Sports governance
Football fans watch the action on wall-mounted video screens in the sports betting lounge at the Ocean Resort Casino, Sept. 9, 2018, in Atlantic City, N.J. On April 15, 2021, the NFL announced it has reached deals with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel to become official sports betting partners of the league, sharing content and data. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
NFL inks sports bet deals with Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings

By Wayne Parry Apr. 15, 2021 09:10 PM EDT

Ottawa receiver Jazlyn Camacho (15) makes a catches while covered by Midland defender E'leseana Patterson (16) during an NAIA flag football game in Ottawa, Kan., Friday, March 26, 2021. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics introduced women's flag football as an emerging sport this spring. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Following their passion, women go far to play flag football

By Eric Olson Apr. 06, 2021 03:54 PM EDT

FILE — Alina Balasoiu, a student at Lamar High School, walks back to school after playing in a soccer game in the fields behind the school in this file photograph taken March 31, 2015. Colorado lawmakers are considering a proposal to ban Native American mascots in public schools and colleges. the state Senate Education Committee is scheduled to discuss a measure Thursday, April 1, 2021 that would impose a $25,000 monthly fine on public schools, colleges and universities that continue to use an American Indian-themed mascot after June 1, 2022. (RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via The AP)
Colorado is latest to weigh ban on Native American mascots

By Patty Nieberg Apr. 01, 2021 01:53 PM EDT

Hannah Gordon, chief administrative officer and general counsel for the San Francisco 49ers is photographed at the team's headquarters on May 14, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. During Women’s History Month, Gordon reflects on how she navigated a male-dominated space and where the sports world needs to go from here. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group via AP)
AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity

By Ragan Clark Mar. 29, 2021 05:37 PM EDT

Mark Baltz honored for 25-year career by NFL Referees group

Mar. 25, 2021 04:56 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Football League Referees Association has named Mark Baltz its 2021 Annual Honoree for his 25-year career as an official and...

FILE - Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder walks off the field before the start of an NFL football game against Dallas Cowboys in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. Dan Snyder is buying out the Washington Football Team's minority owners and will become the sole owner of the club. An NFL spokesman confirmed Snyder's application for a debt waiver of $450 million was approved by the finance committee and that the deal is pending approval from owners. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Snyder to buy out other Washington owners, pending approval

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 24, 2021 10:32 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. A 14th woman has filed a lawsuit accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment. The claims in the latest suit, which was filed late Monday, March 22, 2021, in a Harris County state district court, are similar to those in the earlier cases. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
Lawyer: Texans QB's assault suits followed blackmail attempt

By Juan A. Lozano Mar. 23, 2021 11:52 AM EDT

Vikings lose 7th-rounder, execs fined, for '19 cap violation

Mar. 19, 2021 07:14 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings will forfeit their seventh-round selection in the draft this year for a collective bargaining agreement salary cap...

Ex-NFL player facing felony traffic case after Vegas crash

Mar. 19, 2021 04:44 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former NFL player was arrested after allegedly driving away from a crash, abandoning his vehicle and leaving his injured passenger at a...

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. Watson has been sued by four more women who accuse him of sexual assault and harassments. The lawsuits were filed Thursday night, March 18, 2021, hours after the NFL said it was investigating earlier allegations by three massage therapists who said the quarterback sexually assaulted them during massages. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
4 more women sue Texans QB Watson alleging sex assault

Mar. 19, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. New Houston Texans coach David Culley reiterated Thursday, March 11, 2021, that the team has no intention of trading Watson, despite the star quarterback’s request to be dealt. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
NFL reviewing sex assault claims against Texans QB Watson

By Jake Bleiberg Mar. 18, 2021 01:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 file photo, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) reacts to a play during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Glendale, Ariz. The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million with eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson on Wednesday March 17, 2021 according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.(AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
AP source: Vikings agree to deal with CB Patrick Peterson

By Dave Campbell Mar. 17, 2021 10:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 22, 2020, file photo, Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs for his second touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver. Gordon will likely avoid NFL discipline after his drunken driving charge was dismissed and he pleaded guilty in Denver County Court on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, to lesser charges of excessive speeding and reckless driving. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
DUI charge dismissed against Broncos running back Gordon

Mar. 10, 2021 12:31 PM EST

FILE - Indiana head coach Teri Moren looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland in College Park, Md., in this Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, file photo. This week, No. 9 Indiana begins a new quest — dethroning No. 7 Maryland as tourney champs in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Hoosiers begin next quest by chasing Big Ten Tourney title

By Michael Marot Mar. 08, 2021 03:09 PM EST

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najeh Davenport (44) sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, file photo. A federal judge on Monday, March 8, 2021, dismissed a lawsuit that challenged “race-norming” in dementia tests for retired NFL players, a practice that some say makes it harder for Black athletes to show injury and qualify for awards. Davenport was denied an award but would have qualified had they been white, according to their lawsuit. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Judge tosses suit over 'race-norming' in NFL dementia tests

By Maryclaire Dale Mar. 08, 2021 11:49 AM EST

NFL hires first Black female game official, Maia Chaka

Mar. 05, 2021 10:52 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has hired Maia Chaka as the first Black female official in league history. She will work games during the 2021 season. ...

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans. The last NFL event not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic was the 2020 combine in Indianapolis. A year later, with the 2021 combine canceled, the league has released a list of players who would have merited invitations. From such high-profile quarterbacks as Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields to guys who sat out last season such as Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, there are 323 players from 100 schools. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Despite no combine, NFL releases list of who merited invites

By Barry Wilner Mar. 03, 2021 04:47 PM EST

Commissioner Roger Goodell talks about the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Ex-Washington employees ask NFL to release report findings

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 25, 2021 05:18 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith appears before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. A lawyer for the man who fatally shot former NFL star Will Smith in 2016 said Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 he'll seek the man's release on bond now that a Louisiana appeals court has officially vacated the manslaughter conviction by a non-unanimous jury. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Verdict vacated; bond request next for ex-NFL star's killer

Feb. 23, 2021 06:58 PM EST

Noah Gragson (9), Michael Annett (1), Jeffrey Earnhardt (0), and Ryan Vargas (6) crash coming out of turn 4 as Brandon Gdovic (26) and Stefan Parsons (99) go high to avoid the wreck during the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NFL's Kamara races into NASCAR as a team sponsor at Daytona

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 19, 2021 05:11 PM EST