Professional soccer
AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 21 1891 — Dr. James Naismith introduces the first game of basketball. Based on 13 rules created by Naismith, the game is tested by 18 students at...

An ice resurfacer prepares the rink before an NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Florida Panthers, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers announced that eight players will not play due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Column: Sports let their guard down, COVID makes a comeback

By Paul Newberry Dec. 17, 2021 02:05 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Dec. 16, 2021 11:40 AM EST
Dec. 21 1891 — Dr. James Naismith introduces the first game of basketball. Based on 13 rules created by Naismith, the game is tested by 18 students at...

FILE -New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston wears a face mask on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. U.S. sports leagues are seeing rapidly increasing COVID-19 outbreaks with dozens of players in health and safety protocols, amid an ongoing surge by the delta variant of the coronavirus and rising cases of the highly transmissible omicron mutation. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
US sports leagues cope with COVID-19 outbreaks amid variants

By Erica Hunzinger Dec. 15, 2021 08:00 PM EST

A soccer ball sits by the pitch line prior to the NWSL Championship soccer match between the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars, Nov. 20, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. The U.S. Soccer Federation and the union for its women's national team agreed to a three-month extension of their labor contract through March, a move announced on the same day players filed a brief asking a federal appeals court to reinstate their equal pay claim. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, file)
Chicago Red Stars vs Washington Spirit 11/20/2021

Dec. 15, 2021 05:49 PM EST

A soccer ball sits by the pitch line prior to the NWSL Championship soccer match between the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars, Nov. 20, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. The U.S. Soccer Federation and the union for its women's national team agreed to a three-month extension of their labor contract through March, a move announced on the same day players filed a brief asking a federal appeals court to reinstate their equal pay claim. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, file)
OL Reign announce move to Seattle's Lumen Field

By Anne M. Peterson Dec. 15, 2021 05:45 PM EST

Munich city council backs NFL games at home of Bayern

Dec. 15, 2021 10:28 AM EST
MUNICH (AP) — The Munich city council gave its backing Wednesday to a bid to host regular-season NFL games at the home of soccer club Bayern Munich. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Dec. 09, 2021 11:03 AM EST
Dec. 10 1939 — The Green Bay Packers register the first shutout in an NFL championship game by beating the New York Giants 27-0. 1961 —...

NFL appoints former soccer exec to lead Germany operations

Dec. 09, 2021 05:52 AM EST
LONDON (AP) — The NFL has named former soccer executive Alexander Steinforth to head its operations in Germany as it prepares to hold a regular-season game there as...

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 06, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 7 1973 — Jerry West of Los Angeles sets an NBA record with 10 steals in the Lakers’ 115-111 loss to the Seattle Supersonics. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 01:28 PM EST
Dec. 7 1973 — Jerry West of Los Angeles sets an NBA record with 10 steals in the Lakers’ 115-111 loss to the Seattle Supersonics. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2021 02:39 PM EST
Nov. 30 1941 — The Chicago Bears score 49 points in the second half to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 49-13. 1956 — Floyd...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 10:47 AM EST
Nov. 19 1961 — George Blanda of the Houston Oilers passes for 505 yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-13 rout of the New York Titans. ...

Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Russell Wilson wants to play 20-plus years and own NFL team

By Rob Maaddi Nov. 16, 2021 02:52 AM EST

Leeds United's head coach Marcelo Bielsa gestures during the English League Cup round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Leeds United vs Arsenal FC 10/26/2021

Nov. 05, 2021 08:27 AM EDT

Leeds United's head coach Marcelo Bielsa gestures during the English League Cup round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
49ers increase minority stake in English soccer club Leeds

Nov. 05, 2021 08:25 AM EDT

Victor Montagliani, right, CONCACAF president and FIFA vice president, speaks Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Seattle as Adrian Hanauer, center, owner of the MLS soccer Seattle Sounders, and Kasey Keller, left, former goalkeeper for the Sounders and the U.S. Men's National Team, look on during a news conference at Lumen Field. Montagliani was discussing taking part in an official visit of a FIFA delegation to Seattle, as organizers try to be selected as a host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
FIFA wraps second set of visits to potential World Cup hosts

By Tim Booth Nov. 01, 2021 07:03 PM EDT

New Orleans Saints strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) smiles after his touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins invests in Premier League club

By The Associated Press Oct. 22, 2021 12:41 PM EDT

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after scoring a 9-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Bengals in the mix in tough AFC North? Right now, they are

By Barry Wilner Oct. 21, 2021 11:42 PM EDT

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Matthew Wright (15), right, kicks a field goal to win the match during the second half of an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, England, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Jags turn to quick-hitter called 'slider' to end epic slide

By Mark Long Oct. 18, 2021 12:03 PM EDT