Sports

Bills are getting receiver D.J. Moore in a trade with the Bears, AP sources say

The Buffalo Bills have agreed to acquire wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears. That’s according to two people with knowledge of the trade who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal cannot become official until the start of the new league year. Buffalo is sending Chicago a second-round pick in this year’s draft in return for Moore and a fifth-round pick, the people said. Moore is coming off making 50 catches for 682 yards and six touchdowns last season as the Bears made the playoffs in Ben Johnson’s first year as coach.

Lou Holtz, college football staple who coached Notre Dame to 1988 national title, dies at 89

Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship and won 249 games over 33 seasons at six schools, has died. He was 89. Notre Dame announced on Wednesday that Holtz died in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by his family. Spokeswoman Katy Lonergan said a cause of death was not provided by the family. Holtz became the first and so far only coach to lead six different teams to bowl games during a career in which he compiled a record of 249-132-7. At Notre Dame, he went 100-30-2 in 11 seasons.

From silence to song: Iran team’s anthem shift in Australia at soccer’s Women’s Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — The Iran women’s soccer team has sung and saluted as its national anthem played ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup contest against Australia. That was in contrast to its silence before its opening game three days earlier. The outcome was similar Thursday, though, this time a 4-0 loss to Australia. The silence during the anthem before Monday’s opening loss to South Korea was variously reported as an act of resistance or a show of mourning. The team didn’t clarify. But in a news conference on the eve of the game against Australia, Iran striker Sara Didar choked back tears as she shared the concerns of players and management for their families and loved ones amid the war in the Middle East.

War-hit Qatar still plans to host Argentina-Spain game with Messi and Yamal for UEFA

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA says it still plans for Qatar to stage the Argentina vs. Spain game known as Finalissima this month. The emirate has been targeted by Iranian missiles in the widening Middle East war started by Israel and the United States. UEFA says “at present there are no alternative venues being considered” for the scheduled March 27 game in Doha. It pairs the reigning champions of South America and Europe in a likely matchup of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. UEFA says “a final decision is anticipated towards the end of next week.”

Avalanche get Nicolas Roy, Golden Knights acquire Nic Dowd ahead of the NHL trade deadline

Two of the top Stanley Cup contenders in the Western Conference are not waiting until trade deadline day to make significant additions down the middle. The NHL-best Colorado Avalanche acquired center Nicolas Roy from Toronto on Thursday for a conditional fifth-round pick this year and a conditional first-rounder in 2027. The Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights got center Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick, a 2029 second-rounder and young goaltender Jesper Vikman. Roy helped Vegas win the Cup in 2023. Dowd is a key penalty killer and shutdown defender.

AP Mock Draft 1.0: Edge rushers go 2-3-4 after Raiders take QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall

Fernando Mendoza won a Heisman Trophy, led Indiana to its first national championship and will be the No. 1 overall pick when the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock next month. The rest of the NFL draft isn’t that clear-cut. It’s not even a certainty that another quarterback will be selected in the first round after Mendoza, though Ty Simpson made a strong case at the scouting combine. The first edition of the AP’s 2026 mock draft has three edge rushers going right after Mendoza, and Simpson going to the Steelers at No. 21.

Elimination of April transfer portal window could cause return of traditional spring football games

The disappearance of the spring transfer portal window offers the opportunity for a reappearance of spring football games in campuses across the country. Playing a game in front of fans to end spring practice had become a fading tradition in the age of conference networks and the transfer portal. Coaches feared the possibility that rival staffs could watch televised spring games and turn them into scouting opportunities. That’s not as much of a concern now that college football no longer has a second transfer portal window in April.

Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña has a finger injury that makes his status for the WBC unclear

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Houston Astros have sent All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña to see a hand specialist for further examination of an injury to his right ring finger that has made his immediate availability for the World Baseball Classic unclear. Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters at the team’s spring training complex on Thursday that Peña had some damage to the nail area on the finger after fielding a hard groundball for the Dominican Republic national team during an exhibition game. The Dominican Republic plays its first game of the WBC on Friday in Miami against Nicaragua.

Doubles and triples are dwindling in MLB. Blame better outfielders and sluggers

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The number of doubles and triples in the major leagues went down again last year. There were 7,745 doubles, down from 7,771 in 2024 and 8,254 a decade ago in 2016, according to Sportradar. Triples dropped to 628, compared to 697 in 2024 and 873 in 2016. In an effort to create more action on the basepaths, Major League Baseball made the bases bigger when it changed some of its rules before the 2023 season. There was an increase in doubles, triples and steals that same year before doubles and triples resumed their downward trend. Defensive positioning and ballpark dimensions are two of the biggest factors in the decline.

Stewart scores 32 points, carries Mist to 80-74 win over Plum, Phantom in Unrivaled final

MEDLEY, Fla. (AP) — Breanna Stewart leads Mist to an Unrivaled championship, adding another title to a packed resume and the league she co-founded. The win comes Wednesday night, as Mist beats Phantom 80-74 in the season-two final. Stewart scores 32 and opens the second half with Mist’s first 12 points. Mist flips the script after going 0-2 against Phantom in the regular season. The finish turns messy when a foul on Stewart gets changed on review, giving her the winning free throw. Kelsey Plum scores 40 for Phantom. The game also lands as WNBA labor talks drag on.