GIRONA, Spain (AP) — Injured Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will undergo surgery Friday...

GIRONA, Spain (AP) — Injured Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will undergo surgery Friday on his left hamstring, putting his chances of playing at the World Cup in doubt.La Liga club Girona said Wednesday that a time frame for the 33-year-old Ter Stegen's return will be determined after surgery.The hamstring injury was confirmed earlier this week following his second match since joining Girona on loan from fellow Catalan club Barcelona, where Ter Stegen had lost his starting position to Joan Garcia.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Ter Stegen was key to helping Girona secure a 1-1 draw against Getafe in his debut with the club last week. Girona lost to Oviedo 1-0 on Saturday when he was injured.The surgery could damage Ter Stegen's chances of being Germany's starting goalkeeper at the World Cup — with strong opposition from Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann — after injuries restricted him to just a handful of games in the last 15 months. The World Cup starts June 11.Girona is in 12th place in La Liga.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

OVIEDO, SPAIN - JANUARY 31: Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Girona FC warms up prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Oviedo and Girona FC at Carlos Tartiere on January 31, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The dog was Penny. The win was priceless.  A Doberman pinscher named Penny won be...

NEW YORK (AP) — The dog was Penny. The win was priceless.A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the <a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/photos-westminster-dog-show-b257b78bab2840863b9978c1cae35d20">Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show</a>, netting <a href="https://apnews.com/article/westminster-dog-show-what-to-know-d7ce765d03e0e07e52994638cfd3ce82">U.S. show dogs’ most coveted prize</a> — and giving veteran handler Andy Linton another win after nearly four decades. Linton got best in show in 1989 with another Doberman, named Indy.Penny “is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen,” Linton told a supportive crowd. Despite health problems, he guided the 4-year-old dog through an impeccably crisp performance.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“I had some goals, and this was one of them,” Linton said, adding later in a conversation with reporters that as he’s winding down his career, winning at the milestone <a href="https://apnews.com/article/westminster-dog-show-150th-history-3bb5835ab0186c37dc79cb0857e455de">150th annual Westminster show</a> is “extra-special.”Runner-up — and cheers just as loud — went to a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Cota. While Dobermans have won five times including Tuesday, no retriever has ever won, and their fans applaud every encouraging sign.Cota also seemed to enjoy the moment, particularly when his handler, Devon Kipp Levy, let him play with the ribbon.Other finalists included an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie, an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham and a smooth fox terrier called Wager. The judge, two-time <a href="https://apnews.com/article/dogs-sports-c14bc59b70a0b9b5c4a1fa0aab2e77c6">Westminster-winning handler David Fitzpatrick</a>, called the lineup one “that will go down in history.”Each <a href="https://apnews.com/article/westminster-dog-show-judges-how-to-f0746ebc86915133a8f8be66697d96bf">dog is assessed</a> according to how closely it matches the ideal for its breed. The winner gets a trophy, ribbons and bragging rights.A crowd favorite at the 2025 Westminster show, Penny has rocked show rings since. A throng of handlers and other dog folk cheered for the seemingly undistractable dog and for Linton in early-round action Tuesday afternoon.Ringside afterward, Penny politely but pointedly nudged her nose into a visitor’s leg, looking for something — pets, as it turned out. She’s generally “very chill,” Linton said later, “but she can get pretty pumped up for a bad guy. Or a squirrel.”Co-owner Greg Chan of Toronto said Penny is “very demanding and very smart,” but she’s also “a pleaser — she’ll do anything for food.” (Her favorite snack? “Everything.”)Penny came out on top after 2,500 dogs, spanning more than 200 breeds, strutted their stuff at the show.Even if they didn’t make the finals, there were plenty that scored meme-able moments or lightened up the crowd.Over two nights of semifinals, spectators cheered extra-loud for a Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco, a hairless dog who went around the ring like he had nothing to prove. A vizsla named Beamer charmed the audience by hopping into a box set out for his handler’s tools, and Storm the Newfoundland got laughs when he jumped up on his handler, standing as tall as she. Spectators cheered so loud for a golden retriever named Oliver that they drowned out the arena’s announcer, and chants of “Lumpy! Lumpy!” resounded as Lumpy the Pekingese strolled before a judge.One dog that made history in the semifinals was Millie, a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/danishswedish-farmdog-breed-american-kennel-club-8e238bb973e47cafd3de303a45a3c2aa">Danish-Swedish farmdog</a>. The small, spry breed just became eligible for the Westminster show this year, and Millie bested about 10 other farmdogs Tuesday afternoon to get to the evening round.Westminster wins often go to pooches with professional handlers or owners with decades or even generations of experience behind them. But just reaching the elite, champions-only show is a major accomplishment in dogdom, especially for first-timers such as Joseph Carrero and his Neapolitan mastiff, Dezi.After yearning for a Neo since his teenage years, Carrero finally got one when he was 35. A heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, he started showing the dog only because the breeder wanted him to. Now Carrero himself breeds and handles his Neos in the ring, while also working full-time and then some.“It’s really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it, and he enjoys it,” Carrero said as a visitors gathered around to greet the jowly, 190-pound dog.Boerboels, which are formidable guard dogs originally from South Africa, played a major role in how Natalee Ridenhour met her late husband and why she eventually left metropolitan life for a farm in Royse City, Texas.On Tuesday, Ridenhour and a Boerboel named Invictus did something else she once would never have pictured: compete at the Westminster show.The dog didn’t advance past the first round. But as a passer-by delightedly petted the 170-pound animal, Ridenhour said, “Honestly, the big win is: You’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 03: Penny, the Doberman Pinscher, winner of Best in Show, during the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – Junior Showmanship, Group Judging (Sporting, Working, Terrier) + Best In Show at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2026 in New York City.

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BREMEN, Germany (AP) — Werder Bremen has hired Daniel Thioune as coach to replace Horst Steffen, ...

BREMEN, Germany (AP) — Werder Bremen has hired Daniel Thioune as coach to replace Horst Steffen, who was fired over the weekend after a 10-game winless run in the Bundesliga.Bremen said Wednesday that Thioune, who landed a rare top-division job for a Black German coach, is taking over with immediate effect."We had very good discussions with Daniel. His idea of football, his personality, and his approach to our current sporting situation were decisive factors in the decision," Bremen sporting director Clemens Fritz said. "We are convinced that we can achieve a turnaround with him."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Bremen has won just four of its 20 league games so far this season and is 15th in the 18-team division. The team was knocked out in the first round of the German Cup.The 51-year-old Thioune most recently coached Fortuna Dusseldorf. Prior to that, he worked as head coach at Hamburger SV and VfL Osnabruck.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - OCTOBER 03: Head coach Daniel Thioune of Fortuna Düsseldorf looks on prior to the 2. Bundesliga match between Fortuna Düsseldorf and 1. FC Nürnberg at Merkur Spiel-Arena on October 03, 2025 in Duesseldorf, Germany.

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ISTANBUL (AP) — World Cup winner N’Golo Kanté’s move to Fenerbahce is set to be finalized after A...

ISTANBUL (AP) — World Cup winner N’Golo Kanté’s move to Fenerbahce is set to be finalized after Al-Ittihad finally agreed to let him go on Tuesday.The deal had looked all but dead when the Turkish club blamed Al-Ittihad for making the transfer collapse earlier in the day.Fenerbahce said the deal, which involved Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri moving in the opposite direction, could not initially go through due to administrative errors by the Saudi Arabian club.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“Due to incorrect entry of the relevant TMS (Transfer Matching System) information by the opposing club, the procedures could not be completed within the transfer registration period, for reasons independent of our club,” Fenerbahce said, adding it paid “meticulous attention to every detail.”The use of the FIFA TMS is compulsory for all international transfers.“An extension was requested, the necessary discussions were held by our club with FIFA, and all steps were taken to resolve the process,” Fenerbahce added. “Despite this, during the ongoing process, the opposing club failed to complete the procedures without providing any justification to us.”But Al-Ittihad later posted a farewell message on X, saying it agreed “to sell the remaining period” of Kanté’s contract.The 34-year-old Kanté, who joined Al-Ittihad in 2023, recently returned to the France team and made his 65th appearance for Les Bleus in November in a 4-0 win against Ukraine.Fenerbahce is chasing its first Turkish league title in 12 years. In the transfer window it also recruited another France international, midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi, who hopes to reclaim a place in the national squad ahead of the World Cup.___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 13: N'Golo Kante of France passes the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between France and Ukraine at Parc des Princes on November 13, 2025 in Paris, France.

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RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco has decided to appeal a ruling that resulted in fines of $415,000 a...

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco has decided to appeal a ruling that resulted in fines of $415,000 and match bans because of a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final, its soccer federation said Tuesday.CAF, African soccer’s governing body, last month fined the host and Senegal over unrest at last month’s final in the Moroccan capital.Senegal won the game 1-0 after extra-time and decided not to appeal the ruling.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Moroccan federation and national team player Ismael Saibari were issued fines totalling $415,000. Saibari and a teammate were also banned from games. During the final, ball boys tried to seize a towel belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, apparently to distract him, an incident that alone led to a $200,000 fine for the host.Morocco sees CAF’s sanctions as disproportionate to the incidents."Given the incompatibility of these sanctions with the scale and severity of the incidents (...), the FRMF has decided to appeal these decisions," Morocco’s soccer federation said in a statement.The final was marred by Senegalese players walking off the field in protest at a stoppage-time penalty and fans attempting to storm the pitch. Outraged visiting supporters threw chairs and clashed with stewards. Eighteen are awaiting trial on hooliganism charges.CAF fined the Senegalese soccer federation and national team coach Pape Thiaw a total of $715,000. It also issued match suspensions to Thiaw and bans to two other players.The match bans apply only to Africa games, not the World Cup kicking off in June, which Senegal and Morocco have qualified for.After the tumultuous final, the tension moved from the pitch to social media. In Morocco, human rights groups warned against a surge in what they called "hate speech toward sub-Saharan residents."In response, officials from Morocco and Senegal called for calm, and sought to reaffirm their countries’ economic and diplomatic ties.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Morocco's midfielder #11 Ismael Saibari fights for the ball with Senegal's defender #02 Mamadou Sarr during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026.ium in Rabat on January 18, 2026.

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Morocco appealing CAF sanctions from chaotic AFCON final

LIV Golf received a boost on the eve of starting its fifth season when the Official World Golf Ra...

LIV Golf received a boost on the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/phoenix-open-koepka-pga-tour-liv-golf-173feb26e079c20ebc86a017617c16c6">eve of starting its fifth season</a> when the Official World Golf Ranking approved the Saudi-funded league to receive ranking points for the first time.The unanimous decision Tuesday by the OWGR board came with some conditions, however, that did not sit well with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil.Points will be distributed only for top-10 finishes and ties, compared with other tours that have smaller fields and leave out only the bottom finishers.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“No other competitive tour or league in OWGR history has been subjected to such a restriction,” LIV said in a statement.For its 57-player league, LIV will get points based on a “Small Field Tournament” category that also applies to tournaments like the Tour Championship and the PGA Tour’s signature events that do not have a cut.“Under these rules, a player finishing 11th in a LIV Golf event is treated the same as a player finishing 57th,” the LIV statement said. “Limiting points to only the top 10 finishers disproportionately harms players who consistently perform at a high level but finish just outside that threshold, as well as emerging talent working to establish themselves on the world stage — precisely the players a fair and meritocratic ranking system is designed to recognize.”Considering that LIV Golf has been without ranking points since the league launched in 2022, its strength of field will be lower. Tyrrell Hatton at No. 22 and two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau at No. 33 are the only LIV players in the top 50, with five others among the top 100. Jon Rahm, the last player before Scottie Scheffler to be No. 1 in the world, now is at No. 97.The decision is effective immediately as LIV Golf begins Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.“It’s a big day, and a positive day in my mind,” Trevor Immelman, a former Masters champion and OWGR chairman, said in a telephone interview. “It’s been a long process, it’s been exhausting in many ways, with a whole host of people from outside being involved and working around the clock to make this decision before LIV plays its first event.”LIV’s season opener in Riyadh is likely to award about 23 points to the winner, compared with nearly 47 points to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/gotterup-sony-open-hawaii-pga-tour-5fdd7b3e7139642960e98991b7055eeb">Chris Gotterup when he won the Sony Open</a>, the weakest field in the early part of the PGA Tour season. The Phoenix Open winner this week gets about 59 points.LIV would get slightly more points than the Qatar Masters on the European tour this week.Even so, it would be a boost for a LIV player if he gets on a roll, such as Joaquin Niemann winning five times last year and Rahm finishing in the top 10 in all but one of the 13 events.The world ranking is important because the four majors use it to help determine fields. The U.S. Open and British Open created categories for LIV players when they weren’t getting ranking points. The Masters and PGA Championship took care of worthy players through special invitations.The board decision ends a debate that has been around almost as long as LIV. The OWGR <a href="https://apnews.com/article/liv-golf-world-ranking-relegation-majors-7459ab02f956252752f956f3b547320d">rejected the first application in October 2023</a> when former chairman Peter Dawson said the board could not fairly measure LIV against the other tours.The question was not about the quality of players, but rather how they could be ranked equitably with thousands of other players across 24 tours because LIV was perceived as having a closed shop instead of pathways and turnover.“We fully recognized the need to rank the top men’s players in the world but at the same time had to find a way of doing so that was equitable to the thousands of other players competing on other tours that operate with established meritocratic pathways,” Immelman said in the OWGR announcement. “We believe we have found a solution that achieves these twin aims.”Immelman, now the lead CBS Sports analyst, became OWGR chairman last year and had been in constant contact with O’Neil.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/liv-golf-saudi-72-holes-pga-tour-a931c7eb3e1af45ed0a6e999a0b93947">LIV has gone from 54 holes to 72 holes for 2026</a>, though that wasn’t a big obstacle in getting world ranking points because other smaller tours around the world also have 54-hole events. Rather it was the turnover in LIV, and the self-selection of adding players with contracts.It also expanded its field size by three to 57 players, still short of the average field size of 75 the OWGR preferred. It expanded its “relegation zone” to 11 players who get dropped and have to earn their way back through a qualifying event or the Asian Tour’s International Series points list.The board worked around those issues to make LIV Golf the 25th circuit in the OWGR.“It’s extremely important for us to be able to rank the best players in the world as accurately as possible,” Immelman said. “That has been at the top of my mind throughout this process that I’ve been involved in. I’m thankful to Scott for his time and effort in this.“I dream of a world in the men’s professional game where everybody is working together and fans enjoy the great golf being played all over the world. That’s been my North Star since I took this role.”The PGA Tour and European tour — commercially known as the DP World Tour — recused themselves from the OWGR decision in October when LIV’s application was rejected. The full board was involved in the decision Tuesday.LIV said it saw the decision as a “first step toward a structure that fully and fairly serves the players, the fans, and the future of the sport.”“We entered this process in good faith and will continue to advocate for a ranking system that reflects performance over affiliation,” LIV said. “The game deserves transparency. The fans deserve credibility. And the players deserve a system that treats them equally.”The PGA Tour said in a statement, “We respect today’s decision by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) governing board and the considerable time the board and Chairman Immelman committed to this process.”The OWGR said it would continue to review any changes LIV makes to its league for 2027, which would result in awarding more — or fewer — points, and whether it remains in the system.___AP golf: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/golf">https://apnews.com/hub/golf</a>

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 25: LIV Golf logo is seen on the 18th hole on day one of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 25, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico.

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LIV approved for world ranking points, unhappy with 'restriction'

ISTANBUL (AP) — The transfer of World Cup winner N’Golo Kanté to Fenerbahce collapsed and the Tur...

ISTANBUL (AP) — The transfer of World Cup winner N’Golo Kanté to Fenerbahce collapsed and the Turkish club blames Al-Ittihad.Fenerbahce said the deal involved a player swap — Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri was expected to join Al-Ittihad — and could not be completed on Monday due to administrative errors made by the Saudi Arabia club.“Due to incorrect entry of the relevant TMS (Transfer Matching System) information by the opposing club, the procedures could not be completed within the transfer registration period, for reasons independent of our club,” Fenerbahce said, adding it paid “meticulous attention to every detail.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The use of the FIFA TMS is compulsory for all international transfers.“An extension was requested, the necessary discussions were held by our club with FIFA, and all steps were taken to resolve the process,” Fenerbahce added. “Despite this, during the ongoing process, the opposing club failed to complete the procedures without providing any justification to us.”The 34-year-old Kanté, who joined Al-Ittihad in 2023, recently returned to the France team and made his 65th appearance for Les Bleus in November in a 4-0 win against Ukraine.Fenerbahce is chasing its first Turkish league title in 12 years. In the transfer window it recruited another France international, midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi, who hopes to reclaim a place in the national squad ahead of the World Cup.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 30: N'Golo Kante of Al-Ittihad passes the ball during the Final King's Cup match between Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah at King Abdullah Sports City on May 30, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said there have been no discussions with t...

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said there have been no discussions with the union about adding an 18th game to the season and said lengthening the season again was not inevitable.The NFL added a 17th game in 2021 and Goodell has expressed interest in the past about adding an 18th game in place of one of the three exhibition games each team plays every season.Goodell said a number of issues would have to be discussed with the union before an 18th game was added, including whether a second bye week was needed and the size of rosters to make sure it doesn't have a negative impact on player safety and competitiveness.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“We have not had any formal discussions about it and frankly very little of any informal conversations,” Goodell said. “It is not a given that we will do that. It’s not something we assume will happen. It’s something we want to talk about with the union leadership.”___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/NFL">https://apnews.com/hub/NFL</a>

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 5: Green Bay Packers defense lines up during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, at Lambeau Field on January 5, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league needs to re-evaluate its a...

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league needs to re-evaluate its approach to minority hiring after an offseason coaching cycle that saw only one of 10 head coaching jobs go to a minority and none to Black candidates.
“We need to continue to make progress,” Goodell said Monday. “I believe that and I believe diversity is good for us. ... I think we have become a more diverse league across every platform, including coaching. But we still have more work to do.”
The NFL will have only three Black head coaches next season. There were 10 head coach openings this season and none of them were filled by a Black coach. Robert Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, was the only minority to get a job when he was hired by Tennessee.
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This was just the fifth time since the start of the Rooney Rule in 2003 that no Black head coaches were hired during an offseason coaching cycle. The only other time it happened in a year with more than five changes came in 2013 when there were eight openings.
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AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks on before Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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The Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals an...

The Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays said Monday they will have their local television broadcasts produced and distributed by Major League Baseball this season.The six clubs — along with the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels — <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-tv-fan-duel-manfred-539d0cc29d01f18b0bb9c120d4b9ed5d">terminated their deals</a> after the Main Street Sports Group, which operates the regional FanDuel Sports Network stations, did not make scheduled rights payments.The Braves, Tigers and Angels still have not made a decision about their local coverage plans.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“The Atlanta Braves are aware of the reports regarding Main Street Sports Group. While disappointed with this development, we have been actively preparing for this outcome and are well on our way towards launching a new era in Braves broadcasting,” the team said in a statement.MLB will produce broadcasts for at least 13 teams this season. It also added the Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners during the offseason.“Our focus, particularly given the point in the calendar, is to maximize the revenue that’s available to the clubs, whether that’s MLB Media or third party,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said last month. “The clubs have control over the timing. They can make a decision to move to MLB Media because of the contractual status now. I think that what’s happening right now clubs are evaluating their alternatives. Obviously they’ve made significant payroll commitments already and they’re evaluating the alternatives to find the best revenue source for the year and the best outlet in terms of providing quality broadcasts to their fans.”MLB has touted expanded market reach when it takes over production of teams due to a combination of being on local cable systems, satellite and direct-to-consumer streaming.Diamond Sports Group was the largest owner of regional sports networks when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2023.At the time of the filing, Diamond operated 19 networks under the Bally Sports banner and had the rights to 42 professional teams (14 baseball, 16 NBA and 12 NHL).The networks emerged from bankruptcy proceedings last March under the Main Street Sports Group with its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/bally-fanduel-sports-network-a56edd87ade4643077a7c7ec772600d9">networks rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network</a>. However, the networks are on the verge of insolvency and going out of business if a new majority owner or investors are not found.Main Street currently has 15 owned and operated networks under the FanDuel banner with the rights to 20 pro teams: 13 NBA and seven NHL.The NBA and NHL teams have been crafting contingency plans if Main Street suddenly goes out of business, an increasingly possible scenario over the past three weeks even though the company has committed to carrying hockey and basketball through the end of the regular season.“FanDuel Sports Network is continuing to broadcast NBA and NHL games, and we appreciate the leagues’ engagement in ongoing discussions on our go-forward plans,” a Main Street Sports Group spokesperson said in a statement. “We appreciate the relationships we have had with these MLB partners and their fans over many years, and we wish them the best.”MLB took over broadcasts of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2023 season and the Colorado Rockies in 2024. It added the Cleveland Guardians and the Minnesota Twins last season.Manfred said last month that local media provides more than 20% of industry revenue.“The local media landscape is evolving very quickly. It’s still a very robust audience on the traditional cable model. But the economics are changing. They’re becoming more of a challenge,” Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger said on Monday. “The bundle that fortified all of the large rights fees in the ecosystem of 15-20 years old is changing, and we’re adapting to it. The universe is going to be there. There’s going to be a local game element to baseball.“Whether that evolves from the typical RSN model to solely streaming or a hybrid or other forms, to be determined. I think the fans will have optionality for local games. There’s so many games that we deliver — 162 — there’s plenty for everybody. I feel good about the future, even though I can’t predict where it’s actually going to land and when it’s going to land.”___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/mlb</a>

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 24: A tv broadcast camera is pictured before the MLB baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies Sox and the Detroit Tigers on June 24, 2024 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and the players’ union met for a few hours Monday for the first time in ...

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NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and the players’ union met for a few hours Monday for the first time in several weeks to try to move the stalled collective bargaining negotiations forward.
Union president Nneka Ogwumike walked out of the NBA offices around 1:30 p.m. — three hours after she got there — and said “no we can't (talk)” when asked for comment. She was joined by executive committee members Brianna Turner and Alysha Clark. Kelsey Plum and Napheesa Collier planned on being at the meeting, but had flight issues so Zoomed in along with Breanna Stewart.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and members of the labor relations committee were in attendance as well as New York Liberty owners Clara Wu and Joe Tsai.
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Talks to reach a new CBA haven’t had much traction over the last few weeks as the union says it is waiting for a response to a proposal it sent around Christmas that included a 30% gross revenue share for the players. According to a person familiar with the negotiations, the league didn’t feel that proposal was much different then the previous one that the union had sent.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
The league’s most recent offer last month would guarantee a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026 that could reach $1.3 million through revenue sharing.
That’s up from the current $249,000 and could grow to nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement, the person told the AP.
The two sides have been in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cba-wnba-negotiations-5bdb3a5d0ce9f0545c02f26a0b4b6011">“status quo” period</a> after the latest extension of the current CBA ran out on Jan. 9. They agreed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-cba-negotiations-52a077b664d42bcbcc095a159fc1be5a">to a moratorium</a> a few days later that halted the initial stages of free agency in which teams would seek to deliver qualifying offers and franchise tag designations to players.
If a new CBA isn’t agreed upon soon, it could delay the start of the 2026 season. It’s already delayed the expansion draft for Toronto and Portland. The league did <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-schedule-cba-d7cf0e1d306f13253c09e73d6a53d7f6">release its schedule</a> last month with the regular season set to begin May 8.
The last CBA was announced in the middle of January 2020, a month after it had been agreed to. It could easily take two months from when a new CBA is reached to get to the start of free agency, which was supposed to begin last month.
___
AP WNBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball</a>
</div>

WNBA commissionner Cathy Engelbert speaks during the 2025 WNBA Draft at the Shed in New York City on April 14, 2025.

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MADRID (AP) — The NFL will be back in Madrid for 2026 and beyond.  The league announced Monday it...

MADRID (AP) — The NFL will be back in Madrid for 2026 and beyond.The league announced Monday it has reached a multiyear deal to keep playing regular-season games at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.It did not immediately say the length of the new agreement or which teams will play in 2026.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears currently have marketing rights in Spain as part of the league’s Global Markets Program, which awards NFL teams rights in areas outside the U.S. to “build brand awareness and fandom through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities.”The first NFL regular-season <a href="https://apnews.com/article/dolphins-commanders-nfl-madrid-score-dd5d81b54771122829b33ce85244b9fb">game in Spain</a> was played at the Bernabeu last November as the Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime before a crowd of 78,610 fans.It was the seventh — and final — international game of the season, the most ever in one year for the league as it continues to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-international-games-madrid-dolphins-commanders-cc32af01d305f8bb0d2717873542d569">expand globally</a>.NFL Spain country manager Rafa De Los Santos said the multiyear agreement to playing games in Madrid “underlines our commitment to the market and enables us to continue to engage fans year-round and invest long-term in initiatives like NFL Flag and youth participation.”The NFL said Spain is “an important market globally,” with 11 million fans. It said it will also focus on developing the league’s flag football initiatives across the country.After the first game in Madrid last year, there had also been talks of the league also trying to organize a game in Barcelona at some point.The NFL played for the first time in Dublin and Berlin in 2025. It also returned for a second straight year to Sao Paulo and played three more games in London.The NFL said it planned to increase the number of international games to a point where each team will get to play a game abroad every year. Goodell said last year the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/goodell-nfl-fans-dublin-ireland-eb19e9204d9bf2ffde06f84c35b20ec3">NFL also wants to play in Asia.</a>This year, it will <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-international-games-38f3f636d516cab9fb1f6c17c87ae88e">go to Australia</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-f2d636518bc63149f9a2124e73d535af">add a game in Rio</a> de Janeiro. It will also play a game in Munich, Germany, and three in London, with “additional games to be announced.”The NFL says it has played 62 regular-season games outside the U.S. so far, with London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, Sao Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto as hosts.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

A general view shows the Santiago Bernabeu stadium before the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on November 16, 2025.

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LONDON (AP) — Spain midfielder Mikel Merino should be fit for the World Cup after he was ruled ou...

LONDON (AP) — Spain midfielder Mikel Merino should be fit for the World Cup after he was ruled out for "an extended period" by Arsenal because of a right foot injury.The Premier League leaders said late Sunday that Merino will have an operation on the bone injury sustained during the home loss to Manchester United on Jan. 25."Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme," Arsenal said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season."Merino was a member of the Spain squad that won the European Championship in 2024, scoring an extra-time winner against Germany in the quarterfinals.The World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to start on June 11.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Keaton Wagler scored 28 points and No. 9 Illinois won its 11th straight game...

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Keaton Wagler scored 28 points and No. 9 Illinois won its 11th straight game, beating No. 5 Nebraska 78-69 on Sunday in the first matchup of top-10 teams the Cornhuskers have hosted.The Fighting Illini (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten), who haven’t lost since <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-illinois-score-003363083f8bf30509ea1619a8ec6cee">falling 83-80 at home to Nebraska</a> on Dec. 13, held the Huskers to four field goals in the first 13 minutes of the second half.Nebraska (20-2, 9-2) lost its second straight. The Huskers <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-cornhuskers-winning-streak-michigan-4e87d179b92f89efc4144a773aefe39a">were beaten on the road</a> Tuesday by another top-10 opponent, No. 3 Michigan, ending their 24-game win streak dating to last season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jake Davis finished with 13 points for Illinois, Tomislav Ivisic scored 12 and David Mirkovic had 10.Braden Frager returned for Nebraska after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury and scored 20 points. Pryce Sandfort added 14 points, Sam Hoiberg had 13 and Jamarques Lawrence scored 10.Nebraska hit 11 of 20 3-pointers before halftime to lead 39-33 at the break. But the Huskers made only four 3s in the second half against a tightened Illinois defense.The Illini outscored Nebraska 18-8 to open the second half. A 3-pointer by Wagler with 13:05 left put Illinois ahead 49-47, a lead it did not relinquish. Wagler hit another 3 with 6:45 remaining to cap a 10-0 run that made it 63-52.The Huskers trailed by at least seven points the rest of the way.While Illinois made nine 3-pointers to 15 for Nebraska, the Illini dominated at the free-throw line, outscoring the Huskers 21-4. Illinois also had a 10-point edge in the paint and a 40-27 advantage in rebounds.<h3>Up next</h3>Illinois: Hosts Northwestern on Wednesday.Nebraska: Visits Rutgers on Saturday.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball</a>

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - JANUARY 24: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 24, 2026 in West Lafayette, Indiana.

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — Justin Rose became the first wire-to-wire winner at Torrey Pines in 71 years, st...

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Justin Rose became the first wire-to-wire winner at Torrey Pines in 71 years, starting with a six-shot lead and never letting anyone get any closer to him Sunday as he closed with a 2-under 70 to win the Farmers Insurance Open.Rose opened with a 62 on the North course at Torrey Pines and really never let up all week, playing even better on the South course that has hosted two U.S. Opens. He wound up breaking the 72-hole tournament record at 23-under 265, one better than Tiger Woods in 1999. George Burns also shot 266 in 1987.“Sorry, T-dub, if you're watching,” Rose said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>That was his only real challenge, smaller goals to keep him pushing — he wanted to increase his lead each day, and he was aware of the tournament record. He got both.Tommy Bolt in 1955 is the only other player to lead from start to finish without ties at Torrey Pines.The 45-year-old from England said he would not be complacent, and that much was evident when Rose went out in 33, holing a 35-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth that turned the back nine — all day, really — into what looked like a peaceful walk on the public course along the Pacific Ocean.The tournament had one of its best weeks of weather, even by San Diego standards. The only thing lacking was drama, which was just fine with Rose.This was little more than a battle for second and that was a tie. Si Woo Kim (69), Ryo Hisatsune (69) and Pierceson Coody (66) shared runner-up honors, a consolation prize worth $726,400. For Coody, it also is likely to get him into a pair of $20 million signature events to end the West Coast Swing.Brooks Koepka finished his return to the PGA Tour after defecting from LIV Golf with familiar cheers on the ninth green when he tapped in a birdie putt for a 70. There were some 300 people around the green, most of them shouting, “Welcome back, Brooks.”He headed to Phoenix later Sunday for the loudest event in golf. “I love the chaos,” Koepka said.Rose, who also won at Torrey Pines in 2019, now has 13 career titles on the PGA Tour. He moves to No. 4 in the world, his highest ranking in more than six years. Even for all he has accomplished, from a U.S. Open to an Olympic gold medal to seven Ryder Cup appearances, he has not stopped putting in the work to stay among the elite in golf.“I still believe there's good stuff in front of me,” Rose said.He thought his performance at Torrey Pines in 2019 was among his best, and this was better. It might have been more meaningful, too. His longtime caddie, Mark Fulcher, was hospitalized with heart issues in 2019.“Now he's got one for himself,” Rose said.

LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Justin Rose of England poses with the trophy after putting in to win on the 18th green during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open 2026 at Torrey Pines South Course on February 01, 2026 in La Jolla, California.

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WINSTON, SALEM, N.C. (AP) — A bomb cyclone over North Carolina forced NASCAR to push its preseaso...

<div>
WINSTON, SALEM, N.C. (AP) — A <a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-snow-bomb-cyclone-3de11481ad49fc94bafb570467a2f972">bomb cyclone</a> over North Carolina forced NASCAR to push its preseason exhibition to Wednesday night because the snow-covered roads are too dangerous for teams and fans to get to historic Bowman-Gray Stadium.
The Clash had been scheduled to run Sunday night and has now been postponed twice, with a schedule adjustment, because of the intense snowfall that blanketed the area. NASCAR first condensed the race into a one-day, Sunday-only show, then pushed the race to Monday. 
NASCAR said Sunday it was moving it to Wednesday evening “due to the impacts of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-ice-snow-cold-4b1aad9d5c8b380ae18e6e6c2e650dee">historic winter weather</a> across the North Carolina region.” 
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
The race is now scheduled to run one week before qualifying for the Daytona 500, at Daytona International Speedway, where The Clash was held from 1979 through 2022.
The Clash went to a temporary track inside the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium for three seasons, then moved to its grassroots anchor at Bowman Gray last year. 
Its first year was a success but the second running has been interrupted by the bomb cyclone, known to meteorologists as an intense, rapidly strengthening weather system. It contributed to nearly a foot (30 centimeters) of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-east-coast-snow-floods-ff62eb61d9738850de04f19d5650e910">snow in and around Charlotte</a>, North Carolina’s largest city and home base for the majority of the NASCAR teams.
The snowfall represented a top-five snow event all time in Charlotte, said Peter Mullinax, a meteorologist with weather prediction center in College Park, Maryland.
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
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CHARLOTTE, USA - JANUARY 31: Snow covers Charlotte during winter storm Gianna, as bomb cyclone brings heavy snow in Charlotte NC, United States on January 31, 2026

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Nelly Korda won for the first time in 14 months without having to hit a shot...

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Nelly Korda won for the first time in 14 months without having to hit a shot Sunday when the LPGA Tour reduced the season-opening Tournament of Champions to 54 holes because of wind and cold that led officials to deem Lake Nona unsuitable for a final round.Korda won seven times in 2024 and was shut out in 2025. Now the American is a winner again with a most awkward start to the LPGA season.She won with an 8-under 64 on Saturday, an astonishing round that was roughly nine shots better than the field average in bitter cold and gusts that approached 40 mph. Korda said it was among the best three rounds she ever played.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>She finished just before the LPGA halted the third round when wind blew Youmin Hwang’s golf ball off the 17th green. The concern was because the final two holes were the most exposed on the course.The LPGA planned on finishing the third round Sunday morning and playing the final round. But temperatures were below freezing in central Florida, with the wind chill in the teens. The wind remained strong and the ground brittle.The LPGA said the forecast was just as bad for Monday and chose to make the event 54 holes.Korda finished at 13-under 203 for her 16th career victory. She was on the putting green and the practice range even though her victory was all but assured when the LPGA decided to cancel the final round.“Today was nerve-wracking,” Korda said. “Not knowing what the outcome was going to be and still trying to be in the mindset of going out for 18 holes and knowing it was going to be tough. I was always trying to be in that mindset.”Amy Yang was at 10 under with two holes to play when the third round resumed, needing a birdie and to hole out with a full shot over the last two holes. She made par on the par-3 17th and the tournament was over. Yang went par-par for a 69 to finish second.Brooke Henderson, who completed a 66 on Saturday, was alone in third.It was the first time since the Hilton Grand Vacation Tournament of Champions returned to the LPGA schedule in 2019 that it was reduced to 54 holes. Weather is rarely an issue in Orlando, except for rain. This was an unexpected cold front with high wind.The LPGA planned to start at 10 a.m., which was pushed back a couple of more times until the final round was canceled and the third round didn’t resume until about 2 p.m.“We talked to several players warming up,” said Ricki Lasky, the tour’s chief business and operations officer. “The ground was hard and it was changing the trajectory of their shots. We tried to take as much time as we could to get in all 72 holes. We did everything we could.”The LPGA did allow the celebrity portion of the tournament to proceed but reduced to nine holes. The LPGA cited the fact it was an exhibition that used the modified Stableford scoring, where no one could make worse than double bogey. Former tennis star Mardy Fish won the celebrity side of the event.Hwang hit an 18-foot putt on the 17th hole Saturday in which the right-to-left wind sent her ball toward a ridge and then off the green. She wound up making triple bogey. She finished with a par for 73 and tied for fifth.Korda now will take six weeks off, saying she again will skip the entire Asia swing.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 1: Nelly Korda of the United States poses with the trophy following the completion of the third round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions 2026 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on February 1, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The tournament was shortened to 54 holes due to adverse weather conditions.

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MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich powerbroker Uli Hoeness is disappointed France defender Dayot Upameca...

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich powerbroker Uli Hoeness is disappointed France defender Dayot Upamecano has not yet committed to stay at the club.The 27-year-old Upamecano's contract with Bayern is up at the end of the season and talks over an extension have been rumbling on while rivals like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in signing the player on a free transfer."I would be delighted if Dayot Upamecano decides to stay at FC Bayern," Hoeness told Kicker magazine on Sunday. "I know that he and his family feel very comfortable in Munich. I fear, however, that his advisors are going to do everything they can to lure him away."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 74-year-old Hoeness, who's Bayern's honorary president after more than four decades at the club as a player and manager, suggested that Bayern was stretching to meet the player and agent’s financial demands, and that he was "appalled" by the agent's position.Bayern's management wants to meet with the player in the coming days to discuss his future and compel him to decide, Kicker reported.Upamecano arrived from Leipzig in 2021 when Bayern paid his release fee of around 43 million euros (then $52.2 million). He joined Leipzig from sister club Salzburg in 2017.He has played 178 games for Bayern. He has made 35 appearances for France.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Eindhoven, Netherlands - January 28: Dayot Upamecano of FC Bayern Munchen looks on prior UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Bayern Munchen at PSV Stadion on January 28, 2026 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Sl...

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam after securing the Australian Open title against Novak Djokovic, who had never lost in his 10 previous finals at Melbourne Park.The top-ranked Alcaraz dropped the first set Sunday as Djokovic went out hard in pursuit of a record 25th major title, but he dug deep to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.As he was leaving the court, he signed the lens of the TV camera with a note of recognition: "Job finished. 4/4 Complete.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 22-year-old Spaniard scrambled to retrieve shots that usually would be winners for Djokovic, and he kept up intense pressure on his 38-year-old rival. There were extended rallies where each player hit enough brilliant shots to usually win a game, with neither player willing to give an inch or concede.Once he secured victory, Alcaraz let his racket slip out of his hand and fell to the ground on his back, putting his hands to his head.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
History 🏆 Career slam complete, take a bow <a href="https://twitter.com/carlosalcaraz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@carlosalcaraz</a> 🇪🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/wwos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wwos</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@espn</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/tntsports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tntsports</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/wowowtennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wowowtennis</a> • <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO26</a> <a href="https://t.co/pd7ye35TTq">pic.twitter.com/pd7ye35TTq</a>— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/2017928772582842601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>He stayed there for a few seconds before going to the net to shake hands with Djokovic. Both players exchanged a few words and Djokovic smiled as he congratulated Alcaraz. The new champion then ran to hug his coaches in the courtside chairs and later his dad and other team members in the stands.After paying tribute to Djokovic for being an inspiration, Alcaraz turned to his support team. He parted ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero at the end of last season and Samuel Lopez stepped up to head the team.“Nobody knows how hard I’ve been working to get this trophy. I just chased this moment so much,” Alcaraz said. The pre-season was a bit of a rollercoaster emotionally.“We just did the right work, you were pushing me every day to do all the right things,” he added. “I’m just really grateful for everyone I have in my corner right now.”Djokovic joked about this showdown setting up a rivalry over the next 10 years with Alcaraz, but then said it was only right to hand the floor over to the new champion.“First and foremost, congratulations to an amazing tournament and amazing couple of weeks,” Djokovic said at the trophy presentation. “What you’ve been doing, the best word to describe is historic, legendary, so congratulations. I wish the best of luck in the rest of your career.”Both players were coming off grueling five-set semifinal wins and showed phenomenal fitness, athleticism and stamina for just over three hours in pursuit of their own historic achievements.Neither player was willing to relent on the big points — and there were many of them. In the end, Alcaraz was able to convert 5 of the 16 breakpoints he set up. Djokovic converted two of his six.Djokovic’s push for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title has now been blocked by Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner for nine majors.Djokovic edged Sinner in the semifinals and was aiming to be the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era, but didn’t quite make it against Alcaraz.Rafa in the houseDjokovic and Rafael Nadal played some epic matches, including the longest match ever at the Australian Open in a five-set final that lasted almost six hours in 2012.Nadal was watching from the stands on Sunday night, and both players addressed the 22-time major winner.“I want to speak to the legendary Rafa, who is on the stands,” Djokovic said. “Obviously, it feels very weird to see you there and not here, you know?“But thank you for being present. It’s too many Spanish legends... It felt like it was two against one tonight, you know, it wasn’t fair, but OK.”Alcaraz said it was a privilege: “I know you were watching me when I was like 15, 14 years old, so it’s been a long time. But, yeah, for me, it’s such an honor playing in front of you.”One for the agesAt 22 years and 272 days, Alcaraz is the youngest man to complete a set of all four major singles titles. He broke the mark set by Don Budge in the 1938 French championships, when he was 22 years and 363 days.Alcaraz now has seven major titles — his first in Australia along with two each at Wimbledon and the French and U.S. Opens.He's the ninth man to achieve the career Grand Slam, a list that also includes Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer.___AP tennis: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tennis">https://apnews.com/hub/tennis</a>

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 01: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain hugs the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the presentation ceremony after his victory in the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 15 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 01, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.

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ESPN's purchase of NFL Network and other league digital assets has been finalized after governmen...

ESPN's purchase of NFL Network and other league digital assets has been finalized after government regulators approved the transaction.The league and ESPN officially announced the closing of the deal Saturday night after the Justice Department and other non-U.S. antitrust authorities completed their reviews.ESPN acquired NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"With the closing, we will begin integrating NFL employees into ESPN in the months ahead," ESPN and the NFL said in a joint statement. "As we look to the future, NFL fans can look forward to expanded NFL programming, greater access to NFL Network, innovative Fantasy experiences and unparalleled coverage of America's most popular sport."The approval by government regulators was first reported by The Athletic.Viewers are not expected to notice changes on NFL Network until April, when those employed by NFL Media become part of ESPN.NFL Network — which has nearly 50 million subscribers — will be included in ESPN's direct-to-consumer product, which launched last August, shortly after the deal was first announced.The NFL RedZone channel will be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite operators. However, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the channel as well as retain the rights to distribute the channel digitally. ESPN would also get rights to the RedZone brand, meaning RedZone channels for college football and basketball or other sports could be coming in the future. NFL Fantasy Football will merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, giving ESPN the official fantasy football game of the league.NFL Network will still air seven games per season. Four of ESPN's games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, will move to NFL Network. ESPN will license three additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.The NFL has taken back the rights to four international games, which it is expected to put up for bid. The league has discussed each of its 32 teams playing at least one international game per season if the schedule expands to 18 regular-season games.The league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of the 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel (a free ad-supported streaming channel).With the sale, ESPN is 72% owned by ABC Inc. — an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company — 18% Hearst and 10% NFL.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: A detail view of an ESPN Monday Night Football NFL logo is seen on a tv camera in action during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at Levi's Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.

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