Sports governance
FILE - In this Thursday, July 21, 2011 file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that NFL owners have agreed to a tentative agreement that would end the lockout, pending player approval in College Park, Ga. The process of building the NFL schedule used to be a painstaking one with executives like Val Pinchbeck spending months slotting the games one by one on his board until there was a final product for the commissioner to approve. Making late tweaks or looking at alternative options with a big game moving from early to late in the season weren't really possible for all the pieces of the complicated jigsaw puzzle to fit.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Amazon cloud technology aids NFL in schedule making

By Josh Dubow May. 12, 2021 08:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday, April 21, 2021, a protest banner against the proposed Super League is seen outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium after the collapse of English involvement in the proposed new league, Liverpool, England. The aborted plan to create a breakaway Super League with 12 of the biggest clubs in European soccer was perhaps the most egregious example of a sporting venture that quickly fell flat on its face. (AP Photo/Jon Super, FILE)
Super League among sporting ventures that went wrong

By Steve Douglas And Ken Maguire Apr. 22, 2021 12:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown warms up before the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans. NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown has settled a civil lawsuit by former trainer Britney Taylor, who accused Brown of sexually assaulting her. Taylor filed the lawsuit in 2019, and lawyers for her and Brown released statements Wednesday, April 21, 2021 revealing the agreement. (AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Antonio Brown settles assault lawsuit with former trainer

By The Associated Press Apr. 21, 2021 09:41 PM EDT

Chelsea fans protest outside Stamford Bridge stadium in London, against Chelsea's decision to be included amongst the clubs attempting to form a new European Super League, Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Reaction to the proposals from 12 clubs to rip up European soccer by forming a breakaway Super League has ranged from anger and condemnation to humor and sarcasm. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Super League collapses after the 6 English clubs withdraw

By Rob Harris Apr. 20, 2021 07:33 PM EDT

Cowboys CB Robinson gets 2-game performance-enhancing ban

Apr. 20, 2021 04:26 PM EDT
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys cornerback Rashard Robinson was suspended for two games Tuesday for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancers. ...

A banner is seen outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium protesting the formation of the European Super League, Liverpool, England, Monday, April 19, 2021. Players at the 12 clubs setting up their own Super League could be banned from this year's European Championship and next year's World Cup, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said Monday. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
UEFA president urges Super League owners to reverse decision

By Graham Dunbar Apr. 20, 2021 01:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt (33) lines up against Alabama State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. The scouts were there in big numbers. But NFL prospects who were timed and tested, poked and prodded at the pro days didn’t have the usual contingent of underclassmen looking on and offering their support. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Pro days key for NFL hopefuls with no combine this year

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 17, 2021 01:02 PM EDT

Football fans watch the action on wall-mounted video screens in the sports betting lounge at the Ocean Resort Casino, Sept. 9, 2018, in Atlantic City, N.J. On April 15, 2021, the NFL announced it has reached deals with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel to become official sports betting partners of the league, sharing content and data. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
NFL inks sports bet deals with Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings

By Wayne Parry Apr. 15, 2021 09:10 PM EDT

Ottawa receiver Jazlyn Camacho (15) makes a catches while covered by Midland defender E'leseana Patterson (16) during an NAIA flag football game in Ottawa, Kan., Friday, March 26, 2021. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics introduced women's flag football as an emerging sport this spring. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Following their passion, women go far to play flag football

By Eric Olson Apr. 06, 2021 03:54 PM EDT

FILE — Alina Balasoiu, a student at Lamar High School, walks back to school after playing in a soccer game in the fields behind the school in this file photograph taken March 31, 2015. Colorado lawmakers are considering a proposal to ban Native American mascots in public schools and colleges. the state Senate Education Committee is scheduled to discuss a measure Thursday, April 1, 2021 that would impose a $25,000 monthly fine on public schools, colleges and universities that continue to use an American Indian-themed mascot after June 1, 2022. (RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via The AP)
Colorado is latest to weigh ban on Native American mascots

By Patty Nieberg Apr. 01, 2021 01:53 PM EDT

Hannah Gordon, chief administrative officer and general counsel for the San Francisco 49ers is photographed at the team's headquarters on May 14, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. During Women’s History Month, Gordon reflects on how she navigated a male-dominated space and where the sports world needs to go from here. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group via AP)
AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity

By Ragan Clark Mar. 29, 2021 05:37 PM EDT

Mark Baltz honored for 25-year career by NFL Referees group

Mar. 25, 2021 04:56 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Football League Referees Association has named Mark Baltz its 2021 Annual Honoree for his 25-year career as an official and...

FILE - Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder walks off the field before the start of an NFL football game against Dallas Cowboys in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. Dan Snyder is buying out the Washington Football Team's minority owners and will become the sole owner of the club. An NFL spokesman confirmed Snyder's application for a debt waiver of $450 million was approved by the finance committee and that the deal is pending approval from owners. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Snyder to buy out other Washington owners, pending approval

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 24, 2021 10:32 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. A 14th woman has filed a lawsuit accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment. The claims in the latest suit, which was filed late Monday, March 22, 2021, in a Harris County state district court, are similar to those in the earlier cases. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
Lawyer: Texans QB's assault suits followed blackmail attempt

By Juan A. Lozano Mar. 23, 2021 11:52 AM EDT

Vikings lose 7th-rounder, execs fined, for '19 cap violation

Mar. 19, 2021 07:14 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings will forfeit their seventh-round selection in the draft this year for a collective bargaining agreement salary cap...

Ex-NFL player facing felony traffic case after Vegas crash

Mar. 19, 2021 04:44 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former NFL player was arrested after allegedly driving away from a crash, abandoning his vehicle and leaving his injured passenger at a...

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. Watson has been sued by four more women who accuse him of sexual assault and harassments. The lawsuits were filed Thursday night, March 18, 2021, hours after the NFL said it was investigating earlier allegations by three massage therapists who said the quarterback sexually assaulted them during massages. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
4 more women sue Texans QB Watson alleging sex assault

Mar. 19, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. New Houston Texans coach David Culley reiterated Thursday, March 11, 2021, that the team has no intention of trading Watson, despite the star quarterback’s request to be dealt. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
NFL reviewing sex assault claims against Texans QB Watson

By Jake Bleiberg Mar. 18, 2021 01:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 file photo, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) reacts to a play during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Glendale, Ariz. The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million with eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson on Wednesday March 17, 2021 according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.(AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
AP source: Vikings agree to deal with CB Patrick Peterson

By Dave Campbell Mar. 17, 2021 10:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 22, 2020, file photo, Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs for his second touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver. Gordon will likely avoid NFL discipline after his drunken driving charge was dismissed and he pleaded guilty in Denver County Court on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, to lesser charges of excessive speeding and reckless driving. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
DUI charge dismissed against Broncos running back Gordon

Mar. 10, 2021 12:31 PM EST