Sports

Tony Clark intends to resign as MLB players’ union head, AP source says, as possible cap fight looms

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tony Clark intends to resign as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, according to a person familiar with the union’s deliberations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because his decision, first reported by ESPN, had not been announced. The person said an announcement was likely later Tuesday. Clark’s decision comes during an investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into One Team Partners, a licensing company founded by the union and the NFL Players Association.

Tiger Woods isn’t ruling out a return to the Masters. Ryder Cup captaincy also uncertain

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The immediate future of Tiger Woods is in the boardroom instead of the golf course. Woods still won’t rule out returning to the Masters. All he says is that playing the first major of the year isn’t off the table. But he is coming off a year in which he didn’t compete in a single tournament for the first time in his career. He had disk replacement surgery in October. Most of his time is occupied in the PGA Tour boardroom as head of the committee reshaping the schedule. Also on hold is being Ryder Cup captain.

Detroit’s stunning surge: Pistons enter post-All-Star play with the NBA’s best record

The Detroit Pistons have surged from years of misery to the NBA’s best record as play resumes after the All-Star break. Detroit sits at 40-13 and barely leads Oklahoma City when games resume Thursday. The Pistons avoid long skids and rarely lose big. They also beat strong teams more than anyone. Cade Cunningham says the team stays focused and keeps building. History suggests the title picture centers on Detroit, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Boston, Denver and New York. Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead the scoring race. Injuries and the 65-game rule shake up awards.

The hottest show in hockey, ‘Heated Rivalry,’ is embraced by fans and players at Winter Olympics

MILAN (AP) — Olympic hockey knows all about big hits. That includes “Heated Rivalry,” a gay hockey romance TV series in which two players from opposing teams carry out a secret relationship. The steamy connection between the characters — Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov — has attracted fans to both the show and the sport itself. The show’s impact was evident even before the Winter Olympics when co-stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie carried the Olympic flame. And it hasn’t stopped there. Athletes and fans from Canada and the U.S. are feeling the show’s impact.

Elana Meyers Taylor nearly lost hope. Her team, her husband and the Spurs helped her to Olympic gold

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — U.S. bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor has gone from almost quitting the sport to winning Olympic gold. A few weeks before Christmas, she texted her husband from Norway and said she cannot keep going. Cooler heads prevailed. On Tuesday, she returned to training after taking the monobob title at the Milan Cortina Games. She says she feels exhausted but proud. At 41, she became the oldest woman to win an individual Winter Games gold. She also tied the U.S. record for Winter Olympic medals by a woman. She shared the moment with her two young sons, who have special needs.

Madonna sends good luck message to American figure skater Amber Glenn at Olympics

MILAN (AP) — Madonna has surprised U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn with a good luck video before Glenn skates to “Like a Prayer” at the Milan Cortina Olympics. On Tuesday night, Glenn watched the message right before her short program. In the video, Madonna says she saw a clip of her performing and tells Glenn she looks strong and brave. Glenn said she was “in shock” to receive the video. Madonna isn’t the only big-name celebrity tossing her support behind Glenn and teammates Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, who have dubbed themselves the “Blade Angels.” Taylor Swift provided the voice-over for an NBC spot highlighting them.

Twins right-hander Pablo López has a major elbow injury that likely will need season-ending surgery

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo López has a “significant tear” in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that is expected to require season-ending surgery. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll told reporters Tuesday that López will seek a second opinion but likely is headed for a Tommy John procedure. López ended a bullpen session early on Monday after experiencing soreness. He was the team’s opening day starter in each of the last three seasons and scheduled to pitch for his native Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic next month. López is making $21.75 million this season and signed through next year.

Anthony Kim’s mystique was built on memories. Now his best highlight is a win

LOS ANGELES (AP) — What Anthony Kim and Tiger Woods once had in common was that the longer they were away from golf, the more their legend grew. For Woods, it was endless highlight reels of his majors. For Kim, it was more memories of his swagger and lifestyle because he won only three times on the PGA Tour. But now the 40-year-old American has something even better with highlights of his astonishing win at LIV Golf Adelaide. He had vanished from public view for 12 years. He feels lucky to have survived his drug and alcohol addiction. Now he sees where it leads next.

Jessica Pegula will lead the WTA Tour’s efforts to improve the women’s tennis calendar

2024 U.S. Open runner-up Jessica Pegula will lead a new 13-person panel to recommend changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events. WTA Tour chair Valerie Camillo told players and tournament officials about the formation of the Tour Architecture Council in a letter she sent Tuesday that was obtained by The Associated Press. For years, tennis players have complained that the sport’s season is too long and the offseason is too short and lamented other factors that contribute to injuries and burnout. Camillo said she hopes a revised setup can be approved for 2027.

Balogun scores after 55 seconds and then adds another for Monaco against PSG in Champions League

American forward Folarin Balogun took less than one minute to give Monaco the lead against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League playoff. He then added a second goal less than midway through the first half. There was only 55 seconds on the clock at Stade Louis II when Balogun headed in a precise cross from the left by Aleksandr Golovin. Balogun scored again in the 18th when PSG lost the ball and Maghnes Akliouche threaded a fine pass behind the defense for Balogun to fire confidently past hesitant goalkeeper Matvei Safonov. The return leg is next Wednesday at Parc des Princes, with the winner advancing to the last 16.