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. …
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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.
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.
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UPCOMING
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US GILBERT ARENAS-ILLEGAL GAMBLING
DESCRIPTION: Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is set to go on trial Tuesday for allegedly operating an illegal gambling business out of a mansion in Los Angeles. Courtroom 7C, United States Courthouse, 350 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is set to go on trial in mid-November for allegedly operating an illegal gambling business out of a mansion in Los Angeles.
ON MERITS: By 11/09/2026 2:30 p.m. EST, Text, FilePhoto
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BBO--ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
DESCRIPTION: Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle in the American League and Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart in the National League are the favorites to win MLB Rookie of the Year in their respective leagues. The awards will be announced on Monday night. By David Brandt. 600 words, photos from 7 p.m. EST announcements.
UPCOMING: By 11/09/2026 9:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--BILLS-VIKINGS
DESCRIPTION: Buffalo Bills plays Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. By Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell. 600 words.
UPCOMING: By 11/09/2026 11:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKC--T25-MEN’S POLL
UCLA jumps into top 10 of men’s AP Top 25 basketball poll as Florida, Duke, Illini lead the rankings
SUMMARY: UCLA has climbed into the top 10 in the first regular-season AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Florida remains No. 1, with the top four unchanged. The Gators earned 53 of 60 first-place votes after wins over Miami and Jacksonville. Duke, Illinois, and UConn follow in the rankings. Michigan State is fifth. UCLA moved from No. 22 to No. 9 after beating then-No. 5 Arizona. Virginia, Texas, Houston, and Louisville round out the top 10. Arizona and Tennessee dropped in the rankings. The Southeastern Conference leads with seven teams in the Top 25.
WORDS: 697 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 1:00 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62a1a9cca74a12b3804bc05a94127056&mediaType=text
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SOC--MLS-GOLDEN BOOT-MESSI
Lionel Messi wins the MLS Golden Boot for a second straight season
SUMMARY: Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2026 MLS Golden Boot, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons. The Inter Miami forward scored a league-high 26 goals this season. He also had 17 assists with 43 goal contributions. Messi edged out FC Dallas striker Peter Musa and Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge for the award. Messi won the MLS Golden Boot in 2025 with 29 goals and 19 assists. Messi could also become the first three-time winner of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award, which will be announced Monday night. Miami faces the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
WORDS: 207 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 12:21 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9d550a954388edbfe75317cec3ef47d4&mediaType=text
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FBC--CFP EXPANSION
College Football Playoff doubles up, expands to 24 teams beginning next season
SUMMARY: The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams next year, ending a three-decade era of conference title games. College leaders announced the new format Monday after ESPN agreed to rework its contract to add 11 new games. The deal is for five years and an additional $1.7 billion. The new format will have five automatic qualifiers, including champions from the Power Four leagues. The other 19 teams will be chosen by a selection panel. The top eight seeds will receive first-round byes, and the playoff will start on the second weekend in December.
WORDS: 948 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 12:15 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c7e5465507ffe6b2df3ae3ad6deb1b4e&mediaType=text
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BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL
Michigan surges to No. 2 in AP Top 25 women’s poll after win over UConn; South Carolina still No. 1
SUMMARY: Michigan has climbed to No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll. This is the Wolverines’ highest ranking ever, following a 77-66 win over then-No. 2 UConn. Michigan was ranked fifth in the preseason poll. South Carolina remains No. 1 after victories over Maryland and North Carolina. The Big Ten has 10 teams in the Top 25, matching a record set by the Southeastern Conference.
WORDS: 615 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 12:01 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:931a0bfcba3b4de3efd5d4f453f633bf&mediaType=text
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WPO--BASEBALL TO WATER POLO
Sam Abbott switches from pro baseball to college water polo with Long Beach State
SUMMARY: Sam Abbott was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and played professional baseball in Canada, Nicaragua, Australia, the Dominican Republic and United Arab Emirates before he started playing college water polo. It was a long and winding road to The Beach. Abbott is a 27-year-old center defender on the men’s water polo team at Long Beach State, reuniting with his former coach in the U.S. development program, Gavin Arroyo. Even Abbott isn’t quite sure what to make of the experience of being a freshman in college at his age. Abbott says he thinks his experience in professional baseball is valuable to his new Long Beach State teammates.
WORDS: 807 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 11:44 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e7c95ba61e4781841ff136cefb68d27b&mediaType=text
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HKN--DEVILS-HELLEBUYCK-WINNIPEG
Devils say Hellebuyck will not face his former teammates in Winnipeg, cite reduced win probability
SUMMARY: New Jersey Devils goalie Connor Hellebuyck will not face his former Winnipeg Jets teammates Tuesday night. After stopping 23 shots in New Jersey’s 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night, the Devils’ new netminder was informed by his team that he won’t face the Jets in the Manitoba capital. Hellebuyck was traded to the Devils by the Jets on Oct. 23, ending the star goalie’s stay in Manitoba, one that featured greatness during his 11 seasons, but ended with him suspended by the team after he requested a trade and failed to report for training camp.
WORDS: 362 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 10:40 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:37562f4acaaf4c9b3ffe68190db51db3&mediaType=text
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FBN--FALCONS-JAGUARS TRADE
Falcons agree to trade veteran safety Jessie Bates III to Jaguars for 2 draft picks
SUMMARY: The Atlanta Falcons have traded safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for two draft picks. The Falcons will receive a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The 29-year-old Bates had been included in reports as a player who could be moved before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Bates had a season-high 14 tackles in the Falcons’ 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Madrid.
WORDS: 353 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 10:22 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:13a75f93fa9e4ad226ed9da0cf806fc7&mediaType=text
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GLF--EUROPEAN TOUR-SEASON FINALE
McIlroy vs Chacarra vs Reed: Race to Dubai title up for grabs in European tour finale
WORDS: 876 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 10:17 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce414ed6d8a47bb70892c0ae10d519e6&mediaType=text
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AF--SENEGAL-SURFING
In Senegal, Black surfers want to reclaim the waves despite lack of resources
WORDS: 1240 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 9:44 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c03934f6e973d6d4edc2511c35ba76c&mediaType=text
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SOC--DORTMUND-NMECHA
Germany midfielder Nmecha under scrutiny in Dortmund for celebrations linked to evangelical group
SUMMARY: Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha is finding that sport and religion don’t mix when it comes to his club Borussia Dortmund’s professed values of tolerance and respect. Nmecha, a devout Christian, has been criticized by the club’s official supporters’ group for goal celebrations associated with an evangelical network that has been accused of labeling homosexuality as a sin. Dortmund tells the Bild tabloid that it understands the fans’ concerns and will speak to the player. The club says, “We expect all employees and players to ensure that their behavior and conduct align with the legal requirements and core values of Borussia Dortmund. These values include respect, diversity, equality, and a clear rejection of any form of discrimination.”
WORDS: 361 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 7:57 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2ebf167b37771fb3175dec8713fd2c40&mediaType=text
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EU--FRANCE-RINER-FRENCH PRESIDENCY
Judo star Teddy Riner announces a run for French president, pledging to bring people together
SUMMARY: Judo star Teddy Riner is bidding to be the next French president. The 37-year-old multiple Olympic champion announced his campaign on social media and said in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper published Monday that he is positioning himself as “neither right-wing nor left-wing” and hopes to become a “president who brings people together.” Asked whether his bid should be taken seriously, Riner says “what would be irresponsible would be to remain silent and stand by as a spectator to what is happening in our country.” The French presidential election is being held next year.
WORDS: 632 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 7:44 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed93cee34337ced33a8d767cdf3a8396&mediaType=text
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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL-ANALYSIS
Georgia’s momentum and its return to No. 1 in AP Top 25 are making loss to Auburn a fading memory
WORDS: 922 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 6:10 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c46a79d30d7df657a3f2540e8781416c&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-TATUM-BROWN-BEEF
Hold the beef. Order lamb chops. Tatum and Brown serve up drama on the menu when Celtics visit 76ers
SUMMARY: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, once key players for the Celtics, have not spoken since Brown’s trade to the 76ers in July. Brown was traded for Paul George and draft picks. Both players are focused on winning and have no plans to reconnect when their teams face off Tuesday night in Philadelphia. The trade has been successful for both teams, with the 76ers tied for the best record in the NBA. Brown and Tatum’s relationship was often scrutinized, but both players have expressed respect for each other.
WORDS: 865 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:07919d58f4f97ef56ff95bb8fc3bb1f5&mediaType=text
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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-TRADE DEADLINE
In a wide-open NFL, trade deadline is an opportunity for a few teams to get a big boost
SUMMARY: The NFL is wide open at the season’s midpoint. There were few surprises around the league on Sunday. The Packers were the only betting underdog to win but that wasn’t entirely unexpected. The way they did it, however, was eye-opening. Green Bay dominated the Patriots 45-27 in New England. The trade deadline will give teams an opportunity to separate themselves from the pack, especially in a season when several teams are in the mix for a Super Bowl run. Running back Jonathan Taylor is a potential difference-maker for any team that acquires him from the Indianapolis Colts. Breece Hall and Tony Pollard also are potential trade targets.
WORDS: 840 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0fa3c8517d9634b01b50ef0c2db3d432&mediaType=text
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FBN--BUCCANEERS-BEARS
Williams connects with Loveland to set up Santos’ winning field goal as Bears edge Buccaneers 27-24
SUMMARY: Caleb Williams found Colston Loveland for a 38-yard catch to set up Cairo Santos’ 38-yard field goal as time expired, and the Chicago Bears picked up a sloppy 27-24 victory over Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chicago committed five turnovers, including a career-high four interceptions by Williams. But he delivered after Mayfield rallied the Buccaneers in the final minutes. Loveland was pushed out of bounds at the Tampa Bay 16 with 40 seconds left. After two kneel-downs by Williams, Santos delighted the crowd of 60,470 by drilling his second field goal of the night.
WORDS: 843 - MOVED: 11/09/2026 1:47 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:de8752cd3cc4f8624fa9e6783658d276&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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FBN--GIANTS-REESE AND THE DEFENSE
From blitzing opposing quarterbacks to figuring out how to stop the run, the defense with rookie linebacker Arvell Reese standing out in the middle of it is a big reason the New York Giants are alone in first place in the NFC East. By Stephen Whyno.
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BKC--T25-FLORIDA-FLORIDA STATE
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — No. 1 Florida plays its first road game of the season when it travels to Florida State, which has lost five in a row in the series.
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HKW--WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Coverage of the women’s hockey world championships in Denmark.
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