Athlete contracts
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...

FILE - Woody Kincaid celebrates after winning the men's 10000-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., in this Friday, June 18, 2021, file photo. Nike became a leader because it spearheaded innovation that helped people run faster. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
More than shoes: Nike navigates complicated twists in track

By Eddie Pells Jun. 23, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

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)
UK Hockey: British player gets entry-level deal with Coyotes

Jun. 18, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) and tight end Eric Ebron (85) work during the team's NFL minicamp football practice in Pittsburgh, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Former Washington QB Haskins seeks fresh start with Steelers

By Dan Scifo Jun. 17, 2021 04:39 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Myles Garrett smiles during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Clowney having fun with Browns, forming bond with Garrett

By Tom Withers Jun. 17, 2021 03:30 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, right, talks with tight end Austin Hooper during an NFL football practice at the team training facility, Tuesday, June 15, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Browns QB Mayfield in 'no rush' with contract extension

By Tom Withers Jun. 16, 2021 05:02 PM EDT

Bears sticking with plan to start Dalton at QB

By Gene Chamberlain Jun. 15, 2021 08:21 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — For the Chicago Bears, the quarterback issue lingers even as other problems popped up Tuesday at the first day of a three-day...

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