Professional soccer
Ricardo Zapata, left, a photographer for the Los Angeles Angels, has his temperature taken by Sarah Morris before entering Angels Stadium for baseball practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. New protocols like temperature checks, social distancing, and limiting amount of people allowed in sports venues have been put in place due to the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Latest: California CCAA moving all sports to the spring

By The Associated Press Jul. 09, 2020 02:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2019, file photo, Toronto FC soccer player Justin Morrow speaks to the media during an end of season availability in Toronto. A group of African American Major League Soccer players have formed a coalition to address systematic racism in their communities and bring about change within the league. The coalition is the result of an Instagram group formed after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, which spawned a wave of nationwide protests against racism and policy brutality. Started by Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow, the group grew to some 70 MLS players, who decided to act and the Black Players Coalition of MLS was born. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Black Players for Change lead protest at MLS is Back tourney

By Anne M. Peterson Jul. 09, 2020 02:25 AM EDT

Members of the Columbus Crew, wearing shirts and masks with messages about race, stand on the field before an MLS soccer match Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Inter Miami CF vs Orlando City SC 7/8/2020

Jul. 08, 2020 09:56 PM EDT

Inter Miami players enter the field for an MLS soccer match against Orlando City, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla., some wearing shirts and masks with messages about race. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
MLS returns to action after poignant moment of silence

By Mark Long Jul. 08, 2020 09:54 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

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo watches players during team baseball practice at Chase Field, Friday, July 3, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Latest: Diamondbacks OF Kole Calhoun tests positive

By The Associated Press Jul. 06, 2020 11:57 AM EDT

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Powell,Pool)
Liverpool FC vs Manchester City 7/2/2020

Jul. 05, 2020 10:02 AM EDT

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Powell,Pool)
Enhanced crowd audio adds another dimension to fanless games

By Joe Reedy Jul. 05, 2020 10:00 AM 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)
Washington Spirit vs Chicago Red Stars 6/27/2020

Jul. 03, 2020 02:56 PM EDT

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

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

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: Cowboys' Elliott feels 'normal' after diagnosis

By The Associated Press Jun. 25, 2020 02:07 PM EDT

Leicester's manager Brendan Rodgers talks to the team during the English Premier League soccer match between Watford and Leicester CITY at the Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, England, Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Michael Regan/Pool via AP)
Leicester City vs Watford FC 6/20/2020

Jun. 20, 2020 02:04 PM EDT

Leicester's manager Brendan Rodgers talks to the team during the English Premier League soccer match between Watford and Leicester CITY at the Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, England, Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Michael Regan/Pool via AP)
The Latest: NFLPA advises halt to private workouts together

By The Associated Press Jun. 20, 2020 02:03 PM EDT

FILE - This June 3, 2020, file photo shows empty stands during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SV Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt in Bremen, Germany. Many professional sports league, such as the NFL and European soccer leagues, have lucrative television contracts and big-money corporate sponsors that fill their substantial coffers. But the domestic soccer league in the U.S. still relies heavily on ticket sales, merchandising and concessions, much like many university athletic departments, and without games their very ability to make ends meet would stretch the abilities of even the savviest of accountants. (Stuart Franklin/Pool via AP, File)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen 6/3/2020

Jun. 09, 2020 12:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 1, 2020, file photo, Gavin Bollmer, left, and his buddy, Austin LaFountain, wear Globe Life Field masks as they tour the home of the Texas Rangers baseball team in Arlington, Texas. Many organizations are trying to bridge the budget gap from the coronovirus through enhanced sponsorship sales, such as temporary billboards that could be stretched over unsold sections of seats. Teams and leagues are selling branded face masks and other personal protective equipment. Almost all of them are trying to engage fans in new and creative ways. It won't come close to making up the budget shortfall, but the hope is to survive long enough for sports to return to normal. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Leagues, teams wary of rising stadium expenses amid pandemic

By Dave Skretta Jun. 09, 2020 12:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, in Kansas City, Kan. Many professional sports league, such as the NFL and European soccer leagues, have lucrative television contracts and big-money corporate sponsors that fill their substantial coffers. But the domestic soccer league in the U.S. still relies heavily on ticket sales, merchandising and concessions, much like many university athletic departments, and without games their very ability to make ends meet would stretch the abilities of even the savviest of accountants.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Seattle Sounders vs Sporting Kansas City 5/26/2019

Jun. 09, 2020 07:28 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 16, 2014, file photo, a student walks through empty seats inside Kenan Stadium at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., where preparations continue for the upcoming college football season. The crippling grip the coronavirus pandemic has had on the sports world has forced universities, leagues and franchises to evaluate how they might someday welcome back fans. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
The Latest: Saints' Thomas donates to help with medical debt

By The Associated Press Jun. 08, 2020 06:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2008, file photo, Nebraska's Cookie Miller (24) body surfs the crowd that rushed the court after Nebraska beat Kansas State 71-64 in a college basketball game in Lincoln, Neb. When the virus wanes enough to allow the games to begin again, the very essence of these events will likely be missing. Playing in empty buildings would require a significant recalibration.(AP Photo/Dave Weaver, FIle)
'Create your own excitement': Players ponder empty buildings

By Dave Campbell Jun. 08, 2020 02:10 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 24, 2020, file photo, Schalke's Daniel Caligiuri kicks the ball in front of empty seats during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Schalke 04 and FC Augsburg at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, Pool, File)
FC Augsburg vs FC Schalke 04 5/24/2020

Jun. 07, 2020 11:56 AM EDT