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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BKL--AROUND THE WNBA
DESCRIPTION: The expansion Toronto Tempo are struggling for wins in their first season, but help could be on the way soon with the return of Brittney Sykes. The Tempo guard has been out for two months with a left plantar fascia injury she suffered on June 16. Without her, the team has struggled, dropping 10 straight games. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.
UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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CAR--NASCAR-CHASE-LOOKAHEAD
DESCRIPTION: The waning races of NASCAR’s regular season typically are a scramble to make the 16-driver field for the playoffs. But with the return of the Chase this season, the focus has shifted toward the top of the standings, and the progress of two Team Penske drivers. At Richmond Raceway, winner Joey Logano continued his push up the points ladder, and teammate Ryan Blaney moved into second. The top 16 drivers have remained unchanged for the past four races, and the grid for the 10-race title run seems stable heading to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. By Nate Ryan. Text, file photos.
UPCOMING: By 08/17/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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FBC--TOP 25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL-THE LATEST
The Latest: Ohio State and Oregon are 1-2 in preseason Top 25 college football poll
SUMMARY: Ohio State and Oregon are 1-2 in the AP Top 25, giving the Big Ten Conference the top two teams in the preseason rankings for just the second time ever. Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas round out the top 5. The Southeastern Conference gets bragging rights with nine ranked teams, but the Big Ten isn’t far behind with eight. The Top 25 voters are more than 60 journalists covering college football for AP members and other news organizations. They’re urged to base their votes on head-to-head results, not reputation, preseason speculation or regional bias.
WORDS: 1468 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 12:25 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ae887182db346456a976c1de1eb32a54&mediaType=text
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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL
Ohio State and Oregon are 1-2 in the AP preseason Top 25, SEC leads conferences with 9 ranked teams
SUMMARY: Ohio State and Oregon give the Big Ten Conference the top two teams in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason rankings for the first time in 65 years. The Buckeyes received 40 first-place votes in the poll of 69 media members. Oregon was No. 1 on 14 ballots. Ohio State is now tied with Alabama for second most preseason No. 1 rankings behind Oklahoma’s 10. Oregon has its highest preseason ranking in program history. Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas round out the top five. Defending national champion Indiana is No. 6 and followed by Miami, Texas A&M, Mississippi and Oklahoma.
WORDS: 953 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd5dd1c058fab6047510f09e18b035f1&mediaType=text
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SOC--BARCELONA-RODRI
Rodri set to arrive as Barcelona finalize transfer of Spain captain from Man City
SUMMARY: Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Rodri is set to arrive in Barcelona to seal his transfer from Manchester City to the Catalan club. Rodri is expected to undergo a medical as Barcelona and City exchange documentation to finalize the deal. Barcelona agreed to a deal worth $88.5 million, a person with knowledge of the transaction confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the transfer have not been made public. The 30-year-old midfielder Rodri helped Spain secure its second World Cup title last month and will join international teammates Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi and Pedri at the Catalan club.
WORDS: 338 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 9:45 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8ecbc49c58169ac1da95e48d268945e&mediaType=text
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SOC--FRANCE-SEASON PREVIEW
PSG favorite to win another French title with spending power unmatched by rivals in Ligue 1
WORDS: 937 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 7:32 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c60c91c3f5d5c2da4bf5727fa47d52a&mediaType=text
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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL
AL wild-card race looks like a mess. It could be lots of fun
SUMMARY: The American League playoff race is heating up with seven teams vying for the final wild-card spot, all with records below .500. As of Sunday, the Baltimore Orioles would make the playoffs with a 61-63 record. They’re closely followed by the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners. The Houston Astros also are in the mix with a slight advantage in the AL West. Many of these teams were sellers at the trade deadline, but at least one might still play in October. Only three teams in MLB history have made the playoffs with a losing record and all of them came during shortened seasons.
WORDS: 723 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a480c957c2e0d9cb95b01a0a70ccab40&mediaType=text
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SOC--RONALDO-RETIREMENT PLAN
‘This is probably my last year in football,’ says Cristiano Ronaldo
SUMMARY: Cristiano Ronaldo says this Saudi Pro League season is likely to be the last of his professional career. The 41-year-old superstar’s contract with Riyadh club Al-Nassr expires next June and he has told Vogue magazine that another is unlikely. Ronaldo says “This is probably my last year of football and I want to leave a spectacular legacy. The Portugal forward has scored 976 career goals. He married long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez earlier this month.
WORDS: 392 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 5:59 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3510e4bb1bc90bfe636f94754efd4805&mediaType=text
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SOC--ENGLAND-SEASON PREVIEW
Premier League is back and uncertainty pervades start of post-Guardiola era
WORDS: 1015 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 4:20 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bdbcc7ccf89a8acf674e3e5df6258a1d&mediaType=text
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AP Sports Extra: Preseason AP Top 25 A paginated look at the preseason AP Top 25 is available in both AP Newsroom. It can be found by searching “Sports Extra” under the Graphics tab. The pages are designed to be used any time before the start of the season. Please contact Barry Bedlan at bbedlan@ap.org with any questions.
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MOVING TOMORROW
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FBC--AP PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
The Associated Press releases its preseason All-America teams in college football.
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FBC--PICK SIX-AWARDS
Early predictions for the top player awards, including the Heisman.
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FBN--NFL-OLD GUYS
At 34 years old, Patriots right tackle Morgan Moses was the old man on New England’s offensive line last season. But it didn’t stop him from starting all 21 games his team played during its Super Bowl run. A big reason? The Patriots meticulously crafted a program for him that featured little practice and lots of off-field treatment to preserve him for games. Because they take fewer hits, quarterbacks and kickers have regularly played into their late 30s and early 40s, most notably Tom Brady and George Blanda. But with Moses back at 35 and Aaron Donald flirting with coming out of retirement at the same age, could 35 the new 30 for NFL linemen if it’s managed properly?
