AP Sports Digest

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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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Rayan Cherki is Manchester City’s throwback maverick who is proving an antidote to the overly structured, set piece-heavy juggernaut that is the modern-day Premier League. By Steve Douglas. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 4:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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SOC--UNION BERLIN-COACH

DESCRIPTION: The first female coach in the men’s Bundesliga, Union Berlin’s Marie-Louise Eta, speaks at a pre-game press conference before her debut in charge against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--PAYROLLS

DESCRIPTION: A look at Major League Baseball’s final payroll figures for 2025. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 845 words, photos, interactive.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--EAST PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: The Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning are the most seasoned playoff teams in an Eastern Conference field with lots of new blood. That includes the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders following unexpectedly quick turnarounds, while Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are back after a three-year absence. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--NBA POSTSEASON COVERAGE

BKN--NBA-Play-In Preview — The last two playoff spots will be claimed on Friday. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds.

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BKN--Lakers-Banged Up — LeBron James enters the playoffs as the healthiest Laker, and he is 41. Los Angeles had to shut down Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to end the regular season and it’s unclear how the Lakers will look when they tip-off off the postseason. Greg Beacham. MOVING at 6 a.m. EST

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BKN--Nuggets-Jokic — Still considered the best player in the game by many, Nikola Jokic has proven to be a very tough out at playoff time. Can he bring Denver a second title in four years? By Pat Graham.

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BKN--NBA-Playoff Capsules — Capsule previews and predictions for the NBA first-round playoff series. By Brian Mahoney and Tim Reynolds. (Will be updated Friday night after final play-in games).

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WITH:

BKN-CAVALIERS-HARDEN

DESCRIPTION: CLEVELAND — James Harden is going to the Basketball Hall of Fame, whether he’s a champion or not. Cleveland made a savvy, yet risky move bringing him in this season. Is this his year? By Joe Reedy. 800 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: The quarterfinals of the Europa and Conference Leagues, 2nd leg.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 5:15 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-TORTORELLA

DESCRIPTION: The Vegas Golden Knights head into the NHL playoffs having received the spark from the coaching change to John Tortorella that management wanted.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--WEST PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Three of the NHL’s top 10 teams are all in the Central Division, a brutal test for the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild. Then there’s Connor McDavid and the back-to-back Western Conference-champion Edmonton Oilers looking to finally break through and win the Stanley Cup, doing so on a Pacific Division side that looks like an easier path through the playoffs. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--BLACKHAWKS-FUTURE

DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — Connor Bedard is expected to sign a multiyear contract with the Chicago Blackhawks this summer. It also looks as if he is going to be named the franchise’s 36th captain. That’s the easy part for Chicago. The rest of the picture for the rebuilding Blackhawks is far more complicated. By Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 600 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--NFL DRAFT PREVIEWS

DESCRIPTION: Draft stories planned on each of the 32 teams, including a breakdown of their needs in the draft.

UPCOMING: By 04/16/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--METS-DODGERS

Ohtani skips the bat, keeps the heat: 10 strikeouts as Dodgers send Mets to a 7th straight loss

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani pitched six strong innings, striking out 10, as the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the New York Mets 8-2. It was New York’s seventh straight loss. Ohtani allowed his first earned run since Aug. 27, ending a 33-inning streak. He wasn’t in the batting lineup due to soreness from being hit by a pitch Monday. The Dodgers swept the Mets at home for the first time since 2017. Dalton Rushing hit his first career grand slam in the eighth. Hyeseong Kim, Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker also homered to lead the Dodgers’ 12-hit attack. The Dodgers improved to 18-4 on Jackie Robinson Day.

WORDS: 477 - MOVED: 04/16/2026 12:59 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a12689694e4e2db4a768bd960125737e&mediaType=text

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BKN--WARRIORS-CLIPPERS

Stephen Curry, Al Horford lead Warriors past Clippers 126-121 with a huge play-in comeback

SUMMARY: Stephen Curry scored 27 of his 35 points in the second half, Al Horford hit four 3-pointers during Golden State’s electrifying fourth-quarter comeback and the Warriors advanced in the NBA’s play-in tournament with a 126-121 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Curry’s seventh 3-pointer broke a tie with 50.4 seconds to play for the 10th-seeded Warriors, who erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Golden State finished the game on a 16-6 run and held Kawhi Leonard scoreless in the fourth until the final 16 seconds. Leonard scored 21 points for the Clippers, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

WORDS: 459 - MOVED: 04/16/2026 12:58 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6711e6de1eed44e5b7ea667f6f38f4b3&mediaType=text

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BBO--WHITE SOX-SINGER COLLAPSES

Singer leading Jackie Robinson festivities collapses before White Sox game against Rays

SUMMARY: A singer leading the “Jackie Robinson Day” festivities before the Chicago White Sox’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays collapsed and was taken to a hospital. The White Sox said Gerald Chaney, a longtime anthem performer, was “doing well” while continuing to be evaluated. He collapsed while performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and the team said he was alert before leaving Rate Field. Chaney was a few words into the hymn considered the Black national anthem when he stopped. He started again and collapsed. Emergency medical technicians tended to Chaney for several minutes before he was loaded onto a gurney and taken from the field. The teams watched from their dugouts. The start of the game was delayed 12 minutes.

WORDS: 243 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 11:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed48379e9c9432a8c514267e58801226&mediaType=text

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BKN--MAGIC-76ERS

Tyrese Maxey scores 31 and Sixers beat Magic 109-97 in play-in game, advance to series vs. Celtics

SUMMARY: Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, V.J. Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers weathered the absence of Joel Embiid to beat the Orlando Magic 109-97 and secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Sixers moved on to a first-round series that begins Sunday at Boston. Desmond Bane and the Magic aren’t done yet. They will host Charlotte on Friday night with the winner earning the No. 8 seed in the East and a first-round matchup with Detroit. Embiid had an emergency appendectomy last week in Houston.

WORDS: 464 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 10:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5c2f039fc97e2586c969b9f595a22b9a&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-BALL-ADEBAYO

NBA says LaMelo Ball’s takedown of Bam Adebayo should have been called flagrant, merited ejection

SUMMARY: The NBA says Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball should have been ejected for an uncalled flagrant foul when he reached out and tugged on the ankle of Miami’s Bam Adebayo. The foul caused a back injury that forced Adebayo out of a play-in tournament game that the Heat ultimately lost to Ball and the Hornets. The league said Ball made “unnecessary and reckless contact” with Adebayo on Tuesday night. Ball was fined $60,000 for the foul and for using profanity in an interview, but he remains eligible to play in the Hornets’ elimination game Friday against Orlando.

WORDS: 443 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 10:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce18d6de79abdfef6a32e78a8e14f347&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV GOLF

LIV Golf leader says the show will go on amid reports of Saudi funding uncertainty

SUMMARY: The CEO of LIV Golf is seeking to quell speculation about the Saudi-funded league’s financial status by saying the rest of the season will go on interrupted. Scott O’Neil’s memo to the staff says LIV will be at full throttle as it heads into the heart of the season. The memo follows a long day of reports that suggested Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund was on the verge of cutting its support. LIV Golf is in Mexico City this week for its sixth tournament of the year. Left unclear in the memo was how much longer the funding would last.

WORDS: 788 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 9:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8fa932ade38658c54238aa563a4307d3&mediaType=text

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MMA--ROUSEY-CARANO

Rousey gets Carano a big payday, and a chance to remind people of her fighting career

SUMMARY: Ronda Rousey remembers once hearing that Gina Carano was being paid six figures to fight, amazed that a woman could earn that kind of coin in mixed martial arts. It was a pretty big deal to Carano, too. The $120,000 she said she got to headline against Cris “Cyborg” Justino in 2009 in her last bout was quite a jump from the $1,000 she said she earned from her first. The pioneers will earn significantly more when they end their lengthy layoffs to face each other May 16 in Inglewood, California. But Carano said the opportunity for her meant far more than a paycheck. This is the chance for the fighter-turned-actor to write an ending to her MMA journey, and for that she thanked Rousey.

WORDS: 785 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 9:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fc48f14dddb2426bb07232f891e65e70&mediaType=text

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FBN--REPLACEMENT REFS

Likelihood of NFL replacement refs enters new stage with background checks, physicals

SUMMARY: The NFL’s process of hiring replacement referees has reached another stage, according to a memo sent to teams. Several replacement officials have completed hiring steps including background checks and will soon progress to undergoing physical exams per a memo sent to teams on Wednesday that was obtained by The Associated Press. Training sessions with NFL officiating supervisors would then begin as early as next month. The league has undertaken these steps because negotiations with the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press last month. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversations are private.

WORDS: 306 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 9:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2034c48ace553639db83e8667f3d9b03&mediaType=text

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BBO--JACKIE ROBINSON DAY

MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day as every player wears No. 42 on anniversary of his historic debut

SUMMARY: Major League Baseball is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day with every player, coach and umpire wearing his No. 42 to mark the 79th anniversary of the infielder breaking the sport’s color barrier. Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He went on to win Rookie of the Year honors, become a six-time All-Star and the 1949 National League MVP. He played in six World Series, and won his only championship in 1955 with the Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets gathered at Robinson’s statue in centerfield to reflect on his legacy at Dodger Stadium.

WORDS: 857 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 8:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d58cb4b13ee04db99c6adf28e32a5407&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Shohei Ohtani pitches but doesn’t bat for first time since 2021. He’s still sore from a hit-by-pitch

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani was the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night but he was held out of the lineup as designated hitter. It’s the first time since May 28, 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels that Ohtani has not been in the batting lineup during a mound start. Ohtani is still sore from being struck on the back of his right shoulder by a pitch from the New York Mets’ David Peterson on Monday. Manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani has felt progressively better. But the training staff, coaches and Roberts felt it was better for him not to hit.

WORDS: 554 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 8:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3bb92638788b4a12a48c424af667e5a8&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE–BAYERN-MUNICH-REAL MADRID

Bayern Munich beats Real Madrid 4-3 to reach Champions League semifinals

SUMMARY: Luis Díaz and Michael Olise scored late for the Bavarian powerhouse to beat Madrid 4-3 and advance to the Champions League semifinals. The second-leg quarterfinal game ended in acrimony with Madrid’s players furious that the referee sent off Eduardo Camavinga in the 86th minute for an innocuous challenge on Harry Kane. Díaz scored three minutes later and Olise ended the contest definitively in stoppage time to give Bayern a 6-4 win on aggregate after the Bavarian powerhouse won the first leg of their quarterfinal 2-1. Bayern will play defending champion Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.

WORDS: 814 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 7:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6a3dd781a30ef14e156670de6040a825&mediaType=text

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US--NCAA ELIGIBILITY RULES

NCAA urges further study of change that would start eligibility at HS graduation or age 19

SUMMARY: The NCAA confirmed it is exploring a move to an age-based eligibility model that would give athletes a window of five years for Division I competition starting immediately after their high school graduation or 19th birthday, whichever comes first. The Division I Cabinet discussed the possibility during meetings that concluded Wednesday but did not take a formal position on it. The Cabinet supports having NCAA staff continue to discuss the idea with other stakeholders to gather feedback. Currently, athletes generally are allowed four seasons of competition over five years with no age restrictions.

WORDS: 433 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 7:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3809deb9471c004a4b33ea0b82bf903&mediaType=text

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FBC--TEXAS-MANNING

Texas QB Arch Manning says he’s feeling ’100 percent’ after foot surgery

SUMMARY: Texas quarterback Arch Manning is doing light workouts so far in spring practice following offseason foot surgery. But he said Wednesday that his body is as strong as it’s been since he had what school officials said was a minor procedure in January. Manning says he feels “100 percent” and if the Longhorns had a game, he’d be playing. Manning is coming off his first season as the Longhorns’ full-time starter. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning passed for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for 10 TDs in 2025.

WORDS: 413 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 7:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:852c8691ce30a80d852e348de7797222&mediaType=text

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HKN--PLAYOFFS-GRAND CENTRAL

NHL’s disputed playoff format ought to make for a grand entrance for the Central Division this year

SUMMARY: The current concentration of power in the Western Conference makes the Central Division a good bet to be the star of the show in these Stanley Cup playoffs. The bracket ensures two of the conference’s top three teams in Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota will be ousted by the second round. The current format that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is committed to was brought back with the 2013-14 season. This will be the third time in 13 years of the current format that the top three teams in one conference were all in the same division.

WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 5:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:28c3aa05d3a8b977a532aa2bb0648d4b&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-ARSENAL-SPORTING LISBON

Arsenal outlasts Sporting Lisbon to set up Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid

SUMMARY: It’s back-to-back Champions League semifinals for Arsenal. A 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal advance 1-0 on aggregate and set up a clash with Atletico Madrid in the last four of European club soccer’s top competition.It means a Premier League and Champions League double remains on for Mikel Arteta’s team, despite a slump in form in recent weeks.Arsenal has never won the European Cup and only once reached the final. But it is now just two games away from this year’s showpiece in Budapest, Hungary.

WORDS: 510 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 5:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:704b3bfdbaf58b4403f875e3832e23db&mediaType=text

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US--NYPD FATAL COOLER THROW-ISLANDERS

Islanders promo raises funds for ex-NYPD officer convicted of manslaughter, angering victim’s family

SUMMARY: The New York Islanders are facing criticism for promoting a fundraiser for a former New York City police sergeant who was convicted of manslaughter. The promotion was shown on the jumbotron during Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. It urged fans to donate to Erik Duran’s legal defense. Duran was sentenced to three to nine years in prison last week for causing the death of Eric Duprey by throwing a cooler at him in 2023. The team said it would direct a quarter of proceeds from a raffle to Duran’s defense. It included a QR code for other direct contributions. Duprey’s family criticized the move as insensitive. The Islanders have not commented.

WORDS: 552 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 5:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:969f09a49df89cb7388308f606ca2fe5&mediaType=text

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SOC--INFANTINO-IRAN-WORLD-CUP

FIFA president Infantino says Iran will participate in World Cup ‘for sure’ despite war

SUMMARY: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will participate in the World Cup “for sure” despite its war with the United States. Speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, Infantino said it is important that Iran participates in the World Cup even though its participation has been in doubt since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on the country. Infantino met with the Iranian national team in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks ago and said Wednesday he was impressed.

WORDS: 300 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 5:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4854d5588b7985d2fb0a6c638f8e42b5&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-DURAN

MLB and Twins are investigating Jarren Duran’s allegation that a fan told him to kill himself

SUMMARY: The Minnesota Twins and Major League Baseball are investigating Jarren Duran’s allegation that a fan he pointed his middle finger at during a game had told the Boston Red Sox outfielder to kill himself. Duran made the gesture as he returned to the dugout after a fifth-inning groundout in Boston’s 6-0 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday night at Target Field. MLB confirmed it’s investigating, per standard practice of reviewing the conduct of both the player and the fan before determining any potential discipline. Duran discussed bouts with severe depression and a suicide attempt in a Netflix documentary series that debuted last year.

WORDS: 504 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4e7674821eb6be6216571c9464120e57&mediaType=text

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GLF--RBC HERITAGE-PREVIEW

Hilton Head a time to exhale and move on from the Masters

SUMMARY: The Masters is over and it’s time to move on. That’s the approach of Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young at the RBC Heritage. It’s always been known as the best tournament to decompress after the Masters. Scheffler won it two years ago as the Masters champion. Young says this is no time to take the foot off the gas. Both had great chances last week. Scheffler was 12 back going into the weekend and finished one behind. Young had to settle for nine pars in a row. Masters champion Rory McIlroy is skipping this event at Hilton Head for the second straight year.

WORDS: 813 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 4:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7b125a770ed7b147517c633f390998c7&mediaType=text

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SOC-LIONEL MESSI LAWSUIT

Lionel Messi accused of breaching $7 million contract by sitting out a Florida soccer friendly

SUMMARY: Lionel Messi is being sued by a Miami-based event promoter, saying the international soccer icon violated terms of a $7 million contract by missing an exhibition match last year. Court records show that Vid Music Group filed the lawsuit for fraud and breach of contract against Messi, as well as the Argentine Football Association, in Miami-Dade circuit court last month. Messi and the AFA didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Considered one of the greatest soccer players ever, Messi plays as a forward for both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and Argentina’s national team.

WORDS: 347 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 4:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:de3c349323fb3aa9ba5d4036d82c79df&mediaType=text

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BBC--BETHUNE-COOKMAN-GIANT SLAYERS

Bethune-Cookman baseball team proves money doesn’t always buy happiness. Just ask these SEC powers

SUMMARY: Bethune-Cookman has pulled two of the biggest upsets of the college baseball season the last two weeks. The small private school from the historically Black colleges and universities ranks has knocked off two nationally ranked opponents from the Southeastern Conference. The Wildcats posted a 13-7 victory Tuesday against the Florida Gators. That followed a 10-7 win over the defending national champion LSU Tigers. The wins were huge for a program that runs on a shoestring budget, plays in one of the weakest conferences and draws an average of 87 fans to home games.

WORDS: 639 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 4:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d37d7d391503b2c157de9268afed4fcb&mediaType=text

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GYM--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

A resurgent Georgia and a resilient Arkansas are back at the NCAA gymnastics championships

SUMMARY: Cecile Landi has revitalized Georgia’s gymnastics program since leaving elite coaching two years ago. Landi, who coached two-time Olympic champion Simone Biles, and the Bulldogs are making their first appearance at the NCAA championships since 2019 after a strong performance at regionals. The field includes defending national champion Oklahoma along with powerhouses Florida, LSU, and UCLA. Yet the return of Georgia and the resurgence of Arkansas under Olympic gold-medal-winning coach Jordyn Wieber is offering proof that the playing field at the NCAA level may be evening out.

WORDS: 1035 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 4:01 p.m. EDT

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BKL--ACES-WILSON

Aces re-sign four-time MVP A’ja Wilson to lock in their dynasty core

SUMMARY: The defending champion Las Vegas Aces have completed the process of bringing back their core group by re-signing four-time MVP A’ja Wilson on Wednesday. ESPN reports it’s a three-year, $5 million supermax contract that is the most lucrative in WNBA history. Wilson was named WNBA MVP and The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year last season. The Aces also have re-signed Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd, among other key contributors to their third title in four seasons. Also Wednesday, the Aces signed guard Chennedy Carter to a training camp contract. She last played in the WNBA in 2024 with Chicago and averaged 17.4 points and 3.4 assists.

WORDS: 409 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 3:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4fe3fee501478845581b642837978cd&mediaType=text

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BBO--TIGERS-MCGONIGLE CONTRACT

Tigers and rookie Kevin McGonigle agree to an $150 million, 8-year contract starting in 2027

SUMMARY: Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle has agreed to a $150 million, eight-year contract starting in 2027. The 21-year-old infielder made his major league debut on March 26 and has been impressive, hitting .311 with one homer and eight RBIs in 17 games. McGonigle is the fourth top prospect to secure a big-money deal since late March, following contracts for Konnor Griffin, Colt Emerson and Cooper Pratt. His deal includes a $14 million signing bonus and covers the first three seasons after he would have been eligible for free agency. McGonigle was drafted 37th overall in 2023.

WORDS: 659 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 3:24 p.m. EDT

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FBN--NFL DRAFT-LATE ROUND JACKPOT

The NFL’s best teams use Day 3 of the draft to build winning rosters

SUMMARY: Winning Day 3 of the NFL draft is a building block for success in the league. While most of the draft buzz centers on top prospects who can make an immediate impact, evaluating players for the later rounds is a crucial part of the process. Early-round picks generate excitement, get bigger contracts and bring higher expectations. Star power sells tickets and merchandise. But rosters are built and sustained with players drafted on Saturday when the fourth through seventh rounds take place. Teams that consistently contend find players who can contribute in those rounds. These are the guys who play key roles on special teams, can develop into starters and provide needed depth.

WORDS: 965 - MOVED: 04/15/2026 3:16 p.m. EDT

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