College/Pro Sports
It’s March Madness and more people than ever can legally bet on basketball games
DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press People in North Carolina may have a little more riding on this year’s NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, as they will be able to legally bet on the games through their smartphone apps and computers for the first time. For the sixth straight year, the number of states allowing…
Read MoreNBA announces partnership with Emirates, including title sponsor of renamed in-season tournament
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has struck a multiyear partnership deal with Emirates, one where the airline will become the title sponsor of the league’s in-season tournament — which will have a new name — and have its logo on referee jerseys in the NBA, WNBA and G League. As part of the agreement,…
Read MoreOfficials tout Super Bowl plans to crimp counterfeiting, ground drones, curb human trafficking
KEN RITTER Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — Amid warnings about counterfeit goods, human trafficking and illegal drones at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, federal, state and local security officials said Monday they’re preparing for a busy week in the air, at airports, at Allegiant Stadium and in merchandise shops as crowds arrive for…
Read MoreHarbaugh leaving Michigan, Big 10 for Chargers
By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh was hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, leaving Michigan after capping his ninth season as coach of college football’s winningest program with the school’s first national championship since 1997. Harbaugh signed a five-year deal a person close…
Read MorePlayoff game behind Peacock paywall is new frontier for NFL
The quarterback matchup between Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only major storyline going into their AFC wild card game. Another question is how many fans will pay to watch one of the NFL’s important games of the season being carried exclusively on a streaming platform for the first time. Saturday…
Read MoreMary Lou Retton says she’s a ‘fighter’ as she recuperates at home following pneumonia scare
JOHN RABY AP Sports Writer Olympic gymnastics great Mary Lou Retton said she faces a long battle recuperating at home from a rare form of pneumonia in which doctors weren’t sure whether she would survive. In an interview that aired Monday on NBC’s “Today” show, Retton said while wearing a breathing tube pumping oxygen through…
Read MoreNCAA, ESPN sign deal for women’s ‘March Madness’
The NCAA and ESPN announced on Thursday a $920 million, eight-year agreement that will give the network exclusive rights to 40 championships, including the Division I women’s basketball tournament, an event growing in popularity that the association has been accused of undervaluing in the past. NCAA President Charlie Baker told The Associated Press the deal…
Read MoreNew PGA Tour season starts with renewed emphasis on charity with Lahaina in mind
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) — Collin Morikawa is making his fifth trip to Kapalua to start a new year on the PGA Tour at The Sentry. This was the first time he wore an apron and was shivering from cold. Before heading to the range, Morikawa drove up the mountain…
Read MoreNCAA, states seek to extend restraining order letting transfer athletes play through the spring
JOHN RABY AP Sports Writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization asked a federal court Friday to extend a small window for multiple-transfer athletes to compete through at least the winter and spring semesters. The motion seeks to extend the 14-day temporary restraining order barring the NCAA…
Read MoreBears QB Justin Fields prepared for physical day against Browns defense
GENE CHAMBERLAIN Associated Press LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — In a week when the Chicago Bears expressed concern about quarterback Justin Fields taking too many hits before and after whistles, he probably couldn’t be facing a more challenging opponent. Fields absorbed more than his share of punishment from the Cleveland Browns in his first NFL…
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