College/Pro Sports
People with no chance at playing in the NBA can still enter the NBA draft
TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer If you want to be in the NBA, it helps to be, among other things, excellent at the playing of basketball. If you want to be in the NBA draft, basketball skills aren’t required. There is a group of 18 people who are officially “draft eligible” for Thursday’s festivities at…
Read MoreAaron Rodgers is set to speak at a psychedelics conference
JESSE BEDAYN Associated Press/Report for America DENVER (AP) — Months after Colorado’s voters decided to join Oregon in decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms, Denver will host a conference this week put on by a psychedelic advocacy group bringing together an unlikely cohort of speakers — including an NFL star, a former Republican governor and a rapper. The…
Read MoreWhy Ryan Reynolds, Snoop Dogg, other celebrities want to buy the Ottawa Senators
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — While some hockey fans may be surprised by multiple celebrities facing off for a minority ownership stake in the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, experts who study the business of sport say the prospect stands to lift the team’s profile to new heights. It is also seen as a safe way for stars…
Read MoreAlabama House eyes transgender college athlete restrictions
MONTGOMERY, Ala (AP) — Transgender women in Alabama would be prohibited from joining female sports teams in college, under legislation advanced Wednesday by a legislative committee. The Alabama House Education Policy Committee approved legislation that would extend a 2021 ban on transgender athletes in K-12 sports teams to include college teams. The bill states that…
Read MoreGoing, going, gone: Study says climate change juicing homers
SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer Climate change is making major league sluggers into even hotter hitters, sending an extra 50 or so home runs a year over the fences, a new study found. Hotter, thinner air that allows balls to fly farther contributed a tiny bit to a surge in home runs since 2010, according…
Read MoreTrans woman awaits ruling from Australian basketball league
DENNIS PASSA AP Sports Writer BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — A transgender female player is awaiting a decision from Basketball Australia on whether she can compete in a second-tier division of the women’s national league, adding to the global debate over the issue in sport. Lexi Rodgers revealed in a podcast that she is the trans…
Read MoreEthics agency to better protect gymnasts for LA Olympics
GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Created to help protect athletes after the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse scandal, the sport’s international investigations agency has set new safeguarding standards with a view to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation published a “Gymnasts 2028” strategy Thursday to better protect athletes from harassment…
Read MoreManfred: MLB prepared for whatever happens with Diamond
JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Commissioner Rob Manfred said Major League Baseball is prepared for whatever happens to the financially troubled company that owns regional broadcast rights for 14 teams after Diamond Sports Group skipped about $140 million in interest payments due Wednesday. The missed payments by the parent company of 19…
Read MoreDamar Hamlin put prayer in football back in the spotlight
ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer PHOENIX (AP) — When medical personnel rushed onto the field to save Damar Hamlin’s life after the Buffalo Bills’ defensive back collapsed during a game last month in Cincinnati, many people witnessing the horrifying scene did the only thing they could to help. They prayed. Players and coaches from…
Read MoreWNBA investigating Aces over bullying allegations
MARK ANDERSON and DOUG FEINBERG AP Sports Writers LAS VEGAS (AP) — The WNBA is investigating former Las Vegas player Dearica Hamby’s allegations that the Aces bullied and manipulated her for being pregnant, the league said in a statement Wednesday. It was the first time the league acknowledged publicly it was looking into the situation.…
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