in Indianapolis: a Big Ten championship. Their worthiness for a Heisman Trophy will consume most of next week’s debate. The two first-year starters at their respective schools each played their way into frontrunner status by leading their teams to unbeaten regular seasons, posting outstanding numbers and delivering when the stakes have been highest. They get final chances to pad those Heisman resumes when No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana square off in the Big Ten title game.

WORDS: 861 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 10:13 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b1887a6fcacfefc6ae24352cae02ce8c&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-LAWSUIT

NASCAR executive returns to the stand in high-stakes antitrust trial

SUMMARY: A top NASCAR executive, Scott Prime, returns to the stand Wednesday in an antitrust case accusing NASCAR of monopolistic practices. The lawsuit, filed by 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, claims NASCAR’s charter agreements are unfair. These agreements are NASCAR’s version of a franchise model. The case highlights a two-year negotiation that ended with a deal many teams found unsatisfactory. Attorney Jeffrey Kessler presented evidence of NASCAR’s attempts to prevent rival series and lock tracks into exclusivity clauses. The trial is expected to last two weeks, with key figures like Jordan and Front Row owner Bob Jenkins set to testify.

WORDS: 791 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 8:49 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0fc60298a632fb9aaf7ba722ddfd93f5&mediaType=text

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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

From worst to first: How the Patriots and Bears topped the NFL standings

SUMMARY: The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears have made remarkable turnarounds this NFL season. Each team holds the top seed in its conference after missing the playoffs last year. If that holds up, this would be the first time since 1992 that both top-seeded teams missed the postseason the previous year. The Bears and Patriots have rebounded under first-year coaches, Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel. Both teams also have second-year quarterbacks in Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.

WORDS: 979 - MOVED: 12/03/2025 6:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0297270ca29732cc97bdc9a541a62200&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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SOC—WORLD CUP DRAW-LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas officials had discussion with FIFA regarding hosting the World Cup Draw, but logistics made an agreement difficult to reach. By Mark Anderson.

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FBN--COWBOYS-LIONS

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions host the Dallas Cowboys in a game both teams need to win to improve their chances of making the playoffs. By Larry Lage. Game starts at 8:15 p.m.

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FBC--T25-INDIANA-OHIO ST PREVIEW

INDIANAPOLIS — No. 1 Ohio State is on a mission — to win a second straight national championship for the first time in school history. No. 2 Indiana is pursuing a different quest — winning the program’s first Big Ten title since 1967. Yes, it’s a high-stakes game as the Football Bowl Subdivision’s last two unbeaten teams square off Saturday in Indianapolis even though both schools are virtual playoff locks. By Michael Marot.

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