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--T25-VIRGINIA’S RISE
DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — No. 16 Virginia is in the ACC championship game in a remarkable climb under Tony Elliott, who guided the Cavs through tragedy in his first season and to the top of the league in Year 4. By Mike Barber. UPCOMING: 700 words and photos by 3 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 3:00 p.m. EST, Text
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SOC--MLS CUP-PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are one win away from their first MLS Cup. They’ll face Thomas Muller and the Vancouver Whitecaps in Saturday’s final. By Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 3 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 3:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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FBC--T25-GEORGIA-ALABAMA PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: ATLANTA -- No. 3 Georgia will play for its fourth Southeastern Conference championship under coach Kirby Smart when it plays No. 10 Alabama in the SEC championship game on Saturday in the Georgia Dome. Alabama is 7-1 against Smart-led Georgia teams, including a 4-0 mark in SEC title games. By Charles Odum. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text
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MMA--UFC 323 PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — Merab Dvalishvili defends his bantamweight title against Petr Yan at UFC 323. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text
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HKO--OLYMPIC ROSTER DEADLINE
DESCRIPTION: A year after needing to set their rosters for the 4 Nations Face-Off by Dec. 1, the U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland get a full extra month to decide which players they want to go to the Olympics in Milan. They and the other countries involved don’t have to submit these rosters until New Year’s Eve, giving management extra time to evaluate talent for the first Games with NHL players since 2014. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. 700 words, file photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text
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SOC-WORLD CUP DRAW
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: SOC-WORLD CUP DRAW-PREVIEW
2. DESCRIPTION: Preview of the World Cup Draw
3. UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 4:00 p.m. EST
4. WITH: SOC-WORLD CUP DRAW-TRUMP
5. DESCRIPTION: A look at Trump’s role in the World Cup Draw. SENT.
6. WITH: SOC-WORLD CUP DRAW-LAS VEGAS
7. DESCRIPTION: 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. SENT: 350 words, photos.
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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: MANCHESTER, England-Manchester United hosts West in the Premier League on Thursday, looking to continue its recent upturn in form under coach Ruben Amorim. By James Robson. UPCOMING: 600 words by 2200 GMT with photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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FBN--ON FOOTBALL WITH ROB MAADDI-WEEK 14
DESCRIPTION: Baltimore Ravens star running back Derrick Henry discusses this week’s battle for first place against the Pittsburgh Steelers. By Pro Football Writer Ron Maaddi. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Audio
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BBO--ATHLETICS-STADIUM
DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — The Athletics update whether they are on schedule to open a stadium in Las Vegas in time for the 2028 season. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Stadium Authority meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 6:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--BEARS-PACKERS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: GREEN BAY, Wis. - The NFC North leaders are eager to show they’re not the same old Chicago Bears who continually took their lumps against the Green Bay Packers the last five years or so. Chicago snapped an 11-game skid in this rivalry when it ended the 2024 regular season by winning at Green Bay. The Bears now own the NFC’s best record and carry a five-game winning streak into their Sunday matchup with the Packers at Lambeau Field. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 6:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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BKW--T25-SOUTH CAROLINA-LOUISVILLE
DESCRIPTION: LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The third-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks visit No. 22 Louisville on Thursday night coming off their first loss of the season with coach Dawn Staley. The Cardinals have lost nine of the last 10 in this series. By Steve Bittenbender. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 8:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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FBN--COWBOYS-LIONS
DESCRIPTION: 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. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8:15 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 12/04/2025 11:35 p.m. EST, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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FBC--T25-BYU-BACHMEIER’S IMPACT
DESCRIPTION: PROVO, Utah — Bear Bachmeier didn’t arrive at BYU until the spring, but played well enough to become the first true freshman to start a season at quarterback. Bachmeier continued to play well all year, leading the 11th-ranked Cougars into the Big 12 championship game against No. 5 Texas Tech. By John Coon. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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FBC--T25-BYU-TEXAS TECH PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Tech, No. 4 in the latest CFP rankings, is a virtual lock to make the 12-team College Football Playoff. No. 11 BYU has to beat the Red Raiders this time to get two Big 12 teams in the playoff. By Stephen Hawkins. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-MESSI
Messi’s plans for 2026 World Cup? ‘One day at a time’
SUMMARY: Lionel Messi isn’t saying if he plans to play in the 2026 World Cup. The 38-year-old star led Argentina to the top of the standings of South America’s World Cup qualifiers, but he hasn’t confirmed if he’ll help his country defend its 2022 title. The World Cup draw is on Friday. He tells ESPN Argentina that “I’m going to take it one day at a time.” Messi and Inter Miami are preparing to face Vancouver in the MLS Cup final on Saturday. The U.S., Mexico and Canada are co-hosting next summer’s tournament. It starts on June 11 and would be Messi’s sixth World Cup.
WORDS: 299 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 1:39 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dfb25d8b347970976aee0b77321a533a&mediaType=text
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BOX--HALL OF FAME
Gennadiy Golovkin, Antonio Tarver, Nigel Benn elected to Boxing Hall of Fame
SUMMARY: Gennadiy Golovkin, the power puncher who made a record-tying 20 consecutive middleweight title defenses, has been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Former champions Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn are the other headline names in the class that will be enshrined in the museum in Canastota, New York. The ceremony is scheduled for June 14, 2026. Golovkin was elected Thursday in his first year on the ballot in voting by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians. The native of Kazakhstan went 42-2-1 with 37 KOs.
WORDS: 498 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 1:14 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:48a98162aa58ca4cf222d2a87cbdcf15&mediaType=text
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SOC--WORLD CUP DRAW-TRUMP
Trump’s immigration message is colliding with his welcome to World Cup fans
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump will be taking center stage at the World Cup draw as he rolls out the welcome mat for teams and fans from around the globe. But Friday’s draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington comes at a time when the Republican president has hardened his rhetoric against immigrants. His administration is looking at expanding restrictions on travel to the U.S. for people from 19 countries. Critics say that messaging undercuts the message of unity that the World Cup represents. The U.S. says it’s working to ensure fans from other countries get expedited visas so they can attend next summer’s tournament.
WORDS: 1230 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 1:05 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9a50f48ae28fd61e5e8339a2dedca907&mediaType=text
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US--CONGRESS-COLLEGE-SPORTS
An NCAA-backed effort to reshape college sport regulations has hit a wall in Congress
SUMMARY: House Republicans plans to vote on a bill regulating college sports has been scrapped due to divisions within their caucus. There are bipartisan concerns over the influence that the SCORE Act would give the NCAA and its most powerful programs. The bill seemed to be on track for passage this summer but now sees its chances of passage at all in its current form dwindling. Democratic leadership has pushed House members to vote against it and some Republicans have been increasingly vocal. The NCAA and Division I conferences portray the legislation as codifying the rules created by the multibillion-dollar lawsuit settlement that allows college players to be paid, providing clarity that supporters say is long-needed.
WORDS: 783 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 12:46 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fdabd5236a3ad7a70c42db5bde8f79eb&mediaType=text
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CAR--NASCAR LAWSUIT
NASCAR President testifies France family was opposed to new revenue model
SUMMARY: NASCAR teams have been pushing for a better revenue model since early 2022, arguing the current system is unsustainable. NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell testified Thursday in an antitrust case against the series. He said teams requested early negotiations on a new charter agreement, fearing for their financial survival. The process took over two years, with a final deal reached in September 2024. However, two teams, including Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, refused to sign and sued NASCAR. Teams have specific demands, including maximized TV revenue and a new cost model. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
WORDS: 918 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 12:43 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aa1b84152e9ade9b23fa369cbcc8758e&mediaType=text
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SKI--SUTER-INJURED
Olympic downhill champion Corinne Suter out for a month after training crash
SUMMARY: Olympic downhill champion Corinne Suter has crashed in training and cannot ski until about a month before she is due to defend her title. The 31-year-old Suter shapes as a strong contender at the Milan Cortina Winter Games in February where women’s Alpine skiing is raced at Cortina d’Ampezzo. That’s the scenic storied hill where she also took downhill gold at the 2021 world championships. The Swiss ski team says Suter has calf, knee and and foot injuries after crashing in a downhill practice Wednesday at St. Moritz. The team says she doesn’t need surgery. The Olympics open Feb. 6.
WORDS: 270 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 12:40 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:224c0a75e181c5797017e1eea30d7877&mediaType=text
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FBN--JETS-MCNAMARA-YOUTUBE
Austin McNamara’s rise as Jets’ punting ‘sniper’ began by watching YouTube videos as a kid
SUMMARY: Austin McNamara’s rise as a top punter for the New York Jets began with YouTube videos. Growing up in Arizona, he loved soccer and basketball but tried football in high school. With a background in soccer, he naturally gravitated toward kicking. He and his dad watched countless videos to learn the craft. Now, McNamara ranks among the NFL’s best punters, with impressive stats that has put him in the Pro Bowl conversation. He joined the Jets in March after being cut by Cincinnati last year. Coach Aaron Glenn says the Jets call him a sniper because he can regularly flip the field for the team with his punting consistency.
WORDS: 967 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 12:33 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:88974dfa45c3165cd2e1072bf4934cd2&mediaType=text
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HKN--LIGHTNING-MCDONAGH
Lightning sign Ryan McDonagh to a 3-year, $12.3M contract extension
SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh to a three-year extension worth $12.3 million. McDonagh will be 37 when the new contract kicks in that counts $4.1 million against the salary cap through the 2028-29 NHL season. McDonagh helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21 and reach the final in ’22 before losing in six games to Colorado. They traded him to Nashville that summer to clear cap space at a time when it was not going up much because of the pandemic and reacquired him in 2024.
WORDS: 175 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 10:41 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9802f7990f5943470afddab53d035443&mediaType=text
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FBC--T25--JAMES MADISON-PLAYOFF HOPES
Dukes for Duke: No. 19 James Madison’s CFP hopes could hinge on Blue Devils winning ACC
SUMMARY: No. 19 James Madison believes it has the resume to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff if it wins Friday’s Sun Belt championship against Troy. The Dukes are 11-1 and cracked the CFP rankings Tuesday. Coach Bob Chesney and athletic director Matt Roan believe JMU is the nation’s top school from a Group of Five conference. James Madison’s lone loss came against Louisville in September. The Dukes have a chance to earn a CFP bid as the last of the five highest-ranked conference champions if Duke upsets No. 16 Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.
WORDS: 692 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 10:40 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:594f748e3fbab61a4e04bac9c75978cd&mediaType=text
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OLY--CEREMONY-OUTFITS REVEALED
Ralph Lauren unveils Team USA’s Olympic uniforms
SUMMARY: Ralph Lauren revealed Team USA’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympics looks Thursday, complete with Americana knit sweaters and plenty of vintage call-backs. The formal opening ceremony look pairs a patterned red, white and blue knit sweater with tailored cream trousers and a matching wool coat. Moving sportier, the closing ceremony outfit features a graphic puffer coat inspired by vintage ski kits over a color-blocked sweater. Beyond the ceremony looks, a Team USA collection, which will also be given to athletes as Olympic village wear, became available to the public Thursday.
WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 9:39 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b4b5a69080bbf56c0db04f0c41ce3396&mediaType=text
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FIG--GRAND PRIX FINAL
Kagiyama uses mistake by Malinin to lead short program at Grand Prix Final
SUMMARY: Yuma Kagiyama has upstaged world champion Ilia Malinin of the United States to lead the men’s short program at the figure skating Grand Prix Final in Nagoya. Malinin hasn’t lost a competition in more than two years and is the gold medal favorite for the Milan Cortina Olympics. He stepped out of his opening jump, a quadruple axel-triple toe loop combination, and finished third behind Kagiyama and his Japanese compatriot Shun Sato. Malinin isn’t fazed by the mistake on the quad axel, calling it an experiment that was something he likely wouldn’t attempt at the Olympics.
WORDS: 561 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 9:25 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:344d52e2b402c54959f1215039c21a66&mediaType=text
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CAR--F1-TOYOTA HAAS
Toyota deepens connections in F1 by sponsoring Haas team in 2026
SUMMARY: The Haas Formula 1 team will get a new name next season, further showcasing its relationship with Japanese automaker Toyota. The team’s new name in 2026 will be TGR Haas F1 Team. The TGR stands for Toyota Gazoo Racing which is the racing division of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The partnership includes primarily research, engineering and driver development. Haas and Toyota entered into the first stages of the technical partnership a year ago and the Haas car has been carrying Toyota’s branding since.
WORDS: 520 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 7:54 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:760d57717fe7f34b594e57ff45c23e5d&mediaType=text
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CAR--F1-NORRIS-PIASTRI
Norris says he won’t ask Piastri to move over if needed in F1 title decider
SUMMARY: Lando Norris says he won’t ask his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to give up a place to favor him in the three-way Formula 1 title fight with Max Verstappen at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris has a 12-point lead over Verstappen going into Sunday’s race. Piastri is four points further back. If Verstappen is leading it’s possible Piastri could be in a situation where he can’t win the title himself but can aid Norris to get the top-three finish he needs to secure his first world championship. If Verstappen wins on Sunday a top-three finish would be enough for Norris.
WORDS: 478 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 7:52 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:71fef4f3bcaf8030538668713d2fcb3d&mediaType=text
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GLF--AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Rory McIlroy has a ‘rollercoaster’ 1st round at the Australian Open, shoots 1-over 72
SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy had a self-described “rollercoaster” of a round at Royal Melbourne in the first round of the Australian Open. He wasn’t exaggerating. McIlroy, whose pre-tournament news conference included comments that Royal Melbourne was not the best sandbelt course in the city, had a wild round of six bogeys and five birdies Thursday around the composite course and shot a 1-over 72 to trail the first-round leaders by seven strokes. Elvis Smylie, Ryan Fox and Carlos Ortiz had the lead, with 65s, with three others tied for fourth, two strokes behind.
WORDS: 690 - MOVED: 12/04/2025 3:01 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a883355c101faffd16b2ee3e57c17989&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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—SOC-World Cup Draw
—YE--Sports 2025-Photo Gallery
—FBC--T25-North Texas-Tulane
—FBC--T25-Troy-James Madison
—BKC--T25-Gonzaga-Kentucky
—SKI--WCup-Men’s Downhill
