AP Sports

Harbaugh informs team he will serve 3-game suspension for NCAA violations, AP sources say.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has informed his team and staff that he will serve a three-game suspension to start this season as part of the school’s self-imposed penalties for NCAA infractions. Two people familiar with the situation confirmed the details to The Associated Press. It means Harbaugh will not be on the sideline for the second-ranked Wolverines home games against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green. He will be permitted to coach the team during the week, as per NCAA rules. The infractions case is tied to improper contact with recruits.

Analysis: USA Basketball striking blend of focus and fun on World Cup journey

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The sightseeing, beach trips and golf outings are over now for Team USA. It is vacation time in the NBA and USA Basketball went to great lengths to ensure that there would be a work-life balance for those who committed six weeks of their time with hopes of getting the Americans back atop the international stage. Now it’s time to lock in on the World Cup. The U.S. men’s team was flying to Manila on Monday and will spend the next few days going through final practice preparations before their opening game on Saturday against New Zealand. The Americans will be favored to win the tournament, but understand that it’s not going to be easy to return home with the gold.

Angry reaction after Spanish soccer leader kissed a Women’s World Cup star on the mouth

MADRID (AP) — The leader of Spain’s soccer federation marred the country’s Women’s World Cup victory after kissing a player on the lips during the medal ceremony, drawing criticism for inappropriate conduct in a sport that has struggled to overcome sexism. The Spanish government and the world players’ union condemned the behavior of Luis Rubiales on Monday, a day after Spain’s 1-0 win over England. The soccer federation led by Rubiales sought to downplay the incident through a statement attributed to the player he kissed. The kiss was shocking given the sport’s long-standing allegations of sexual misconduct by male soccer presidents and coaches against female players on national teams.

USC’s Caleb Williams, Ohio State’s Harrison Jr. and Michigan’s Corum top AP preseason All-Americans

Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of USC, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michigan running back Blake Corum are among the returning first-team All-Americans who were selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America team. Notre Dame offensive tackle and Miami safety Kam Kinchens also followed up their All-America 2022 seasons by being named preseason All-Americans by AP Top 25 voters. Two-time defending national champion and No. 1 Georgia has the most players on the first team with four, including tight end Brock Bowers. Ohio State is next with three.

Reds-Angels game is postponed due to the effects of Tropical Storm Hilary. Doubleheader is Wednesday

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels’ game against the Cincinnati Reds scheduled for Monday night has been postponed due to the effects of Tropical Storm Hilary. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday. Southern California’s first tropical storm in 84 years dropped several inches of rain across the Los Angeles area on Sunday. The rain had stopped by Monday morning, but Angel Stadium was too wet to play, according to the Angels. The Angels already had moved up their game scheduled for Sunday against Tampa Bay to a Saturday doubleheader. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers posted photos on social media showing Dodger Stadium and its parking lots looking dry in the sunshine. The Dodgers are on the road until next Monday.

Women’s World Cup teams head home to different futures

SYDNEY (AP) — Many teams headed home from the Women’s World Cup with uncertain futures. The struggle for funding, support and recognition will continue for countries like Nigeria and Jamaica. For others the tournament was a stepping stone. Germany, Brazil, Canada and the United States begin the post-tournament soul-searching about what went wrong. The next major tournament for women’s soccer is next year’s Olympics in France. FIFA chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman said before the final that “there will be millions and millions of women and girls around the world who will sign up to play football for the first time ever after this World Cup.”

Rodriguez’s 17-hit deluge helps put the plucky Mariners back in the AL playoff race

PHOENIX (AP) — The Seattle Mariners were mostly sellers at the trade deadline three weeks ago, dealing closer Paul Sewald to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a move signaling that this season probably wouldn’t end in the playoffs. Julio Rodríguez had other ideas. The young All-Star recently finished a four-day stretch for the ages, setting an MLB record with 17 hits in those four games and almost single-handedly willing the Mariners back into the American League playoff race.

Basketball World Cup 2023: How to watch, who’s playing, who’s favored and more

For the next three weeks, the eyes of the basketball world will be on the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The Basketball World Cup starts Friday, spread out across three countries for the first two rounds before all the biggest games get played in Manila to decide which nation will go home with gold medals and the Naismith Trophy on Sept. 10. Spain is the defending champion, having won in China four years ago. The U.S. was only seventh in that tournament, its worst finish ever in a major international event. But the Americans have high hopes, and enter as the tournament favorites.

Bubba Wallace clinging to final playoff spot as NASCAR shifts to unpredictable Daytona

Bubba Wallace will be in a precarious position at Daytona International Speedway this weekend. And it has nothing to do with three-wide racing at 200 mph. Wallace holds the 16th and final spot in NASCAR’s Cup Series playoff standings. It’s a tenuous grip at best. More than a dozen others will be trying to pry that postseason berth from Wallace when the green flag drops in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night. Wallace can’t get greedy and won’t have the luxury of staying out of the fray.

LA Sparks fighting to grab last playoff spot in rebuilding year riddled with injuries

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Sparks knew this season was a rebuilding year for a franchise looking to regain its championship pedigree. They just didn’t count on a spate of injuries and illness that have sometimes limited them to eight available players. But the team seems to be turning a corner. The Sparks are riding a four-game winning streak, including a victory over the WNBA-leading Las Vegas Aces last week. That allowed them to overtake Chicago by 1 1/2 games for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Sparks are 13-18 while battling injuries to top players, including Chiney Ogwumike.