Athlete contracts

FILE - New York Rangers coach David Quinn gestures from the bench during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Boston on Jan. 19, 2019. On Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, Quinn was named the U.S. men's hockey coach and John Vanbiesbrouck general manager for the upcoming Winter Olympics after the NHL decided not to send players to Beijing. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

U.S. names Quinn coach, Vanbiesbrouck GM for no-NHL Olympics

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 27, 2021 04:52 PM 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

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

Rays sign veteran reliever David Robertson

Aug. 16, 2021 03:48 PM EDT
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays have signed 36-year-old reliever David Robertson to a major league contract and will have him...

Germany's Andreas Obst (42) celebrates during men's basketball preliminary round game against Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Tokyo Games may send even more international players to NBA

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 04, 2021 12:40 AM EDT

France's Evan Fournier (10) runs down a loose ball ahead of United States' Jayson Tatum, rear, during a men's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Gold and green: Olympic basketball, NBA business intersect

By Brian Mahoney Aug. 01, 2021 10:16 AM EDT

Sarah Hirini and David Nyika, of New Zealand, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

New Zealand Black Ferns aiming to avenge Rio loss to Aussies

By John Pye Jul. 28, 2021 02:22 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 26, 2021, file photo, Thomas Daley and Matty Lee, of Britain, pose for a photo after winning gold medals during the men's synchronized 10-meter platform diving final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The Tokyo Games are shaping up as a watershed for LGBTQ Olympians. Daley announced in 2013 that he was dating a man and “couldn't be happier,” his coming out was an act of courage that, with its rarity, also exposed how the top echelons of sport weren't seen as a safe space by the vast majority of LGBTQ athletes. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

'About time': LGBTQ Olympic athletes unleash a rainbow wave

By John Leicester Jul. 27, 2021 05:42 AM EDT

FILE - In this June 19, 2021, file photo, Simone Manuel participates in the women's 50-meter freestyle during wave two of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trial in Omaha, Neb. On the eve of the Tokyo Games, it’s clear that just arriving at this point for some of the world’s greatest athletes was more of a mental-health challenge than it was a physical one. The COVID-19 postponement altered years of training plans, and the uncertain landscape amid the ongoing pandemic only added to lingering anxiety. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Olympic athletes confront mental health challenges

By Jay Cohen Jul. 12, 2021 01:46 PM EDT

United States' Bam Adebayo (13) looks on from the sideline during an exhibition basketball game against Nigeria, Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Loss to Nigeria may become learning tool for USA Basketball

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 11, 2021 03:35 PM EDT

United States' Damian Lillard (6) defends the ball against Nigeria during an exhibition basketball game Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Shocker: US falls to Nigeria 90-87 in pre-Olympic opener

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 10, 2021 10:14 PM EDT

Clash with European season creates Olympic soccer headache

By Rob Harris Jul. 03, 2021 09:23 AM EDT
Often the event that connects an Olympic host city with the rest of the nation, soccer could be a source of trepidation rather than excitement in Japan. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jul. 01, 2021 12:31 PM EDT
July 2 1921 — The Jack Dempsey-Georges Carpentier heavyweight match at Rickard’s Orchard in Jersey City, N.J., becomes the first million...

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 26, 2021 file photo, Liam Kirk of Britain celebrates a goal during their Ice Hockey World Championship match against Denmark at the Olympic Sports Center in Riga, Latvia. The Arizona Coyotes and British forward Liam Kirk have agreed to terms on an entry-level contract three years after he became the first player born and trained in England to be drafted. Ice Hockey UK says that the 21-year-old Kirk has agreed to a three-year deal. (AP Photo/Roman Koksarov, file)

Britain's Kirk scores Coyotes contract, chases NHL dream

By Ken Maguire Jun. 25, 2021 04:46 PM EDT

NFL players who voluntarily opt out get no stipend this year

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 23, 2021 08:23 PM EDT
NFL players must decide by July 2 if they plan to opt out of playing this season due to COVID-19 concerns, though voluntary opt-outs will not be paid any...