Rugby
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Friday, May 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Australia's bruising, bustling rugby league could be Vegas-bound

By Dennis Passa May. 16, 2023 10:34 PM EDT

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs onto the field for an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Jaguars at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London on Oct. 17, 2021. Folks in soccer-mad Britain have a growing hankering for the U.S. brand of football, brought to their world with a big push from the NFL and an increasingly diverse media landscape. “It's a good sport. It's got violence. It's got scoring,” said Joe Vincent, a Welshman who set up the Jacksonville Jaguars fan club in Britain. “Once you've gone to a game, you're hooked.” (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
Column: Footy, anyone? Niche fans cheer on sports from afar

By Paul Newberry Sep. 23, 2022 04:24 AM EDT

Rugby players taking legal action about brain injury claims

Jul. 24, 2022 07:23 PM EDT
LONDON (AP) — More than 100 former rugby players are taking legal action against World Rugby and the national governing bodies of England and Wales over what they...

The 23 venues bidding to host World Cup matches in 2026

Jun. 15, 2022 02:07 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — A look at the 23 venues bidding to host soccer matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada: ___ ...

FILE - Wales' Dan Biggar, second right, tackles South Africa's S'Busiso Nkosi during the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between Wales and South Africa in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. The United States has landed another World Cup. The Rugby World Cup, in 2031. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
Column: US lands 2031 Rugby World Cup, if anyone cares

By Paul Newberry May. 13, 2022 04:12 PM EDT

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper stands with Wallaroos captain Shannon Parry ahead of the final vote for the hosting of the Rugby World Cups in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, May 12, 2022. World Rugby will announce the host nations for the men's and women's World Cups for the period 2025-2033 with Australia heavily favored to host the men's 2027 and women's tournaments in 2029. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
US to host men's and women's Rugby World Cups for first time

By Steve Douglas May. 12, 2022 01:58 PM EDT

Minnesota offensive lineman Daniel Faalele speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Massive tackle Daniel Faalele has actually dropped 41 pounds

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 03, 2022 02:45 PM EST

Perry Baker back in U.S. rugby 7s squad for Tokyo Olympics

Jul. 02, 2021 09:34 PM EDT
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (AP) — Two-time world rugby sevens player of the year Perry Baker has recovered from a serious leg injury to earn his place in the U.S....

NFL player Ebner withdraws from Olympic rugby 7s selection

Jun. 22, 2021 08:46 PM EDT
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (AP) — Nate Ebner won’t get to compete at the Tokyo Olympics between NFL seasons after withdrawing from contention for the U.S. rugby...

FILE - In this April 16, 2021 file photo France's Kevin Aymoz performs during the men's free skating program of the ISU World Team Trophy figure skating competition in Osaka, western Japan. Six French athletes have spoken about being gay and shared difficult experiences they had during their formative years, among them Kevin Aymoz. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)
Six French athletes talk about being gay, share experiences

Jun. 22, 2021 09:29 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2019,file photo, Australia's Kurtley Beale, center, is assisted from the field after suffering a head injury during the Rugby World Cup Pool D game at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa between Australia and Georgia in Shizuoka, Japan. A "shadow trial" of advanced eye-tracking technology will be conducted in the Trans-Tasman Super Rugby tournament in Australia and New Zealand as part of World Rugby's bid to tackle head injuries by improving the detection of concussion. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Rugby uses eye-tracking technology to tackle concussions

By Steve Mcmorran May. 18, 2021 12:16 AM EDT

Former football player Jarryd Hayne arrives at court in Newcastle, Australia, Thursday, May 6, 2021. Hayne, a rugby league star who also played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, has been sentenced to at least three years and eight months in jail for the sexual assault of a woman in 2018. (Darren Pateman/AAP Image via AP)
Ex-49ers player Hayne to spend nearly 4 years in jail

May. 06, 2021 01:56 AM EDT

Ex-NRL star Jarryd Hayne found guilty of sexual assault

Mar. 22, 2021 03:42 AM EDT
SYDNEY (AP) — Ex-rugby league international Jarryd Hayne has been found guilty of the sexual assault of a woman in 2018. A District Court...

Nebraska's Derrick Walker dunks the ball over Indiana defenders in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Lincoln, Neb. (Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
The Latest: Dallas Stars to resume practicing on Tuesday

By The Associated Press Jan. 11, 2021 03:21 PM EST

The Latest: Pitt basketball coach Jeff Capel tests positive

By The Associated Press Dec. 19, 2020 11:48 AM EST
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Pittsburgh basketball coach Jeff...

French supporters pose for a photo as they arrive for the Autumn Nations Cup final rugby union international match between England and France at Twickenham stadium in London, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Two thousand spectators, including 400 NHS workers who have received free tickets, will be in attendance as COVID-19 restrictions are eased after the latest lockdown. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Former rugby players join forces on brain injury claims

Dec. 08, 2020 01:38 PM EST

Gosper leaving World Rugby to take up role at NFL Europe

Dec. 02, 2020 10:51 AM EST
LONDON (AP) — The chief executive of rugby's world governing body is leaving his role to take up a senior position at the NFL, where he will drive the next...

Labor Party candidate for Sydney City Council and former National Rugby League football player Ian Roberts marches in a marriage equality rally in Sydney, Aug. 13, 2016. In 1995 Roberts became the first high-profile Australian sportsperson to come out as gay. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)
Years after coming out, gay athletes upset by lack of change

By Dennis Passa Dec. 02, 2020 12:02 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Nov. 12, 2020 10:00 AM EST
Nov. 13 1949 — Chicago’s Bob Nussbaumer intercepts four passes as the Cardinals set an NFL record for points in a regular-season game with...

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Latest: Knicks shut training center after positive tests

By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2020 10:40 AM EST