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--WNBA FINALS COVERAGE
FORMATS: FilePhoto, Text
1. WITH: BKL--WNBA FINALS-REESE CENTER STAGE
2. DESCRIPTION: Angel Reese is the biggest star left on the WNBA’s brightest stage as she gets her first chance at winning a WNBA championship. After three tumultuous years in the league, Reese is the first player from the heralded 2024 draft class that saw Caitlin Clark go No. 1 to reach the finals as a starter or key contributor. By Doug Feinberg. 700 words, file photo. 2 p.m. ET
3. UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: BKL--WNBA FINALS COVERAGE
5. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the WNBA Finals
6. UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT
7. WITH: BKL--WNBA FINALS-REESE’S SHOT
8. DESCRIPTION: One of the first things on Atlanta coach Karl Smesko’s to-do list was to work with Angel Reese on her shot. The work has paid off. Reese, whose penchant for missed layups drew waves of criticism, is now playing with renewed offensive confidence for a Dream team that opens the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday. By Tim Reynolds. 700 words, file photos. 3 p.m. ET
9. UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT
10. WITH: BKL--WNBA FINALS COVERAGE-VALKYRIES RISE
11. DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO -- The women’s basketball franchise Joe Lacob always envisioned while owning the Golden State Warriors has come together in all the right ways and in short order – from relatable players other teams overlooked to leadership from the top down and smart branding with a raven “bestie” Violet who flew through the arena earlier this season. Just don’t call her a mascot. On Saturday, Lacob will be there cheering from courtside as his Golden State Valkyries begin their quest for a WNBA championship in just Year 2 of existence. By Janie McCauley. 800 words, file photos. 4 pm PDT
12. UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT
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HKN--PLAYER SAFETY-BEHIND THE SCENES
DESCRIPTION: The Player Safety Room at the NHL’s New York headquarters hums with activity from the second the puck drops on the first game of the day. Any possible hits to the head are called out for the concussion spotters watching on their screens, and questionable plays are cataloged for possible supplemental discipline. That’s just the start of the process that leads to suspensions and fines. The Associated Press sat in on the busiest night of the season to see how every game and play is watched and inspected. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, DigitalPlans, Text
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BKW--VANDERBILT-CHASING CHAMPIONSHIPS
DESCRIPTION: Shea Ralph has been building Vanderbilt for this moment since she arrived on campus, and she has given All-American Mikayla Blakes lots of support to do more than just win and pile up eye-popping stats. The goal now is win championships. By Teresa M. Walker.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, FilePhoto, Text
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FBC--ACC-MIDSEASON AWARDS
DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press hands out midseason awards for the Atlantic Coast Conference. By Josh Dubow. 750 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the Champions League. WITH: SOC--Roma-Real Madrid-Mourinho — Coverage of Jose Mourinho’s return to Rome. By Andrew Dampf.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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FBN--BILLS-DEFENSE
DESCRIPTION: Jim Leonhard’s patience is wearing thin with the Buffalo Bills new-look defense showing no signs of improvement five games into the season. “Yeah, it’s time to be good at something,” the Bills first-year defensive coordinator said after watching his unit’s struggles nearly costing the team, before being bailed out by Josh Allen in a 37-34 overtime win over the Rams on Monday. By John Wawrow. 650 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--POSTSEASON
FORMATS: Text
13. WITH: BBO--NLCS-BREWERS-DODGERS
14. DESCRIPTION: Milwaukee plays at Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of NL Championship Series.
15. UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT
16. WITH: BBO--ALCS-RAYS-GUARDIANS-PREVIEW
17. DESCRIPTION: The Rays and Guardians travel to Cleveland and prepare for Thursday’s Game 3 after the Rays tied the series at 1-1 on Tuesday night.
18. UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT
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FBN--NFC EAST WOES
DESCRIPTION: The four teams in the NFC East all failed to win in Week 5, despite two of them playing each other. Washington and the New York Giants tied after each team blew its chance to win, Dallas lost at home to previously winless Tampa Bay and Philadelphia got beat by Jacksonville in London after taking the lead with 8 seconds left. The Giants are in first place, the Eagles lost two-thirds of their offensive line and the division is wide open. By Stephen Whyno. Text, file photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, FilePhoto, Text
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FBN--RAIDERS-SECONDARY
DESCRIPTION: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had his way with the Las Vegas Raiders’ secondary on Sunday. Now the Raiders get ready to face top quarterback Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--MLS-NYCFC-MIAMI
DESCRIPTION: Inter Miami hosts New York City FC in an MLS match at Nu Stadium. By Alanis Thames.
UPCOMING: By 10/14/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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SKI--SHIFFRIN-EXPLORATION SEASON
Shiffrin takes a more off-script approach in shifting focus beyond slalom and in Year 2 of podcast
SUMMARY: Mikaela Shiffrin is embracing an “exploration season” in her 16th year on the World Cup circuit. She plans to focus her training more on giant slalom and super-G over her signature slalom event. Shiffrin says this approach allows her to train with more intention and recover better. Her season kicks off in Soelden, Austria, with a giant slalom race next week. Meanwhile, her podcast, “What’s the Point,” is back for a second season. Shiffrin aims for a natural flow in interviews, likening it to the rhythm of skiing. She plans to feature Olympians and sports figures, exploring what drives their success.
WORDS: 715 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 1:41 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5ee30197b8b7a4b4e60960eaebf8a2a3&mediaType=text
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GLF--DP WORLD INDIA CHAMPIONSHIP-MCILROY
Rory McIlroy arrives in India with a new fashion style and renewed hope in Race to Dubai finale
SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy has been constantly looking for new ways to inject some freshness and spark into his golf since completing the career Grand Slam. Turns out two of his longtime Ryder Cup teammates are providing some inspiration. For this week’s DP World India Championship, McIlroy has brought along a new look — baggy golf pants. It’s what Tommy Fleetwood has been wearing for a while. Also in the works for the Northern Irishman is a replica of the “performance trailer” that he uses in the United States to aid his fitness and recovery during and between PGA Tour events. Now he wants one for the European tour. McIlroy says that idea came from tennis great Novak Djokovic but also fellow golfer Justin Rose.
WORDS: 595 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 12:44 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dbc73efaafb8caa7141ffa08fdff59e4&mediaType=text
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BBO--ALCS-RAYS-GUARDIANS-PREVIEW
Rays, Guardians to play ALCS Game 3 in afternoon with rain forecast Thursday night
SUMMARY: Thursday’s Game 3 of the AL Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians has been moved up to a 1 p.m. start due to the threat of rain in Cleveland on Thursday night. Major League Baseball moved the start time up five hours in order for the series to remain on schedule. The game will still be broadcast on TBS and other TNT Sports platforms. The best-of-seven series is even at 1-1 after the Rays’ 3-1 victory Tuesday night. Cleveland took the series opener 7-3 on Monday.
WORDS: 225 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 12:24 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d09817681d49d5309401d965763e85b&mediaType=text
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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS
College football picks: Ohio State’s Ryan Day is an old hand when it comes to top-five matchups
WORDS: 966 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 12:21 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0463aeb760fba23fc1a6090fdfaa1454&mediaType=text
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SOC--US SOCCER-CLUB TOURNAMENT
US Soccer plans new national women’s club competition
SUMMARY: The U.S. Soccer federation plans a new national women’s club competition that will involve teams from the National Women’s Soccer League and the Gainbridge Super League. There is no launch date yet for the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, which will have a prize pool of $1.5 million. The competition will serve as a pathway to qualification for the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone says the competition could be open to other clubs, including amateur teams, much like the men’s U.S. Open Cup.
WORDS: 530 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 11:56 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:11dc772ee655b25a43db11f6dcad22a4&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-FAILED QUICK FIXES
Jimmy Butler, Paul George, James Harden among All-Stars failed to win a title in Philly. Can LeBron?
SUMMARY: The 76ers have made numerous attempts to find the missing piece to win a championship with Joel Embiid. They’ve tried stars like Jimmy Butler, Paul George, James Harden and Tobias Harris, but none led them past the second round of the playoffs. Now, the team is going all-in by trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James. The 76ers hope this new lineup can break their championship drought, which dates back to 1983. Embiid acknowledges past failures but remains optimistic.
WORDS: 1034 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 11:38 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6ff734cd069aac19f2b1b8d20414b6b5&mediaType=text
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BBO--ASTROS-ESPADA
Houston Astros do not renew Joe Espada’s contract, part ways with their manager
SUMMARY: The Houston Astros have parted ways with manager Joe Espada after deciding not to renew his expiring contract. The team announced the decision Wednesday while also moving on from several members of his coaching staff. His contract is set to expire at the end of this month. Team owner Jim Crane says “we are thankful for Joe’s hard work, his passion for the game, and for his commitment to the Houston Astros.” The move comes after the Astros won the AL West with an 81-81 record and become the first team in Major League Baseball history to reach the postseason without a winning record.
WORDS: 556 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 11:34 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7e58b7a7a082d94805d53cc7906ffcff&mediaType=text
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FBC--T25-ELITE RECEIVERS
Matchup between 3 elite receivers could overshadow QBs when No. 4 Ohio St. takes on No. 5 Indiana
SUMMARY: Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith seems to break records every weekend. Indiana receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh are etching their names into Indiana lore on a weekly basis too. On Saturday, those three — all ranked among the top four receiver prospects in April’s NFL draft — will share the field for the eagerly anticipated Big Ten championship game rematch between the fourth-ranked Buckeyes and defending national champion Hoosiers. While it’s a dream matchup for pro scouts, it creates nightmares for defensive coordinators, secondaries and even, yes, two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti.
WORDS: 1030 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 11:29 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9b30bc19835557f3df359c3791ee83f1&mediaType=text
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SOC--FIFA COUNCIL-INFANTINO
Infantino to chair FIFA Council meeting as critics push to oust him
SUMMARY: Gianni Infantino is about to face his biggest critics as FIFA president. On Thursday, he chairs the first FIFA Council session since his controversial World Cup sell-off plan was revealed and quickly dropped 11 weeks ago. The meeting comes ahead of a November 18 deadline for presidential election candidates. Infantino’s leadership style and proposal to sell tournament rights to private investors are under scrutiny. UEFA has filed court applications in the U.S. seeking evidence for a possible criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland. FIFA has accused UEFA of a smear campaign. Infantino’s ties to Donald Trump and other ethical concerns are also on the agenda.
WORDS: 764 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 11:24 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:59f20ee25f7c0800272f978b47cc1e9a&mediaType=text
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BBO--PHILLIES-MATTINGLY
The Phillies are keeping Don Mattingly as manager on a 2-year deal
SUMMARY: The Philadelphia Phillies are keeping Don Mattingly as manager on a two-year contract. Mattingly led the Phillies to a 79-55 record and a spot in the playoffs after he replaced the fired Rob Thomson in late April. The Phillies lost in three games to the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card Series. The Phillies were 9-19 when they fired Thomson in April after he led the Phillies to four straight playoff appearances, including the 2022 World Series, and consecutive NL East titles.
WORDS: 502 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 10:29 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d1cda9b472a521c3461bbf06703d30df&mediaType=text
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HKN--RED WINGS-DEBRINCAT
Red Wings sign 2-time All-Star forward Alex DeBrincat to 7-year contract worth $13 million per year
SUMMARY: The Detroit Red Wings have signed two-time All-Star forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year contract worth $13 million per season. The move on Wednesday provided good news for a franchise mired in a decade-long postseason drought with an interim general manager, a former captain in limbo and an unsigned restricted free agent. The 28-year-old DeBrincat has established himself as a productive offensive player in the NHL with 298 career goals and 603 points. DeBrincat leads the Red Wings with four goals and eight points this season but they have lost five of their first six games. Detroit hosts Philadelphia on Thursday night.
WORDS: 392 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 10:12 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6091260812972bde34818cf986c67b4c&mediaType=text
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FBC--T25-WHAT TO WATCH
College football Week 7: Ohio State-Indiana and Notre Dame-BYU among six Top 25 matchups
WORDS: 1021 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:649db61a7295aff92f6d51585ea046ca&mediaType=text
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BKN--HEAT-ANTETOKOUNMPO
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat could be a perfect title-chasing pairing
SUMMARY: Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the Miami Heat after 13 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and believes this change will bring out the best in him. The Heat traded several players and draft picks to acquire him, hoping his presence will lead to another championship. Antetokounmpo is excited about the Heat’s competitive culture and aims to contribute significantly. He averaged 24.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in his career, ranking among the best in the NBA. Both he and the Heat are eager to reach the top again, making this a promising partnership.
WORDS: 1012 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:17cdcbeba56352df06f585967b7d04cc&mediaType=text
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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Bills-Rams shootout, 49ers-Seahawks turnover fest highlight the Week 5 slate
SUMMARY: The two most consequential games in Week 5 were tight high-scoring affairs between Super Bowl contenders that weren’t decided until the end. How they got there couldn’t be more different. The Buffalo Bills beat the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime in a back-and-forth game that featured noteworthy performances from the last two AP NFL MVPs in Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks 32-29 in a turnover-filled battle where the defenses fueled much of the scoring.
WORDS: 1104 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c53766e5b2575acc246837e813bdd493&mediaType=text
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SOC--FIFA-DEVELOPMENT FUND
FIFA will propose $6.3 billion funding for soccer development, AP sources say
SUMMARY: FIFA will propose to its members a $6.35 billion fund for soccer development between 2027 and 2030, including a boosted amount of $25 million for each national association, two people with knowledge of the plan and a letter reviewed by The Associated Press confirmed on Tuesday. Soccer’s world governing body will use the financial success of the latest World Cup to enhance investment in football development across 211 FIFA member associations, confederations and other stakeholders, says an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the proposal hasn’t been announced.
WORDS: 471 - MOVED: 10/14/2026 3:54 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d79195b06426a0a78f038dff2e0dfb9&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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FBN--SEAHAWKS-BRONCOS
The Seattle Seahawk plays the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
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BKN--NBA-CHANGING COACHES
The last time Dusty May coached a real game, he won an NCAA title. And now he’s in the NBA with Dallas, one of six coaches in new roles this season — one of four first-timers in the league. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds.
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BBO--POSTSEASON
Coverage of Major League Baseball’s postseason.
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BKL--WNBA PLAYOFFS
Coverage of the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
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