AP – Sports
September 4, 2026
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to retire in December after transformative and tumultuous tenure
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end the year, bringing to a close her seven-plus years at the helm of the league and a stewardship that has been transformative and at times tumultuous. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Engelbert’s decision on Friday. Engelbert, who turns 62 in November, is the second-longest tenured WNBA president or commissioner. She helped negotiate a lucrative collective bargaining agreement this past spring that resulted in the league’s first set of million-dollar player salaries. Along with the financial gains, however, turmoil, tension and a strained relationship with players also have been a part of her tenure.
Williams sisters, at 44 and 46, reunite their iconic doubles team — at Serena’s daughter’s urging
NEW YORK (AP) — They’re back, where they first faced off against each other a quarter-century ago. But this time Serena and Venus Williams are on the same side of the net. The sisters are returning to play doubles at the U.S. Open, for the first time in four years. Serena Williams said recently that she was fulfilling daughter Olympia’s wish to play doubles with her Aunt Venus. The match Friday night comes four years after Serena announced her break from tennis in a Vogue essay, saying Olympia wanted to be a big sister. The sisters will face Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching. Fans are excited to see them back, regardless of the outcome.
Aryna Sabalenka complains about the smell of marijuana during her US Open match
NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka finally found something that could stop her at the U.S. Open: the smell of marijuana. The two-time defending champion complained to the chair umpire that it was bothering her early in her third-round victory over Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday. Sabalenka said she had never smelled the odor so strong as she did while serving early in the match. Sabalenka was serving in the third game of the match in Louis Armstrong Stadium. She tossed the ball, but then let it fall to the court. She did the same thing on the next point. She then approached the chair to ask for help.
All eyes turn to federal court in Alabama as SEC tries again to ban former pros from LSU roster
The Southeastern Conference is taking LSU to federal court in Alabama to prevent former NFL players from joining LSU’s football team. The SEC lost the argument in a state court ruling in Louisiana that allows LSU to add two players, Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright, who spent time in NFL training camps. The SEC argues that this move defies its rules against former pros returning to college play. The league’s lawsuit frames the issue as a First Amendment matter, asserting its right to enforce its rules. LSU plans to review the court’s order and work with the SEC and NCAA.
Clark and Bueckers shine in World Cup debuts as the US women rout China 94-61
BERLIN (AP) — Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers made the most of their World Cup debuts to help the United States rout China in the opener of the tournament. Clark had 14 points and 11 assists while Bueckers also scored 14 points as the Americans topped China 94-61 on Friday. It was the first of likely many times that Clark and Bueckers will play together in the U.S. backcourt over the next decade for the senior national team. The U.S. women have Saturday off before facing Italy on Sunday and the Czech Republic on Monday.
The presence of influencers and tennis etiquette become hot topics at the US Open
NEW YORK (AP) — After influencers interrupted Naomi Osaka’s opening match at the U.S. Open, their presence and tennis etiquette have become a hot topic at the Grand Slam tournament. A chair umpire admonished a group of influencers who were recording a video in the middle of a point Monday night. Another was using a bright ring light to take photos. The next day, video screens featured a message asking fans to refrain from the use of flash photography or other lighting. Players expressed mixed feelings about influencers, given the chance to bring a new audience to the sport but also with the risk of them being a distraction.
Sabalenka, Pegula get through tough tests at US Open, with Williams sisters playing doubles at night
NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka fought through a tough third-round test at the U.S. Open, keeping alive her hopes of a third straight title by beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4. The No. 1 seed was pushed in a second set that lasted 54 minutes — a minute longer than her entire previous match. Jessica Pegula also advanced to the fourth round to keep alive the chances of a third straight meeting between Sabalenka and Pegula on the final weekend. Meanwhile, Serena Williams plays at the U.S. Open for the first time since 2022, teaming with sister Venus on Friday night to play their first-round doubles match against Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint.
Pro Football Hall of Fame cuts selection panel nearly in half in the latest overhaul of the process
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is overhauling the selection process by eliminating a separate category for senior players, cutting the selection committee nearly in half and returning to in-person meetings. The Hall announced the new procedures that were approved by the Hall of Fame board following discussions with Hall of Fame staff, members and people on the selection committee. The changes will be in place for the Class of 2027 and come after the voting process came under heavy scrutiny for the most recent class, when six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick failed to get enough support for induction.
Ben Simmons agrees to a 1-year contract with the Sacramento Kings, AP source says
Ben Simmons is making a comeback to the NBA after sitting out last season with injuries, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings. A person familiar with the deal confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that Simmons will sign with Sacramento. ESPN first reported the move and said Simmons would be paid $3.5 million. The 30-year-old from Australia is a former No. 1 draft pick, three-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year but has struggled to perform and stay healthy in recent years. He sat out last season while dealing with back and leg injuries.
San Francisco 49ers arrive in Melbourne for historic NFL game against the LA Rams
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Melbourne for their season-opening NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sept. 11. It is expected to be the first of many regular-season NFL games in front of a growing Australian fan base. The 49ers’ 200-member traveling party touched down on Friday morning after a 15-hour chartered Qantas flight and will spend a week acclimatizing before facing the Rams in front of an expected sold-out crowd at the MCG. The Rams are scheduled to arrive Thursday, only 24 hours before the game.
