Sports team and league operation
FILE - Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, left, jokes with LSU head coach Ed Orgeron and Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, right, as they pose with the College Football Championship trophy during a news conference ahead for the College Football playoffs in Atlanta, in this Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, file photo. The College Football Playoff would expand from four to 12 teams, with six spots reserved for the highest ranked conference champions, under a proposal that will be considered next week by the league commissioners who manage the postseason system. A 12-team playoff would also include six at-large selections and no limit on how many teams can come from any one conference, a person familiar with announcement told The Associated Press on Thursday, June 10, 2021. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the CFP has not yet released details. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
CFP expansion could increase annual revenue to $2 billion

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 11, 2021 05:59 PM EDT

Buffalo tabs Michigan's Linguist to take over football team

By John Wawrow May. 07, 2021 08:57 PM EDT
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Maurice Linguist was hired as the University at Buffalo’s football coach Friday night, just months after he became Michigan's co-defensive...

Illinois guard Andre Curbelo (5) makes a pass under Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon (3) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Not NCAA Property: Players push for reform on social media

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 17, 2021 06:53 PM EDT

Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson catches a touchdown pass in front of Alabama defensive back Brian Branch during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Video game maker EA Sports announces return of NCAA Football

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 02, 2021 02:59 PM EST

FILE - Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller walks along the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Nashville, in this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Breakthroughs come on, off field in 2020 for women's sports

By Eric Olson Dec. 31, 2020 04:08 PM EST

FILE - Duke players celebrate after the NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament championship game against Wisconsin in Indianapolis, in this Monday, April 6, 2015, file photo. The NCAA announced Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, it plans to hold the entire 2021 men’s college basketball tournament in one geographic location to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and is in talks with Indianapolis to be the host city (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
March Madness in one place? NCAA looking at Indianapolis

By John Marshall Nov. 16, 2020 05:27 PM EST

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, the national office of the NCAA in Indianapolis is shown. A set of proposals to permit NCAA athletes to earn money from endorsements and sponsorships deals will go up for vote in January, the last step for the association to change its rules but not the last word on how name, image and likeness compensation will work. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
After NIL, next NCAA challenge is restructuring Division I

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 15, 2020 03:35 PM EDT

Flanked by other members of the Illinois congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky speaks about the importance of the United States Postal Service during a press conference outside the USPS Chicago Headquarters. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Ill. Rep. Schakowsky backs College Athlete Bill of Rights

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 23, 2020 10:59 AM EDT

Oakland Athletics outfielders Mark Canha (20) and Ramon Laureano, second from right, wear masks as they greet teammates after they defeated the Seattle Mariners in the second baseball game of a doubleheader, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Seattle. Both games were played in air smoky from wildfires in Oregon, Washington, and California. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Latest: Falcons and MLS Atlanta United to have some fans

By The Associated Press Sep. 22, 2020 11:10 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2018, file photo, Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) is sacked by Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Pac-12 Conference championship in Santa Clara, Calif. Thibodeaux was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Going West: Move toward fall football ramps up in Pac-12, MW

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 17, 2020 12:40 PM EDT

FILE - Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, speaks with reporters following the House's approval of a bill that would cut auto insurance premiums on Thursday, May 9, 2019, in the Capitol in Lansing, Mich. Leaders of six state legislatures in the Big Ten footprint have sent a letter to Commissioner Kevin Warren asking the conference to reconsider its decision to cancel the fall football season. The letter is written on the letterhead of Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield. It's also signed by statehouse leaders from Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/David Eggert, File)
The Latest: Baylor postpones opener because of virus

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2020 11:49 AM EDT

Abandon the NFL? Partners don't, even during a pandemic

By Barry Wilner Sep. 01, 2020 05:02 PM EDT
As 67 players opted out of the NFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic, corporate partners, sponsors and advertisers did the opposite. ...

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2019, file photo, Southern Mississippi coach Jay Ladner argues a call with the referee during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. While the major sports are finding ways to return to competition, college basketball is in a holding pattern, much like college football. College basketball coaches do have an advantage over the football coaches while in limbo. Since their season starts later, they get a chance to see how things play out, both in professional sports and in college football. (Brad Tollefson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP, File)
College basketball stuck in holding pattern during pandemic

By John Marshall Jul. 26, 2020 03:39 PM EDT

Sporting's mascot lion waves from the empty stands during the Portuguese League soccer match between Sporting CP and Pacos de Ferreira at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, June 12, 2020. The Portuguese League soccer matches are being played without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Antonio Cotrim/Pool via AP)
The Latest: AVP shifts beach volleyball season to tournament

By The Associated Press Jun. 17, 2020 02:44 PM EDT

FIUE - In this Nov. 19, 2011, file photo, empty seats are seen in the student section of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as umpire Rick Lowe waits for LSU and Mississippi players to return to the field during a time out in the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss. As lock-downs are lifted, restrictions on social gatherings eased and life begins to resemble some sense, sports are finally starting to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. Many college and pro sports teams already were dealing with declining ticket sales. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Fan experience to change profoundly amid COVID-19 pandemic

By Dave Skretta Jun. 07, 2020 11:54 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2018, file photo, Florida players celebrate after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game against Michigan in Atlanta. The Peach Bowl is donating $1.09 million to help fund COVID-19 screenings in Georgia. The bowl announced it will help fund the telemedicine screening mobile app developed by Augusta University Health System. The AU Health ExpressCare app allows for free virtual screenings for the virus throughout the day with no appointment. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
The Latest: Sports events in Oregon to have limited crowds

By The Associated Press May. 07, 2020 04:19 PM EDT

NHL profile photo on Chicago Blackhawks player Patrick Kane at a game against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Alta. on Sat, Feb. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Larry MacDougal
The Latest: 3 players on Brazilian soccer team test positive

By The Associated Press May. 06, 2020 07:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 25, 2018, file photo, the NCAA headquarters is shown in Indianapolis. The NCAA is moving closer to permitting Division I college athletes to earn money from endorsements and sponsorship deals they can strike on their own. Recommendations for changes to NCAA rules that would permit athletes to earn money for their names, images and likeness are being reviewed by college sports administrators this week before being sent to the association's Board of Governors. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Skeptics loom as NCAA builds guardrails around compensation

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 29, 2020 06:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 25, 2018, file photo, the NCAA headquarters is shown in Indianapolis. The NCAA is moving closer to permitting Division I college athletes to earn money from endorsements and sponsorship deals they can strike on their own. Recommendations for changes to NCAA rules that would permit athletes to earn money for their names, images and likeness are being reviewed by college sports administrators this week before being sent to the association's Board of Governors. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
NCAA moves toward allowing athletes to be paid sponsors

Ralph D. Russo Apr. 23, 2020 03:52 PM EDT

A locked gate is seen by the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City was due to play Burnley in an English Premier League soccer match Saturday March 14, 2020, after all English soccer games were cancelled due to the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. For most people, the new COVID-19 coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, but for some it can cause more severe illness.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
The Latest: North Carolina considering allowing NASCAR race

By The Associated Press Apr. 23, 2020 03:10 PM EDT