NBA basketball
FILE - In this Thursday, May 26, 2016 file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, left, talks with general manager Mickey Loomis during NFL football practice in Metairie, La. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says unusual circumstances surrounding this pandemic-altered NFL season haven't changed high expectations; the Saints seek a fourth-straight playoff appearance. Loomis says it's an advantage that he and coach Sean Payton have worked together since 2006 and that there has been little turnover on the staff or roster recently. Loomis spoke Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Payton: Saints expanding on NFL pandemic protocols

By Brett Martel Aug. 05, 2020 04:47 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Aug. 01, 2020 11:14 AM EDT
Aug. 2 1864 — The first Travers Stakes at Saratoga is won by Kentucky, a horse that scores 20 consecutive victories. ...

Fans wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the new coronavirus watch the KBO league game between Doosan Bears and LG Twins in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, July 27, 2020. Masked fans hopped, sang and shouted cheering slogans in baseball stadiums in South Korea on Sunday as authorities began bringing back spectators in professional sports games amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The Latest: Bears place DT John Jenkins on COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jul. 30, 2020 12:33 PM EDT

A security guard peers out from behind NHL-branded fencing at the entrance where players arrive at Toronto's Royal York hotel, which is acting as the "bubble" ahead of the return of the league's season following disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunday, July 26, 2020. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Bubble hockey begins: NHL playoff teams adjust to quarantine

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 27, 2020 07:19 PM EDT

Mohamed Elmardi, manager of Brass Rail Pizza Bar, is interviewed Friday, July 10, 2020, in Detroit. The restaurant is close enough to hear the roar of the crowd at Comerica Park, when fans are allowed past the gates, and that makes it a convenient choice for people to get a slice and a sip before and after the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons play, as they all play in close proximity. "That's something huge for us," Elmardi acknowledged. "If it's not going on, our business is down." (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Fan-free baseball games no relief for Motor City's misery

By Larry Lage Jul. 24, 2020 02:48 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 file photo CFR's manager Dan Petrescu gives directions to his players during the Europa League soccer match between Lazio and CFR Cluj at Rome's Olympic stadium. In the Europe-wide race to finish this soccer season before the next one starts, Romania’s league aims to beat a UEFA target for completion by resuming in two weeks' time. On Thursday, May 28, 2020, public authorities were agreeing protocols to keep players and officials safe for a June 13 restart in Liga 1. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
The Latest: Ohio Valley Conference makes fall postponements

By The Associated Press Jul. 22, 2020 03:02 PM EDT

Milwaukee Brewers' Devin Williams throws during an intrasquad game Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
MLB players taking visible stance on social justice

By David Brandt Jul. 22, 2020 02:22 AM EDT

FILE - This Nov. 10, 2019, file photo shows Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians wearing a "Crucial Catch" hat before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Fla. The NFL is planning to allow players to have decals on the back of their helmets bearing names or initials of victims of systemic racism and police violence. The league has been in talks with individual players and their union since June about somehow honoring such victims.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
NFL planning to allow social justice decals on helmets

By Barry Wilner Jul. 21, 2020 01:47 PM EDT

Nathan Chen with coach Raf Arutunian learn Chen's score after his the men's senior free skate program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Lynn Hey)
The Latest: SWAC postpones fall sports, eyes spring football

By The Associated Press Jul. 20, 2020 05:06 PM EDT

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

FILE - In this March 6, 2020, file photo, Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoán Moncada runs to first base with a hit in the first inning of the team's spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Ariz. Moncada rejoined the White Sox after missing the start of their summer camp because he contracted the coronavirus. Moncada revealed on a video conference call with reporters Thursday, July 16, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he didn't experience any major symptoms but it was a difficult time for him and a little scary. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
The Latest: Meadows tests positive, Moncada back from virus

By The Associated Press Jul. 16, 2020 01:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2017, file photo, fans stand for the national anthem at New Era Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets in Orchard Park, N.Y. New Era Field will no longer be the name of the stadium, after the global sports headware and clothing apparel company asked to be released from its naming rights and sponsorship agreement. No reason was provided for the move, announced Wednesday, July 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
New Era asks to pull out of Bills stadium naming rights deal

By John Wawrow Jul. 15, 2020 06:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2017, file photo, New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson sits on the sideline with his wife, Gayle Benson, before an NFL football game in New Orleans. An Associated Press review of public tax documents found that the Bensons' foundation has given at least $62 million to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and other Catholic causes over the past dozen years, including gifts to schools, universities, charities and individual parishes. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)
Judge denies media request to unseal files on Saints owner

By Jim Mustian Jul. 15, 2020 12:03 PM EDT

Rodney Johnson of Chesapeake, Va., sits in his truck outside FedEx Field in Landover, Md., Monday, July 13, 2020. The Washington NFL franchise announced Monday that it will drop the "Redskins" name and Indian head logo immediately, bowing to decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Post-Redskins, Washington has long road toward new name

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 14, 2020 03:39 PM EDT

Inter Miami players enter the field for an MLS soccer match against Orlando City, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla., some wearing shirts and masks with messages about race. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
MLS returns to action after poignant moment of silence

By Mark Long Jul. 08, 2020 09:54 PM EDT

Ricardo Zapata, left, a photographer for the Los Angeles Angels, has his temperature taken by Sarah Morris before entering Angels Stadium for baseball practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. New protocols like temperature checks, social distancing, and limiting amount of people allowed in sports venues have been put in place due to the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Latest: D-Backs' Guerra returns after negative test

By The Associated Press Jul. 08, 2020 02:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, former NBA player and players union deputy Roger Mason, left, listens as entertainer Ice Cube, right, announces the launch of the BIG3, a new 3-on-3 professional basketball league, in New York. Hundreds of sports-related businesses got in line for the government-funded Payroll Protection Plan designed to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the four North American major sports leagues — the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball — applied, but both Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League were represented. Rapper Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league says it returned almost half of the $1.6 million it received, but givebacks were rare. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Sports jumps on PPP bandwagon, but big leagues take a pass

By The Associated Press Jul. 06, 2020 10:07 PM EDT

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Powell,Pool)
Enhanced crowd audio adds another dimension to fanless games

By Joe Reedy Jul. 05, 2020 10:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2017, file photo, from left, Paul George, Andre Roberson, Carmelo Anthony and Josh Heustis link arms during the playing of the national anthem before an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in Oklahoma City. Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle isn't sure what to expect from players during the national anthem when the NBA season resumes in empty arenas late this month in Florida. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder 10/19/2017

Jul. 03, 2020 02:56 PM EDT

FILER - In this Feb. 21, 2020, file photo, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) goes to the basket against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Pacers will finish this season without Oladipo after the two-time All-Star decided to sit out because of the risk of re-injuring his right knee. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Latest: Pacers' Oladipo to sit out restart of season

By The Associated Press Jul. 03, 2020 10:56 AM EDT