AP
Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.
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UPCOMING
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GLF--LPGA SHANGHAI
DESCRIPTION: Third round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament, the first of four LPGA tournaments in four weeks on the so-called Asian swing.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 5:00 a.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Five Premier League games including Manchester City hosting Ipswich, Liverpool at Brentford and Chelsea away to Everton. By Steve Douglas. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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FBC--T25-OHIO STATE-INDIANA
DESCRIPTION: No. 4 Indiana puts the nation’s longest active winning streak, 22 games, in its biggest challenge yet against No. 5 Ohio State. The Hoosiers are looking for their first home win over the Buckeyes since 1988 in a rematch of last year’s Big Ten championship game. By Michael Marot. 600 words, more on merit, with photos. Game time is noon EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 3:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, DigitalPlans, Text
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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Napoli, Inter Milan and Roma aim to bounce back from Champions League disappointment in Italy, Barcelona visits in-form Real Betis in La Liga, and Bayern Munich aims to halt its two-game winless run against Leipzig.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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CAR--NASCAR-PHOENIX-PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: Back-to-back wins have vaulted Chase Briscoe into contention for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. Denny Hamlin’s still lurking, too. But it remains to be seen if anyone can catch up to the steady excellence of Kyle Larson as the “Chase” heads to Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. By David Brandt. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BKL--WNBA FINALS
DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO -- Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries host Angel Reese and Atlanta in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. By Janie McCauley. Game starts at 3:30 p.m. EDT. With: Separates on merit
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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FBC--T25-AUBURN-GEORGIA
DESCRIPTION: One week after winning at Alabama, No. 1 Georgia will try to complete a sweep of the state’s SEC schools when it plays Georgia while looking to protect its unbeaten record. By Charles Odum. 550 words, photos. Game scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT start.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBC--FLORIDA-TEXAS
DESCRIPTION: AUSTIN, Texas — Arch Manning and No, 7 Texas host Florida a week after the Longhorns were knocked off from No. 1 by arch rival Oklahoma. By Jim Vertuno
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BOX--FUNDORA-HADRIBEAJ
DESCRIPTION: Sebastian Fundora faces Ermal Hadribeaj for the WBC super welterweight championship.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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FBC--FLORIDA STATE-MIAMI
DESCRIPTION: No. 3 Miami looks to move to 6-0 on Saturday night when it plays host to unranked and sputtering Florida State. The Hurricanes have won six of the last nine games between the schools. Game starts 7 p.m. EDT, By Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--POSTSEASON
DESCRIPTION: CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians host the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series after Friday’s game was postponed. By Joe Reedy. 700 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
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BBO--BUILDING THE BREWERS
DESCRIPTION: The Milwaukee Brewers play in Major League Baseball’s smallest market. They have a payroll in the bottom half of the majors. They typically trade away their big-name players a year before they reach free agency. Yet they contend every season and now are in the World Series for the first time since 1982. By Steve Megargee. 1,200 words, with photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT
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FBC--NOTRE DAME-BYU
DESCRIPTION: No. 2 Notre Dame plays at No. 8 BYU in one of the biggest Big 12 games in years. By John Coon. 500 words, photos. Starts at 8 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/17/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, DigitalPlans, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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BKN--76ERS-JAMES
LeBron James calls helicopter rides ‘transportation’ after he soars on big dunk in 76ers home debut
SUMMARY: LeBron James performed his famed chalk toss and was introduced to a roaring ovation on Friday night in his first preseason game for the 76ers in Philadelphia. The 41-year-old James joined the 76ers this summer for his NBA-record 24th season. He brought the crowd to its feet early when he finished a dunk against the Boston Celtics off a half-court lob pass from Tyrese Maxey. Sixers fans had been waiting to catch a glimpse of him in his No. 23 jersey since he signed with the team in July.
WORDS: 664 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 10:47 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:59047e6afc3e7a4725de7df44b0e388e&mediaType=text
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BBO--ALCS-GAME 4 POSTPONED
ALCS Game 4 postponed by rain; Rays and Guardians to resume series Saturday
SUMMARY: Game 4 of the American League Championship Series has been postponed because of rain. The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians will resume their playoff series Saturday at 8 p.m., with Game 5 also at Progressive Field on Sunday at 5 p.m., and Game 6, if necessary, on Monday night in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Guardians have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after Petey Halpin’s two-run homer propelled them to a 3-2 victory in Game 3 on Thursday afternoon. It is the first time an ALCS game has been postponed since 2019, when the New York Yankees were hosting the Houston Astros.
WORDS: 693 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 9:54 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:58503982a1a94b465cdbde1364587f1b&mediaType=text
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FBC--CFP EXPANSION
‘Handshake agreement’ with ESPN brings college football closer to a 24-team playoff, AP source says
SUMMARY: College football has moved closer to a 24-team postseason after securing what a person familiar with the negotiations called a “handshake agreement” between the College Football Playoff and broadcast partner ESPN. The deal would make up for the nine-figure sums the major conferences would lose by getting rid of their title games. The person familiar with the agreement, which has not been finalized, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing negotiations. It would take effect next season. ESPN is reporting that the average additional payment for six years of the expanded playoff would be $345 million a year.
WORDS: 308 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 7:54 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:53d57e6607082aebe4ded577c3ff310a&mediaType=text
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BBO--SMALL-MARKET WORLD SERIES
Two of MLB’s smallest spenders will meet in the World Series for first time since 1991
SUMMARY: For the first time since 1991, two teams with bottom-half payrolls will meet in the World Series. Milwaukee will face either Cleveland or Tampa Bay starting Oct. 23. The matchup comes as baseball owners push for a salary cap, which they argue is needed to help small markets compete with big spenders. Milwaukee, with MLB’s 19th-highest payroll, swept the Dodgers to win the NL pennant. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay ranks 25th and Cleveland 30th. MLB owners have proposed a salary cap, but players oppose it. A management lockout threatens the 2027 season.
WORDS: 720 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 7:31 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6e6e2cf0e190855e349d837b5d1b079d&mediaType=text
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BBO--DODGERS WRAPUP
Shohei Ohtani’s health and a possible lockout loom over an uncertain offseason for the Dodgers
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers face uncertainty after their earliest postseason exit in three years. Shohei Ohtani struggled with injuries and didn’t pitch after the All-Star break. He may need offseason surgery, but it’s unclear if his recovery would affect next season. A potential MLB lockout looms with the collective bargaining agreement expiring Dec. 1. Team owners have proposed a salary cap, which the players’ union rejects. The Dodgers had the second-highest payroll this year and could be constrained by a cap. Nine players, including pitcher Tarik Skubal, are set to become free agents. Infielder Miguel Rojas has announced his retirement.
WORDS: 856 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 6:04 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:83e15da5bc13ea158f6563ca970e016e&mediaType=text
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BKL--WNBA FINALS PREVIEW
Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries are top defensive teams in WNBA, now facing off in finals
SUMMARY: The two best defensive teams in the WNBA are about the meet for the title. Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream visit Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries in the seven-game WNBA Finals starting Saturday. The Valkyries have had quick success as a second-year expansion team, and they play in front of a raucous home crowd at Chase Center, which is nicknamed “Ballhalla.” Golden State eliminated the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Dream haven’t lost in the playoffs, sweeping Washington and New York to reach the finals. Atlanta is seeking the franchise’s first title.
WORDS: 941 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 5:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f970b565c7edc316032bb6768306b429&mediaType=text
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FBN--BRONCOS-COOPER-NFL
Jonathon Cooper is back for the Broncos, but the NFL’s personal conduct review isn’t over
SUMMARY: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has removed Denver Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper from the league’s exempt list. This change allows Cooper to play in the Broncos’ next game against Arizona in Week 7. The league’s review of Cooper’s conduct following two domestic violence arrests in June is ongoing. Cooper faces several charges, including felony strangulation. His trial has been moved to March. He missed Denver’s first six games but can now practice under a one-week roster exemption.
WORDS: 494 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 5:13 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:affa17f79e45df5fedaf0e31c9a3a1a1&mediaType=text
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FBN--RAVENS-JACKSON OUT
Lamar Jackson ruled out for 2nd straight week as the Ravens prepare to take on the Browns
SUMMARY: Lamar Jackson will miss a second straight game this weekend because of an ankle injury. Coach Jesse Minter says Jackson would not play Sunday at Cleveland. Tyler Huntley led the Ravens to an overtime win at Atlanta last weekend. Huntley also won both his starts for Baltimore last season. Jackson was hurt while taking a sack near the end of the first half in Week 4 against Tennessee. Jackson missed four games last season, and Baltimore went 2-2 without him.
WORDS: 590 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 5:11 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ff2ee5fa1fade542be2f2387d23aa406&mediaType=text
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FBN--PACKERS-JACOBS-NFL
NFL will remove Packers’ Josh Jacobs from commissioner’s exempt list. He can play again on Oct. 25
SUMMARY: Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs is getting removed from the commissioner’s exempt list and will be eligible to play again Oct. 25 when the Packers visit the Detroit Lions. The NFL announced Friday that Jacobs would be removed from the list on Monday. The league’s review of Jacobs continues unaffected by the change to his roster status. The NFL started investigating Jacobs under the league’s personal conduct policy after his arrest in May. The arrest followed an altercation with his then-girlfriend. Jacobs pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.
WORDS: 672 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 5:05 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:47fbb57a1a0485f2b33e08ac505416e4&mediaType=text
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US--NCAA ELIGIBILITY
NCAA sues Ohio governor over his executive order allowing schools to ignore new eligibility rule
SUMMARY: The NCAA has filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. This comes after DeWine signed an executive order allowing Ohio colleges to let athletes who graduated in 2022 play a fifth year. NCAA President Charlie Baker says the lawsuit, filed Friday, aims to prevent DeWine from disrupting fair competition among schools. The order allows public and private universities in Ohio to let athletes play, despite the NCAA’s new rule excluding those who have played four seasons. The rule, passed in June, is already facing multiple court challenges.
WORDS: 952 - MOVED: 10/16/2026 3:24 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e7a9026e4f3a260ba8735de4afa65027&mediaType=text