Sports

Steelers star linebacker TJ Watt skips the start of mandatory minicamp

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers might be ready to take the practice field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt is not. The star outside linebacker is skipping the start of mandatory minicamp. Watt likely is eyeing a new deal as he enters the final year of his current contract. The seven-time Pro Bowler and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year extension in September 2021 that was scheduled to pay him $112 million and made him the highest-paid defender in the league at the time. Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett now holds that honor after signing a deal worth $40 million a season in March.

One year from World Cup opener, FIFA leaves questions unanswered on tickets and security

NEW YORK (AP) — A year from the largest World Cup ever, there has been no announcement on general ticket sales, prices for most seats, location of a draw and security arrangements as FIFA mostly avoids disclosing details of an event set for 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada. There is uncertainty about whether fans from some nations will be welcome in the U.S., where 11 of the venues are located and all matches will be played from the quarterfinals on. At the last major soccer tournament in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after spectators breached security gates.

Xander Schauffele is a sick man when it comes to golf’s toughest test. He loves the US Open

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Xander Schauffele concedes to being a sick person because he loves the U.S. Open. It’s called the toughest test in golf and Oakmont is reputed to be the toughest course in the land. Schauffele says he looks forward to the challenge at Oakmont. He’s yet to win the U.S. Open but he has finished in the top 10 in all but one of his eight appearances. Oakmont figures to give everyone fits this week because of its dense rough and super slick greens. Justin Thomas says having a good attitude to him means concentrating over every single shot.

NCAA’s Baker: Will Congress back $2.8B settlement with antitrust protection?

Now that the NCAA has taken care of its business, its president wants Congress to deliver. NCAA President Charlie Baker. long a proponent of federal legislation to lock in some of the seismic changes hitting college sports, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that draft legislation circulating in Washington is what the association has been asking for. Now, it’s simply a matter of passing it.

Oilers unravel in Game 3 against the Panthers and now are chasing the Stanley Cup Final

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The wheels came off for the Edmonton Oilers in their 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. It was almost certainly their worst showing since early in the playoffs. They trail the series 2-1 with the defending champions another win away from moving to the verge of going back to back. The Oilers fell behind early, took a handful of minor penalties when they still had a chance and unraveled down the stretch. Goaltender Stuart Skinner got pulled, but his play is just a small part of the reason Edmonton looks to be in trouble.

Buffalo Bills RB James Cook in attendance for team’s mandatory practice amid contract concerns

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team’s three-day mandatory series of practices. Coach Sean McDermott says “I respect his decision to be here and be amongst the team.” Cook’s attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. Cook skipped Buffalo’s six previous spring practices and workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia.

NCAA says online abuse related to sports betting declined during this year’s March Madness

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Online abuse related to sports betting decreased during the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournaments compared with the prior year. But the NCAA says people involved in the competition still received more than 3,000 threatening messages. The NCAA hired Signify Group to monitor messages directed at athletes, coaches, game officials, selection committee members and others with official roles in the tournament. Signify used both artificial intelligence and human analysts to confirm the threats and, when necessary, report them to law enforcement. Overall, the NCAA says abuse related to sports betting was down 23%. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments had relatively few major upsets.

World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year’s tournament

NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia’s host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by the U.S. federal government may be among the outside events that impact next year’s tournament. At a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders on Monday, Meg Kane said, “We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.” The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games.

Wander Franco’s attorney to ask court to exonerate his client in sexual abuse case

PUERTO LA PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The attorney for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco says he will ask the court to exonerate his client of all charges in a sexual abuse case involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. Franco, who was charged in July 2024 and is on supervised release, could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. The prosecutors say the witnesses’ testimony has been vital in proving that Franco sexually abused a minor and paid her mother money for her consent. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.

Panthers rout Oilers 6-1 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Panthers lead the Stanley Cup Final 2-1 after routing the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 in Game 3. Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett scored again, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe each got their first goal of the series. The defending champion Panthers got balanced production and steady goaltending, chased Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner and made their opponent come unglued between and after whistles. Game 4 is Thursday night at Florida.