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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GLF--ON THE FRINGE-WOODLAND
DESCRIPTION: ST. LOUIS — Gary Woodland has extra security at every tournament to help with spontaneous movement that triggers worrisome thoughts in his brain. It could be a cart off to the side or a drone over his head. Nearly three years after brain surgery, golf isn’t getting easier. And that’s why being at the BMW Championship with a shot at the FedEx Cup finale makes him more proud of any other year. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 800 words, photos. With Golf Notes and Golf Glance.
UPCOMING: By 08/18/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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FBC--BIG TEN PREVIEWS
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: FBC--BIG TEN PREVIEWS
2. DESCRIPTION: Capsule-style season previews for Big Ten teams, approximately 500 words with file photos: Illinois Indiana Iowa Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Nebraska Northwestern Ohio State Oregon Penn State Purdue Rutgers UCLA USC Washington Wisconsin
3. SENT: UPDATES UPCOMING: By 08/18/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: FBC--BIG TEN PREVIEW
5. DESCRIPTION: The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers won the Big Ten and national championship and were the first team in the modern era to go 16-0. They have 10 starters back, the hottest coach in the game and a manageable schedule. It’s Ohio State and Oregon generating most of the preseason buzz, though. By Eric Olson. Text, photos.
6. SENT: By 08/18/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKL--ALL-STAR GAME-SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco’s Chase Center, Valkyries to host 2027 WNBA All-Star Game
SUMMARY: The WNBA All-Star Game is coming to the Bay Area next summer. League Commissioner Cathy Engelbert made the announcement Tuesday that the WNBA showcase game will be held July 31, 2027, at Chase Center after a weekend of All-Star activities across the Bay Area. Hosting world-class events was always in the plans since long before Chase Center opened in 2019. The Valkyries have sold out all of their home games since the franchise’s inception last year — and the team became the first organization to make the playoffs in its inaugural year.
WORDS: 404 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 1:30 p.m. EDT. Will be updated.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8a30c97ab4dc26f7cc7abbc84ea9d8a1&mediaType=text
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SOC--FIFA-EXECUTIVE-LEAVES
AP Interview: Klaveness slams Infantino’s FIFA for firing top executive in ‘management by fear’
SUMMARY: Norway’s soccer federation president accuses FIFA of using fear tactics after the removal of a senior official who opposed FIFA leader Gianni Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan. Lise Klaveness calls the firing of FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour “unacceptable.” Lamour was dismissed after criticizing Infantino’s $20 billion private equity project. Klaveness urges FIFA leaders to resist damaging orders. Lamour’s exit intensifies a crisis for Infantino, who faces backlash from UEFA and other soccer bodies. Klaveness emphasizes the need for accountability and governance in FIFA’s leadership.
WORDS: 945 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 1:26 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:42cb8b80b6c076ea75f409f638ff6c0c&mediaType=text
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TEN--US OPEN-WILD CARDS
Venus Williams gets a US Open singles wild card at 46, with maybe a spot being held for Serena
SUMMARY: Venus Williams was given a wild card into the U.S. Open and the tournament is keeping one on hold — perhaps in case her sister Serena wants to join her. Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, was one of six other women to receive a wild card Tuesday, and the U.S. Tennis Association said the final one is still to be announced. That almost certainly would go to Serena Williams, if she decides she wants to return to the tournament at 44 after hurting her knee at Wimbledon. The 46-year-old Venus Williams becomes the oldest entrant in singles at the U.S. Open since Renee Richards played at 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation.
WORDS: 446 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 1:23 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f08eee83196389da5ec14141e6460fde&mediaType=text
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US--OBIT-RASMUSSEN
ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease
SUMMARY: Bill Rasmussen, who co-founded cable TV sports giant ESPN, has died at the age of 93. ESPN historian Mike Soltys says Rasmussen died Tuesday at his Florida home from the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Rasmussen and his son Scott came up with the idea of a network carrying sports around the clock, and it would revolutionize Americans’ TV-watching habits. ESPN debuted in 1979. But the Rasmussens didn’t stick around long. They were forced out after only a year by ESPN majority owner Getty Oil. Bill Rasmussen and ESPN were estranged until 1999, when company executives invited him to the 20th anniversary celebration. Rasmussen was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025.
WORDS: 777 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 1:14 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8c559f6ee4b88536836f14a5ee9eedb6&mediaType=text
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FBN--CHIEFS-BIENIEMY
Bieniemy jokes wife Mia gave him blessing to rejoin Chiefs after she was shot at their Virginia home
SUMMARY: Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy spoke to reporters on Tuesday for the first time since his wife, Mia, was shot at their Virginia home. Their son has been arrested in the shooting. Bieniemy left the Chiefs to handle the family matter but returned ahead of last week’s preseason opener. He says Mia is on a great road to recovery. While away, Bieniemy stayed connected with the team through streams and calls. He expressed gratitude for the support from the Chiefs family. Elijah faces charges related to the shooting, with court appearances delayed for a mental health evaluation.
WORDS: 675 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 1:09 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d25f70326b7452182e320d6057b38d7d&mediaType=text
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FBN--GIANTS-HARRIS
New York Giants are signing running back Najee Harris, AP source says
SUMMARY: Running back Najee Harris is signing with the New York Giants, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The 28-year-old worked out for the team on Monday. Harris is coming off tearing his left Achilles tendon on a noncontact play in a game on Sept. 21 while with the Los Angeles Chargers. Giants coach John Harbaugh said Harris is not 100% healthy and expected it to be a process to get him up and going if signed. Harris is not far removed from four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with Pittsburgh from 2021-24.
WORDS: 149 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 12:35 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d72bb25457840c5199379596e664557b&mediaType=text
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FBC--AP PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Texas puts 4 players on preseason AP All-America team; 14 of the 27 first-team picks are from SEC
SUMMARY: Texas led all teams with four players named to the preseason Associated Press All-America team and the Southeastern Conference had 14 of the 27 first-team selections. The Big Ten has eight players on the first team led by Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and two of his teammates. Defending national champion Indiana, Georgia and Oklahoma each has two players on the first team as determined by media members on the AP Top 25 voting panel. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the only selection from top-ranked Ohio State.
WORDS: 610 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 12:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6f7447d5ca254b3795dce5ad9564bcc3&mediaType=text
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SOC--REAL MADRID-MOURINHO
Real Madrid officially presents José Mourinho in a closed-door ceremony
SUMMARY: Real Madrid has officially presented coach José Mourinho in an unusual ceremony closed to the media. The event took place at the club’s headquarters in Madrid with president Florentino Pérez welcoming the coach. The only images of the presentation were provided by Real Madrid TV and the club’s website and social media accounts. Madrid says the coach has signed for three seasons until June 30, 2029. Madrid gave Mourinho a replica of the stadium, a watch and a jersey with his name.
WORDS: 297 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 10:47 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2b4aaff2e47224346164abe50c968e61&mediaType=text
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FBC--TEXAS-MANNING’S MOMENT
Arch Manning had an up-and-down debut. Texas has revamped around him, hoping for championship run
SUMMARY: Year two of the Arch Manning era at Texas carries a lot with it, from the residue of last season’s failures of not making the College Football Playoff to the burning new question of “if not now, when?” Coach Steve Sarkisian aggressively used the transfer portal to retool the lineup around his star quarterback in a push for a return to the CFP. Twenty-one years since its last national title, Texas loaded up for what could be Manning’s moment.
WORDS: 856 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 7:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4e644274a398fa90eb0adcd2debf1fb8&mediaType=text
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FBC--PICK SIX-AWARDS
Heisman, Biletnikoff and more: Six projected college football award winners for 2026
WORDS: 793 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 7:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ba8f7a25a32d0b870a04857b4d69c376&mediaType=text
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FBC--BIG TEN PREVIEW
Buckeyes and Ducks out to supplant defending champion Hoosiers in Big Ten and beyond
SUMMARY: Ohio State and Oregon are set to challenge Indiana for Big Ten supremacy. The Buckeyes and Ducks have rosters full of seasoned players and the Hoosiers must replace Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Ohio State plays the toughest conference schedule. The Buckeyes visit Indiana on Oct. 17 and host Oregon on Nov. 7. Those games could go a long way in deciding the teams in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis on Dec. 5 and CFP seeding. Other contenders include Southern California, Michigan and Penn State.
WORDS: 821 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 6:05 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5d3ada971a2ce9aee2220710a0878d32&mediaType=text
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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL-ANALYSIS
While Big Ten holds down top two spots in AP preseason Top 25, SEC finds strength in numbers
WORDS: 1109 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 5:05 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fbd5d4513726cd1f0af36e891352cc1c&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--HOUSE ERA-PAY TO PLAY
In college sports, payments for players’ name, image and likeness endorsements mask the real truth: Many of them are simply being paid to play for their school.
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FBC--PICK SIX-GROUP OF SIX
The Group of Five is now the Group of Six with the return of the Pac-12. We look at potential playoff contenders from the group.
