AP Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Chiefs are underdogs heading into the Super Bowl against San Francisco, a situation they have rarely experienced in the six years that Patrick Mahomes has been their starting quarterback. But it turns out they kind of like it. They no longer have to manufacture a chip on their shoulder, instead relishing the opportunity to prove naysayers wrong. That was the case when they beat Buffalo in the divisional round, and again when they beat Baltimore in the AFC title game. On Sunday in Las Vegas, they will try to become the sixth team since 2000 to win the Super Bowl as underdogs in their last three games.

Brock Purdy remains unfazed by rise from last pick in the draft to Super Bowl QB

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Minutes after the San Francisco 49ers finished off a stunning comeback to win the NFC championship, star defender Nick Bosa pulled aside quarterback Brock Purdy and marveled at his journey. Purdy has undergone a meteoric rise from “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final pick of the 2022 draft to MVP finalist and starting quarterback in the Super Bowl in a span of less than 22 months. It’s been one of the most improbable draft success stories in recent memories and seems to shock just about everyone other than Purdy, who had the steadfast confidence that he could make it as long as someone gave him a chance.

Kyrie Irving ready to leave turbulent times in Brooklyn behind and focus on future in Dallas

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving is ready to leave the turbulent times in Brooklyn behind and focus on his future in Dallas. A year after he was traded by the Nets, Irving returned for the first time Tuesday night and said he doesn’t worry about people’s opinions of his 3 1/2 seasons in Brooklyn. Nor does he think there’s any point dwelling about the bad breaks on the court and all the drama that came off it. Irving scored 36 points in front of a crowd that included a number of family and friends of the point guard who grew up in New York and New Jersey.

Messi plays and has chances but Vissel Kobe beats Inter Miami 4-3 on penalties in a friendly

TOKYO (AP) — After leaving fans disappointed in Hong Kong, Lionel Messi put in a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo in Inter Miami’s latest exhibition match in Asia. However, he still left some supporters wanting more. Messi came off the bench for the final half hour, energized his teammates and probably had the best chance of the match in the 80th with two point-blank shots that were both stopped by the Vissel Kobe defense. After a 0-0 draw in regulation, the match went to penalty kicks and Vissel won the shootout 4-3. Messi did not take a penalty, however, which brought jeers from the crowd of 28,614 in Tokyo’s National Stadium.

Las Vegas, where the party never ends, prepares for its biggest yet: Super Bowl 58

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas is about to throw its biggest party yet. Doors open Sunday at Allegiant Stadium for the city’s first Super Bowl. Las Vegas is primed for an estimated 330,000 visitors this week leading up to the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. Even the Las Vegas Strip looks different, with Roman numeral installations springing up and a towering Vince Lombardi Trophy outside the Bellagio. One county official says the city’s transformation for the big game proves Las Vegas has arrived as a sports entertainment hub.

José Altuve and Houston Astros agree to new contract adding $125 million for 2025-29

José Altuve and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract that covers 2025-29. Houston announced a new multiyear deal for Altuve on Tuesday without disclosing financial details. Altuve has a $26 million salary for 2024 in the final season of a $163.5 million, seven-year deal. The eight-time All-Star second baseman would have been eligible for free agency after this year’s World Series. His new agreement includes a $15 million signing bonus, payable upon the contract’s approval by Major League Baseball, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those details were not announced.

Jordy Bahl’s move to Nebraska creates overwhelming softball ticket demand and national title hopes

Nebraska softball is enjoying a surge in popularity with the addition of pitching phenom Jordy Bahl. She shocked the college softball world last June when she announced her transfer to the Cornhuskers a week after she led Oklahoma to its third straight national title and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Women’s College World Series. The Huskers are in the preseason Top 25 for the first time since 2015. High ticket demand has led Nebraska to expand the capacity of its stadium. The team talks of winning a national championship. The Huskers open Thursday against Washington.

ESPN, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery are planning a sports streaming platform in the fall

ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans on Tuesday to launch a sports streaming platform in the fall that will include offerings from at least 15 networks and all four major professional sports leagues. A one-stop app to view most sports should be a welcome sight for fans, who continue to navigate rising costs by subscribing to multiple services. The three companies will each share one-third ownership in the joint venture. A name for the service and pricing will be announced at a later date.

How private equity is changing the global soccer landscape with big investments in clubs and leagues

MADRID (AP) — The soccer landscape is changing quickly with a surge of investment firms injecting billions into clubs and leagues around the world. There is the American holding company buying clubs in Belgium, Italy and Germany. And the Luxembourg-based private equity group putting billions of euros into leagues in Spain and France. The trend has reached all the major soccer markets and there’s no sign it will ease up any time soon. Investors seized the opportunity when clubs became cash-strapped during the coronavirus pandemic and now are thriving in a niche few of them had fully explored before. Some leagues and clubs are still reluctant to get involved.

Labor victory for Dartmouth basketball players only start of path to a union deal

BOSTON (AP) — A ruling that gives the Dartmouth basketball team the right to unionize has far-reaching implications for all of college sports — from the quaint, academically oriented Ivy League to the big-money football factories like Michigan and Alabama. But it’s not time to cut down the nets just yet. Although Monday’s ruling by a National Labor Relations Board official put the players on the path toward a union, they have a long way to go. It could be years before they are able to sit down with the school and negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. Only then would the two sides sit down and decide what the players are worth. And others around collegiate sports will be watching.