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.
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.
——————————
UPCOMING
——————————
FBC--SEC-FINAL STRIKE
DESCRIPTION: In the crucible that is the Southeastern Conference, there are five teams with two losses each that are still ranked in the AP Top 25. It’s a sign of the talent and the reality that most if not all of them can still reach the league title game and the College Football Playoff. By Steve Reed. 850 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 3:30 p.m. EDT, Text
___
GYM--WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the women’s team final at the 2026 world gymnastics championships. The United States women’s gymnastics team will try to win its eighth straight title at the worlds. 400 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
___
FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS
DESCRIPTION: AP College Football Writer Eric Olson makes his picks for Week 8 games involving Top 25 teams. 850 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
___
FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 7
DESCRIPTION: Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III returns to Seattle to face the Seahawks with the undefeated Chiefs in the best matchup in Week 7. By Rob Maaddi.
UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKO--BIG 12 MEDIA DAY
DESCRIPTION: The second of two Big 12 media days takes place for men’s and women’s college basketball teams at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. By Dave Skretta. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BBO--WORLD SERIES
DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the World Series
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: BBO--WORLD SERIES-BREWERS-BACK TO 822. DESCRIPTION: MILWAUKEE - As the Milwaukee Brewers chase their first World Series title, members of the franchise’s only previous pennant-winning team are cheering them on. The 1982 Brewers lost a seven-game World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. By Steve Megargee. 600 words, photos.
3. UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: BBO--WORLD SERIES-RAYS-SNYDER5. DESCRIPTION: Under pitching coach Kyle Snyder’s direction since 2018, the Rays have consistently had one of the best pitching staffs in the majors. That stellar staff helped the Rays become American League champions for the third time in the franchise’s 29 seasons. By Rob Maaddi.
6. WORDS: 872 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 12:34 p.m. EDT
___
HKN--PANTHERS-SENATORS
DESCRIPTION: The Florida Panthers visit the Senators in Brady Tkachuk’s return to Ottawa after the longtime team captain was traded. 150 words, more on merit.
UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
___
BKL--WNBA FINALS
DESCRIPTION: The WNBA Finals shift to Atlanta for Game 3 as Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream host the Golden State Valkyries after splitting the first two games. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. Game starts at 8 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 10/21/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
___
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
FBN--NFL OWNERS MEETING
Roger Goodell is comfortable with security for the NFL’s Paris game between the Steelers and Saints
SUMMARY: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he has a high comfort level in the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers playing the league’s first game in France in light of the civil unrest that could include more protests this weekend in Paris and elsewhere around the country. Goodell at the end of the annual fall owners meeting said he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that officials are in touch with Parisian and French authorities. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told reporters in Versailles that the team’s plans have not been affected by the situation.
WORDS: 558 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 1:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:868df763926bff82eea1acad9c3603a2&mediaType=text
___
BBO--YANKEES
Steinbrenner blames Yankees players for lack of World Series title, defends Boone and Cashman
SUMMARY: Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner defended manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman after New York’s failure to win the World Series. He blames players for not delivering in the playoffs. Steinbrenner praised Boone’s management, especially with the pitching staff. New York has gone 17 seasons without a World Series title, matching its longest drought since 1923. The Yankees finished second in the AL East and were swept by the Rays in the Division Series. Boone, in his ninth season, has one year left on his contract. Cashman, the GM since 1998, is finalizing a new contract.
WORDS: 459 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 1:20 p.m. EDT. Will be updated.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5a8218d54caa8dd2969d720ceef9d054&mediaType=text
___
BKC--ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Michigan State’s Fears, Florida’s Haugh headline Associated Press preseason All-America team
SUMMARY: Florida’s Thomas Haugh and Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. highlight the preseason AP All-America team. Fears received 57 votes from a 58-person media panel and Haugh earned 56. Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner received 43 votes, Illinois forward David Mirkovic had 24 and Arizona big man Motiejus Krivas 17 to round out the team.
WORDS: 802 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 12:58 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:86d1c69d9a7691bfeec985d11f8d1308&mediaType=text
___
FBN--GOODELL-HURTS
Roger Goodell says the NFL welcomes a review of how Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ blood clots
SUMMARY: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league welcomes an investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles’ handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots after the players’ union asked for one. Goodell said Wednesday at the end of the NFL’s annual fall meeting that the league’s chief medical officer has gone through the steps that were followed and added that the union had a right to call for a review. Dr. Allen Sills on Tuesday offered a passionate defense of the Eagles medical staff. The NFL said officials were in touch with team doctors and trainers, as well as the Cleveland Clinic in London. Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season after a blood clot in his left calf traveled to his lungs.
WORDS: 332 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 12:53 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d8fec2176901bbc2a94a5f90fc0761f6&mediaType=text
___
FBN--BILLS-FRANKLIN SUSPENDED
NFL suspends 2nd Bills player for spitting, Sam Franklin denies the allegation and plans appeal
SUMMARY: Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin became the team’s second player to be suspended by the NFL for one game without pay for spitting at a Raiders opponent during a game last weekend. Franklin denies the allegation and intends to appeal the suspension, according to a person with knowledge of discussions about the punishment. The NFL disciplined Franklin for violating its sportsmanship rules after determining he spit at an opponent following the Raiders’ successful extra-point attempt with 1:32 remaining in Buffalo’s 33-30 win. Bills starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson also was given a one-game suspension for spitting in the direction of Raiders players.
WORDS: 456 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 12:28 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6504febc10ff61c5cecc48094a92f32b&mediaType=text
___
FBC--MARYLAND-LOCKSLEY
Michael Locksley is out as Maryland football coach after Terrapins lose fifth straight game
SUMMARY: Michael Locksley is out as Maryland football coach. The university announced Wednesday on social media that it and Locksley “mutually agreed to part ways” four days after the Terrapins lost at home to Rutgers for their fifth straight defeat. Locksley was seven games into his eighth season at the helm. He led the Terps to three straight bowl victories from 2021-23, but since then Maryland is 10-21 in two-plus seasons. The Terps dropped back-to-back home games to Virginia Tech and UCLA before falling to Nebraska and Ohio State on the road. Maryland blew a 10-point halftime lead in a 37-30 homecoming loss to Rutgers. Locksley went 38-49 during this stint at Maryland and just 16-47 in Big Ten play.
WORDS: 454 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 12:14 p.m. EDT. Will be updated.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:43f0f4fe792c83cad0cdad32ab2b3f39&mediaType=text
___
BKN--ON BASKETBALL-OPENING TAKEAWAYS
Opening night in the NBA provided some hints of what may be to come this season
SUMMARY: Opening night in the NBA provided some hints. The Philadelphia 76ers had a stat sheet as well-balanced as just about any in LeBron James’ 24-year career to beat the New York Knicks. The Detroit Pistons were a No. 1 seed last season and felt a need to remind the league that it wasn’t a fluke. And the Oklahoma City Thunder — who lost a home Game 7 to San Antonio in last season’s Western Conference finals — went into Texas and took the fight right to Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. It is way, way too early to make any conclusions. But there were some things that jumped out Tuesday.
WORDS: 744 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 8:52 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5b75901155ad41f4797270a30e3e8a90&mediaType=text
___
BKO--ROME TIP-OFF
Pope Leo’s alma mater Villanova traveling to Rome for hoops doubleheader vs. Notre Dame
SUMMARY: Villanova and Notre Dame’s men’s and women’s teams are set to play a doubleheader in Rome on November 1, marking the start of the college basketball season. The event, called the Eternal City Tip-Off, celebrates the Catholic universities’ shared mission. Villanova alumnus Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to hold a private audience with the teams and fans the day before, though his attendance at the games is unlikely due to health reasons. The games will take place at the 11,000-seat Palazzo dello Sport. Organizers expect about 7,000 fans, with significant economic impact anticipated for Italy.
WORDS: 1295 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 8:22 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8bd493309202a3d8901856f566febcec&mediaType=text
___
FBN--SAINTS-PARIS LINKS
French connection: New Orleans and Paris’ shared history in spotlight before Saints-Steelers game
SUMMARY: The NFL found a good match between team and international host when the Pittsburgh Steelers played in Dublin last year. Pittsburgh has strong Irish connections, notably with the Rooney family that owns the team. It might have gone one better this time. The New Orleans Saints are in Paris to play a regular-season game in France for the first time in NFL history.
WORDS: 766 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c240699fd66da2db7646003b25996386&mediaType=text
___
SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Bayern Munich-Arsenal Champions League matchup pits attack vs. defense
SUMMARY: Six-time winner Bayern Munich plays last season’s runner-up Arsenal and Real Madrid warms up for this weekend’s clasico by facing Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday. Como hosts struggling Manchester United in its tiny 10,000-seat Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium and Italian champion Inter Milan meets Shakhtar Donetsk at the San Siro still seeking its first points in this year’s competition. The match in Munich pits one of Europe’s most devastating attacking units against the most well-organized defense on the continent. Wednesday’s other games are: Lille vs. Galatasaray; Real Betis vs. Feyenoord; Club Brugge vs. Lens; Aston Villa vs. Viking; and Sporting Lisbon vs, LASK.
WORDS: 280 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 5:39 a.m. EDT. Will be updated.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c7bef1bf97ce3df2630b3ca5536d1d1f&mediaType=text
___
——————————
MOVING TOMORROW
——————————
BKW--ALL-AMERICA TEAM
The AP releases its preseason All-America team for women’s college basketball.
___
BKL--WNBA FINALS
Coverage of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries.
___
BBO--WORLD SERIES
Coverage of the World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays.