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.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

HKN--BLACKHAWKS-BEDARD

DESCRIPTION: Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard meets with the media for the first time since he agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract. He also is making his first public comments since he had surgery on his left shoulder. By Jay Cohen.

UPCOMING: By 07/20/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

BKL--AROUND THE WNBA

WNBA All-Star weekend clouded by 2 injuries as Paige Bueckers sits and Angel Reese limps off

SUMMARY: It was a rough week for WNBA All-Stars heading into the game this weekend. Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese both were injured Sunday. Bueckers had a rough collision with Nneka Ogwumike in the fourth quarter of Dallas’ game against Los Angeles. The second-year star guard won’t play Monday night against New York. Reese’s knee buckled as she jump-stopped at the basket. She fell to the ground. Reese got up quickly, but went down again after a few seconds. She went back to the bench but didn’t return. The Dream are off now through the All-Star break and Reese was voted a reserve for the team by the league’s coaches.

WORDS: 541 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 1:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b54726710ef2d4029ab81faa23ae336d&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR-LOGANO’S STREAK

Logano hopes win at North Wilkesboro propels him back into hunt for fourth Cup Series championship

SUMMARY: Joey Logano snapped a 45-race winless streak by dominating at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The 36-year-old driver had been struggling this season, raising doubts about his playoff chances. On Sunday, he led 323 of 450 laps, leaving second-place finisher Denny Hamlin impressed. Logano’s team seems to have mastered the setup for this short track, giving him the confidence to win. Now safely inside the playoff cutline, Logano hopes his first victory of the season will propel him toward a fourth championship. Crew chief Paul Wolfe aims to boost Logano’s performance on other tracks as they prepare for the end of the regular season.

WORDS: 895 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 1:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d16b83d76a10823d016d1f27f78b6ecc&mediaType=text

___

FBN-EAGLES-BARKLEY-HOME BREAK-IN

Police seek people responsible for break-in at Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley’s home

SUMMARY: Police are searching for people responsible for a weekend break-in at the home of Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Authorities in Tredyffrin Township, Pennsylvania, responded to the burglary early Saturday. They said those responsible had fled by the time police arrived. Barkley and his family were unharmed. Police released a photo of a white SUV that may be involved. The Chester County District Attorney’s office is assisting in the investigation. They are asking the public to check home security cameras for suspicious activity from early Saturday. Police and the district attorney’s office have not responded to requests for comment.

WORDS: 374 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 1:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:801bfbdc2293ee1861b3d9b1247420ae&mediaType=text

___

FBC--SEC-SANKEY

Could the SEC really break away? Commish says conversations are real but that’s not what they want

SUMMARY: Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC is having serious talks about breaking away from the NCAA. On Monday, Sankey explained that school presidents are frustrated and considering significant changes. However, he emphasized that this isn’t their preferred solution. The SEC is dealing with issues like Congressional legislation, new eligibility rules, and transparency around player payments. Despite these challenges, Sankey highlighted the league’s 13 national championships last season as a reason to stay within the current framework. He believes there’s value in participating in a national organization.

WORDS: 621 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 1:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d36e8c65103cb0475d174756cb7adfa&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-SPAIN-CELEBRATION

Spain’s World Cup champions return home for royal welcome and parade through Madrid

SUMMARY: Spain’s World Cup-winning players have returned to the country. The 26-man squad were greeted by the Spanish royal palace and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ahead of a parade through central Madrid. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to greet them as the team travels from Moncloa Palace to Cibeles Square. Spain secured the trophy on Sunday by defeating Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey. It is the country’s second men’s World Cup title, following the 2010 victory in South Africa. Celebrations erupted in Madrid with thousands of supporters filling the streets immediately after. However, the festivities were dampened by the death of a 13-year-old in Salamanca during celebrations.

WORDS: 497 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 1:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cd1705a614f6ffd79da5e217f63faaaa&mediaType=text

___

BKL--SPUTTERING SKY

Sky working through some issues as WNBA All-Star Game returns to Chicago

SUMMARY: The WNBA All-Star Game returns to Chicago this weekend. The spotlight that goes along with hosting one of the league’s marquee events is shining on a sputtering Chicago Sky franchise in the middle of another challenging season. The organization had no players selected for Saturday’s game at the United Center. Chicago is 5-5 in its past 10 games and 9-17 overall going into Wednesday’s game at New York. The Sky were scheduled to move into a new practice facility ahead of this season, but it isn’t expected to be finished until November now. That meant shifting some of this week’s All-Star activities to the Obama Presidential Center.

WORDS: 713 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 12:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c800ceee7ac25d291c8a1a7cd5747dd7&mediaType=text

___

US--TRUMP-REFLECTING-POOL

Ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool gets Sept. 28 trial date

SUMMARY: A judge in the nation’s capital has set a September trial date for a former Olympic canoe racer charged with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman scheduled a Sept. 28 trial for David Hearn during a hearing Monday. A grand jury indicted Hearn on a felony count of property destruction. Hearn has pleaded not guilty. The case against the Bethesda, Maryland, resident stems from a troubled multimillion-dollar renovation project championed by President Donald Trump, a Republican who claims vandals have damaged the pool. Hearn and his supporters say his prosecution is a politically motivated attempt by the Trump administration to scapegoat him.

WORDS: 459 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 12:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7d1621dd8e8128c01cf2ec478cec05a7&mediaType=text

___

FBC--MICHIGAN-MANUEL

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel agrees to buyout after probe, will step down at end of 2026

SUMMARY: The University of Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel have agreed to a buyout of the remaining years on his contract and he will step down at the end of the year. The decision culminates a decade-long run with four national championships and a string of scandals. The school says the decision was tied to investigations into former football coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with his executive assistant and a probe into the athletic department’s culture. Manuel led a department behind this year’s men’s basketball title and a football program that won the 2023 national championship.

WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 11:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a994ae87b88917de18dbb9437d34031f&mediaType=text

___

TEN--WTA-TRANSGENDER

WTA introduces gene testing for all players on women’s tennis tour

SUMMARY: The Women’s Tennis Association is introducing one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players effective from Tuesday – a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The WTA has updated its women’s eligibility policy to include gender screening “based on biological sex” this week “to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players.” The new policy takes the organization in line with the eligibility policy introduced by the IOC in March to align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

WORDS: 295 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 11:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1f4efb8c070a031eb54e935deb0bbe23&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-SPAIN DOMINANCE

Sticking to its tactical identity and collective talent, Spain reigning supreme atop soccer world

SUMMARY: Spanish soccer has reached a level of its own. Spain’s World Cup victory on Sunday added to the nation’s long list of recent triumphs across men’s, women’s and youth competitions. It highlighted the dominance of a system that has stuck to a tactical identity and the development of collective talent. The men’s team is also the current European champion, the Olympic gold medalist and has reached the Nations League final twice, winning once. The women’s squad is the defending World Cup champion and a two-time Nations League winner, and it made it to the final of the 2025 European Championship.

WORDS: 1033 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 10:20 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84c8ec052e4135c1e1e93d58ddd445bc&mediaType=text

___

CAR--F1-YEAR OF THE ALGORITHM

How mystery software quirks are transforming the Formula 1 title race

SUMMARY: The biggest difference maker in Formula 1 this season may not be a supremely talented driver or an all-powerful engine, let alone the spectacular rotating “Macarena” wing. This could be the year of the algorithm. The Belgian Grand Prix was more evidence of how code that the drivers don’t fully understand is shaping — or distorting — the title fight. George Russell blamed a sudden loss of electrical power for dropping him back into a battle with Lewis Hamilton which led to a collision that ended his race.

WORDS: 610 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 8:20 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e0440bce36335f59e9082cae121dc7bd&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP FINAL-BRAWL

Spain’s on-field World Cup celebrations marred by scuffles with Argentina players

SUMMARY: Spain’s celebrations after beating Argentina in the World Cup final turned ugly as players briefly clashed on the field. Video replays showed several players involved in a scuffle, including Argentina defender Leandro Paredes, who appeared to shove Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat. When Spain substitute Gavi jumped in to intervene, Paredes pushed him to the ground. Other players and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni rushed in to deescalate the situation. It wasn’t clear whether any of the players involved would be punished. Spain needed extra time to win Sunday’s final 1-0.

WORDS: 165 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 7:40 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:96a47e04a3485874b808a0ebcd90c76a&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-WHAT NOW?

The World Cup is over. Here’s where to get your next soccer fix

WORDS: 1542 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b37ba9efa8d2f332b4dcffff38c41bb0&mediaType=text

___

BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

Red Sox push winning streak to 13 before hosting the Orioles, who have won 7 straight

SUMMARY: The All-Star break did little to slow down the resurgent Boston Red Sox. Now they’ll take on another streaking AL East team as the race for postseason spots begins to simmer. The Red Sox completed a sweep of division-leading Tampa Bay on Sunday, extending their run to 13 games without a loss. The franchise record is 15 straight wins in 1946. Boston will have a chance to break that this week against a Baltimore team that arrives at Fenway Park on a seven-game winning streak of its own.

WORDS: 605 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26593a9893b42f4812b798d706aa2c01&mediaType=text

___

GLF--BRITISH OPEN-FOX

Ryan Fox and his long and amazing road to British Open champion

SUMMARY: Ryan Fox didn’t turn pro until he was in his 20s and nearly quit as he was getting started. That’s why he had such a hard time grasping his British Open title that made him a major champion. Fox made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Cameron Young at Royal Birkdale. He won on a wild day in which four players had a share of the lead at one point and Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood were on the edges of contention. Fox is the oldest first-time major champion in 10 years.

WORDS: 977 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a5765c85d2ee188527a243485a234bdf&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-TAKEAWAYS

Goals, technology and hydration breaks: How the biggest World Cup in history will be remembered

SUMMARY: The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina marks the end of the biggest tournament in history. On Sunday, a record 104 games will have been played across six weeks and three countries. The expanded 48-team format brought surprises, with Cape Verde, Congo, and Curaçao making headlines. Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup scorer. Video reviews sparked controversy, and high-tech balls led to disallowed goals. Despite high ticket prices, fans filled stadiums. Hydration breaks were unpopular, and Iran’s participation was politically charged. Former President Trump’s involvement raised questions about political interference.

WORDS: 1169 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 3:29 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e45fd30932bb9885812805cafa99ca33&mediaType=text

___

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

FBC--SEC MEDIA DAYS

Coverage of SEC media days in Tampa, Florida, on merit.