Sports team and league operation
FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 file photo, Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye (4) attempts an onside kick with the Kansas City Chiefs recovered during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. NFL owners approved eliminating overtime in preseason games and expanded selection of jersey numbers for receivers, running backs and defensive backs. The owners did approve establishing a maximum number of players in the setup zone (between 10 and 25 yards from the kickoff) in hopes of enhancing onside kick opportunities. Defending teams will be limited to nine players in that zone, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
NFL eliminates preseason OTs, defeats onside kick proposal

By Barry Wilner Apr. 21, 2021 03:27 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, Raiders owner Mark Clark Davis stands on the field before the team's NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. The Las Vegas Raiders got angry backlash for a tweet the team sent after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd. Davis said he was driving the verdict was announced and heard Floyd's brother, Philonise, make the statement that “we can all breathe again” and decided to make that message the team's response. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Raiders get backlash for tweet after conviction of officer

By Josh Dubow Apr. 20, 2021 08:39 PM EDT

File-This Dec. 27, 2020, file photo shows Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski talking to quarterback Baker Mayfield (60 before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.J. Stefanski isn't necessarily proud that he and his coaching staff have become proficient at working virtually. The Browns had their second day of remote meetings Tuesday after Cleveland's players _ along with numerous teams across the NFL _ decided to skip any in-person workouts for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Zooming along: Browns, Stefanski begin workouts apart

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2021 05:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Andre Odom joined Athletes First as an agent two years ago and later this month two of his clients — Kyle Pitts and Micah Parsons — could be picked in the top 10 of the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Andre Odom went from scouting players to representing them

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 20, 2021 03:36 PM EDT

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 Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Cleveland. NFL players were locked out of team headquarters last offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, their union wants them to boycott any in-person OTAs. Last year, teams were forced to do everything online until training camps opened in August, and NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter has been advocating for a repeat of last year's offseason, arguing that the adjustments caused by the coronavirus showed the arduous offseason programs were unnecessary.(AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL offseason programs begin with mixed player involvement

By The Associated Press Apr. 19, 2021 04:04 PM EDT

NFL, iHeartMedia teaming up to launch podcast network

By Joe Reedy Apr. 19, 2021 11:00 AM EDT
The NFL is making a more aggressive push into podcasting. The league announced Monday it will partner with iHeartMedia in launching a...

FILE - Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch walks off the field after NFL football practice in Renton, Wash., in this Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, file photo. During Marshawn Lynch’s 12 NFL seasons he earned a reputation for his fearless style on the field, while remaining one of the league’s most reclusive figures off the field. Now the retired running back is lending his voice to try to help members of Black and Hispanic communities make more informed decisions about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Lynch released a 30-minute interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on his YouTube channel Friday, April 16, 2021, becoming the latest prominent athlete to sit down with him to discuss the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines as the U.S. continues to combat the pandemic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Marshawn Lynch, Dr. Fauci discuss vaccine hesitancy

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Steelers players 10th group skipping in-person workouts

By The Associated Press Apr. 16, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Browns, Raiders players say they'll skip offseason workouts

By Tom Withers Apr. 15, 2021 06:21 PM EDT

NFL’s revised offseason program includes mandatory minicamp

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 14, 2021 03:36 PM EDT
The NFL’s revised offseason program still includes a post-draft rookie minicamp, voluntary workouts and a mandatory minicamp next month despite the union’s...

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Cleveland. NFL players were locked out of team headquarters last offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, their union wants them to boycott any in-person OTAs. Last year, teams were forced to do everything online until training camps opened in August, and NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter has been advocating for a repeat of last year's offseason, arguing that the adjustments caused by the coronavirus showed the arduous offseason programs were unnecessary.(AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL players call for virtual offseason, shun in-person work

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 13, 2021 05:18 PM EDT

FILE - Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill guards his net with empty seats behind him during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim, Calif., in this Friday, April 2, 2021, file photo. While the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball are moving to relax virus protocols when a vast majority of a team’s players, coaches and staff are vaccinated, the NHL finds itself in an uncomfortable position. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
NHL grapples with vaccine inequity between U.S. and Canada

By Stephen Whyno And Larry Lage Apr. 08, 2021 03:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Chargers Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos, right, president of business operations A.G. Spanos, center, and personnel assistant Michael Spanos II watch from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Jacksonville, Fla. In a petition filed Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the sister of Chargers controlling owner Dean Spanos is petitioning a California state court to put one-third of the team’s ownership stake up for sale. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Dean Spanos' sister petitions court to force Chargers' sale

By Joe Reedy Apr. 01, 2021 05:13 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks to head coach Bill Belichick as their team warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. But after watching Tom Brady celebrate another Super Bowl in another city, Belichick and his boss, Robert Kraft, had seen enough. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Kraft: Spending spree response to 7-9 record, not Brady win

By Jimmy Golen Mar. 31, 2021 06:06 PM EDT

FILE - Commissioner Roger Goodell gestures during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla., in this Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, file photo. The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games, as expected, and reducing the preseason to three games. Team owners on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, approved the 17th game, marking the first time in 43 years the regular season has been increased.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
NFL planning to remove restrictions for vaccinated personnel

By Barry Wilner Mar. 31, 2021 01:54 PM EDT

FILE - Commissioner Roger Goodell gestures during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla., in this Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, file photo. The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games, as expected, and reducing the preseason to three games. Team owners on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, approved the 17th game, marking the first time in 43 years the regular season has been increased.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Analysis: More games, more money, more flexibility for NFL

By Barry Wilner Mar. 31, 2021 03:07 AM EDT

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York CEO Dave Anderson and Bills owner and president Kim Pegula hold footballs with the new stadium name at Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, in Orchard Park, N.Y., Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (John Hickey/Buffalo News via AP)
Bills set to open stadium talks with state, local officials

By John Wawrow Mar. 30, 2021 08:19 PM EDT

FILE - Commissioner Roger Goodell gestures during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla., in this Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, file photo. The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games, as expected, and reducing the preseason to three games. Team owners on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, approved the 17th game, marking the first time in 43 years the regular season has been increased.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
NFL owners approve 17-game regular season, 3 preseason games

By Barry Wilner Mar. 30, 2021 03:00 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