Professional soccer
FILE - Former Dallas Cowboys standout and longtime NFL on FOX game analyst Daryl Johnston stands on the field prior to an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, on Dec. 30, 2018, in Landover, Md. Johnson is executive vice president of football operations of the USFL. As the league prepares for Sunday night’s championship game between the Birmingham Stallions and Philadelphia Stars at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, where it goes from here is the bigger question.(AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Despite title game, USFL already focusing on next season

By Joe Reedy Jul. 01, 2022 06:28 PM EDT

FILE - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam speaks during a press conference in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 13, 2018. The former Tennessee governor is buying out the majority owner's shares in the Nashville Predators NHL hockey club, in what the team calls a "multi-phased purchase transaction" over the next few yearsm that will make him the team's majority owner. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Former Tennessee governor buying majority share of Predators

By Teresa M. Walker Jun. 17, 2022 04:51 PM EDT

FILE - Home of the NFL football Atlanta Falcons and the MLS soccer team, Atlanta United, the Mercedes-Benz stadium is seen, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in Atlanta. There are 23 venues bidding to host soccer matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
The 16 venues picked to host World Cup matches in 2026

Jun. 16, 2022 10:22 PM EDT

Fans wait along 6th Ave. for FIFA's announcement of the names of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
FIFA picks 2026 World Cup cities, predicts US `No 1 sport'

By Ronald Blum Jun. 16, 2022 09:07 PM EDT

New York City FC fans react to the announcement that East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during a selection watch part at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., Thursday, June 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
Excitement and disappointment as World Cup 2026 cities named

By Anne M. Peterson Jun. 16, 2022 08:12 PM EDT

FILE - French soccer fans watch France play Belgium in a World Cup semifinal soccer game on a gigantic screen in New York's Times Square, on July 10, 2018, in New York. U.S. cities and states have lined up with tax breaks and millions of dollars in both public and private investments for a chance at hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup games, set to be announced Thursday, June 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
Belgium vs France 7/10/2018

Jun. 15, 2022 05:07 PM EDT

FILE - Soccer fans cool off in the water as they watch a broadcast of France playing Croatia in the World Cup soccer as they attend the "Ballyhoo Boat Bash" at the Haulover Sandbar in Miami, on July 15, 2018. .S. cities and states have lined up with tax breaks and millions of dollars in both public and private investments for a chance at hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup games, set to be announced Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Carle Juste/Miami Herald via AP, File0
Croatia vs France 7/15/2018

Jun. 15, 2022 05:07 PM EDT

FILE - U.S. players run drills during a practice for the Women's World Cup soccer final under the open roof of BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Saturday, July 4, 2015. There are 23 venues bidding to host soccer matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
States offer tax breaks, funds for chance to host World Cup

By Summer Ballentine And Ronald Blum Jun. 15, 2022 05:03 PM EDT

The 23 venues bidding to host World Cup matches in 2026

Jun. 15, 2022 02:07 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — A look at the 23 venues bidding to host soccer matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada: ___ ...

FormerSeattle Seahawks players Doug Baldwin, right, and Cliff Avril, left, raise scarves at the start of an MLS soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Seattle. The Sounders won 4-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Seattle Sounders 6/14/2022

Jun. 15, 2022 01:19 AM EDT

Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Cody Cropper (55) grabs the ball above Real Salt Lake's Sergio Cordova, second from left, and Justen Glad (15) during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Real Salt Lake vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC 6/4/2022

Jun. 14, 2022 01:07 PM EDT

Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Cody Cropper (55) grabs the ball above Real Salt Lake's Sergio Cordova, second from left, and Justen Glad (15) during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership

By Joe Reedy Jun. 14, 2022 01:06 PM EDT

Real Madrid's Marcelo lifts the trophy as players celebrate winning the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris, Saturday, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Real Madrid vs Liverpool FC 5/28/2022

Jun. 10, 2022 11:07 AM EDT

Real Madrid's Marcelo lifts the trophy as players celebrate winning the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris, Saturday, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Real Madrid, Barcelona to meet in Las Vegas during US tour

By Greg Beacham Jun. 10, 2022 11:02 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith addresses his team after a voluntary offseason NFL football practice Friday, June 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' Pitts says stadium's new FieldTurf is soft but good

By Charles Odum Jun. 03, 2022 05:12 PM EDT

FILE - Construction personnel work on the Carolina Panthers' team headquarters and practice facility Aug. 24, 2021, in Rock Hill, S.C. The Panthers' proposed $800 million practice facility project in Rock Hill is officially dead after team owner David Tepper’s real estate company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware on Wednesday night, June 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Panthers' practice facility dead after Chapter 11 filing

By Steve Reed Jun. 01, 2022 11:55 PM EDT

FILE - New Jersey Generals Herschel Walker, center, carries the ball for a first down past General's Bryan Millard, left, and Los Angeles Express' Dennis Edwards during the first quarter of an USFL game in Los Angeles on March 6, 1983. The original USFL was a league that made a whole lot of sense, only to be undone by the greed and hubris of owners such as former President Donald Trump, who saw the fledgling organization as a conduit to the NFL. (AP Photo/File)
Column: Spring football league's time has come ... and gone

By Paul Newberry May. 06, 2022 05:22 PM EDT

Kelly steps down as CEO of Tepper Sports and Entertainment

May. 04, 2022 01:46 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Nick Kelly has stepped down chief executive office of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, just three months after being promoted to the role. ...

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is interviewed on the field after the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Thanks to Tom Brady’s return, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t looking for any quick fixes in the NFL draft. The seven-time Super Bowl champion’s decision to end his brief retirement not only resolved the team’s quarterback situation, but also helped general manager Jason Licht retain most of a solid core of talent around Brady. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, FIle)
Tampa Bay, Seattle to meet in 1st NFL game in Germany

May. 04, 2022 09:02 AM EDT

Bayern's Thomas Mueller, right, and Bayern's Benjamin Pavard celebrate at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, at the Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich 4/23/2022

May. 02, 2022 01:57 PM EDT