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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BKW--MARCH MADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament: Games (tipoff times Eastern, text and photos planned): Fort Worth, Texas: 2 Michigan vs. 1 Texas, 7 p.m. By Stephen Hawkins. Sacramento, Calif.: 3 TCU vs. 1 South Carolina, 9 p.m. By Doug Feinberg.

UPCOMING: By 03/30/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text, DigitalPlans, Photo

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HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-TORTORELLA

DESCRIPTION: Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella and general manager Kelly McCrimmon meet with the media for the first time since Tortorella was hired as the coach on Sunday.

UPCOMING: By 03/30/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKC--MARCH MADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the men’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: BKC--NCAA-Things To Know -- Arizona, Michigan and Duke had looked like a clear top tier in college basketball as conference play began. Yet only the Wildcats and Wolverines have reached the sport’s biggest stage, joined by UConn and Illinois at the Final Four. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos. BKC--NCAA-Arizona-Peat -- Koa Peat has been a winner throughout his basketball career. He won four state titles in high school in Arizona and became the first player to win four international gold medals at the junior level. So when Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was trying to entice Peat to play for the Wildcats, he pitched him on helping the school end a 25-year Final Four drought. By Josh Dubow. Text, photos by 1 p.m. PDT BKC--NCAA-Championship Data -- A look at the key data points emerging from the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament and heading into the Final Four. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos by 3 p.m. BKC—NCAA-Michigan Advances -- Michigan coach Dusty May remembers watching Rumeal Robinson and the Wolverines win the national championship in 1989. He also remembers the cultural effect of the Fab Five on college basketball. Now he is looking to make his own history at the school, taking a new generation of high-scoring Wolverines to the Final Four. By Jay Cohen. Text, photos. BKC--NCAA-Last-Second History -- Braylon Mullins etched his name into NCAA Tournament lore with his 35-footer that improbably sent UConn to the Final Four. Now it’s time to research just how rare this type of shot was -- one that occurred in the Elite Eight or later, and turned a loss into a win. By Noah Trister. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/30/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, DigitalPlans, Photo

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FBN--SUPER BOWL-LAS VEGAS

DESCRIPTION: Las Vegas is expected to be awarded the 2029 Super Bowl. Story on reaction by Las Vegas and Raiders officials only if the NFL awards the city the big game.

UPCOMING: By 03/30/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--US-RICHARDS-TSA

US defender Chris Richards on what makes America unique: `Maybe the TSA lines’

SUMMARY: Ahead of the World Cup, Chris Richards has a new take on what makes America unique. “Maybe the TSA lines right now, that’s pretty American,” the U.S. defender said ahead of a World Cup warmup match against Portugal. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Richards lives much of the year in London, where he plays for English club Crystal Palace. He arrived in the U.S. last week for a pair of national team friendlies in Atlanta. France coach Didier Deschamps also referred to security, saying “we spent an incredible amount of time at the airport, with checks that I’ve never seen in my life.”

WORDS: 332 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 1:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:83dc51e1d0243faa1bd86a656ab3bd4e&mediaType=text

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BKL--CONNECTICUT-HOUSTON SALE

Connecticut Sun reach deal to sell to Rockets owner for $300 million, move team to Houston in 2027

SUMMARY: The Connecticut Sun say they will move to Houston in 2027 after reaching an agreement to sell the team to Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta in a deal worth a record $300 million, according to a person familiar with the sale. The WNBA Board of Governors still needs to approve the sale and the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the sale. The team will play in Connecticut for the upcoming season before moving to Houston and becoming the Comets again.

WORDS: 932 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 1:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:27bb1118f65d49d651a69a90da8a2ada&mediaType=text

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BBO--OBIT-KEN CLAY

Ken Clay, who pitched on Yankees’ world championship teams in 1977-78, dies at age 71

SUMMARY: Ken Clay, who won World Series championships with the New York Yankees in 1977-78 to highlight his five-year major league career, has died at the age of 71. The executive medical director for a medical facility in Lynchburg, Virginia, said Clay died Thursday at home in Lynchburg. Clay’s cause of death was related to heart and kidney issues. Clay made 111 appearances in the majors and was 10-24 with three saves and a 4.68 ERA. He had a run of legal problems after his playing career ended.

WORDS: 429 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 12:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5826f012a83837720da6ea5bc23b1e40&mediaType=text

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US--TRANSGENDER ATHLETES-MINNESOTA

Trump administration sues Minnesota over transgender athletes in girls sports

SUMMARY: The Trump administration has carried out on a threat to sue the state of Minnesota and its school athletics governing body for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. The Justice Department alleges in a lawsuit filed Monday that the state Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are violating Title IX, a federal law against sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal money. The administration has filed similar lawsuits against Maine and California, and threatened the federal funding of some universities, including San Jose State in California and the University of Pennsylvania.

WORDS: 425 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 12:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2b7800fe6a84e5514eafefc3869d313&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROBOT UMPIRES

Through MLB’s first weekend, Salvador Perez and the Royals are ABS winners

SUMMARY: Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals have been baseball’s best at utilizing their robot challenges through the first weekend of the Automated Ball-Strike System. Perez topped all catchers by going 4-0 on challenges, while San Francisco’s Heliot Ramos and Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suárez were the only batters who went 2-0 — Suárez won his appeals on consecutive pitches. Three-time MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels is 3-1 on challenges. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. was the only batter who went 0-2. Kansas City and Arizona were the only perfect teams, with the Royals 4-0 and Arizona 3-0. Houston was 0-6 and St. Louis was 0-3.

WORDS: 462 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 12:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84b1264a86df1d13db1bdcd72b009568&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-MEETINGS

NFL set to begin hiring and training replacement officials, AP sources say

SUMMARY: The NFL is moving forward with plans to begin hiring and training replacement officials in the next several weeks because negotiations with the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the conversations are private. The league and the NFL Referees Association have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024. The current CBA expires on May 31. The NFL has increased its offer to a 6.45% annual growth rate in compensation over a six-year labor deal, but the NFLRA wants 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, the people said.

WORDS: 609 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 12:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:501bf4642dfef36623d5a5f190f783ff&mediaType=text

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BKC--FINAL FOUR

The Final Four is set as UConn stuns Duke to join Illinois, Arizona and Michigan

SUMMARY: The Final Four is set. Illinois will face UConn and Michigan will take on Arizona next Saturday, with the winners squaring off two nights later for the national title. The Arizona-Michigan game is a matchup of top seeds. UConn, after a 19-point comeback for a 73-72 win over Duke, is seeded second and will play No. 3 seed Illinois. Arizona is the early favorite to take the title next Monday night in Indianapolis, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, followed closely by Michigan. The Huskies beat Duke with a 3-pointer from the logo with 0.4 seconds left by Braylon Mullins, who grew up just outside of Indianapolis.

WORDS: 1000 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 11:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b146dc719122508a18bc7a6be808790c&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP PLAYOFFS EXPLAINER

What to know about the 2026 World Cup playoffs

WORDS: 459 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 10:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c4e9e67e27c634490e6e528ce0ee3618&mediaType=text

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BBO--SPORTS-REPLAY-LANGUAGE

Tapping, twirling and “T” signs: Sports replays have a language all their own

SUMMARY: Every moment of any major sporting event can be dissected in high-definition these days, meaning officials and umpires sometimes seem to be staring at a TV screen to review close calls as much as they’re watching the game. It’s also led to a type of sign language unique to the sports world. There’s the twirling motion with a finger that’s ubiquitous during NBA games when anyone believes their team has been wronged. In the NFL, it’s a red challenge flag thrown by coaches that’s often mimicked by fans. Now Major League Baseball has a new entry to the lexicon: A couple pats on the head for the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System that debuted in regular season games last week.

WORDS: 886 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 10:18 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:41dc39403bd98421eeb8e269d09db424&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-PLAYOFF CHASE-GUIDE

The NBA’s stretch run has arrived. Here’s a look at what’s happening

SUMMARY: The NBA stretch run has arrived. Entering Monday, only 9% of the regular season remains to be played. The five teams in each conference that won’t be going to the play-in or the playoffs are already known, so the focus shifts to seeding for the 20 teams still alive. Monday’s slate includes games with tiebreaker and play-in implications, plus a Lakers game without Luka Doncic because of a suspension. Detroit, Boston, Oklahoma City and San Antonio have playoff spots secured.

WORDS: 716 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 9:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ddff7722599ab29e217d33fd3667c132&mediaType=text

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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

Shelton’s ejection shows technology won’t take the emotions out of ABS reviews

SUMMARY: Minnesota manager Derek Shelton got himself ejected in the ninth inning against Baltimore over a pitch review. With one on and one out and Baltimore up by two Sunday, Ryan Helsley’s 3-2 pitch to Minnesota’s Josh Bell was called a ball. Helsley tapped his hat which is the signal for a challenge and then did so again as if to drive the point home. The replay showed the pitch nicking the outside corner, the call was overturned, Bell was out, and Shelton argued. He was eventually thrown out of the game and Baltimore went on to win 8-6. Shelton told reporters afterward he didn’t think Helsley tapped his hat quickly enough.

WORDS: 646 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8704fb1338579024ef0ec2c7a41e72e8&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-THINGS TO KNOW

March Madness: Here’s a storyline to watch about each of the Final Four teams in the men’s field

SUMMARY: Arizona, Michigan, UConn and Illinois have reached the Final Four. The Wildcats and Wolverines got there as No. 1 seeds. The Huskies are a No. 2 seed. The Fighting Illini are a No. 3 seed. This is Arizona’s first Final Four in a quarter-century since the days of late coach Lute Olson. Michigan has been humming on offense in four tournament games. UConn is in the Final Four for the third time in four seasons dating to the 2023 and 2024 title runs. Illinois is leading the remaining teams in rebounding margin and defensive shooting percentage.

WORDS: 876 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab42cfd7a9de83bdda9c8042977efaf0&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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SOC--WCUP-EUROPE-PLAYOFFS

The last four European teams to qualify for the World Cup will be decided in the finals of the European playoffs.

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BBO--YANKEES-MARINERS

New York plays Seattle at T-Mobile Park. By Andrew Destin.

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