AP Sports

AP Sports

Update on the latest sports

 
AP-Summary Brief-Sports
August 27, 2024

NFL teams already have started trimming rosters ahead of deadline to reach 53 players

NFL teams already have started trimming their rosters ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Teams must pare down to 53 players from 90 by 4 p.m. Eastern. Each team is also allowed to add up to 17 more players on its practice squad, including a spot allocated for the International Player Pathway Program. Several notable players already have been released, including wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. He was cut by the New England Patriots on Aug. 9 and re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Miami Dolphins cut third-string quarterback Mike White, who started seven games for the New York Jets in 2021-22.

Michigan’s ex-sign stealer Connor Stalions says in Netflix documentary he did not break NCAA rules

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Connor Stalions broke his silence on Netflix. The former Michigan football staffer was heard publicly for the first time in “Sign Stealer” on Tuesday, two days after the school received a notice of allegations from the NCAA about his operation. He resigned amid a scandal last season. NCAA rules do not prohibit stealing signs, a role Stalions appeared to have on former coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Wolverines, but the governing body does ban advance scouting. Stalions told NCAA investigators he did not obtain signals through in-person scouting and didn’t recall attending the Central Michigan-Michigan State game last season.

No. 1 Swiatek shakes off tough test to win opening-round match at the US Open

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek fought through a tough first-round match at the U.S. Open, edging Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 7-6 (6). The 2022 champion was one point away from being forced to a third set when Rakhimova took a 6-3 lead in the tiebreaker. But Swiatek recovered and won the next five points, finishing the match when her opponent missed a backhand. Swiatek improved to 22-1 in first-round matches at Grand Slams, including 6-0 at the U.S. Open. Danielle Collins’ singles career at Grand Slams ended when the No. 11 seed was upset by fellow American Caroline Dolehide 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The Paralympic Games are starting. Here’s what to expect as 4,400 athletes compete in Paris

PARIS (AP) — The Paralympic Games are set to open Wednesday as some 4,400 athletes with disabilities, permanent injuries or impairments prepare to compete for 549 medals across 22 sports over 11 days. Paris just hosted the Olympics and it again provides the backdrop for what promises to be a spectacle. Many of the same venues are hosting Paralympic competitions. Historic square Place de la Concorde, which hosted skateboarding, breaking and 3×3 basketball during the Olympics, will host the opening ceremony.

New-look Big 12 ready to embark on a season of big expectations, enormous pressure to win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The new-look Big 12 begins play this weekend and the pressure is on to perform. The four newcomers have some tough games right out of the blocks with Arizona State playing perennial bowl contender Wyoming, Colorado facing FCS power North Dakota State, Utah against Baylor after its opener against Southern Utah, and Arizona facing Kansas State in Week 3. But they are not the only ones under immediate pressure to win. The entire league, which is trying to prove its playoff worth, will be watching to see what West Virginia does when it welcomes No. 8 Penn State to town on Saturday night.

Oklahoma RB coach DeMarco Murray suspended for one game for recruiting violations

Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray will be suspended for one game because he contacted prospects and their families before the permissible time period. The penalties released by the Division I Committee on Infractions also prohibit unofficial visits during the 16th-ranked Sooners’ season opener. The parties agreed that the violations occurred when Murray contacted 17 prospects over 16 months, including 65 impermissible phone calls and 36 impermissible text messages. The agreement said Murray’s actions mean Oklahoma coach Brent Venables violated his responsibilities. Venables avoided a suspension because he was not personally involved in the misconduct.

Xander Schauffele has the points for PGA player of the year. But the award no longer exists

ATLANTA (AP) — Xander Schauffele has earned enough points through his two majors that he would have clinched the PGA of America award for player of the year. There’s just one small problem. The PGA of America two years ago quietly decided to end its awards for PGA Tour players. The reasoning behind it was the PGA Tour already gives similar awards. That also means the end of the Vardon Trophy for the player with the lowest adjusted scoring average. The PGA Tour copied that with the Nelson Award. The PGA Tour player of the year is a vote of players.

New Champions League format promises more of almost everything storied clubs wanted from UEFA

GENEVA (AP) — The new Champions League format this season will see more teams playing more games for more prize money. On Thursday UEFA makes the draw in Monaco for the match schedule of the new single-standings league phase that replaces the traditional group stage. The first new Champions League format since 2003 promises more of almost everything that Europe’s wealthiest and most influential clubs wanted from UEFA. That includes four more places in a new 36-team lineup. At least eight games each instead of six. Games in January for the first time. A 25% prize money raise to a minimum $2.8 billion.

Washington Commanders reach a deal to rename their home field Northwest Stadium

The Washington Commanders’ home field now will be known as Northwest Stadium. The team has reached an eight-year agreement with Northwest Federal Credit Union to rename the place known as FedEx Field since 1999. FedEx ended its naming rights agreement in February, two years before it was set to expire. The deal with Northwest Federal Credit Union also puts the company’s logo on the team’s practice jerseys. It is worth more on average than the $7.5 million annually FedEx paid for naming rights under the previous $205 million agreement, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

Kelces cash in: Travis and Jason Kelce take popular ‘New Heights’ podcast to Amazon’s Wondery

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother, former Eagles center Jason Kelce, are taking their popular “New Heights” podcast to Amazon’s Wondery under a three-year deal that gives the company exclusive advertising sales and distribution rights. The financial terms of the deal were not immediately available, though some reports put the total at nine figures. The deal was announced by Wondery on Tuesday and will begin with this week’s episode, dropping Wednesday. It includes the back catalog of podcast content along with exclusive rights to monetize and distribute audio and video episodes.

AP-Newswatch
August 27, 2024
AP Scorecard
August 27, 2024