AP Sports

Cousins agrees to 4-year contract with Falcons, leaving Vikings to look for new QB

Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota for Atlanta, landing another big contract with a well-timed foray into free agency. Cousins’ agent Mike McCartney announced on social media that his client has agreed to a four-year deal with the Falcons. Cousins is working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot that sidelined him because of an injury for the first time in his career. He had a 103.8 passer rating in eight games for the Vikings last season that was still the third best in the league despite the lost time.

Number of Black major leaguers remains historically low, but improvement may be on the way

The percentage of Black MLB players has been declining for decades and remains historically low, but there are signs of improvement in the league’s player development pipeline thanks largely to a series of grassroots efforts that the league hopes lead to a steady increase in African American participation. Programs like the DREAM Series and Andre Dawson Classic have provided competitive baseball opportunities to young Black players who otherwise might not have them, and early signs are that those initiatives are working. More Black players are playing collegiate DI baseball, as well as being drafted into the minors.

Former driver Massa says he’s suing F1 and FIA over crash he claims cost him the 2008 title

SAO PAULO (AP) — Former driver Felipe Massa says he has filed a lawsuit in a London court to try and claim the 2008 Formula 1 title. Massa says he is seeking to receive up to $82 million in damages, according to a document obtained by the Associated Press. Massa has said since last year he is the “rightful” champion due to the incident known as “Crashgate.” He was the runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in 2008 by one point. The 42-year-old Brazilian never got closer to the F1 title. The former Ferrari and Williams driver says in a statement his case will be heard at the King’s Bench Division of the High Court.

Brother of LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson arrested after SEC Tournament championship fight

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — The brother of LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson was arrested and charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct after getting involved in his sister’s scuffle with South Carolina forward Kamilla Cardoso. The incident took place late in the Gamecocks’ 79-72 victory Sunday after Cardoso shoved Johnson. Cardoso was ejected. Trayron Milton jumped over the scorer’s table to reach the court and made contact with Cardoso. He was led away by security. Greenville police say Milton reached the court by pushing down an SEC employee and stepping on her shoulders to get past.

More eyes, more scrutiny: South Carolina-LSU scrap seen as a bad look for growing women’s game

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — The women’s game has gotten a bigger fan base at arenas and on TV. What those people saw at the Southeastern Conference Tournament title game is not what leaders growing the game want more of. South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso was ejected for pushing LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson to the floor. Five others who played in the game were thrown out for leaving the bench. There have already been apologies and the confrontation is seen as unusual in the women’s game.

Column: Team Penske steps up for Captain when Roger Penske’s leadership of IndyCar is questioned

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — There’s no better message to send to critics than an absolute domination, which was the exact Team Penske response after rival team owners took aim at Roger Penske’s series leadership. Penske silently fumed at the criticism, which included a bold call from Michael Andretti for the 87-year-old Penske to sell IndyCar if he won’t up his investments into series marketing and promotion, but refused to engage in a public battle with disgruntled stakeholders. Instead, a renewed Josef Newgarden led all three Penske drivers to top-four finishes in Sunday’s race. Newgarden earned the 30th win of his IndyCar career, while Scott McLaughlin finished third and Will Power was fourth.

Christopher Bell’s win caps Toyota’s stellar weekend at Phoenix Raceway

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Chevrolet dominated the start of the NASCAR Cup Series by claiming three straight wins, starting with William Byron’s Daytona 500 victory. As the series shifted to Phoenix Raceway, Toyota found the right gears and turn of the wrenches for a dominating weekend capped by Christopher Bell’s trip to victory lane. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs finished a career-best third in the race and Toyota cars led all but 14 laps in the 312-mile race. Bell’s victory capped a weekend in which Toyota driver William Sawalich won the rain-shortened ARCA Menards Series race and Chandler Smith took the checkered flag in the Xfinity race.

For Saint Rose, the big dance is a last dance. An NCAA berth comes in a year the school will close

The coaching job Will Brown has done in his first year at The College of Saint Rose is impressive. The Golden Knights are in the NCAA Division II women’s tournament for the first time in 13 years, plus lead the country in points allowed per game and field-goal percentage defense. He won’t be at Saint Rose next season. Nobody will be. There is no next season, since the school is closing.

Houston, UConn, Purdue remain top AP Top 25 while bluebloods North Carolina, Kentucky on the rise

Houston remains atop the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the third consecutive week. The Cougars received 52 of 62 first-place votes from a national media panel after clinching the Big 12 regular-season title in their first year in the league. Defending national champ UConn remained second with six first-place votes and Purdue is third with four first-place votes. North Carolina moved up to fourth and Kentucky jumped to No. 9 this week. Nevada entered at No. 23 for the first time since 2019, while Texas Tech returned at No. 25. San Diego State and South Florida fell out.

South Carolina, Iowa are 1-2 in women’s AP Top 25; No. 3 Southern Cal has best ranking in 38 years

Southern California has moved up to No. 3 in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll, its best ranking in 38 years. The Trojans are behind South Carolina and Iowa after winning the Pac-12 Tournament for the first time since 2014. Stanford fell two spots to fourth and Texas was fifth.