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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BKO--ELIGIBILITY CRISIS

DESCRIPTION: A look at the eligibility uncertainty and related lawsuits entering the college basketball season. The LSU vs. SEC September showdown wasn’t all about football. Most of the more than two dozen lawsuits challenging NCAA eligibility rules include basketball players and it’s ladled even more stress on top of coaches who already scramble to fill their rosters every season in the transfer portal era. By Aaron Beard, 1,000 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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RAC--BREEDERS CUP

DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the Breeders Cup. at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentuckey

UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKC BIG EAST PREVIEW COVERAGE

DESCRIPTION: Previews of the Big East men’s college basketball season

FORMATS: FilePhoto, Text

1. WITH: BKC--BIG EAST PREVIEW

2. DESCRIPTION: Preview of the upcoming season in Big East men’s college basketball. By Dan Gelston. Text, photos.

3. SENT: By 10/29/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKC--BIG EAST PREVIEW CAPSULES

5. DESCRIPTION: Each Big East men’s college basketball team will get a preview capsule of approximately 400 words, with photos: Butler, Creighton, DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John’s, UConn, Villanova, Xavier.

6. SENT: By 10/29/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

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BBO-RAYS-WRAPUP

DESCRIPTION: The Tampa Bay Rays fell short again in their third quest for the franchie’s first World Series title. But they proved their brand of baseball and a small payroll doesn’t prevent success. By Rob Maaddi. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays fell short again in their third quest for the franchie’s first World Series title. But they proved their brand of baseball and a small payroll doesn’t prevent success. By Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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ITALY SOC MILAN NEW STADIUM

DESCRIPTION: Serie A soccer teams Inter Milan and AC Milan present plans for their new stadium to replace the iconic San Siro. Traditional text story, approximately 500 words, by 2100 GMT.

UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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CAR F1 MEXICAN GP

DESCRIPTION: Formula 1 drivers speak with the media ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, the 19th round of the 2026 season. Stories on merits.

FORMATS: Photo, Text

7. WITH: CAR F1 MEXICAN GP

8. DESCRIPTION: Formula 1 drivers speak with the media ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, the 19th round of the 2026 season. Stories on merits.

9. UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: CAR F1 MEXICAN GP GUIDE

11. DESCRIPTION: What to know and how to watch as the Formula 1 title is almost certainly decided in Mexico.

12. SENT: By 10/29/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

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BKC--ARIZONA ST-BENNETT’S RETURN

DESCRIPTION: Feature on Arizona State coach Randy Bennett. For years, Randy Bennett spurred offers to leave Saint Mary’s for larger schools. When the Arizona State job opened in his hometown, the longtime coach jumped at the chance.

UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Everton faces Newcastle in the last 16 of the English League Cup for the right to play Fleetwood Town, the conqueror of Arsenal. 100 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBN--PANTHERS-PACKERS

DESCRIPTION: Carolina Panthers plays Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. By Steve Megargee. 700 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/29/2026 11:40 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKL--WNBA FINALS-VALKYRIES WATCH PARTY

Young girls skip school with their parents to attend Valkyries’ early WNBA Finals watch party

SUMMARY: Sika Lopez took 11-year-old daughter Kendra out of school to be part of the early morning watch party outside Chase Center cheering for the Golden State Valkyries. Lopez grew up in Los Angeles watching Lisa Leslie and the Sparks, and believes being present can impact Kendra chasing her own dreams — so they joined several thousand fans gathering on the plaza at Thrive City outside Chase Center to support Golden State in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at Atlanta. Hundreds of hands were raised when energetic in-arena host Ari Waller asked if fans had taken a day off work or school to attend the violet-clad watch party, where fans received rally towels upon entry.

WORDS: 497 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 1:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fb970b0cbae477348ffbfd91070c3d7a&mediaType=text

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FBN--TITANS-BEARS TRADE

Chicago Bears acquire DT Jeffery Simmons in pricey trade with the Tennessee Titans

SUMMARY: The Chicago Bears have acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans. The Bears sent their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 and a fourth-rounder in next year’s draft to the Titans for Simmons and a fifth-round selection in 2028. Led by Caleb Williams, Chicago has won two in a row to improve to 5-2 going into Monday night’s game at Seattle. It is chasing the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North, and the addition of Simmons bolsters what had been a questionable defensive line.

WORDS: 549 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 1:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d4c945a4c1489b566b65c6185d5b37cf&mediaType=text

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BBO--BREWERS-PARADE

Milwaukee to celebrate a World Series title 58 years in the making with Brewers parade

SUMMARY: Milwaukee could come to a standstill as fans celebrate the Brewers’ first World Series in 58 years as a franchise. Milwaukee schools will close and thousands of fans are expected to line the streets for a victory parade on Friday. The small-market Brewers gave their long-suffering fans the title they had been waiting for with a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, clinching the series in five games. Thousands of Brewers fans filled the Trop, nearly outnumbering Rays’ fans, and celebrated from the stands after the final out. Thousands more celebrated back in Milwaukee, where the party will continue with Friday’s parade.

WORDS: 202 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 1:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:60ca06d5bf62ef8cfd10758bf00305a1&mediaType=text

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GYM--SKYE’S THE LIMIT

Skye Blakely loves a challenge. The world champ’s gymnastics career didn’t give her much choice

SUMMARY: Skye Blakely’s world all-around gymnastics title is a testament to the 21-year-old’s faith and perseverance. The Dallas native overcame crushing injuries at both the 2021 and 2024 Olympic trials to become the ninth American woman to become world all-around champion. Blakely says she proved to herself that she can handle hard moments, and that determination paid off with the meet of her life so far. Even with the 2028 Olympics less than two years away, Blakely plans to stay at the University of Florida for now while putting together a plan that she hopes will help her land a spot on what could be a loaded American team when the Games get underway in Los Angeles.

WORDS: 1075 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 12:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a7c49fbd83c73bf22dda6e1bf8b1820b&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA FINALS

Valkyries look to clinch first WNBA title as they take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 against Dream

SUMMARY: The Golden State Valkyries are hoping to clinch their first WNBA championship as they take a 3-2 series lead over the Atlanta Dream into Game 6 of the Finals. Coach Natalie Nakase says her players are ready despite the 12:30 p.m. EDT tipoff, which is a 9:30 a.m. start in California. The Valkyries’ strong finish in the series came after Nakase tweaked her lineup for a 67-62 Game 4 win. Nakase added Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles into the lineup. Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Landalasini came off the bench. The new starting five produced a 64-55 win in Game 5.

WORDS: 321 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 11:36 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a0fa402df0aa5f91b59c2dde371709c6&mediaType=text

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BKO--ROME TIP OFF

Villanova touches down in Rome for college basketball season opener and papal audience

SUMMARY: It hit Villanova coach Kevin Willard early Thursday morning when he got off the charter flight that carried the university’s men’s and women’s teams to Rome for Sunday’s season-opening college basketball doubleheader against Notre Dame. Villanova, Willard believe, has a responsibility to represent Pope Leo XIV, who graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the Augustinian school near Philadelphia. Willard says “at first, I didn’t think it was going to be that big of a deal, but when we landed, you understand he is our best alumnus and most notable alumnus. He’s also the most famous person on earth.”

WORDS: 553 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 11:30 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4024e04947959c266da146cc7a27df1&mediaType=text

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TEN--WTA-JAPAN

Rybakina secures year-end No. 1 ranking at Pan Pacific Open as Osaka eliminated

SUMMARY: Top-ranked Elena Rybakina has secured the year-end No. 1 ranking with a last-16 win at the Pan Pacific Open in Japan while Naomi Osaka lost in front of her home crowd. Rybakina beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals and will be world No.1 at the conclusion of a year when she won the Australian Open and the U.S. Open. Rybakina also won Wimbledon in 2022 so is only a French Open title away from completing the career Grand Slam. Osaka, a former No. 1 and four-time major winner, lost to Slovakian teenager Mia Pohankova 6-3, 7-5 in an upset.

WORDS: 309 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 11:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b43a4bcd1489f059a9ca5612c14c1602&mediaType=text

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SOC--MAN UNITED-CARRICK

Fernandes benched then backed: Carrick’s captain call amid Man United crisis

SUMMARY: Under-pressure Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is retaining Bruno Fernandes as captain despite dropping the Portugal star during a crisis at the beleaguered Premier League giant. Fernandes criticized Carrick’s tactics after a heavy Champions League defeat at Como last week. Fernandes was named as a substitute and never got on the field in the 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth on Sunday. Those two results left Carrick’s job under massive threat but United has decided to give its former midfielder the chance to turn things around. That starts against Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

WORDS: 356 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 11:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b38f74f562f1bc122bf66c2887898f90&mediaType=text

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BBO--WORLD SERIES-BREWERS-YELICH

Yelich pays tribute to Uecker after finally leading Brewers to their first World Series title

SUMMARY: Like so many Milwaukee fans, Christian Yelich took a moment while celebrating the Brewers’ first World Series title to remember a man he wished had been around to see it. Yelich said he knew beloved broadcaster Bob Uecker was smiling somewhere after the Brewers’ 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the World Series. Uecker died in January 2025 at the age of 90. Yelich had developed a close friendship with Uecker while emerging as the face of the Brewers’ franchise. The Brewers announced last month they had made Yelich the first team captain in franchise history.

WORDS: 863 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 10:42 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:248ae144849d8fc2ec5db7150708f4cc&mediaType=text

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BKO--TIPOFF-BIGGER TOURNAMENTS

What you need to know about the expanded 76-team NCAA Tournament format

WORDS: 626 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c5f78f4b4571b2924b325df27a204351&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

Bournemouth in pinch-me territory as another underdog success story in English soccer

WORDS: 936 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 5:32 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3acbc8f053decf060449cf99eee7e55f&mediaType=text

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BKO--RAFTERY IN ROME

Bill Raftery might have ‘a little kiss’ for the pope’s ring at college hoops season opener in Rome

SUMMARY: Bill Raftery is gearing up for his first college basketball broadcast of the season, and it’s a special one. He’ll be calling the men’s basketball game between Villanova and Notre Dame in Rome on Sunday, honoring Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a Villanova alum. Known for his colorful catchphrases, Raftery is considering toning them down out of respect for the pope. This trip marks his first return to Rome since his honeymoon in 1969. Raftery, a beloved figure in college basketball commentary, reflects on his career and the evolving landscape of the sport.

WORDS: 1163 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 5:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6ad069a428dd05b33af013c7fc8696db&mediaType=text

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BBO--WORLD SERIES-BREWERS-MURPHY

Charming, cantankerous Pat Murphy at age 67 leads Brewers to first World Series title

SUMMARY: Pat Murphy, the Milwaukee Brewers manager, has led his team to a World Series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Six years ago, he left American Family Field in an ambulance after a heart attack. Now, he’s celebrating a championship. Known for his charm and tough love, Murphy has rebounded from a past NCAA scandal and is on track to possibly win his third straight NL Manager of the Year award. He emphasizes accountability and humor, using “The Check Game” to keep egos under control. Murphy’s journey from college coaching to MLB success highlights his resilience and dedication to the game.

WORDS: 1373 - MOVED: 10/29/2026 1:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6070c706c4d891d43516d51b3e6bd7b5&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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FBC--BAYLOR-UCF

Baylor plays UCF at Acrisure Bounce House. By Alanis Thames.

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FBO--WOMEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL

Izzy Geraci, a top receiver, left her family jewelry store job to pursue Olympic gold in flag football. This sport is growing rapidly, offering pathways for making money, paying for college, or simply enjoying camaraderie. Flag football will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and participation has surged. By Pat Graham.

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BKL--WNBA FINALS

Coverage of the WNBA finals.

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