Economy
NFL awards 13 new grants under Inspire Change initiative

By Barry Wilner Jan. 08, 2021 09:00 AM EST
The NFL expanded its social Justice initiative Inspire Change on Friday by awarding 13 new grants to nonprofit organizations across the country. ...

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) locks arms with teammates during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cleveland's teams push for meaningful wins, lasting change

By Tom Withers Oct. 28, 2020 08:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa during the first half of an NFL football game in Carson, Calif. Teams could afford recent contracts like the megabucks given to Patrick Mahomes and Bosa under normal circumstances. Because of economic effects from the coronavirus pandemic, future player deals and a salary cap that will be adjusted due to some monetary setbacks, upcoming free agents might find the marketplace tighter. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
NFL faces tough times for 2020, then bright economic outlook

By Barry Wilner Sep. 01, 2020 04:51 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, former NBA player and players union deputy Roger Mason, left, listens as entertainer Ice Cube, right, announces the launch of the BIG3, a new 3-on-3 professional basketball league, in New York. Hundreds of sports-related businesses got in line for the government-funded Payroll Protection Plan designed to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the four North American major sports leagues — the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball — applied, but both Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League were represented. Rapper Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league says it returned almost half of the $1.6 million it received, but givebacks were rare. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Sports jumps on PPP bandwagon, but big leagues take a pass

By The Associated Press Jul. 06, 2020 10:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. The NFL, which has raised $44 million in donations through its Inspire Change program, announced the additional $206 million commitment Thursday, June 11, 2020. Kaepernick and others began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest social injustice and police brutality. He has not found an NFL job the last three seasons. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
NFL to spend $250 million on social justice initiatives

By Barry Wilner Jun. 11, 2020 07:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2018, file photo, Buffalo Sabres co-owner/president Kim Pegula stands on the field before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. Pegula is staying on as Sabres president with a continued focus on making the small-market franchise economically sustainable, while in the face of criticism the team has been mismanaged under her leadership. The team's co-owner told The Associated Press in a recent interview she believes she remains the best-suited for the job to streamline the operation, while acknowledging the process has taken longer than expected. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Pegula focused on efficiency; staying on as Sabres President

By John Wawrow Jun. 11, 2020 02:54 AM EDT

Grounds crew members mow as work continues to keep the Seattle Mariners' field in playing shape as the ballpark goes into its seventh week without baseball played because of the coronavirus outbreak, Monday, May 11, 2020, in Seattle. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Major League Baseball owners have given the go-ahead to making a proposal to the players' union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
AP source: No MLB economic plan in 1st session with players

By Ronald Blum May. 12, 2020 10:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 26, 2020, file photo, Jason Hackedorn looks into Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, in Cleveland. With the distinct possibility of pro sports resuming in empty venues, a recent poll suggests a majority of U.S. fans wouldn't feel safe attending games anyway without a coronavirus vaccine.(AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
The Latest: Churchill Downs to open stables, race minus fans

Apr. 29, 2020 03:24 PM EDT

In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the NFL football draft, Friday, April 24, 2020. (NFL via AP)
Goodell reduces salary to $0, NFL workers taking pay cuts

By Barry Wilner Apr. 29, 2020 01:44 PM EDT

FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 file photo, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero smiles during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England. Sergio Aguero has been using some of his spare time in lockdown to teach British kids how to speak Spanish. The Argentina international has been signed up by the BBC as part of its home-schooling initiative while educational establishments are closed during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
The Latest: Louisville AD: 15% cut from budget, furloughs

By The Associated Press Apr. 20, 2020 11:37 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2020, file photo, Peyton Manning, left, follows his shot from the 11th tee of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course as his brother Eli Manning, right, stands nearby during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif. Peyton Manning plans to play a round of golf with an All In Challenge winner two guests, and then go to a restaurant for dinner with the winner and 10 guests. His recently retired brother, Eli, offered the Corvette he received as the MVP of the New York Giants' Super Bowl win over the Patriots in February 2012. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Athletes, teams, celebs are 'All In' to feed hungry

By Tom Canavan Apr. 15, 2020 04:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dc. 18, 2017 file photo, former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant talks during a news conference in Los Angeles. Bryant and fellow NBA greats Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett headlined a nine-person group announced Saturday, April 4, 2020, as this year’s class of enshrinees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They all got into the Hall in their first year of eligibility, as did WNBA great Tamika Catchings. Two-time NBA champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich, longtime Baylor women’s coach Kim Mulkey, 1,000-game winner Barbara Stevens of Bentley and three-time Final Four coach Eddie Sutton were selected. So was former FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
The Latest: Lakers GM Pelinka draws inspiration from Bryant

By The Associated Press Apr. 08, 2020 03:11 PM EDT

The empty court is seen at the Wells Fargo Center after an NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Detroit Pistons, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Teams and leagues drawing up employee game plans on fly

By Tom Canavan Mar. 24, 2020 07:40 PM EDT

Kansas state Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, left, R-Galena, makes a point during a debate on a bill that would legalize sports betting as Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia, watches, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The measure would allow four state-owned casinos to offer sports betting as a part of the Kansas Lottery. (AP Photo/John Hanna)
Kansas struggles with details of legalizing sports betting

By John Hanna Feb. 26, 2020 06:34 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2009, file photo, Peter Fonda, poses atop a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Glendale, Calif. Fonda, the son of a Hollywood legend who became a movie star in his own right both writing and starring in counterculture classics like "Easy Rider," has died. His family says in a statement that Fonda died Aug. 16, 2019, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 79. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2019

By Bernard Mcghee Dec. 23, 2019 10:13 AM EST

FILE - In this May 15, 2019, file photo, Juice WRLD performs in concert during his "Death Race for Love Tour" at The Skyline Stage at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. The Chicago-area rapper, whose real name is Jarad A. Higgins, was pronounced dead Dec. 8 after a "medical emergency'' at Chicago's Midway International Airport, according to authorities. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2019

By Bernard Mcghee Dec. 16, 2019 12:47 PM EST

Missouri lawmakers OK state aid for St. Louis Blues arena

By David A. Lieb May. 15, 2019 12:26 PM EDT
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The home of the St. Louis Blues could receive $70 million in state subsidies over two decades to help pay for renovations that local...

FILE - In this July 10, 2018 file photo, New Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper answers a question during a news conference at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The South Carolina Senate appears to be preparing for a key vote on whether to give the Carolina Panthers tax breaks and incentives to move their practice fields out of South Carolina. State Sen. Dick Harpootlian removed his objection on the bill Tuesday, May 7, 2019, so it could come to a vote. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Carolina Panthers offered $120M to move practice field to SC

By Jeffrey Collins May. 09, 2019 02:04 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera talks to reporters as he visits the South Carolina Statehouse, Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. Rivera was talking to lawmakers about a bill to provide about $120 million in incentives to get the NFL football team to move its practice fields and headquarters to South Carolina (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Panthers coach visits SC capitol as incentives considered

By Jeffrey Collins Apr. 11, 2019 12:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2018, file photo, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper walks in the field during before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. A South Carolina senator said Wednesday, April 10, 2019, he will continue his objection to a bill providing $120 million in tax breaks and incentives to move the Panthers practice facility to South Carolina until he gets answers to competing economic analysis reports. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
SC senator questions benefits analysis of Panthers HQ move

By Jeffrey Collins Apr. 10, 2019 03:57 PM EDT