NBA basketball
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Crowded stadiums, pandemic create combustible mix this fall

By Tom Murphy Sep. 11, 2021 07:55 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans tailgate outside Raymond James Stadium before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
NFL opens to full stadiums as COVID-19 surges

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 09, 2021 04:33 PM EDT

Sports betting windows officially open as the Arizona Diamondbacks partner with Caesars Entertainment setting up temporary sports betting windows at the Diamondbacks' Chase Field, the baseball home of the Diamondbacks baseball team, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Phoenix. The on-site sports betting permanent home just outside Chase Field will be opened in the coming months. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Sports betting starts in Arizona in time for NFL season

By Bob Christie And Jonathan J. Cooper Sep. 09, 2021 12:43 AM EDT

A Baltimore Ravens trainer looks over wide receiver Rashod Bateman after falling during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Ravens' new-look WR group having a hard time staying healthy

By Noah Trister Aug. 17, 2021 02:40 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Aug. 01, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Aug. 2 1864 — The first Travers Stakes at Saratoga is won by Kentucky, a horse that scores 20 consecutive victories. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jul. 29, 2021 01:10 PM EDT
July 29 1751 — The first International World Title Prize Fight takes place in Harlston, England. The champion, Jack Slack of England, beats...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jul. 29, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Aug. 2 1864 — The first Travers Stakes at Saratoga is won by Kentucky, a horse that scores 20 consecutive victories. ...

FILE - Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, file photo. Chandler Jones was present at the first day of Arizona Cardinals training camp on Tuesday morning, July 27, 2021. Larry Fitzgerald was not. Both developments were expected as the Cardinals officially opened their preseason at State Farm Stadium. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Jones in, Fitzgerald out at first day of Cardinals camp

By David Brandt Jul. 27, 2021 04:14 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2021, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walks off the field after the NFC championship NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy remains hopeful Rodgers the three-time MVP will play for them this season, but says he does not know whether Rodgers will arrive for the start of training camp. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Packers' CEO 'hopeful' about sorting things out with Rodgers

By Steve Megargee Jul. 26, 2021 04:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 14, 1980, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles' Harold Carmichael stands during the team's NFL football game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Philadelphia. Next month, Carmichael will use those longs arms to put on his gold jacket in Canton. “To be inducted, to get that gold jacket, and get that bust and get that ring is very exciting for me,” he said. (AP Photo/Clem Murray, File)
Carmichael used unique size to become Hall of Fame wideout

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 26, 2021 11:46 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2019, file photo, ESPN's Maria Taylor works from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Miami and Florida in Orlando, Fla. Taylor is leaving ESPN after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Taylor had been with ESPN since 2014 but her contract expired Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Her last assignment for the network was Tuesday night at the NBA Finals, where she was the pregame and postgame host for the network's “NBA Countdown” show. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NBC quickly hires Maria Taylor after her departure from ESPN

By Joe Reedy Jul. 23, 2021 08:28 PM EDT

FILE - This rendering provided by the Oakland Athletics and BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group shows an elevated view of the baseball club's proposed new at Howard Terminal in Oakland, Calif. The Oakland City Council approved preliminary terms for a new $12 billion waterfront ballpark project for the Athletics, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. But it's not clear if the 6-1 vote will be enough to keep the A's at the negotiating table instead of leaving the city. (Courtesy of BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group/Oakland Athletics via AP, File)
Oakland OKs terms for $12B ballpark but A's aren't happy

Jul. 20, 2021 06:56 PM EDT

Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning throws the ceremonial first pitch prior to the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Peyton Manning teams up with brother, ESPN for MNF MegaCast

By Joe Reedy Jul. 19, 2021 04:35 PM EDT

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches during the first half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns 7/17/2021

Jul. 17, 2021 10:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 11, 2011, file photo, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C. Ball won the ESPY as best breakthrough athlete, Saturday, July 11. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Denver Nuggets at Charlotte Hornets 5/11/2021

Jul. 10, 2021 11:04 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice before the start of the first period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
'Fast and furious' NHL offseason to unfold over three weeks

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 09, 2021 06:08 PM EDT

Russell Wilson and wife Ciara are seen during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks Friday, June 25, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks 1/24/2021

Jun. 25, 2021 10:24 PM EDT

Green Bay Packers Za'Darius Smith and Aaron Jones have some fun during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball semifinals game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn NetsThursday, June 10, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 86-83 and the Nets lead the series 2-1. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets 1/7/2021

Jun. 10, 2021 10:26 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) reacts after the team's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The Latest: Nuggets, Avalanche arena OK for full capacity

By The Associated Press Jun. 03, 2021 01:15 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver, Julio Jones, talks with rapper 2 Chainz during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Atlanta. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Washington Wizards 120-116. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks 5/12/2021

May. 25, 2021 01:44 PM EDT