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--NFL COMBINE

DESCRIPTION: Tight ends and defensive backs speak with reporters Thursday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine. By Michael Marot. 700 words, more on merit, with photos. Availability runs from 8 a.m.-noon ET.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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AP--MIT SPORTS ANALYTICS CONFERENCE-GELMAN

DESCRIPTION: BOSTON – Jessica Gelman believes what attracts so many people to sports because it’s beyond the expectation of what people can do. The former Harvard basketball player and Harvard Business School graduate morphed her love of sports and data into becoming one of the top voices in sports analytics. She’s celebrating her 10th year as CEO of the Kraft Analytics Group and next week will mark the 20th year of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, which she co-founded alongside NBA executive Daryl Morey. That gathering has gone from a brainchild they had while taking a class together, to a small seminar for a few hundred, to a gathering that will convene 2,500 people at the conference this year from 42 states, 31 countries, 130 academic institutions, and 80 teams and sports leagues. At a time when all the world’s digital data is believed to double every two years, it’s made the annual assemblage even more essential in a sports world driven by numbers. By Kyle Hightower. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 6:00 p.m. EST, Text

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GLF--COGNIZANT CLASSIC

DESCRIPTION: Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry headline the field at the Cognizant Classic. For Koepka, it’s a home event, taking place in his native Palm Beach County. By Tim Reynolds. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 6:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--PREMIER LEAGUE-STREAMING PLATFORM

Premier League to launch its own streaming platform in Singapore next season

SUMMARY: The Premier League is launching a direct-to-customer streaming platform from next season, chief executive Richard Masters said. Premier League Plus will be launched initially in Singapore and, if successful, could be “replicated all around the world”. The new platform could eventually transform the way fans consume the most popular league in the world, which says it has a global audience of 1.87 billion people and is watched in 189 countries. It had long-been rumored that the league would launch a “Premflix”-style platform. It has previously always sold its rights to independent broadcasters such as Sky Sports in England and NBC in the United States.

WORDS: 261 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 1:32 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b9dd2eb137c0e5a85f35f0f1520d2d83&mediaType=text

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SOC--LA LIGA-US GAME

Spanish soccer league wants to try again in the US and resurrect overseas game

SUMMARY: The Spanish soccer league wants to resurrect plans to stage a regular-season game in the United States. La Liga president Javier Tebas said Thursday that he was not giving up on taking a top Spanish match abroad after controversial plans to play outside Miami last year were scrapped in the face of pushback from clubs, players and fans. He told a news conference in London: “We are going to try again. I’m not sure when.” Barcelona and Villarreal were slated to play at the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, which would have made Spain the first major European league to move a regular-season match abroad. But those plans fell through in October as opposition grew.

WORDS: 584 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 1:20 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4ece2830d7481ba6d0b0774900719c6&mediaType=text

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BBO--BLUE JAYS-SCHERZER

Max Scherzer and Toronto Blue Jays agree to $3 million, 1-year deal, AP source says

SUMMARY: Max Scherzer is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays. Two weeks into spring training, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed with the reigning American League champions on a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press early Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. The 41-year-old Scherzer can earn another $10 million in performance bonuses. Scherzer went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts and 85 innings for the Blue Jays last season, his 18th in the major leagues. He signed a $15.5 million, one-year contract with Toronto in February 2025.

WORDS: 411 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 12:06 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4b4839dba9cdb5cbe32322dabd84ce77&mediaType=text

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FBN--JETS-TITANS TRADE

Jets agree to trade Jermaine Johnson to the Titans for T’Vondre Sweat, AP source says

SUMMARY: A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the New York Jets have agreed to trade pass rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the NFL’s new league year starts on March 11. ESPN and NFL Network first reported the deal Thursday. Johnson joins Titans coach Robert Saleh again. Saleh was the Jets coach when New York drafted Johnson in 2022. Tennessee drafted Sweat in the second round in 2024.

WORDS: 605 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 11:58 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:15d07a3e80a00e50aec008e5a4555363&mediaType=text

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ATH--DOPING-WELTEJI

Ethiopian runner Welteji banned over missed drug test which overshadowed world champs

SUMMARY: One of the world’s top middle-distance runners has been banned for two years in a dispute over a missed drug test which overshadowed the opening of last year’s world championships. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji was the silver medalist in the women’s 1,500 meters at the 2023 world championships. The Court of Arbitration says she was found “negligent” in failing to comply with an attempt to collect a doping test sample last year. World Athletics wanted a four-year ban. The two-year sanction ends in June 2027 and means Welteji could potentially return in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

WORDS: 265 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 11:05 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:131e4d25cf843b25ce44a3985b93377a&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDYCAR-SEASON PREVIEW

IndyCar roars into its season opener at St. Petersburg as Alex Palou chases a 4th straight title

SUMMARY: IndyCar opens its season with a packed schedule and Alex Palou chasing yet another title. The season starts Sunday on the streets of St. Petersburg with 25 drivers. Palou returns after a dominant run last year with Chip Ganassi Racing. He’s eying a fourth straight championship. Team Penske tries to bounce back after a rough season. Andretti Global also looks stronger with Will Power and new leadership. IndyCar has four races in March and that includes a return to Phoenix Raceway. The series also welcomes Mick Schumacher, the son of Michael Schumacher, as he joins IndyCar with Rahal Letterman Lanigan.

WORDS: 1008 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 10:45 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd1052080988f801c6a26d9ee6cc18ee&mediaType=text

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SOC--MEXICO-VIOLENCE-WORLD CUP

FIFA’s Infantino has ‘complete confidence’ in Mexico to host World Cup games despite cartel violence

SUMMARY: FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has “complete confidence” in Mexico as a World Cup co-host despite days of cartel violence in the country that has left at least 70 people dead. FIFA says Mexico can still safely co-host the World Cup despite deadly cartel violence linked to a top drug lord’s death. On Monday, authorities report at least 70 deaths after cartel members burn cars and block roads in many states. The unrest follows the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” Some local league matches have already been postponed. FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he trusts President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mexico’s authorities.

WORDS: 565 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 8:59 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:57622651ebeb40599f59b999047aa82e&mediaType=text

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CAR--F1-SEASON PREVIEW

F1’s new era demands a new driving style as ‘big four’ seek opening victory in Australia

WORDS: 807 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 6:30 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5af82ea548d5ef6fb465f311bba3fa47&mediaType=text

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FBC--POOLING TV RIGHTS-CONFERENCES

SEC, Big Ten study: Pooling TV rights ‘dangerously unworkable’ and not as profitable as suggested

SUMMARY: A study commissioned by the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten has concluded that a proposal to allow the pooling of media rights among Division I conferences would generate less revenue than if the conferences continued marketing their own games. The idea of pooling media rights among the conferences has been touted by some lawmakers and sports leaders as the best way to ensure college sports remains solvent in a new, more-expensive era brought on by name, image and likeness payments to college players.

WORDS: 684 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 5:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf3811033efbec089d656b6b623e540b&mediaType=text

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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

Nottingham Forest and Stuttgart take 3-goal leads into return playoffs in the Europa League

SUMMARY: Nottingham Forest and Stuttgart take healthy first-leg leads into Europa League playoff second legs and look close to the round of 16. Forest carries a 3-0 cushion from its win at Fenerbahçe. It was coach Vítor Pereira’s first match in charge. Stuttgart brings home a 4-1 lead over Celtic after a dominant night at Celtic Park. Celtic caretaker Martin O’Neill says his team hasn’t given up. Genk leads Dinamo Zagreb 3-1. Bologna is 1-0 up against Norwegian side Brann. Lille goes to Belgrade with a 1-0 deficit to Red Star. In the Conference League, Crystal Palace and Bosnian team Zrinjski Mostar are 1-1.

WORDS: 287 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 4:52 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c6a4dd4c712b3e6997b1005e26308e86&mediaType=text

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GLF--LPGA SINGAPORE

No 1 Thitikul struggles in the first round of the LPGA Singapore led by Kim

SUMMARY: Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul has struggled during the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship. She shot a 1-over 73 to trail the leader by seven strokes. Thitikul won last week’s LPGA tournament in her native Thailand and is among nine out of the top 10 players entered in the Singapore LPGA stop. American Auston Kim has birdied two of her final three holes for a 66 and a one-stroke lead over China’s Yan Liu. Five players are tied for third with 68s including No. 12-ranked Haeran Ryu. Defending champion Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson shot 70s.

WORDS: 295 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 4:32 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cad115a9d3562e410db34efd4e9ea9c7&mediaType=text

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HKN--QUENNEVILLE-1000 WINS

Joel Quenneville reaches 1,000 victories, joining Scotty Bowman in an elite club for NHL coaches

SUMMARY: Joel Quenneville became the second coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games when his Anaheim Ducks rallied to beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5. Quenneville joined Scotty Bowman in this exclusive hockey club with a milestone win Wednesday night in the Ducks’ first game back from the Olympic break. Bowman became the first coach to reach the mark in 1997. The 67-year-old Quenneville has made a successful return to the NHL this season in Anaheim after a four-year absence from the league following his resignation from the Florida Panthers in late 2021 over his inaction during the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual abuse scandal 11 years earlier.

WORDS: 1084 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 2:47 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:892916cc93ed8ff9df64e265141d2908&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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FBN--NFL COMBINE

Quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends speak to reporters Friday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine.

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US--GIRLS’ SPORTS-ACL INJURIES

The ranks of female high school athletes who tore their anterior cruciate ligament are growing fast and researchers are pressing the sports world to take the devastating injury more seriously and trying to bolster prevention efforts.

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW

NYON, Switzerland — UEFA holds the draw for the Champions League from the round of 16 through to final. By Graham Dunbar.

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