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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FBC--MOUNTAIN WEST PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: The Mountain West enters a new era after losing five football programs and adding three others. Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said the conference has a bright future, but there is a lot of uncertainty on what that looks like.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 1:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-NOTRE DAME-CARR RETURNS

DESCRIPTION: Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is about to start his second season as the starter at one of the nation’s most storied programs. And Carr, and his teammates and coaches, think he’s a much different quarterback this time around. By Curt Rallo. 600 words, with photos by 4 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--TRAINING CAMP FIGHTS

DESCRIPTION: Joint practices have become a staple of NFL training camps for getting starters season-ready while allowing teams to avoid putting important players at injury risk in exhibition games, but this year they’ve appeared to be particularly feisty, with fights breaking out on a regular basis. The Saints and Cowboys were fined $500,000 each for brawls at a joint session just this week. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL WITH ROB MAADDI

DESCRIPTION: Bills running back James Cook is this week’s guest on AP’s On Football podcast.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Audio

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FBC--BIG 12 PREVIEWS

FORMATS: Text

WITH: FBC--BIG 12 PREVIEWS

DESCRIPTION: Capsule-style season previews for Big 12 teams, approximately 500 words with file photos: Arizona Arizona State Baylor BYU Cincinnati Colorado Houston Iowa State Kansas Kansas State Oklahoma State TCU Texas Tech UCF Utah West Virginia

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

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WITH: FBC--BIG 12 PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Run it back, Texas Tech and BYU? The season arrives with those two programs among the favorites but Utah and Houston could crash the party. By Stephen Hawkins. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

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SOC--BIRMINGHAM CITY-AMBITIONS

DESCRIPTION: Wrexham isn’t the only second-division club with big plans. Birmingham City, which counts Tom Brady as a minority owner, wants to take the next step — promotion to the Premier League. By Ken Maguire. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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CAR--INDYCAR-FREEDOM 250

DESCRIPTION: Auto racing makes a rare visit to the nation’s capital with IndyCar’s Freedom 250 taking over downtown Washington for a weekend. By Noah Trister. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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CAR--F1-DUTCH GP PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: A look ahead to the Formula 1 season resuming at the Dutch Grand Prix, to be recast with coverage of sprint qualifying.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 11:30 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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GLF--BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: ST. LOUIS -- Rory McIlroy and Gary Woodland are part of a five-way tie for the lead going into the second round of the BMW Championship. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--PACKERS-BRONCOS

DESCRIPTION: Green Bay Packers plays Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. 300 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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GLF--LPGA TOUR

DESCRIPTION: EDMONTON, Alberta — Miyu Yamashita took a one-shot lead into the second round of the CPKC Women’s Open, with players trying to make birdies and fend off smarming mosquitoes at Royal Mayfair. 350 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 08/21/2026 9:20 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKL--DREAM-SPARKS

Angel Reese has stunning perfect shooting night in the Dream’s 124-88 romp over the Sparks

SUMMARY: Angel Reese had a stunning perfect shooting night after struggling recently to make even the shortest of shots, and the Atlanta Dream set a franchise record for points in a game in a 124-88 victory over the Los Angels Sparks on Thursday night. Reese was 9-for-9 from the field, hitting two 3-pointers, for 20 points and had 10 rebounds and eight assists for her WNBA-leading 25th double-double of the season. She had 18 points in the first half. Reese set a Dream record for field goals without a miss and became the third player in WNBA history with a 20-point double-double on 100% shooting. She’s four shy of Alyssa Thomas’ WNBA double-double record of 28 set in 2023.

WORDS: 286 - MOVED: 08/21/2026 1:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6bd6000c42d872696fc4eddec17aacdd&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAIDERS-TEXANS

Fernando Mendoza throws a pick-6, struggles in 1st half of Raiders’ 22-20 preseason win over Texans

SUMMARY: Top draft pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in his second preseason game, throwing an interception that Houston returned for a touchdown before the Las Vegas Raiders rallied late for a 22-20 victory over the Texans. Mendoza played the first half and went 8 of 15 for 86 yards. The performance came after he threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut last week against Arizona playing behind Kirk Cousins. Mendoza was sacked once and took several other hits playing against Houston’s second-string defense. C.J. Stroud led the Texans to a touchdown on his only series in his first action of the preseason.

WORDS: 730 - MOVED: 08/21/2026 12:36 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0ca390b6ff0f94ded816c36917c75cff&mediaType=text

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US--ALABAMA SHOOTING-TIMES LAWSUIT

Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting

SUMMARY: An Alabama jury finds The New York Times defamed a college basketball player by incorrectly reporting that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa. Jurors on Thursday awarded $9.25 million in damages. Kai Spears, who played for the University of Alabama men’s team, sued the Times in 2023 after it published a report that falsely indicated he was a passenger in a car involved in the shooting. An attorney for Spears says the verdict will improve journalism throughout the country. A Times spokesperson calls the verdict not supported by evidence and says the newspaper is reviewing its legal options.

WORDS: 295 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 10:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:752087777b8694749a5305866ac15b13&mediaType=text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-MARTE

Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte will move to 10-day injured list after mysterious absence

SUMMARY: Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte will be transferred to the 10-day injured list from the restricted list, three days after he failed to show up for a game in Boston. General manager Mike Hazen confirmed Thursday that Marte is headed to the injured list and will return once he’s healthy, which The Arizona Republic and MLB.com first reported. The three-time All-Star traveled back to Phoenix for tests on his left knee on Tuesday. Manager Torey Lovullo said he has struggled to get information from the veteran slugger throughout the process.

WORDS: 227 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 10:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:999f2356a52ac2cb89f27d55d6313dce&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-ORIOLES

No debating this win: Yankees complete a 3-game sweep with a 6-1 rout of the Orioles

SUMMARY: Gerrit Cole pitched six sharp innings, Luis García Jr. and Spencer Jones homered and the New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep in Baltimore with a 6-1 victory over the Orioles. Cole allowed four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. A fifth-inning homer by Dylan Beavers produced the lone Baltimore run. The Yankees pulled within four games of AL East-leading Tampa Bay. The Orioles have dropped four in a row after briefly taking sole possession of the lead in the race for the final American League wild card.

WORDS: 348 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 9:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3ea12a3910f3d2f7a7bddc8fd9f30db1&mediaType=text

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GLF--LPGA TOUR

Yamashita shoots 62 to take 1st-round lead in Edmonton in the CPKC Women’s Open

SUMMARY: Miyu Yamashita shot an 8-under 62 on Thursday for a one-stroke lead over fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka in the CPKC Women’s Open, with two Canadian teenagers on the leaderboard in the national championship. American Kiara Romero was third at 64 in her first round as an LPGA Tour member, a stroke ahead of the Canadian teens — 17-year-old Anna Huang and 18-year-old amateur Michelle Xing — and China’s Ruoning Yi. Yamashita closed her morning round at Stanley Thompson-designed Royal Mayfair with a birdie on the par-4 ninth. She won the Meijer LPGA Classic in June after taking the Women’s British Open and Maybank Championship last year.

WORDS: 392 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 9:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a38114d9fbcc20fed5283c6d45b58c90&mediaType=text

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GLF--BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

Rory McIlroy makes quick turnaround for 5-way share of the lead at BMW as ailing Scheffler fades

SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy was feeling like his game was far away. That was four days ago. He looked much better in the BMW Championship with a 64 to be part of a five-way tie for the lead at Bellerive. The top of the leaderboard was filled with U.S. Open champions on a course that has been toughened by “Open Doctor” Rees Jones. That includes Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun and Gary Woodland sharing the lead, with Matt Fitzpatrick one back. Scottie Scheffler was under the weather and far away from the game that produced an eight-shot win last week. He shot 72.

WORDS: 889 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 7:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd146990eb60a9b4cf8ecb297e8ead21&mediaType=text

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BBO--FOUL BALL TECHNOLOGY

Does baseball need even more technology for plays like Pete Alonso’s disputed fly ball?

SUMMARY: Pete Alonso’s deep fly was ruled foul, and the call stood after a review in Baltimore’s 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. That led to plenty of outcry — and calls for baseball to use technology to evaluate possible home runs near the foul pole. It doesn’t sound like that is imminent. A person with knowledge of the issue said if baseball were to start using additional technology on fly balls like these, it would have to be developed, tested and installed by MLB. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

WORDS: 463 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 6:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a12bc519991baef96002ea5aa128ddc8&mediaType=text

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FBN--COWBOYS-SAINTS-BRAWLS-FINES

Cowboys and Saints fined $500,000 apiece by NFL after brawl-filled joint practice

SUMMARY: The Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints have been fined $500,000 apiece by the NFL after their brawl-filled joint practice. The league announced the fines on Thursday after requesting video of the tumultuous workout at the Cowboys’ training camp base in Oxnard, California. Players on both teams threw punches during several skirmishes throughout the joint practice, which was conducted in uncommonly hot, humid weather. A lowlight of the brouhaha was Saints tight end Brock Rechsteiner’s body slam of Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson. Helmets and punches were thrown during several skirmishes.

WORDS: 670 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 6:10 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:379642b637ebef52f0147757a61aba01&mediaType=text

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BBO-CARDINALS-REDS

Dane Myers’ dropped fly with 2 outs in 9th gives Cardinals a wild 10-9 win over Reds

SUMMARY: Cincinnati’s Dane Myers dropped a fly ball with two outs in the ninth, opening the flood gates in a six-run inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 10-9 win over the Reds. The Reds held a 5-4 lead going into the ninth before things fell apart in the final inning. Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin scored on Myers’ error, giving St. Louis a 6-5 lead. Alec Burleson’s single drove in another run and a bases-loaded walk scored another to make it 8-5. Fermin came up for the second time in the inning and singled home two more runs to make it 10-5. The Reds made it close, scoring four runs in a wild ninth inning.

WORDS: 440 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 5:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:637ae7b8730a2150cfef7b4603a6a129&mediaType=text

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FBC--COLORADO-BOO CARTER

Boo Carter came to Colorado as a defensive back, but like Travis Hunter, could see snaps on offense

SUMMARY: Colorado’s roster currently lists Boo Carter solely as a defensive back. But don’t be surprised if he plays some wide receiver or even lines up in the backfield. The transfer from Tennessee may very well follow in the two-way footsteps of Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner for the Buffaloes who’s now with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Carter has the skills to play on both sides of the ball and a coach in Deion Sanders who may just let him. Carter left Tennessee for a fresh start and is eager to help turn things around for Colorado after a 3-9 season. They open the season Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech.

WORDS: 798 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 4:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9ff3be0524d3c24d18287a0a55eb129a&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL RATINGS

NFL complains about changes by Nielsen to TV ratings measurements

SUMMARY: The NFL is upset about changes made by Nielsen in its methodology for measuring viewership for the upcoming season, calling them “rushed” and saying they will have a negative impact on sports. Nielsen announced plans this week to change how it measures audiences on television, beginning on Aug. 31, including alterations to how the company measures whether multiple people are watching an event at the same time. The NFL is coming off one of its most successful seasons ever on television after Nielsen began using its Big Data + Panel methodology for all events last September. The league had its largest average audience since 1989.

WORDS: 1023 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 3:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:25fb2c98c770b116f1f2d9fd6153abd9&mediaType=text

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TEN--US OPEN-ALCARAZ

Carlos Alcaraz is set to return from a wrist injury and defend his US Open title

SUMMARY: Carlos Alcaraz is ready to return from injury to defend his U.S. Open title. “Here we go,” Alcaraz posted on his social media pages Thursday, with one picture showing him in front of the U.S. Open logo. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since April because of a right wrist injury, forcing him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz won his second U.S. Open title last year, beating Jannik Sinner in the final. He then won the Australian Open to start this season and the Spaniard is still ranked No. 2 despite his absence.

WORDS: 326 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 2:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c4912148cd273f4adb4ef88b1d275366&mediaType=text

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BKN--CAVALIERS-HARDEN

James Harden agrees to 3-year, $97-million contract to remain with Cavaliers, AP sources say

SUMMARY: Two people close to the situation tell The Associated Press that James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because it has not been announced. The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season as well as a trade kicker. Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season, but he indicated after the Cavaliers were swept in four games by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals that he would like to return.

WORDS: 285 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 2:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:66aa7eed5ec93b34569141adea2fbf7b&mediaType=text

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