Arts and entertainment
FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2019, file photo, ESPN's Maria Taylor works from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Miami and Florida in Orlando, Fla. Taylor is leaving ESPN after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Taylor had been with ESPN since 2014 but her contract expired Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Her last assignment for the network was Tuesday night at the NBA Finals, where she was the pregame and postgame host for the network's “NBA Countdown” show. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NBC quickly hires Maria Taylor after her departure from ESPN

By Joe Reedy 21 hrs ago

Singer Alice Cooper, left, and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield laugh during a Progressive Insurance commercial shoot at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Odd couple: Mayfield, rocker Alice Cooper team for TV spot

By Tom Withers Jul. 23, 2021 09:09 AM EDT

FILE - Houston businessman Bob McNair, left, and NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue smile during a press conference in Atlanta, in this Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999, file photo. Houston rejoined the NFL, paying a record $700 million for an expansion franchise. During Paul Tagliabue’s 17-year stint as commissioner, the NFL experienced labor peace, saw skyrocketing television deals, construction of new stadiums across the nation and expansion to the current 32-team makeup. Despite those credentials that continued pro football’s surge to the top of American sports, it took until a special centennial class in 2020 for Tagliabue to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after retiring in 2006. (AP Photo/W. A. Harewood, File)
After lengthy wait, Paul Tagliabue heads to Hall of Fame

By Barry Wilner Jul. 22, 2021 01:26 PM EDT

FILE- In this undated file photo, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras is shown. A dozen seasons as one of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL turned out to be just an opening act for Alex Karras. Better late than never, Karras will be formally enshrined as part of the Hall’s Centennial Class of 2020. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever, File)
Karras cared more about making Hall of Fame than he let on

By Jim Litke Jul. 21, 2021 01:06 PM EDT

FILE - This Feb. 5, 2011, file photo shows Steve Sabol during an interview in Dallas. This year’s “Hard Knocks” series with the Dallas Cowboys will mark the first time one of its teams is in the Hall of Fame Game. It is fitting since the creator of the series was enshrined into the Hall earlier this year. “Hard Knocks” is one of Steve Sabol’s many legacies at NFL Films that continue to live on. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
NFL Films' creative force Steve Sabol enters Hall of Fame

By Joe Reedy Jul. 20, 2021 03:08 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2012, file photo, a tribute to NFL Films' Steve Sabol is shown during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. “Hard Knocks,” which started 20 years ago, is one of Steve Sabol's many legacies at NFL Films that continue to live on. Sabol, who was 69 when he died from brain cancer in 2012, is one of three contributors that are part of the Hall's 2020 Centennial Class. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Packers-Seahawks 9/24/2012

Jul. 20, 2021 02:58 AM EDT

Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning throws the ceremonial first pitch prior to the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Peyton Manning teams up with brother, ESPN for MNF MegaCast

By Joe Reedy Jul. 19, 2021 04:35 PM EDT

Nashville prospect comes out as gay in NHL milestone

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 19, 2021 10:16 AM EDT
A Nashville Predators prospect has come out as gay, a milestone moment for the sport of hockey as the first player signed to an NHL contract to make that...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches during the first half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns 7/17/2021

Jul. 17, 2021 10:34 PM EDT

Richard Sherman, center right, walks with his wife Ashley, following a King County District Court hearing Friday, July 16, 2021, in Seattle. The NFL football cornerback, who has played with the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, was arraigned on five criminal charges Friday after he was arrested Wednesday after police said he crashed his car in a construction zone along a busy highway east of Seattle and then tried to break into his in-laws' home in the suburb of Redmond, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
NFL's Richard Sherman 'deeply remorseful' after arrest

By Gene Johnson Jul. 16, 2021 02:45 PM EDT

The King County Correctional Facility is shown Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in downtown Seattle. Former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers NFL football star Richard Sherman was booked into the jail Wednesday after he was arrested and authorities said he tried to force his way into a family member's home in suburban Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Judge orders NFL's Richard Sherman released without bail

By Gene Johnson Jul. 15, 2021 02:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2018, file photo, former NFL football quarterback Colin Kaepernick smiles on stage during W.E.B. Du Bois Medal ceremonies at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass. Kaepernick will release a series of books through the children’s publisher Scholastic, starting with a picture story “I Color Myself Different” coming out in April, (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Colin Kaepernick picture book to come out in April

Jul. 15, 2021 02:21 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) is seen during the NFL football Super Bowl 54 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Feb. 2, 2020, file photo. Former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers star Richard Sherman was booked into a jail in Seattle on Wednesday morning, July 14, 2021, accused of “Burglary Domestic Violence.” (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
Police: NFL's Richard Sherman tried to break in at in-laws'

By Gene Johnson Jul. 14, 2021 12:00 PM EDT

In this March 11, 2021, photo Debra Katz, an attorney for Charlotte Bennett, a former staffer who has accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of workplace sexual harassment, poses for a picture at her office during an interview with the Associated Press in northwest Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
For top #MeToo legal duo, a pandemic year brings no pause

By Jocelyn Noveck Jul. 11, 2021 12:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 30, 2021, file photo, Japan's Naomi Osaka celebrates after defeating Romania's Patricia Maria Tig during a first-round match of the French Ppen tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Osaka returned to the spotlight for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open in May and skipping Wimbledon, posing on the red carpet at The ESPYS on Saturday night, July 10. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
French Open Women Singles

Jul. 10, 2021 11:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 11, 2011, file photo, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C. Ball won the ESPY as best breakthrough athlete, Saturday, July 11. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Denver Nuggets at Charlotte Hornets 5/11/2021

Jul. 10, 2021 11:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 30, 2021, file photo, Japan's Naomi Osaka celebrates after defeating Romania's Patricia Maria Tig during a first-round match of the French Ppen tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Osaka returned to the spotlight for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open in May and skipping Wimbledon, posing on the red carpet at The ESPYS on Saturday night, July 10. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Osaka returns to spotlight on red carpet at The ESPYS

By Beth Harris Jul. 10, 2021 11:02 PM EDT

This photo provided by the Arlington Police Department shows Atlanta Falcons linebacker Barkevious Mingo. NFL linebacker Barkevious Mingo, who is currently with the Atlanta Falcons, has been arrested in Texas on a charge of indecency with a child-sexual contact. Mingo, 30, was arrested on Thursday, July 8, 2021 by police in the Dallas suburb of Arlington. Jail records listed an address for Mingo in West Monroe, Louisiana. ( Arlington Police Department via AP)
NFL LB Mingo charged with indecency with child in Texas

Jul. 10, 2021 07:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walks off the field after the NFC championship NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Green Bay, Wis. In a news conference, Monday, July 5, 2021, reigning NFL MVP Rodgers said he has spent this offseason focusing on improving himself in every respect, and that goes beyond making sure he’s in top physical shape. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Rodgers says he's spent offseason 'working on myself'

Jul. 05, 2021 07:49 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) warms up during an NFL football team practice Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Cowboys to make their 3rd appearance on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

By Joe Reedy Jul. 02, 2021 12:05 PM EDT