LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces and Dearica Hamby mutually agreed to dismiss her lawsuit agai...

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces and Dearica Hamby mutually agreed to dismiss her lawsuit against the WNBA club, according to a federal court filing Thursday.Hamby, who now plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, sued the Aces and the league over alleged mistreatment because of her pregnancy at the time. A federal judge <a href="https://apnews.com/article/aces-wnba-hamby-lawsuit-8a3f14d22ff6495d25d4970e6f218637">dismissed her lawsuit against the WNBA</a> in May, saying Hamby failed to prove her allegations that the league failed to properly investigate the Aces.Hamby <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamby-discrimination-wnba-lawsuit-aces-sparks-795a6b68616e7ab1dbdfc1b3cbf23e43">filed the suit</a> in August 2024 that alleged the Aces discriminated and retaliated against her, resulting in her January 2023 trade to the Sparks. The league and club <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamby-aces-wnba-lawsuit-3c2ca9be6cf200906e2a61717b28019d">filed motions to dismiss</a> the lawsuit in September 2024.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Aces and Hamby filed a motion Thursday with the U.S. District Court in Nevada to dismiss with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled. Each side is responsible for their attorneys’ fees.Hamby told Front Office Sports she would not discuss the case’s outcome, but otherwise she stood “by what I said” in her lawsuit.There was no immediate comment from the Aces.Coach Becky Hammon previously asserted that Hamby was traded to Los Angeles to put the Aces in position to potentially sign likely future Hall of Famer Candace Parker.“I’ve been in either the WNBA or the NBA for now 25 years,” Hammon said at the time. “I’ve never had an HR complaint. Never, not once. I still didn’t, actually, because Dearica didn’t file any. She didn’t file with the players’ union, she didn’t file with the WNBA. Those are facts.“It’s also factual that nobody made a call about trading her until Atlanta called us in January (2023). That’s a fact. So ... it just didn’t happen.”Hamby, a three-time All-Star, averaged a career high 18.4 points last season as well as 7.9 rebounds. She was a two-time WNBA Sixth Player of the Year for the Aces.The Aces are coming off their third WNBA championship in four seasons.___AP WNBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball</a>

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Dearica Hamby #5 of the Los Angeles Sparks looks to pass the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 11, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33709789/related

Hamby, Aces mutually drop lawsuit over pregnancy discrimination

The first hint of concern regarding the readiness of Canada’s women’s hockey team was raised by c...

The first hint of concern regarding the readiness of Canada’s women’s hockey team was raised by coach Troy Ryan two days before the defending Olympic champions opened their four-game Rivalry Series against the United States last month.Whatever advantage Canada might have in returning a veteran roster with an edge in international experience isn’t enough to make a difference once the puck drops, Ryan told The Associated Press then. What worried him particularly after a sloppy practice was his players using that experience as a crutch.“Sometimes what happens with experienced teams that have experienced a lot together, complacency can creep in,” he said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“When you have trust in people, a lot of times you trust and trust and trust, and it can end up working against you,” Ryan added. “So, ‘Oh, we’ll be fine. Our passing will get better. We’ll be better come the Olympics,’ I don’t believe in that. ... So that’s the challenge. How do you keep pushing? How do you keep finding ways to improve?”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usa-canada-score-womens-hockey-a480b6f6d4ba910000e478ba6dfe6cd0">A month and three lopsided losses later</a>, in which the U.S. has outscored Canada by a combined 20-6, Ryan’s concerns haven’t abated.With less than two months before the women’s tournament opens in Milan, questions are being raised about not only complacency, but whether the Canadians have the wherewithal to keep up with their speedier and younger U.S. rivals.“There was a lack of compete,” Ryan said <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-canada-womens-hockey-rivalry-series-d79529f812cb66616da9a3588d70e1d0">following a 10-4 loss to the Americans in Edmonton, Alberta</a>, on Wednesday. “We had a meeting this afternoon, and it was generally all on compete. And we have to be better competing.”Ryan dismissed questions over whether Canada can compete against its cross-border rivals.“They’ve got a ton of youth. They’ve got a ton of speed. They’ve got a ton of skill,” Ryan said. “It doesn’t mean you can’t be successful against a group like that. But to do it, you’re going to have to compete. You’re going to have to play with structure.”The series, which the U.S. leads 16-14, dates to the 2018-19 season, though the U.S.-Canada rivalry is one of the best in sports and plays out at world championships and Olympics as well. Both teams have huge wins.While Rivalry Series results have previously had little bearing on which nation has the edge in international tournaments, Canada’s performance so far is cause for concern. The 10 goals against were the most the Canadian women have ever allowed to any opponent.With one series game left on Saturday in Edmonton, and players returning to their respective PWHL and college teams to resume their seasons next week, Ryan has limited practice time to make corrections before heading to Italy.“Of course, this game is frustrating. But we have one more game against them before the Olympics,” <a href="https://apnews.com/article/womens-hockey-poulin-iihf-62a825b60d0076e55d47075babb8fd92">Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin</a> said. “These are important games. We didn’t show up. It’s unacceptable. And we’re all aware of it.”The Canadians have the edge in Olympic competition, having won five gold medals to the Americans’ two (1998, 2018). The U.S., however, has closed the gap in world championship play.Canada still leads with 13 world titles, but the U.S. has won 11, including 10 of the last 14 following a 4-3 overtime win over Canada in the gold-medal game in April.And the tables have turned in the four years since Canada played a breathtaking, up-tempo style to dominate the 2022 Beijing Games. The Canadians finished 7-0 and outscored their opponents by a whopping margin of 57-10. The closest anyone came to beating them was the U.S. in a 3-2 loss in the gold medal game.This time, the Americans appear primed to dominate with a team that features several key holdovers in Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Alex Carpenter, and Lee Stecklein. Coach John Wroblewski has spent the past four years reinforcing his roster with a collection of youngsters such as defenders Caroline Harvey and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/usa-canada-score-a2ded8ec38826790febc622e043fb5ba">Laila Edwards</a>, and the goalie tandem of Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips.Winning three Rivalry Series outings has further motivated the Americans.“The work doesn’t stop,” Coyne Schofield said. “I don’t think you’re ever satisfied until that final game.”For Canada, there’s even more work to do in preparation for an Olympic tournament in which the Czech Republic and Finland are showing signs of catching up to the world’s two dominant powers.“We definitely need to have a big reset and have a plan,” Canadian defender Jocelyne Larocque said. “Right now, we have a choice. We have a choice to learn, to get better, to compete harder, to just play Canadian hockey.”___The Canadian Press contributed to this report.___AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

EDMONTON, CANADA - DECEMBER 10: Blayre Turnbull #40 of Team Canada battles for a puck with Alex Carpenter #25 of Team USA during Game One of the 2025 Rivalry Series against Team USA at Rogers Place on December 10, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33708114/related

Concerns growing over Canadian women's chance to defend Olympic title

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Fired University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore broke into the...

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Fired <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sherrone-moore-michigan-a11220624841e4697b781a4c8edcdddd">University of Michigan</a> football coach <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sherrone-moore-michigan-ecc29f440a54659c40a98b02f3b534ce">Sherrone Moore</a> broke into the apartment of a woman with whom he had been having an affair and threatened to kill himself after she reported the relationship to the school and he lost his job, prosecutors said Friday.Moore was charged with three crimes, including home invasion and stalking.As he watched by video from jail, authorities laid out extraordinary allegations against Moore and provided details that answered a key question: What led Michigan to suddenly oust the 39-year-old coach Wednesday after his second season at the helm of the storied football program?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Moore and the woman had been having an affair “for a number of years” before she ended the relationship Monday, said Kati Rezmierski, Washtenaw County first assistant prosecutor.Moore repeatedly called the woman and texted her, but she refused to respond, Rezmierski said.“Eventually she presented herself to the University of Michigan. Cooperated in some form of an investigation. As we all now know (Moore) was fired from his employment,” the prosecutor said.Moore was dismissed for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, the school said Wednesday without offering details.After losing his job, Moore soon arrived at the woman’s apartment and “barged his way” in, Rezmierski told a judge.“Then proceeded to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors. And began to threaten his own life,” she said.The prosecutor quoted Moore as telling the woman: “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands. You’ve ruined my life.”“She was terrorized,” Rezmierski said.A not-guilty plea was entered on Moore’s behalf by District Court Magistrate Odetalla Odetalla. He said very little besides acknowledging the conditions of his release from jail, including no contact with the woman. Bond was set at $25,000.The court hearing was held just 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from Michigan Stadium where Moore, who is married and has three children, coached his last game against rival Ohio State in front of more than 100,000 fans on Nov. 29.Defense attorney Joe Simon said Moore was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation after his arrest Wednesday and then returned to the jail.He said Moore would “absolutely comply” with Odetalla’s order for an additional evaluation. Moore must wear a GPS tracking device, stay in Michigan and abstain from alcohol. The next court hearing was set for Jan. 22.“There’s no evidence to suggest he’s a threat,” Simon said.Moore signed a five-year contract with a base annual salary of $5.5 million last year. According to the terms of his deal, the university will not have to buy out the remaining years of his contract because he was fired for cause.Moore, the team’s former offensive coordinator, was promoted to lead the Wolverines after they won the national title. He succeeded Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers.Michigan is set to play <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/texas-longhorns-football">No. 14 Texas</a> on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who filled in for Moore when he was suspended earlier this season in relation to a Harbaugh-era <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-michigan-sign-stealing-b1bf55b0b93dad083bd97fe2c26faddb">sign-stealing scandal</a>, will serve as interim coach.While the school seeks a new head coach, the Wolverines may lose players in the transfer portal this winter and donors who help fund revenue-sharing and NIL deals may hesitate to invest in the winningest program in college football history.___EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a>

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 29: Head Football Coach Sherrone Moore of the Michigan Wolverines speaks to media during the post game press conference after a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Ohio State Buckeyes won the game 27-9.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33704988/related

Ex-Michigan coach Moore charged with stalking, home invasion

The queen of downhill skiing is well and truly back. At age 41, still faster than the rest.  Lind...

The queen of downhill skiing is well and truly back. At age 41, still faster than the rest.Lindsey Vonn raced to a stunningly fast win in a World Cup downhill at St. Moritz on Friday to earn her first victory in nearly eight years - and the first in her comeback with titanium implants in her right knee after a five-year retirement.The United States ski great seized the lead by an astonishing 1.16 seconds ahead of Mirjam Puchner of Austria. Even wilder was that Vonn trailed by 0.61 after the first two time checks at the Swiss resort.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Vonn’s lead was later cut to 0.98 - still a massive margin in downhill - when unheralded Magdalena Egger took second place from teammate Puchner."It was an amazing day, I couldn’t be happier, pretty emotional," Vonn told Swiss broadcaster RTS. "I felt good this summer but I wasn’t sure how fast I was. I guess I know now how fast I am."Soon after, Vonn shed tears on the podium in the finish area when The Star-Spangled Banner played.It was a perfect start to her Olympic season to get a first victory since a downhill in March 2018 at Are, Sweden.Vonn’s superb debut working with new coach Aksel Lund Svindal, a men’s downhill great who won the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics title, suggests their stellar partnership is paying off.Her run Friday looked routine when she dropped tenths of seconds to Puchner’s time on the top half of the sunbathed Corviglia course, where the finish is at altitude above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet).Vonn then was faster than anyone through the next speed checks, touching 119 kph (74 mph), and posted the fastest time splits for the bottom half.She skied through the finish area and bumped against the inflated safety barrier, lay down in the snow and raised her arms on seeing her time.Night, nightVonn got up, punched the air with her right fist and shrieked with joy before putting her hands to her left cheek in the style of Steph Curry’s “Night, night” gesture.The 2010 Olympic champion is targeting another gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Games in February. Women’s Alpine skiing is at the storied Cortina d’Ampezzo course in the Dolomites, which Vonn has mastered in her career with 12 World Cup race wins."Obviously my goal is Cortina but if this is the way we start I think I’m in a good spot," said Vonn, who will be favored for another downhill win Saturday at St. Moritz.44 wins across 24 yearsFriday’s race was Vonn’s 125th start in World Cup downhill in her storied career, 24 years after the first at Lake Louise, Canada.She has now won a record-extending 44 of them, including at St. Moritz in 2012, and has 83 race victories across all World Cup disciplines.Her previous win at Are came weeks after Vonn took bronze in downhill at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games in South Korea won by Sofia Goggia, who placed fourth Friday. That Olympics was Vonn’s fourth and the last she attended.She also won gold in downhill at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, and at the 2009 world championships at Val d’Isere, France.Such is Vonn’s dominance in downhill, she has more World Cup wins in the fastest discipline than the other 60 racers combined who started Friday, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation said.Injured rivalsA series of serious injuries this year robbed Friday’s race of World Cup overall winners Federica Brignone and Lara Gut-Behrami, Olympic champion Corinne Suter and emerging U.S. prospect Lauren Macuga.Two-time Olympic gold medalist Michelle Gisin had surgery on her back Thursday, after crashing hard in a training run at the fastest part of the St. Moritz course."I feel so sorry for Michelle, but that’s ski racing," said Vonn, who suggested she is skiing even better in super-G, which is raced Sunday at the Swiss resort.___More AP Winter Olympics at https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

ST MORITZ, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 12: Lindsey Vonn of Team United States takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Downhill on December 12, 2025 in St Moritz, Switzerland.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33703222/related

Vonn wins World Cup downhill at 41 to start Olympic season

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts Sr., and Zane Gonzalez...

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts Sr., and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to complete the Atlanta Falcons’ rally for a 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Zane Way 🥶 PRIME | NFL+ <a href="https://t.co/9sXQiOHgks">pic.twitter.com/9sXQiOHgks</a>— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) <a href="https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1999338887664025826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Facing a third-and-28 on the Falcons’ final drive, Cousins completed passes of 14 yards to Pitts and 20 yards on fourth-and-14 to David Sills V to set up Gonzalez.The Falcons (5-9) overcame a franchise-record 19 penalties and a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Baker Mayfield threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers (7-7) lost for the fifth time in six games to fall a half-game behind Carolina in the NFC South. The four-time defending division champions face the Panthers (7-6) twice in the final three games.Wearing their Creamsicle jerseys on the 48th anniversary of the franchise’s first win — that one came after an 0-26 start — the Buccaneers were booed off the field.After Pitts made a leaping, acrobatic grab for a 7-yard TD with 3:34 remaining to pull the Falcons within 28-26, Cousins was pressured and threw incomplete on the 2-point conversion try.The Falcons forced the Buccaneers to punt and got the ball at their 30 with no timeouts and 1:49 to go.Haason Reddick sacked Cousins, forcing a fumble that the Buccaneers grabbed coming out of the pile. But officials ruled it was recovered by both team simultaneously, and the Falcons kept the ball.Pitts finished with 11 catches for 166 yards, becoming the first tight end with 150 yards receiving and three TDs since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe did it in 1996. Cousins went 30 of 44 for 373 yards.Mayfield tossed a 6-yard TD pass to Devin Culp, the second-year pro’s first scoring reception in the NFL that made it 20-14.On the ensuing drive, Sills dropped what should have been a 44-yard TD catch and the Falcons ended up punting.Bijan Robinson fumbled on Atlanta’s next possession after taking a shot from Christian Izien and Jacob Parrish recovered at the Falcons 25.Mayfield fired a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Godwin Jr. and the two connected for the 2-point conversion to extend the lead to 28-14.But Robinson’s 6-yard TD run cut the deficit to 28-20 with under 10 minutes left. After the Falcons missed the 2-point try, Dee Alford picked Mayfield’s pass and Atlanta drove 67 yards for a score.Mayfield had all of his wide receivers available for the first time this season after six-time Pro Bowl pick Mike Evans and second-year pro Jalen McMillan were activated from injured reserve. Evans broke his clavicle on Oct. 20. McMillan broken three vertebrae in his neck in the preseason.Evans made an immediate impact, catching six passes for 132 yards and drawing several penalties.Pitts was wide open for his first two TD catches. He caught a 17-yard pass from Cousins to give the Falcons a 14-10 lead under one minute left in the first half.Cousins tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Pitts to tie it at 7, one play after an offside penalty on cornerback Zyon McCollum during a field goal gave Atlanta a first down.Cousins beat the Buccaneers twice last year in his first season with Atlanta. He threw for 785 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. He had 509 yards passing against them in one of the wins.Chase’s legTampa Bay’s Chase McLaughlin connected on field goals of 52 and 49 yards. He’s 10 for 10 from 50 yards or beyond.InjuriesFalcons: WR Drake London (knee) was inactive. ... CB Mike Hughes (ankle) left in the first quarter.Buccaneers: McCollum (hip) left in the first half. ... LG Ben Bredeson (knee) was out after being placed on injured reserve. ... DB Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder), LB SirVocea Dennis (hip), TE Cade Otton (knee) and CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) were inactive.Up nextFalcons: Visit Arizona next Sunday.Buccaneers: Visit Carolina next Sunday.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 11: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33701312/related

Cousins throws 3 TDs to Pitts, Falcons stun Bucs despite 19 penalties

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Joshua Jefferson scored 24 points and No. 4 Iowa State overcame a 13-point defi...

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Joshua Jefferson scored 24 points and No. 4 Iowa State overcame a 13-point deficit to stay unbeaten with a 66-62 win over Iowa on Thursday night.The Cyclones (10-0), who entered leading the nation in field-goal percentage after a 23-point victory at then-No. 1 Purdue, were sluggish early. But a 19-0 run spanning both halves gave them the lead, and they held off a late surge by Iowa (8-2) to win their third straight in the CyHawk Series.Tamin Lipsey had 14 points and four assists, and Milan Momcilovic scored eight of his 10 points in the second half.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Tavion Banks led the Hawkeyes with 14 points, and Bennett Stirtz and Cam Manyawu had 10 apiece.Iowa, trying to beat its highest-ranked opponent in five seasons, led 33-25 halftime after going 5 of 7 on 3-pointers and shooting 64% from the floor. It was the Cyclones’ fewest first-half points this season.But the Hawkeyes went scoreless for more than six minutes before and after the break, and Momcilovic’s 3-pointer from the wing put the Cyclones up 10 with 12 minutes to play.Iowa ran off eight straight points to make it 47-45 and was within one with 1:38 left. Jefferson’s two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining made it a four-point game.Iowa leads the all-time series 48-31.Up nextIowa hosts Western Michigan on Sunday.Iowa State hosts Eastern Illinois on Sunday.___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/ap-newsletters">here</a> (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball</a>

AMES, IA - DECEMBER 11: Guard Tamin Lipsey #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones steals the ball away from forward Alvaro Folgueiras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on December 11, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33701014/related

No. 4 Iowa State stays unbeaten with rivalry win over Iowa

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored a season-high 31 points and Bobby Portis added 27 points and 1...

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored a season-high 31 points and Bobby Portis added 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied in the second half to defeat the Boston Celtics 116-101 on Thursday night without injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo.Portis hit a pair of 3-pointers from the left corner as Milwaukee opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run to go in front 95-82. Another 3 by Portis put the Bucks up 106-89 with 6:49 remaining.Portis hit 11 of 13 shots, including 5 of 6 beyond the arc, in 26 minutes. Kevin Porter Jr. had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and Jordan Walsh added 20 for the Celtics, whose five-game winning streak ended.Milwaukee improved to 2-7 this season without Antetokounmpo, who missed his third consecutive game with a strained right calf. Antetokounmpo, who's averaging 28.9 points and 10.1 rebounds, is expected to miss two to four weeks.Boston led 67-60 at the half. Kuzma scored nine points to fuel an 11-0 spurt that brought the Bucks even at 71-all midway through the third quarter.Milwaukee, which trailed by 10 in the first quarter, pulled within 30-29, but the Celtics responded with a 23-9 run, going in front 52-38 on Payton Pritchard’s 3-pointer with just under seven minutes left in the half.Pritchard and Walsh each hit three 3-pointers in the first half. However, the Celtics went cold from 3-point range, finishing 14 of 49 (28.6%).Up nextCeltics: Host the Detroit Pistons on Monday.Bucks: Visit the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/NBA">https://apnews.com/hub/NBA</a>

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 11: Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks is fouled driving to the basket by Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Fiserv Forum on December 11, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33700843/related

Kuzma leads Bucks past Celtics with Giannis on sideline

Soccer fans were able to apply for tickets to watch specific matches at next year's World Cup for...

Soccer fans were able to apply for tickets to watch specific matches at next year's World Cup for the first time on Thursday as FIFA opened up its latest phase of sales.Following last week's draw for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, an updated schedule has been published.That means fans know when and where the likes of Lionel Messi and Argentina will play. Previous ticket ballots were blind as the qualification period had not even been completed and the draw was yet to take place.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Now participating nations have been placed in groups, with their paths through the tournament determined. For instance, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could go on to meet in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both Argentina and Portugal top their respective groups.Not that fans are guaranteed to get tickets to the games they apply for.The third phase of ticket sales is called the "Random Selection Draw" and fans will be informed if they have been successful in the latest lottery.<h3>How to apply for tickets</h3>The draw opened Dec. 11 at 11:00 ET (1600 GMT) and closes Jan. 13, 2026.FIFA says ticket applications can be made at any point during this window and the timing of entry will not impact the chances of success.Fans can apply via FIFA's website for a maximum of four tickets per household per match and a maximum of 40 tickets throughout the tournament.Fans will need a FIFA ID to apply for tickets and can pick which matches and which pricing category they want to apply for.There are four categories, with the best seats in Category 1, and Category 4 seats somewhere around the top of stadiums.Successful applicants will be notified by email in February and charged automatically.<h3>Prices</h3>FIFA said in September that ticket prices would range initially from $60 for group-stage matches to $6,730 for the final. Those prices are subject to change and in many case likely to soar as FIFA utilizes dynamic pricing for the first time at the World Cup.The last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994 prices ranged from $25 to $475. In Qatar in 2022 prices ranged from around $70 to $1,600 when ticket details were announced.Tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 are already going for in excess of $11,000 on secondary resale sites.For this tournament FIFA has also set up its own resale platform where it charges a 15% fee based on the total resale price.<h3>A 'monumental betrayal'</h3>FIFA allocates 8% of tickets to national associations for games involving their team to sell to traveling fans.Prices for those tickets began to circulate on Thursday.In a list published by the German soccer federation, prices ranged from $180-$700 for varying group stage games.The lowest price for the final was $4,185 and the highest was $8,680.The prices were described as "extortionate" by fan organization Football Supporters Europe."This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is," FSE said in a statement.<h3>Last chance</h3>FIFA said that closer to the tournament any remaining tickets will go on general sale on a first-come, first-served basis.It did not reveal a time frame for the release of those remaining tickets.___James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official match schedule announcement in Washington, DC, on December 6, 2025.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33692934/related

Latest phase of World Cup tickets on sale: How to apply, prices, controversy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan and NASCAR chairman Jim France stood side-by-side on the st...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan and NASCAR chairman Jim France stood side-by-side on the steps of a federal courthouse as if they were old friends following a stunning settlement Thursday of a bruising antitrust case in which the Basketball Hall of Famer was the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit accusing the top racing series in the United States of being a monopolistic bully.The duo was flanked by three-time Daytona 500 Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk, who co-own 23XI Racing with Jordan, Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins and over a dozen lawyers as they celebrated the end to an eight-day trial that ultimately led NASCAR to cave and grant all its teams the permanent charters they wanted."Like two competitors, obviously we tried to get as much done in each other's favor," Jordan said, towering over the 81-year-old France. "I've said this from Day 1: the only way this sport is going to grow is we have to find some synergy between the two entities. I think we've gotten to that point, unfortunately it took 16 months to get here, but I think level heads have gotten us to this point where we can actually work together and grow this sport. I am very proud about that and I think Jim feels the same."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>France concurred."I do feel the same and we can get back to focusing on what we really love, and that's racing, and we spent a lot of time not really focused on that so much as we needed to be," France said. "I feel like we made a very good decision here together and we have a big opportunity to continue growing the sport."A charter is the equivalent of the franchise model used in other sports and in NASCAR it guarantees 36 teams a spot in every top-level Cup Series race and a fixed portion of the revenue stream. The system was implemented in 2016 and teams have argued for over two years that the charters needed to be made permanent — they had been revokable by NASCAR — and the revenue sharing had to change.NASCAR, founded and privately owned by the Florida-based France family, never considered making the charters permanent<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antirust-lawsuit-michael-jordan-0930383d9447f9fc736534a77e0e8418">.</a> Instead, after two-plus years of bitter negotiations<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antitrust-lawsuit-michael-jordan-aa1b84152e9ade9b23fa369cbcc8758e">,</a> NASCAR in September 2024 presented a "take-it-or leave-it" final offer that gave teams until end of that day to sign the 112-page document.23XI and Front Row refused and sued, while 13 other organizations signed but testimony in court revealed many did so "with a gun to our head" because the threat of losing the charters would have put them out of business.Jordan testified early in the trial that as a new team owner to NASCAR — 23XI launched in 2021 — he felt he had the strength to challenge NASCAR<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-jordan-nascar-45f1ae4e4a7a886a0234dfc73d15d2cc">.</a> Eight days of testimony went badly for NASCAR, which when it began to present its case seemed focused more on mitigating damages than it did on proving it did not violate antitrust laws.Although terms of the settlement were not released — NASCAR was in the process of scheduling a Thursday afternoon call with all teams to discuss the revenue-sharing model moving forward — both Jordan and NASCAR said that charters will now be permanent for all teams. 23XI and Front Row will receive their combined six charters back for 2026.An economist has previously testified that NASCAR owes 23XI and Front Row $364.7 million in damages, and that NASCAR shorted 36 chartered teams $1.06 billion from 2021-24."Today's a good day," Jordan said from the front-row seat he's occupied since the trial began Dec. 1 as he waited for the settlement announcement.U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, who had presided over two days of failed settlement talks before the trial began, echoed the sentiment. Bell told the jury that sometimes parties at trial have to see how the evidence unfolds to come to the wisdom of a settlement."I wish we could've done this a few months ago," Bell said in court. "I believe this is great for NASCAR. Great for the future of NASCAR. Great for the entity of NASCAR. Great for the teams and ultimately great for the fans."The settlement came after two days of France testimony and the Wednesday night public release of a letter from Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris calling for NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps to be removed.The discovery process revealed internal NASCAR communications in which Phelps called Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress a "redneck" and other derogatory names; Bass Pro sponsors Childress' teams, as well as some others, and Morris is an ardent NASCAR supporter.Childress gave fiery testimony earlier this week over his reluctance to sign the charter agreement because it was so unfair to the teams, which have been bleeding money and begged NASCAR for concessions. Letters from Hall of Fame team owners Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, Jack Roush and Roger Penske were introduced in which they pleaded with France for charters to become permanent; France testified he was not moved by the men he considers good friends.Hendrick and Penske, who were both scheduled to testify Friday, expressed gratitude that a settlement had been reached. Penske called it "tremendous news" and cleared the way to continue growing the series."Millions of loyal NASCAR fans and thousands of hardworking people rely on our industry, and today's resolution allows all of us to focus on what truly matters – the future of our sport," he said. "This moment presents an important opportunity to strengthen our relationships and recommit ourselves to building a collaborative and prosperous future for all stakeholders. I'm incredibly optimistic about what's ahead."The settlement came abruptly on the ninth day of the trial. Bell opened expecting to hear motions but both sides asked for a private conference in chambers. When they emerged, Bell ordered an hour-long break for the two sides to confer. That turned into two hours, all parties returned to the courtroom and Kessler announced an agreement had been reached."What all parties have always agreed on is a deep love for the sport and a desire to see it fulfill its full potential," NASCAR and the plaintiffs said in a joint statement. "This is a landmark moment, one that ensures NASCAR's foundation is stronger, its future is brighter and its possibilities are greater."___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 1: Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, departs the Charles R Jonas Federal Building on December 1, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jury selection and an opening statement began an antitrust lawsuit filed by Jordan's 23XI Racing team against NASCAR.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33692316/related

NASCAR settles federal antitrust case filed by 2 teams

BERLIN (AP) — Borussia Dortmund will need to cool tempers after Nico Schlotterbeck's criticism of...

BERLIN (AP) — Borussia Dortmund will need to cool tempers after Nico Schlotterbeck's criticism of his teammates before facing Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday.The defender didn't hold back as he blasted substitutes Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi for "losing every ball" after going on, and his other teammates for "playing extremely carelessly" in the disappointing 2-2 draw at Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Wednesday.The performance reopened old wounds and questions about the team's mentality, something Schlotterbeck alluded to when he said players were playing "a bit of their own game" and lacked the ability to kill the game.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Killing the game is a matter of quality. If you don't kill the game and then it comes to a throw-in that you don't clear, making it 2-2, then that's not good enough," Schlotterbeck said.Sporting director Sebastian Kehl and coach Niko Kovac also had harsh words for the team, but Schlotterbeck's criticism has added weight amid questions over his future at the club.

DORTMUND, GERMANY - DECEMBER 10: Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Borussia Dortmund and FK Bodo/Glimt at BVB Stadion Dortmund on December 10, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33692260/related

Dortmund rocked after Schlotterbeck's tirade against teammates

ZURICH (AP) — Women's World Cup champion Spain widened its points lead atop the FIFA rankings Thu...

ZURICH (AP) — Women's World Cup champion Spain widened its points lead atop the FIFA rankings Thursday over the second-placed United States.Spain retained its UEFA Nations League title since the last rankings update in August, while the U.S. won four of five friendlies played in that time.Spain won the Nations League final last week against Germany, which rose two places to No. 3 in the rankings. European champion England stayed at No. 4 and No. 5 Sweden fell two spots.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Brazil and France swapped places at Nos. 6 and 7, respectively. Japan stayed at No. 8, North Korea went up one to No. 9, taking the place of Canada now at No. 10.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

BERN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 18: Players of Spain celebrate after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between Spain v Switzerland at Stadion Wankdorf on July 18, 2025 in Bern, Switzerland.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33691914/related

World Cup champion Spain widens lead over USWNT in FIFA rankings

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — The United States will play Senegal in a friendly on May 31 at Charlotte...

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — The United States will play Senegal in a friendly on May 31 at Charlotte, North Carolina, in the Americans’ next-to-last game before their World Cup opener.The U.S. has four games remaining before co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico and Canada. The 14th-ranked Americans play No. 8 Belgium on March 28 and sixth-ranked Portugal three days later, both at Atlanta. After meeting 19th-ranked Senegal, the U.S. faces No. 9 Germany on June 6 at Chicago.This will be the first meeting between the Americans and Senegal. The U.S. Soccer Federation announced the Senegal match on Thursday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>At the World Cup, the U.S. opens Group D against No. 39 Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, California, faces 26th-ranked Australia seven days later at Seattle and closes the group stage back in Inglewood on June 25 against the winner of playoffs among Turkey (No. 25), Slovakia (45), Romania (47) and Kosovo (80).Senegal starts Group I against No. 3 France on June 16 and 29th-ranked Norway six days later, both in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Lions of Teranga finish the first round on June 26 in Toronto against Bolivia (76), Iraq (58) or Suriname (123).___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO - OCTOBER 14: Weston McKennie #8 and Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States talk during an international friendly game between Australia and the United States at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on October 14, 2025 in Commerce City, Colorado.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33691843/related

USMNT to face Senegal in pre-World Cup friendly

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The theme of family ties in motorsports has been woven through Michael Jor...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The theme of family ties in motorsports has been woven through Michael Jordan's federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, with witness after witness testifying to their emotional connections to the top motorsports series in the United States.It began on the opening day when three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin broke down in tears talking about his dying father introducing him to racing and financially leveraging the entire family to help his son make it to NASCAR.Next came Jordan himself, a basketball Hall of Famer who was actually raised going on family "weekend vacations" to NASCAR races across the South with his Richard Petty-loving father. So began a love affair that led him to partner with Hamlin to launch 23XI Racing in 2021.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Bob Jenkins formed Front Row Motorsports after falling in love with NASCAR as a teenager in East Tennessee and he's hoped to hand the team down to his four sons.Joe Gibbs Racing is a family business, the daughter-in-law of the Hall of Fame NFL coach testified, and Richard Childress said his 60-year-old team is meant to go to his grandsons, both current Cup Series drivers.And then there is NASCAR itself: Bill France Sr. founded the sport in 1948 and to this day it is privately owned by the Florida-based France family. His youngest son is chairman, his granddaughter vice chair and great-grandson an executive on NASCAR's board of directors. It was core principles that Bill France passed down to his two sons that shaped the hardline stance Jim France took with teams as NASCAR chairman in negotiations for the 2025 revenue-sharing agreement.The teams wanted charters — the equivalent of a franchise in other sports — to become permanent and not renewable. In NASCAR, a charter guarantees cars a spot in the 40-car field each week, as well as specified financial terms, and Jim France never considered permanency an option<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-antirust-lawsuit-michael-jordan-0930383d9447f9fc736534a77e0e8418">.</a>Jim France testified Wednesday, the eighth day of the trial, that he relied on the core principles drilled into his head over dinner growing up in negotiations. His mother, credited with helping her husband build NASCAR from nothing, told her two sons to always pay their bills. Bill France Sr. advised them "do what you say you're going to do.""I've just seen so much change over the years and things are changing at a fast pace and I don't know how to put something in place — I don't know how we could come to an agreement that covers forever," he testified.He later tied it directly to his parents' advice."I don't have a sightline for the future and I don't feel comfortable making a promise I can't keep forever," he testified.That thinking aligned with Tuesday testimony from NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps, who gave NASCAR's version of the chaotic Sept. 6, 2024, final agreements presented to teams late that Friday afternoon with an end-of-day deadline to sign the 112-page document or forfeit their charters.Phelps testified the delay in sending the final drafts was because France had promised Roger Penske, owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar and teams in multiple racing series including NASCAR, that France would personally speak to Penske before the agreements were delivered. France tried to call Penske several times that day and Phelps testified Penske didn't answer.It wasn't until after the two had finally spoken that the charters were sent to teams, at close to 5 p.m., with a midnight deadline."Jim is a man of his word," Phelps testified.23XI Racing, which is owned by Jordan, Hamlin, and Jordan's financial adviser, Curtis Polk, and Front Row, owned by Jenkins, were the only two teams out of 15 organizations that refused to sign. They sued instead.Multiple team owners have described that day on the opening weekend of the 2024 playoffs as an ultimatum from NASCAR as they found the offers to be "take-it-or-leave-it" and they signed with "a gun to our head." Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress testified Tuesday his team would have gone out of business if he didn't sign the agreement.France had a better showing on the stand Wednesday than he did the day before as plaintiffs attorney Jeffrey Kessler had to repeat many questions and France said on numerous topics that he was either unable to recall, did not remember, or was not sure.It happened again, one time on Wednesday, when Kessler asked France if anyone can take NASCAR away from the family. France referenced back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when NASCAR shut down for nearly two months before leveraging its ownership of racetracks to become the first sport back up and running — albeit without fans in the grandstands."I don't know," he slowly said. "We were in business in 2020 of March and we woke up weren't in business. I don't know how to answer that."NASCAR is expected to conclude its defense Friday.___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33691522/related

Jordan's lawsuit against NASCAR highlights family ties to motorsports

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Kelly Pannek and Abbey Murphy scored two goals each, and the United Stat...

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Kelly Pannek and Abbey Murphy scored two goals each, and the United States bounced back from surrendering a goal in the first minute for a 10-4 win over Canada in the third Rivalry Series game on Wednesday night.Kendall Coyne Schofield had a goal and two assists, and Tessa Janecke, Jesse Compher, Britta Curl-Salemme, Alex Carpenter, and Kirsten Simms also scored for the U.S.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Kendall Coyne Schofield scores on the breakaway and USA has their fourth goal of the 1st period.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RivalrySeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RivalrySeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/8scU5sVtNJ">pic.twitter.com/8scU5sVtNJ</a>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1998947415207051774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Americans, who have won the first three of the four-game series, scored five unanswered goals after Canada’s Sarah Fillier struck 48 seconds into the game, and another four straight in the third.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Gwyneth Philips made 30 saves for the U.S.Sophie Jaques scored twice, Fillier had a goal and an assist, and Julia Gosling also had a goal for Canada, which gave up 10 goals to the U.S. for the first time ever. The previous high was nine in 2012.After allowing five goals on 17 shots in her first start of the Rivalry Series, Ann-Renée Desbiens was replaced by Emerance Maschmeyer midway through the second period. Maschmeyer turned away seven of 12 shots.The final game of the series, and the last meeting of the archrivals before February’s Olympic Games, is Saturday in Edmonton.Reigning world champion United States won the first two games <a href="https://apnews.com/article/usa-canada-score-a2ded8ec38826790febc622e043fb5ba">4-1 in Cleveland</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/usa-canada-score-womens-hockey-a480b6f6d4ba910000e478ba6dfe6cd0">6-1 in Buffalo, New York</a>, in November.The U.S. took a commanding lead Wednesday on Canada’s porous defense, although a three-goal second period by the hosts, including two in the final two minutes, had Canada within striking distance two goals down heading into the third.Jaques’ second of the game survived a video review for goaltender interference. The subsequent delay of game penalty to the U.S. gave Canada a power play to start the third.Jaques rang the puck off the post, but that was as close as Canada came during the advantage. The U.S. then resumed its goal-scoring pace with four unanswered goals.Canada, the defending Olympic gold medalists, turned the puck over under pressure and left opposing players unchecked below the faceoff circles in its own zone.Canada’s first real sustained pressure around the U.S. net produced a second goal when Jaques fired a loose puck by Philips at 13:01 of the second period.Gosling scored on a rebound for a power-play goal at 18:42.Canada outshot the U.S. 17-10 in the opening period, but the latter was the more tenacious team around both nets.Coyne Schofield and Compher gave the U.S. a 4-1 lead by scoring within 39 seconds of each other in the first period.Canada took a quick lead when Ella Shelton’s pass from the boards deflected off the skate of Fillier driving the net.Previous editions of the Rivalry Series have been five and seven games. February’s Olympic Games and the Professional Women’s Hockey League schedule shortened it this season.___AP women’s hockey: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey</a>

EDMONTON, CANADA - DECEMBER 10: Britta Curl-Salemme #17 of Team USA celebrates a second-period goal against Team Canada during Game One of the 2025 Rivalry Series at Rogers Place on December 10, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33689919/related

USA tallies record 10 goals vs. Canada to win Rivalry Series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stephon Castle scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half, and De'Aaron Fox...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stephon Castle scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half, and De'Aaron Fox added 20 points in the San Antonio Spurs' 132-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.Keldon Johnson had 17 points and eight rebounds as the Spurs maintained a healthy double-digit lead for most of the final three quarters to claim the last Cup semifinal spot in Las Vegas, where they will face <a href="https://apnews.com/article/suns-thunder-nba-cup-score-c7718b5a4e3f8bae04e3ee60702530d6">the Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on Saturday.Luka Doncic scored 35 points and LeBron James had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers, who lost for only the third time in 12 games. Los Angeles trimmed its deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get closer.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Marcus Smart scored a season-high 26 points with eight 3-pointers for the Lakers, and Austin Reaves had 15 points.San Antonio has won nine of 12 overall after steadily controlling this meeting of two Western Conference teams hoping to challenge the defending champion Thunder, both this week and in the postseason.Castle was outstanding in his second game back from a 10-game absence with a hip injury, adding 10 rebounds and six assists. Eight Spurs scored at least eight points, and their bench outscored Los Angeles' reserves 48-31.The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, and they went unbeaten through group play this fall before running into the Spurs.San Antonio made a 17-2 run and jumped to an 18-point lead in the second quarter, with Castle and Harrison Barnes exploiting Los Angeles' season-long struggles in perimeter shooting defense.Victor Wembanyama missed his 12th straight game with a calf injury, but he traveled with the Spurs.Up nextSpurs: Face Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday.Lakers: At Phoenix on Sunday.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/NBA">https://apnews.com/NBA</a>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33689844/related

Spurs bounce Lakers in NBA Cup to book date vs. Thunder

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Jesse Lingard scored in his final game for FC Seoul on Wednesday, but t...

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Jesse Lingard scored in his final game for FC Seoul on Wednesday, but the former England and Manchester United star had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League Elite.Lingard signed with the South Korean team in Feb. 2024 and confirmed last week that he would not be extending his contract. The 32-year-old opened the scoring at Seoul World Cup Stadium in the 31st minute, finishing well from a Choi Jun cross.Takeshi Kanamori earned a point for the Australian visitor with a fierce shot from the edge of the area in the 74th minute.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It's been a fantastic two years," Lingard, captain for his final game, said. "I want to say 'thank you' to everyone once again."The ex-Nottingham Forest and West Ham United star, who made 32 appearances for England, is now a free agent but would not be drawn on his next move."I need a break after a long season. I will spend Christmas with my family," he said. "The next chapter, who knows, really."After six of the eight group games played, Melbourne City and Seoul are fourth and fifth in the Eastern Zone, the 24-team tournament split into two groups of 12 based on geographic lines. The top eight from each advance into the Round of 16.Elsewhere, Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan defeated Shanghai Shenhua 1-0 to move into third.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 25: Jesse Lingard #10 of FC Seoul with teammates salute the supporters following the AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26 East Region Group Stage match between Shanghai Port and FC Seoul at Pudong Football Stadium on November 25, 2025 in Shanghai, China.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33678214/related

Lingard scores to wrap up 'fantastic 2 years' with FC Seoul

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Egypt and Iran, two Middle East nations that target gays and l...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Egypt and Iran, two Middle East nations that target gays and lesbians, have complained to FIFA over a World Cup soccer match in Seattle that is planned to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride.Leaders in the nation's soccer federations publicly rebuked the idea of playing the match June 26 at Seattle Stadium, which local organizers say will include a "once-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in Washington."In Egypt, the soccer federation issued a statement late Tuesday saying it sent a letter to FIFA "categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Seattle PrideFest has been organized in the city since 2007 by a nonprofit which designated the June 26 game for celebration before FIFA made the World Cup draw Friday.FIFA chose Saturday to allocate the Egypt-Iran game to Seattle instead of Vancouver, where the teams' group rivals Belgium and New Zealand will play at the same time.Already, organizers in Seattle have promoted an art contest for the game, including one entry of a rainbow-flagged sun rising over Mount Rainier as a crab goalie goes for a soccer ball while holding a cup of coffee in its pinchers."With matches on Juneteenth and pride, we get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome," Seattle's Mayor-elect Kate Wilson wrote on social media. "What an incredible honor!"FIFA controls only stadiums and official fan zones in World Cup host cities and should have no formal authority over community events like Seattle PrideFest.FIFA declined comment Tuesday to the Associated Press, and did not address a question if it would consider switching the Belgium-New Zealand game to Seattle.<h3>Angry response in Iran, Egypt</h3>In Iran, where gays and lesbians can face the death penalty, the president of Iran's Football Federation Mehdi Taj criticized scheduling the match during an interview aired on state television late Monday.Taj said Iran would bring up the issue during a FIFA Council meeting in Qatar next week. The longest-serving member of the 37-person council chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino is Egypt's Hany Abo Rida."Both Egypt and we have objected, because this is an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point," Taj said. State TV on Tuesday confirmed a complaint would be sent to FIFA.The Egypt soccer federation led by Ado Rida said of the pride celebration it "completely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies."It urged FIFA to stop the celebration to "avoid activities that may trigger cultural and religious sensitivity between the presented spectators of both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially as such activities contradict the cultures and religions of the two countries."Iran had threatened to boycott the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. over complaints about five of its nine-person delegation, including Taj, not getting visas to enter the United States.Iranians are subject to a travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump's administration and the U.S. in the past has denied visas for those with ties to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, like Taj. Iran ended up sending a smaller delegation including the team's coach.Tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington over Iran's nuclear program, particularly after American warplanes bombed atomic sites in the country during Israel's 12-day war with the Islamic Republic in June. Unlike the 2022 World Cup, however, Iran is not scheduled to play the United States in the World Cup's opening matches.<h3>Seattle's response</h3>Asked about the complaint Wednesday, Seattle's organizing committee said it was "moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament.""The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation's largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora and rich communities representing all nations we're hosting in Seattle," spokesperson Hana Tadesse said in a statement. "We're committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect and dignity that defines our region."<h3>Iran, Egypt target LGBTQ+ community</h3>For years, Egyptian police have targeted gays and lesbians, sparking warnings even from the app Grindr in the past. Though Egypt technically does not outlaw homosexuality, authorities frequently prosecute members of the LGBTQ+ community on the grounds of "debauchery," or "violating public decency."Iran also has targeted the LGBTQ community and its theocracy is believed to have executed thousands of people for their sexuality since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once famously went as far as to claim during a 2007 visit to the United States: "We don't have homosexuals like in your country." A crowd at Columbia University responded by laughing and heckling the leader.<h3>FIFA dilemma</h3>FIFA risks being accused of a double standard if it sides with World Cup teams' federations over the city of Seattle.At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA fiercely defended the right of the host nation's cultural norms to be respected in full by visiting teams.A group of European federations wanted their team captains to wear a "One Love" armband with some rainbow colors that symbolized human rights and diversity, which FIFA and Qatari officials viewed in part as criticism of the emirate criminalizing same-sex relations. Some Wales fans had rainbow hats removed before entering the stadium.Qatar also will play in Seattle at the World Cup, on June 24 against a European opponent which could be Italy or Wales.___AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this report___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 11: A general view before the game between Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake at Lumen Field on October 11, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33677703/related

Egypt, Iran complain about planned World Cup 'Pride' match in Seattle

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR Chairman Jim France had a stronger second day of testimony Wednesda...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR Chairman Jim France had a stronger second day of testimony Wednesday as the final witness called by Michael Jordan's side in the federal antitrust lawsuit against the racing series, explaining advice from his late parents helped shape his stance against granting teams permanent charters in the new revenue-sharing model.NASCAR attorney Christopher Yates opened the eighth day of the trial by asking the soft-spoken France how old he is — 81 — and if he wears hearing aides — he does — as he walked France through a background that included working for the family business in various roles since high school and following a stint serving in Vietnam.NASCAR, the largest motorsports series in the United States, was founded in 1948 by Bill France Sr. and remains privately owned by the Florida-based France family to this day. Jim France said he was raised by two core principles passed down from his parents.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>His mother, credited with helping her husband build NASCAR from nothing, told her two sons to always pay their bills. Bill France Sr. advised them "do what you say you're going to do."It was those two principles that created France's refusal to budge on permanent charters in the 2025 revenue-sharing agreement."I've just seen so much change over the years and things are changing at a fast pace and I don't know how to put something in place — I don't know how we could come to an agreement that covers forever," he testified.He later tied it directly to his parents' advice."I don't have a sightline for the future and I don't feel comfortable making a promise I can't keep forever," he testified.That thinking aligns with Tuesday testimony from NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps, who gave NASCAR's version of the chaotic Sept. 6, 2024, final agreements presented to teams late that Friday afternoon with an end-of-day deadline to sign the 112-page document or forfeit their charters.Phelps testified the delay in sending the final drafts was because France had promised Roger Penske, owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar and teams in multiple racing series including NASCAR, that France would personally speak to Penske before the agreements were delivered. France tried to call Penske several times that day and Phelps testified Penske didn't answer.It wasn't until after the two had finally spoken that the charters were sent to teams, at close to 5 p.m. with a midnight deadline."Jim is a man of his word," Phelps testified.23XI Racing, which is owned by basketball Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Jordan's financial adviser, Curtis Polk, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, were the only two teams out of 15 organizations that refused to sign. They sued instead.Multiple team owners have described that day on the opening weekend of the 2024 playoffs as an ultimatum from NASCAR as they found the offers to be a :take-it-or-leave-it" offer that they signed with "a gun to their head." Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress testified Tuesday his team would have gone out of business if he didn't sign the agreement.France was much stronger on the stand Wednesday than he was the day before as plaintiffs attorney Jeffrey Kessler had to repeat many questions and France said on numerous topics that he was either unable to recall, did not remember or was not sure — even in response to evidence introduced that the France Family Trust received $400 million in distributions from 2021 through 2024 and that NASCAR is valued at $5 billion.He wasn't sure of the title his niece, Lesa France Kennedy, holds with NASCAR, or the ownership percentages between the two. Evidence showed Jim France owns 54% of NASCAR, while France Kennedy, the vice chair, owns 36%. France also testified he believes he is paid in "the $3.5-million range" as chairman.While the extension offer presented in September 2024 did increase annual revenue promised to the teams, it fell short of the team's request for $720 million — a sum Phelps testified would have put NASCAR out of business.It also fell short of the four "pillars" the teams were demanding. Teams ended up receiving $431 million annually in increased revenue, but were not granted permanent charters, did not get a voice in governance or the terms they sought on new business streams.France testified Wednesday he did believe the teams received several of their asks.He was the final witness called as the plaintiffs rested and NASCAR began to present its defense.Evidence has so far been introduced that shows the top team owners in NASCAR all wrote personal letters pleading for France to make the renewable charters permanent. The plaintiffs also introduced several documents detailing communication between NASCAR executives that showed France was stubbornly opposed to permanent charters throughout the two-plus years of bitter negotiations.France's position never changed, even though he received pleas from Hall of Fame team owners Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, Jack Roush and Penske. All four are close personal friends, France said on the stand.Yates is hopeful to wrap his defense by Friday.The nine-person jury will have to decide if NASCAR violated antitrust laws, and if so, what the damages are to 23XI and Front Row. An economist has previously testified that NASCAR owes 23XI and Front Row $364.7 million in damages, and that NASCAR shorted 36 chartered teams $1.06 billion from 2021-24.Should NASCAR lose the case, it will be up to U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell to unravel the monopoly, and he can make any decisions he chooses. Among them are forcing the France family to sell NASCAR, the racetracks they own, and even dismantling or changing the charter system.A win for 23XI and Front Row does not guarantee the teams will receive a combined six charters from NASCAR. They have both said they will go out of business if they are not chartered teams.___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 1: Jim France (C), NASCAR chairman and CEO, departs the Charles R Jonas Federal Building on December 1, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jury selection and an opening statement began an antitrust lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing team against NASCAR.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33677448/related

NASCAR chairman France stands firm on charter stance

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and two-time All-Star reliever Gregory Soto have agreed ...

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and two-time All-Star reliever Gregory Soto have agreed to a $7.75-million, one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.Soto gives the Pirates an experienced left-handed option in a bullpen that will get a makeover in 2026 after relievers Colin Holderman and Dauri Moreta were designated for assignment last month.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 30-year-old Soto is 15-34 with a 4.26 ERA and 56 saves over seven seasons with five teams. He was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022 for Detroit. He spent 2025 with Baltimore and the New York Mets, who acquired him in late July just before the trade deadline.Soto struggled in New York, going 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 25 appearances. His departure is the second significant subtraction from the Mets bullpen in free agency after closer Edwin Díaz agreed to a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier Tuesday.Pittsburgh appears to be settled at the back end of the bullpen, where Dennis Santana performed well after two-time All-Star David Bednar was traded to the New York Yankees last season. Soto gives the Pirates a pitcher who has filled a variety of roles, including closer.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/MLB</a>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 26: Gregory Soto #65 of the New York Mets walks off the field during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 26, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33676927/related

Report: Pirates agree to 1-year, $7.75M deal with Soto

A’ja Wilson stood atop the WNBA again in 2025, winning an unprecedented fourth MVP as her Las Veg...

A’ja Wilson stood atop the WNBA again in 2025, winning an unprecedented <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-mvp-wilson-aces-9dbf1eb3125c59797f4fd57737684b01">fourth MVP</a> as her Las Vegas Aces earned a third championship in four seasons.For that, she earned The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year on Wednesday for the first time in her career. It’s the second consecutive year a basketball player won the award after Caitlin Clark was honored <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-female-athlete-of-year-clark-7e5aa066120ee2b1f85b6ab1098b7a8d">in 2024</a>.“It’s an honor when you think about the group of women who have won before,” Wilson said in a phone interview. “Just to have my name be a part of it, I’m blessed.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Wilson is only the fifth basketball player to be honored as the Female Athlete of the Year since it was first presented in 1931, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995), Candace Parker (2008, 2021) and Clark.A group of 47 sports journalists from the AP and its members voted. Wilson received 17 votes, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka was second with nine and Paige Bueckers was third with five.“The things she’s done on the court have never been done. To me, she’s in a category all her own,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said of Wilson. “People always ask who’s on your Mount Rushmore? I’m saying she’s on Everest — there’s nobody up there with her.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shohei-ohtani-ap-male-athlete-of-year-b337a5fa88b75daa3349174022c91cf1">Shohei Ohtani</a> won the AP Male Athlete of the Year on Tuesday for the fourth time.Hammon has been impressed with everything about Wilson in her four years coaching in Las Vegas.“Her relatability, her being down to earth makes her a great superstar,” Hammon said. “Her skill set is unmatched, but she’s also the easiest player to coach. To have that mixture of humility, grace and skill, there’s a reason why she’s doing things that have never been done.”This season was different for Wilson and the Aces, who had cruised to their previous two titles as a heavy favorite. This year, with a month to go, the Aces were sitting at .500 and were in danger of missing the playoffs after coming off a record 53-point loss against Minnesota.Wilson rallied her team to wins in the final 16 regular-season games to secure the No. 2 seed, and Las Vegas went on to win the championship.“This season I found myself through the adversity and mud we went through,” she said.Despite her numbers being on par with her unanimous MVP season the year before, Wilson heard the chatter that she wasn’t playing as well and that she wasn’t the front-runner to repeat as the league’s top player.The 29-year-old used that as fuel on the court. She led the league with 23.4 points and 2.3 blocks per game.“The way they talk about us, the way they talk about me, I’m ready for that, I’m ready for the noise,” Wilson said. “It’s always going to be something. If we sit here and try to please everybody, we’re going to go insane. I’m just going to continue to prove why I’m one of the greatest and why my team is part of a dynamic dynasty.”Wilson raised her game even further in the playoffs, helping the Aces survive decisive winner-take-all games in the quarterfinals and semifinals. She then helped Las Vegas sweep Phoenix in the WNBA Finals, hitting the winning shot in Game 3.“It’s fair to say the expectations for her are so sky high now, she’ll be compared to a degree to the unanimous MVP she was the year before,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said. “Even though she wasn’t unanimous MVP this year, the journey she had this season was different and she was playing the best basketball of her career in the playoffs.”“Every year, you wonder how she’ll get better, and she always does.”Wilson became the first player in either the WNBA or NBA to win the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and lead the league in scoring in the same season.Wilson broke a tie with Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson, who all won the WNBA MVP three times. She plans to have another relaxing offseason as she won’t play overseas or in Unrivaled, the domestic 3-on-3 league.She’s already crossed one thing off her bucket list, meeting her idol Beyonce at the Formula 1 race in Las Vegas last month.“It was super cool, Beyonce is someone that I’ve always wanted to meet because I just admired her work,” Wilson said.The Aces great is that way herself for so many. She launched a shoe and clothing line with Nike. Her shoe sold out minutes after it went on sale.“It’s amazing, something that I think about every day when I look around and see people just wearing my shoe. Every day it’s a gentle reminder that you know it’s a special moment that we’re living in and I’m so grateful when I look back on it.”___AP WNBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball</a>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 17: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces lifts the 2025 WNBA championship trophy as she rides on top of a bus during the team's WNBA championship victory parade and rally at Toshiba Plaza on October 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated Phoenix Mercury on October 10 in Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals to win the 2025 title. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33676521/related

Aces' Wilson named AP Female Athlete of Year

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/the-associated-press/content_cards