Bill Daly
FILE - A syringe is prepared with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic in the Norristown Public Health Center in Norristown, Pa., on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. Amid concern about vaccines protecting against delta and omicron variants that are spreading, the push to get coronavirus booster shots is not an immediate priority in most of the top sports leagues in North America. AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
COVID-19 boosters on backburner for most pro sports leagues

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 10, 2021 03:39 PM EST

Fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Buffalo Bills to require proof of vaccination from fans

Sep. 14, 2021 06:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 26, 2021, file photo, San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane moves the puck during the team's NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz.T he NHL says it will investigate an allegation made by Kane’s wife that he bets on his own games and has intentionally tried to lose for gambling profit. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
EXPLAINER: How leagues investigate gambling allegations

By Stephen Whyno Aug. 06, 2021 05:12 AM EDT

FILE - Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill guards his net with empty seats behind him during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim, Calif., in this Friday, April 2, 2021, file photo. While the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball are moving to relax virus protocols when a vast majority of a team’s players, coaches and staff are vaccinated, the NHL finds itself in an uncomfortable position. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
NHL grapples with vaccine inequity between U.S. and Canada

By Stephen Whyno And Larry Lage Apr. 08, 2021 03:37 PM EDT

Boston College forward Andrew Kenny (23), who joined the team as a walk-on, congratulates teammates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wake Forest, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Boston. With COVID-19 protocols limiting Boston College to six scholarship players for its games against North Carolina State and Wake Forest, the Eagles relied on walk-ons to fill out their bench. Kenny had two rebounds in the six minutes he played against Wake Forest. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Latest: BC-Ga Tech men's hoops off, delays coach's debut

By The Associated Press Feb. 16, 2021 12:50 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, NHL Players' Association Executive Director Donald Fehr listens during a press conference in Columbus, Ohio. Like the NBA, the NHL is going forward with a season without a bubble. Commissioner Gary Bettman, Players' Association executive director Don Fehr and other top officials explain how hockey got to this point with a CBA that may have only staved off headaches and playing in mostly empty home arenas to start. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
NHL gambles on getting through pandemic outside a bubble

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 12, 2021 02:47 PM EST

La Vuelta fans wearing face mask protection to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, keep safe a distance behind barriers, before the start of the eight stage of La Vuelta between Logrono and Alto de Moncalvillo, in Logrono, northern Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Latest: Texans place OL Sharping on COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Oct. 28, 2020 11:14 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, NHL Player's Association executive director Donald Fehr, left, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman attend a news conference at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Given the gravity of the pandemic and the abrupt decision to place the NHL season on pause in March, it did not take Bettman and Fehr long to realize they were going to have to work together if play was to resume any time soon. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
NHL, players take collaborative approach in bid to resume

By John Wawrow Jul. 11, 2020 06:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2019, file photo, New Jersey Devils right wing Kurtis Gabriel works out prior to an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Newark, N.J. The NHL is hoping to move to Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice facilities and allowing small group workouts, early next month. The league, which was forced to pause its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a 22-page memo detailing the plan Monday, May 25, 2020. The document stresses there's no exact date for the start of Phase 2 or a timetable for how long it will last. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
The Latest: Iowa St AD sees football games with 30,000 fans

By The Associated Press May. 26, 2020 11:59 AM EDT

FILE - In this April 19, 2019, file photo, Steve Yzerman walks into the news conference where he was introduced as the new executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings NHL hockey club in Detroit. The Red Wings could actually benefit from an adjusted draft lottery that gives him better odds at the top pick, likely Alexis Lafreniere. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Mixed feelings around hockey about holding NHL draft early

By Stephen Whyno May. 09, 2020 11:46 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, NASCAR driver Joey Logano climbs into his car to practice for a Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Logano has established a $1 Million COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
The Latest: Becher defends Sharks' games amid county caution

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2020 05:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, goals used by the NHL hockey club Nashville Predators are stored in a hallway in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The Ottawa Senators announced late Tuesday night, March 17, 2020, one of their players has tested positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms and is in isolation. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
The Latest: Hurricanes ask employees to take time off

By The Associated Press Mar. 25, 2020 11:46 AM EDT

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, left, of Finland, is congratulated by teammates following Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 16, 2019. Boston won 4-0 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes 5/16/2019

May. 21, 2019 05:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 2, 2015, file photo, Los Angeles Kings' Slava Voynov enters Superior Court with his wife, Marta Varlamova, in Torrance, Calif. The NHL has suspended defenseman Slava Voynov for the 2019-20 season and 2020 playoffs for domestic violence. Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended Voynov on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, for what the league called unacceptable off-ice conduct. The 29-year-old Russian could have his eligibility to restored July 1, 2020, based on good behavior. Voynov was suspended indefinitely in October 2014 after being arrested for domestic abuse. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor, left the United States to go back to Russia and in July had the conviction dismissed by a judge in Los Angeles county. (Brad Graverson//The Orange County Register via AP, File)
NHL suspends Voynov for 2019-20 season for domestic violence

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 09, 2019 05:52 PM EDT

Thursday's Sports in Brief

By The Associated Press Jan. 11, 2019 02:48 AM EST
TENNIS MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Andy Murray is still hoping to make it to one more Wimbledon tournament before his problematic hip forces him into...