RONALD BLUM
United States' Shaq Moore (18) and Yunus Musah celebrate after defeating Iran in the World Cup group B soccer match between Iran and the United States at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Iran win another step as US soccer tries to boost interest

By Ronald Blum Nov. 30, 2022 01:39 PM EST
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — American soccer hopes to be ascendant, to challenge the NFL, Major

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel, left, speaks with MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr.before Game 2 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Manfred puts off decisions on incentives for minority hires

By Ronald Blum Oct. 31, 2022 10:06 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is putting off any decisions on

Baseball fans wait out a rain delay for Game 5 of an American League Division baseball series between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Guardians-Yankees rained out, to play ALDS Game 5 on Tuesday

By Ronald Blum Oct. 17, 2022 09:46 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — After fans waited through a 2 1/2-hour rain delay, Major League

Midges land on a banner around First Energy Stadium as the teams warm up before an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Yanks may face Cleveland's bugs again in a throwback to '07

By Ronald Blum Oct. 14, 2022 12:49 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Their fans still bugged by what happened in 2007, the New York

Fans wait along 6th Ave. for FIFA's announcement of the names of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
FIFA picks 2026 World Cup cities, predicts US `No 1 sport'

By Ronald Blum Jun. 16, 2022 09:07 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The 16 cities of the first World Cup spread across three nations were

Major League Baseball deputy commissioner Dan Halem, center, arrives for a meeting in New York, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, for the first in-person baseball negotiating session since the MLB lockout began. At far left is Patrick Houlihan, Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Labor Relations at Major League Baseball, and second from left is Colorado Rockies owner Dick Montfort. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Spring training threatened, MLB asks for federal mediator

By Ronald Blum Feb. 03, 2022 06:10 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball asked a federal mediator to intervene in

FILE - Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, left, and Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark speak before Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. A five-year contract between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association expires at 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Blum, File)
Key people and background in MLB labor negotiations

By Ronald Blum Nov. 29, 2021 05:16 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Key people and background in Major League Baseball’s labor

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole delivers during the third inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Yankees, Mets allowed to start seasons with 20% capacity

By Ronald Blum Mar. 18, 2021 01:03 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees and Mets will be allowed to start the

A 2019 World Series champions sign is displayed during the Washington Nationals baseball practice at Nationals Park, Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
MLB, players agree to expand playoffs to 16 teams

By Ronald Blum Jul. 23, 2020 05:09 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and the players’ union agreed Thursday to

FILE - In this July 11, 2017, file photo, former Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez reports from the field during the MLB baseball All-Star Game in Miami. Rodriguez, among four groups of bidders for a possible purchase of the New York Mets, called for baseball players to accept the type of revenue-sharing system that is tied to a salary cap and sparked quick opposition from the union. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
A-Rod, bidding for Mets, wants players to accept cap system

By Ronald Blum Jul. 17, 2020 12:35 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez, among four groups of bidders for a possible

FILE- In this July 8, 2011, file photo, attorney Jeffrey Kessler enters a Manhattan law office in New York. Several people familiar with the conversations tell The Associated Press that the baseball players' association has discussed hiring the noted sports lawyer to litigate a contemplated grievance. In divisive talks reminiscent of baseball’s eight work stoppages from 1972-95, the sides failed to reach an economic agreement last month. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano, File)
AP sources: MLB players may have Kessler lead grievance

By Ronald Blum Jul. 14, 2020 08:35 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The baseball players’ association has discussed hiring noted

Grounds crew members mow as work continues to keep the Seattle Mariners' field in playing shape as the ballpark goes into its seventh week without baseball played because of the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, May 11, 2020, in Seattle. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Major League Baseball owners have given the go-ahead to making a proposal to the players' union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
AP source: No MLB economic plan in 1st session with players

By Ronald Blum May. 12, 2020 10:02 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball did not include an economic proposal

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks during the Major League Soccer 25th Season kickoff event in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
MLS owners predict league will surpass MLB, Premier League

By Ronald Blum Feb. 26, 2020 02:03 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Three days ahead of the Major League Soccer's 25th season,

Washington Nationals fans boo as Houston Astros players walk onto the field for a spring training baseball game in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP)
MLB tells court attempts at cheating are a part of sports

By Ronald Blum Feb. 24, 2020 01:05 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Attempts at cheating are a part of sports, Major League

MLS hopes to put 30th team in Charlotte, North Carolina

By Ronald Blum Dec. 05, 2019 05:41 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Soccer will try to reach an agreement for ïts 30th

In this photo provided by Starpix, James Pitaro speaks at the Paley Center for Media in New York, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro expects competition from Silicon Valley when the NFL's television contracts come up for renewal. The cable network's $15.2 billion, eight-year contract with the league for Monday night games runs through 2021. CBS, NBC and Fox and NBC have deals with the NFL that extend to 2022. Amazon, Google and Facebook could be among the bidders. (Patrick Huban/Starpix via AP)
ESPN president expects Silicon Valley to bid for NFL rights

By Ronald Blum Sep. 12, 2019 10:32 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro expects competition from Silicon Valley

FILE - In this April 18, 2019 file photo Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles. Garber's 20th anniversary as Major League Soccer's commissioner is Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019 and the league's challenge these days is growth and not survival, an upward trajectory that will be boosted when the U.S. co-hosts the World Cup in 2026. MLS has doubled in size to 24 teams under Garber's leadership, plays primarily in soccer specific stadiums and maintains an average attendance among the top 10 soccer leagues in the world. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, file)
Garber's 20 years as MLS commissioner time of huge growth

By Ronald Blum Aug. 01, 2019 05:10 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Don Garber keeps a fireman's hat in his office. "When

USSF, promoter clash in court over international matches

By Ronald Blum May. 23, 2019 11:41 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — A lawyer for a promoter asked a judge to order the U.S. Soccer