AP – Sports
October 16, 2026
Jalen Hurts’ future in Philadelphia is now a question mark
Jalen Hurts has faced questions about his passing efficiency, willingness to run and leadership ability despite winning one Super Bowl MVP award and leading the Philadelphia Eagles to two NFC championships. He faces a challenge bigger and more serious than silencing critics and quieting fickle fans. Hurts has a blood clot in his calf and has to miss at least one game. His health is the top priority now. But the NFL is a business and Hurts’ availability for the remainder of the season is in doubt so it’s fair to wonder about his future in Philadelphia.
Brewers slugger Jake Bauers wins NLCS MVP award against hometown Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jake Bauers went home to Southern California and walked away with an MVP trophy. Bauers hit a two-run double in the fourth inning Thursday to begin Milwaukee’s comeback, and the Brewers rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers that finished a four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series. The first baseman also drew a walk that forced home the tying run in the fifth to help Milwaukee advance to the World Series for the first time in 44 years. Bauers, who went to high school about 40 miles south of Dodger Stadium, was selected the NLCS MVP after batting .286 with a home run and six RBIs in the series.
Madrid demands La Liga president resigns after comparing attacks on referees with Nazi propaganda
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid has again demanded the resignation of the president of La Liga after he compared the club’s efforts to discredit referees with the propaganda techniques of the German Nazi regime. La Liga president Javier Tebas has lashed out at Madrid on social media with a long post that criticized how its club television channel says referees hurt its chances of winning. Real Madrid TV regularly runs reels of what it considers gross errors. Tebas compared the tactic with those of Joseph Goebbels, the minister of propaganda in World War II Nazi Germany.
Jalen Brunson may be small, but he wears a big target now after leading the Knicks to the NBA title
NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson doesn’t overwhelm anyone athletically like Michael Jordan or LeBron James. He’ll never overpower anybody like Shaquille O’Neal. Brunson is listed at 6-foot-2 and doesn’t look like someone who would ever dominate an NBA game. That has left countless frustrated opponents wondering why they couldn’t stop him from leading the New York Knicks to the top. Players who watched what Brunson did last season while leading the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973 clearly admire what the 2018 second-round pick has become. James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were among the superstars praising Brunson when training camps opened.
From March Madness miracles to a season opener in Rome: The story of Catholic college hoops
NEW YORK (AP) — Catholic college basketball has a rich history, filled with talented teams, colorful coaches, and unforgettable characters. That legacy will soon be celebrated with the first-ever Eternal City Tip-Off on November 1 in Rome, when Notre Dame and Villanova’s men’s and women’s teams face off at the Palazzo dello Sport. The arena is near the Vatican, home base to Pope Leo XIV. Not only is he the first American pope, he’s a sports fan and a Villanova alum. Villanova has accounted for three the 10 men’s titles won by Catholic schools since the NCAA tournament began in 1939.
NBA season to begin with 6 coaches in new places, including 3 first-time sideline bosses
Dusty May is set to start as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. He has already experienced big games in NBA arenas, thanks to his success at the college level with Florida Atlantic and Michigan. May believes he’s ready for the NBA challenge, focusing entirely on the game once it starts. He’s one of three first-time NBA coaches this season, alongside Orlando’s Sean Sweeney and Portland’s Micah Nori. Other teams also have new coaches, like Taylor Jenkins in Milwaukee, Tiago Splitter in Chicago and Jamahl Mosley in New Orleans.
No Las Vegas, no New York, yet the WNBA Finals handle still beats 2022
The WNBA Finals between Atlanta and Golden State isn’t the matchup many expected, but it’s drawing more betting action than a few years ago. BetMGM Sportsbook’s Christian Cipollini noted increased interest since 2022. A matchup between Las Vegas and New York would have likely attracted more bets due to their star players and past championships. Sports betting isn’t legal in California or Georgia, limiting interest. Golden State is favored to win, but Atlanta could surprise. Both teams excel defensively.
Phillies put Trea Turner on notice. Get better at shortstop or find another position
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Trea Turner has seven years left on his $300 million contract with the Phillies, but his future as their starting shortstop is uncertain. Phillies executive Dave Dombrowski has criticized Turner for his poor performance this season, including a .242 batting average and a league-worst 21 errors. Dombrowski warned Thursday that Turner could face a position change if he doesn’t improve. Turner, who joined the Phillies in 2023, has taken responsibility for the team’s postseason struggles and is determined to improve. The Phillies have other options in the infield, including top prospects Aidan Miller and Bryan Rincon.
Jags kicker Cam Little outlines challenges Harry Kane would face to achieve NFL dream
LONDON (AP) — Cam Little is confident Harry Kane has the skill to become an NFL kicker. But the Jacksonville Jaguars kicker says the hard part for Kane would be shifting from star striker to bit player. Little says “you don’t have the same moxi because he is a star striker” compared to NFL kicker who is “out there just to back everyone up basically.” The England captain and Bayern Munich star Kane has mused over the years about one day kicking in the NFL. He recently floated the idea of combining his NFL goal with also joining a Major League Soccer team.
Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia stays on track as safety fears grow amid Middle East conflict
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Asian Cup organizers have confirmed that plans for the continental soccer tournament in Saudi Arabia remain on track despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Saudi organizing committee issued a statement Friday saying preparations are progressing according to schedule for the tournament set to kick off in January. Concerns have been raised by South Korea’s Professional Footballers’ Association following attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. At least 19 people have been killed in recent attacks. South Korea is set to open against Yemen on January 10, but safety concerns remain. The Asian Football Confederation president said the tournament could be postponed by a year if necessary.
