Professional football
Atlanta Braves pitcher Cole Hamels appears to have Truist Park to himself while working from the mound during baseball practice, Friday July 3, 2020 in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Atlanta Braves give no indication of considering name change

By Charles Odum 13 hrs ago

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) greets Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after an NFL preseason football game in Denver. The NFL will cut its preseason in half and push back the start of exhibition play so teams have more time to train following an all virtual offseason made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t announced that the preseason will be cut from four games to two. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
AP Source: NFL to discuss union's desire to cancel preseason

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 03, 2020 11:17 PM EDT

Cleveland Indians look into changing name amid pressure

By Tom Withers Jul. 03, 2020 08:49 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Amid new pressure sparked by a national movement to correct racial wrongdoings, the Cleveland Indians said they will review their long-debated...

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Column: Some more appropriate names for Washington NFL team

By Paul Newberry Jul. 03, 2020 05:43 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku celebrates after the Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-19 in an NFL football game, Dec. 8, 2019 in Cleveland. Agent Drew Rosenhaus has asked the Browns to trade tight end and former first-round draft pick David Njoku, a person familiar with the request told the Associated Press on Friday, July 3, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard, file)
AP Source: Agent asks Browns to trade tight end David Njoku

By Tom Withers Jul. 03, 2020 04:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 27, 2020, file phohto, Chicago Red Stars' Julie Ertz, second from left, holds Casey Short, center, while other players for the team kneel during the national anthem before an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match against the Washington Spirit at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. The National Women's Soccer League revised its anthem policy after most players knelt during the anthem before season-opening games last weekend at the Challenge Cup. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Discourse over national anthem looms for NBA, other leagues

By Schuyler Dixon Jul. 03, 2020 02:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2020, file photo, Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera holds up a helmet during a news conference at the team's NFL football training facility in Ashburn, Va. The Washington Redskins are undergoing what the team calls a “thorough review” of the nickname. In a statement released Friday, July 3, 2020, the team says it has been talking to the NFL for weeks about the subject. Owner Dan Snyder says the process will include input from alumni, sponsors, the league, community and members of the organization. FedEx on Thursday called for the team to change its name, and Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Redskins to have 'thorough review' of name amid race debate

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 03, 2020 11:45 AM EDT

Washington Redskins undergoing 'thorough review' of team name

Jul. 03, 2020 11:38 AM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Redskins undergoing 'thorough review' of team name. ...

FILER - In this Feb. 21, 2020, file photo, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) goes to the basket against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Pacers will finish this season without Oladipo after the two-time All-Star decided to sit out because of the risk of re-injuring his right knee. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Latest: Pacers' Oladipo to sit out restart of season

By The Associated Press Jul. 03, 2020 10:56 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Sponsor FedEx asks Redskins to change their name

Jul. 02, 2020 07:46 PM EDT

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, at podium, speaks about Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan during a media availability at Fenway Park, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in Boston. In most of the state, Phase 3 will begin on Monday. In Boston, the Phase 3 reopening will begin a full week later, on July 13. (AP Photo/Jimmy Golen)
The Latest: USL's Indy Eleven to return with limited fans

By The Associated Press Jul. 02, 2020 07:33 PM EDT

Fewer preseason games is another challenge for NFL coaches

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 02, 2020 07:18 PM EDT
Fewer preseason games following an offseason without on-field workouts creates more challenges for new coaches, players who changed teams and rookies. ...

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaps over Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the first half of a NFL football preseason game, in Baltimore. Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman is tweaking and refining a record-setting unit led by NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who is expected to again be the key component of an attack with several newcomers in the mix. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
AP Source: NFL to play Black anthem before national anthem

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 02, 2020 06:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2015, file photo, a visitor to the Pro Football Hall of Fame pauses to take a photo of the sign in front in Canton, Ohio. The NFL has canceled the Hall of Fame game that traditionally opens the preseason and is delaying the 2020 induction ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic, two people with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday, June 25, 2020. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been publicly announced, though an announcement is expected later Thursday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
AP Source: NFL cutting preseason in half, pushing back start

By Arnie Stapleton Jul. 01, 2020 06:40 PM EDT

A crow sits on fencing erected around the Epsom Downs racecourse, in Epsom, England, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. The Derby annual horse race will take place behind closed doors on Saturday amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The Latest: Oklahoma athletics cutting $13.7M from budget

By The Associated Press Jul. 01, 2020 04:51 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, Utah State quarterback Jordan Love works out at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Green Bay Packers have signed each of their two top draft picks now that they’ve agreed to terms with Love and Boston College running back A.J. Dillon, the team announced Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Packers sign 1st-round pick Love, 2nd-round choice Dillon

Jul. 01, 2020 04:14 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. NFLPA president JC Tretter warned players they have to "fight for necessary COVID-19 protections" and Malcolm Jenkins said "football is nonessential." With training camp less than a month away, some players are speaking out about concerns over playing football during a pandemic while others are ignoring medical advice and holding workouts with teammates. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL players raise concerns on playing, others ignore advice

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 01, 2020 04:12 PM EDT

Salvador Hernandez, a groom at Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn, Wash., wears a mask as he watches a race Wednesday, June 24, 2020, on the first day of thoroughbred horse racing at the track since all professional sports in Washington state were curtailed in March by the outbreak of the coronavirus. No spectators were allowed, but online wagering was available and the races were streamed. Organizers hope to continue racing into October on a modified schedule. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Latest: Another PGA Tour player tests positive for virus

By The Associated Press Jun. 30, 2020 04:25 PM EDT

Judges question warrants in Kraft massage parlor sex case

By Terry Spencer Jun. 30, 2020 01:35 PM EDT
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida appellate judges on Tuesday questioned the legality of search warrants that let police secretly video record New England...

NFL awards 4 projects in helmet safety development program

By Barry Wilner Jun. 30, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
Four organizations have been awarded a total of $1.37 million by the NFL to support the creation of their helmet prototypes. As part of the...