Athlete compensation
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping tours the National Speed Skating Oval, a competition venue for the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Beijing, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. Competition for the Winter Olympics is scheduled to begin on Feb. 4. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
China spends billions on Olympics with longer-term goal

By Graham Dunbar Jan. 27, 2022 04:14 AM EST

FILE - Boston Pride players cheer as coach Paul Mara hoists the NWHL Isobel Cup trophy after the team's win over the Minnesota Whitecaps in the championship hockey game in Boston, Saturday, March 27, 2021. The Premier Hockey Federation is more than doubling each teams’ salary cap to $750,000 and adding two expansion franchises next season in a bid to capitalize on the wave of attention women’s hockey traditionally enjoys following the Winter Olympics. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)
Women's hockey league to increase salary cap, add 2 teams

By John Wawrow Jan. 18, 2022 07:02 AM EST

FILE - Germany's Claudia Pechstein competes in the women's 5,000 meters during the world single distances speedskating championships Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Kearns, Utah. At 49, Pechstein will be the oldest woman to compete at a Winter Olympics and the second athlete — and only woman — to compete in eight. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
'Grandma' Claudia Pechstein skates into 8th Olympics

By Beth Harris Jan. 14, 2022 02:05 AM EST

FILE - Russia forward Vladimir Tarasenko wraps the puck around the goal against Slovakia forward Branko Radivojevic in the first period of a men's ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. A handful of NHL players are voicing frustration over the decision not to allow them to go to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing. Tarasenko said on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, he would have gone if given the choice. Keeping the season going while allowing individual players to choose whether to go was not something that was ever considered.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NHL players vent frustration over being barred from Olympics

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 29, 2021 05:54 AM EST

FILE -Russia forward Yevgeni Malkin seals off the puck from USA defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the first period of a men's ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. NHL players will not take part in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing after all. A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press the league is going to withdraw from the Olympics after the regular-season schedule was disrupted by coronavirus outbreaks, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NHL announces players won't be allowed to go to Olympics

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 22, 2021 10:53 AM EST

FILE - Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Alex Cobb throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Anaheim, Calif. Right-hander Cobb is close to finalizing an agreement with the San Francisco Giants, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations said Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Cobb still must pass a physical to complete the deal. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Giants, Cobb finalize $20M, 2-year deal with club option

Nov. 30, 2021 11:46 PM EST

Wolfsburg's Dominique Janssen, center left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Women's Champions League group A soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Servette FC Chenois at AOK Stadion in Wolfsburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Swen Pf'rtner/dpa via AP)
Ellis says biennial Women's World Cup can help grow the game

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 18, 2021 03:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2014, file photo, NHL Players' Association Executive Director Don Fehr, left, International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel, center, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, answer questions during a news conference at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. National Hockey League players are set to return to the Olympics in Beijing this winter after reaching an agreement with international officials. The league, NHLPA, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation struck a deal Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, that will put the best players in the world back on sports' biggest stage in February after skipping the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NHL reaches agreement to send players to Olympics in Beijing

By Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow Sep. 03, 2021 11:20 AM EDT

Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart holds the MVP trophy after the Commissioner's Cup WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
WNBA teams ready for sprint to the finish of regular season

By Doug Feinberg Aug. 17, 2021 02:04 PM EDT

United States' guard Damian Lillard (6) and coach Gregg Popovich, right, wait for a replay to decide possession of the ball during their loss to France in a men's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Simone Biles makes mental health the talk of the Tokyo Games

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 29, 2021 07:22 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter warms up before the team's NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Minneapolis. Hunter made his first appearance on the practice field, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, after skipping the previous spring sessions. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File)
Vikes further bolster front by signing DT Sheldon Richardson

By Dave Campbell Jun. 15, 2021 06:30 PM EDT

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, stands on the field during an NFL football practice, Monday, June 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots' Gilmore absent as team opens mandatory minicamp

By Kyle Hightower Jun. 14, 2021 04:47 PM EDT

Minnesota Wild left wing Kevin Fiala (22) is congratulated by Joel Eriksson Ek (14) and Mats Zuccarello (36) after scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. The Wild won 3-0. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Wild show promise, despite latest one-and-done in playoffs

By Dave Campbell May. 29, 2021 08:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 17, 2019, file photo, Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, poses with her trophy after defeating Angelique Kerber, of Germany, in the women's final at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif. The BNP Paribas Open is returning to the Southern California desert this fall after being knocked out of its usual March dates this year and last because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Indian Wells tennis returns to California desert in October

By Beth Harris May. 20, 2021 01:47 PM EDT

Connecticut to pay $1,000 bonus to unemployed who find jobs

By Susan Haigh May. 17, 2021 06:59 PM EDT
As other governors have announced plans to end a $300 a week supplemental unemployment benefit to encourage people to find work, Connecticut is offering a much...

San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner waves goaltender Martin Jones off the ice late in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, April 30, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Sharks miss playoffs for second straight season

By Josh Dubow May. 13, 2021 04:44 PM EDT

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes (86) fights for control of the puck with New York Islanders' Kyle Palmieri (21) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. The Islanders won 5-1. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Devils see bright future despite missing playoffs yet again

By Tom Canavan May. 13, 2021 03:12 PM EDT

Carlos Vela is MLS's highest paid player at $6.3 million

May. 13, 2021 11:21 AM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Los Angeles FC attacker Carlos Vela is Major League Soccer’s highest paid player this season, with $6.3 million in total compensation,...

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Matt Harvey (32) reacts shortly before being taken out of the game during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Dark Knight returns: Harvey, Orioles lose to Mets 7-1

By Ronald Blum May. 12, 2021 02:58 PM EDT

Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato gives instructions during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 8, 2021. The Penguins won 1-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Sabres' high expectations unravel with last-place finish

By John Wawrow May. 09, 2021 01:25 PM EDT