Sports

ONTARIO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say they have arrested Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder facing charges related to drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witness. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel on Friday confirmed Wedding’s arrest. Patel said Wedding was captured in Mexico, where authorities believe he had been hiding for more than a decade. The former Olympian was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Wedding was charged in 2024 with running a drug ring that used semitrucks to move cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada.

College Football Playoff to remain at 12 teams after SEC and Big Ten fail to agree on expansion

The College Football Playoff will remain at 12 teams after the commissioners of the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten couldn’t come up with a compromise for expansion. The CFP Management Committee announced Friday the 12-team format would stay the same for the 2026-27 season. The decision provides additional time for evaluation and discussion on the current format and potential changes in the future. The CFP went from four teams to 12 teams for the 2024 season, and the two most powerful conferences favored further expansion but could not agree on a number.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza officially declares for the NFL draft and could be the No. 1 pick

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is officially available. Mendoza formally declared for the NFL draft and could be headed to the Raiders with the No. 1 pick in April. Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season and its first national championship with a 27-21 victory against Miami on Monday night. The junior completed 72% of his passes this season for 3,535 yards, with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for seven scores. He played some of his best football in the College Football Playoff.

Colts confirm the FBI has opened an investigation into the death of former owner Jim Irsay

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The FBI has opened an investigation into the death of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, team officials have confirmed. The Colts issued a statement saying they were “aware of the investigation” but that they had not been contacted by the FBI nor been served with subpoenas. Irsay’s three daughters said in May their father died “peacefully in his sleep.” But in late August, The Washington Post reported Irsay’s continuing battle against a painkiller addiction had led to three overdoses in the five years preceding his death. The Post also reported in August that Irsay was prescribed ketamine, which is most commonly used as a general anesthetic, in his final months and that police were called to the hotel room where Irsay died in Beverly Hills, California.

No. 17 Alabama plans to play 7-footer Charles Bediako, who turned pro in 2023, against Tennessee

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama coach Nate Oats says 7-foot center Charles Bediako, who gave up his college eligibility in 2023 to enter the NBA draft, will play against Tennessee on Saturday. Although Oats called the NCAA system that is allowing professional players to return to college “broken,” he is taking advantage of the loophole. The 23-year-old Bediako practiced with the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide a day after a judge in Tuscaloosa temporarily reinstated the player’s college eligibility and blocked the NCAA from retaliating for his return. Bediako has signed several NBA developmental contracts since 2023, including playing for the Motor City Cruise in the NBA’s G League as recently as last week. He spent two seasons at Alabama before turning pro.

German soccer federation official wants World Cup boycott considered because of Trump

BERLIN (AP) — A German soccer federation executive committee member says it’s time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump. Oke Göttlich is the president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli and one of the German federation’s 10 vice presidents. He tells the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper “the time has come” to “seriously consider and discuss this.” Trump has sowed discord in Europe with his takeover bid for Greenland and his subsequent threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries who opposed the bid. Göttlich says “What were the justifications for the boycotts of the Olympic Games in the 1980s? By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion.”

Former Miami Heat security officer gets 3 years in prison for selling stolen memorabilia

MIAMI (AP) — A former Miami Heat security officer has been sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $1.9 million in restitution for stealing hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other valuable sports memorabilia while working for the team. Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, was sentenced earlier this month, according to court records. He pleaded guilty last August to transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. The 25-year retired veteran of the Miami Police Department worked for the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025.

White Sox add right-hander Seranthony Domínguez to their bullpen, AP source says

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have added Seranthony Domínguez to their bullpen, agreeing to a $20 million, two-year contract with the right-hander. A person familiar with the deal confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move was pending a physical. Domínguez played for Baltimore and Toronto last year, going 4-4 with a 3.16 ERA and two saves in 67 games. He was traded to the Blue Jays on July 29. Chicago had some additional payroll flexibility after trading center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets. Domínguez likely will close games with the White Sox.

Alex Palou ordered to pay McLaren Racing $12M in breach of contract suit

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been ordered to pay McLaren Racing more than $12 million for breach of contract. The decision came Friday from London’s High Court after a five-week trial. McLaren initially sought nearly $30 million in damages, later reducing it to $20.7 million. The damages are tied to losses the IndyCar team suffered when Palou chose to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing instead of moving to McLaren’s IndyCar team in 2024. Palou expressed disappointment, stating the claims were overblown. He is considering his options with advisors. Palou has won three consecutive IndyCar titles since the saga began.

Chloe Kim rediscovers love for Olympics. Will an injury derail quest for a 3rd straight gold medal?

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Chloe Kim’s journey to a third Olympic gold is facing unexpected challenges. A shoulder injury during training has left her scrambling to prepare for the Milan Cortina Games. Kim, known for her impressive tricks, is unsure if she’ll be at full strength for the halfpipe event. She expressed disappointment about not being able to snowboard until just before the Olympics. Despite her achievements, including eight Winter X Games golds and three world championships, the pressure to perform remains. Her coach, Rick Bower, notes that fame has made snowboarding feel more like a job. Kim aims to rediscover her love for the sport while facing fierce competition from athletes like Gaon Choi and Sena Tomita.