Sports team and league operation
FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon fights past a block by New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, rear, in the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Browns have reconstructed defensive end Olivier Vernon's contract for next season, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Vernon's future with the Browns seemed uncertain as he was set to make $15.25 million in 2020. But the club reworked his deal and he'll earn $11 million, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not publicly disclosing the agreement.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
AP source: Browns restructure DE Olivier Vernon's contract

By Tom Withers 16 hrs ago

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 Oct. 24, 2019, file photo, Native American leaders protest against the Redskins team name outside U.S. Bank Stadium before an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. Several Native American leaders and organizations have sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calling for the league to force Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder to change the team name immediately. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Native American groups ask NFL to force Redskins name change

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 06, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) greets Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after an NFL preseason football game in Denver. The NFL will cut its preseason in half and push back the start of exhibition play so teams have more time to train following an all virtual offseason made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t announced that the preseason will be cut from four games to two. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
AP source: NFL to discuss union's desire to cancel preseason

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 03, 2020 11:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2020, file photo, Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera holds up a helmet during a news conference at the team's NFL football training facility in Ashburn, Va. The Washington Redskins are undergoing what the team calls a “thorough review” of the nickname. In a statement released Friday, July 3, 2020, the team says it has been talking to the NFL for weeks about the subject. Owner Dan Snyder says the process will include input from alumni, sponsors, the league, community and members of the organization. FedEx on Thursday called for the team to change its name, and Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Redskins to have 'thorough review' of name amid race debate

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 03, 2020 11:45 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Sponsor FedEx asks Redskins to change their name

Jul. 02, 2020 07:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaps over Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the first half of a NFL football preseason game, in Baltimore. Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman is tweaking and refining a record-setting unit led by NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who is expected to again be the key component of an attack with several newcomers in the mix. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
AP Source: NFL to play Black anthem before national anthem

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 02, 2020 06:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. NFLPA president JC Tretter warned players they have to "fight for necessary COVID-19 protections" and Malcolm Jenkins said "football is nonessential." With training camp less than a month away, some players are speaking out about concerns over playing football during a pandemic while others are ignoring medical advice and holding workouts with teammates. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL players raise concerns on playing, others ignore advice

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 01, 2020 04:12 PM EDT

Judges question warrants in Kraft massage parlor sex case

By Terry Spencer Jun. 30, 2020 01:35 PM EDT
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida appellate judges on Tuesday questioned the legality of search warrants that let police secretly video record New England...

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announces a new executive order in response to the rising COVID-19 cases in the state, during a news conference in Phoenix on Monday, June 29, 2020. The governor ordered bars, nightclubs and water parks to close again for at least a month starting Monday night — a dramatic about-face as coronavirus cases surge in the Sunbelt. (Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool)
The Latest: Nets' DeAndre Jordan says he has coronavirus

Jun. 29, 2020 06:05 PM EDT

FILE- In this April 30, 2019, file pool photo, Karen Herzog, a Florida Department of Health inspector, shows a photo she took of beds in a room during her inspection of Orchids of Asia Day Spa, during a motion hearing in the Robert Kraft prostitution solicitation case in West Palm Beach, Fla. Florida prosecutors will try to save their prostitution solicitation case against New England Patriots owner Kraft when they argue before an appellate court Tuesday, June 30, 2020, that his rights weren't violated when police secretly video recorded him allegedly paying for sex at a massage parlor. (Lannis Waters/The Palm Beach Post via AP, Pool, File)
Patriots owner's prostitution case heads to appellate court

By Terry Spencer Jun. 29, 2020 01:33 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 file photo, Houston Texans running back Karan Higdon (31) carries the ball during a joint NFL training camp football practice with the Detroit Lions in Houston. The NFL still plans to hold training camps on time beginning in late July, though contingency plans are in place. Hours after the league canceled the Hall of Fame game that kicks off the preseason, the 32 team owners on Thursday, June 25, 2020 were updated on a variety of issues, many dealing with working through the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
NFL training camps still on original schedule for late July

By Barry Wilner Jun. 25, 2020 02:31 PM EDT

Titans lure Birch from NFL office, add 2 other executives

Jun. 25, 2020 11:03 AM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have lured Adolpho Birch away from the NFL office to join their front office and hired two other new executives. ...

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos wide receiver Trinity Benson (2) can't catch a pass under pressure from Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jayson Stanley (23) during the second half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game in Canton, Ohio. The NFL has canceled the Hall of Fame game that traditionally opens the preseason and is delaying the 2020 induction ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic, two people with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday, June 25, 2020. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been publicly announced, though an announcement is expected later Thursday. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL cancels Hall of Fame game, delays inductions until 2021

By Barry Wilner Jun. 25, 2020 10:16 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football quarterback Tom Brady, far right, is seen along with other players during a private workout Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Fla. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Brady continues group workouts despite NFLPA recommendation

Jun. 23, 2020 03:31 PM EDT

Raiders staff finally gets together in new Nevada facility

Jun. 23, 2020 01:08 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Raiders finally are settled in Las Vegas. At least partially. The team was able to open its new...

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Detroit Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford watches prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, in Denver. Martha Firestone Ford is stepping down as principal owner of the Detroit Lions. The Lions announced Tuesday, June 23, 2020, that Ford's daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, is taking over as the team's principal owner and chairman. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Ford stepping down as Lions owner, daughter taking over

By Larry Lage Jun. 23, 2020 10:56 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz. Scared he jeopardized his NFL career when police found a small amount of marijuana in his car during a traffic stop, Hunt, who served an eight-game league suspension last season for physical altercations while with Kansas City, said Monday, June 22, 2020, that he's grateful the Browns have stood by him.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Browns' Hunt 'blessed' for another chance after traffic stop

By Tom Withers Jun. 22, 2020 02:27 PM EDT

Patriots: Fans at COVID risk can skip 2020, come back in '21

By Jimmy Golen Jun. 19, 2020 04:40 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots are offering season ticket holders at an elevated risk of COVID-19 infection the chance to skip the 2020...

NFL Network, RedZone goes dark on DISH Network, Sling TV

Jun. 19, 2020 01:33 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — NFL Network and NFL RedZone went dark on DISH Network and Sling TV Thursday night as both sides try to reach a new distribution agreement. ...