Sports governance
FILE - Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. NFL officials will meet this week with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson as the league continues to investigate whether he violated its personal-conduct policy, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Monday, May 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Browns' Watson caps busy week as NFL investigation continues

By Tom Withers May. 20, 2022 03:50 PM EDT

In this image provided by Lo van Pham, Lo van Pham, front center, his parents and siblings pose for a photo before the family came to America. Lo van Pham’s journey to the NFL began when he fell in love with sports upon arriving in Texas after living in refugee camps with his family. More than 40 years later, van Pham is set to become the first Asian American to officiate in the NFL. (Lo van Pham/NFL via AP)
Lo van Pham honored to be first Asian American official

By Rob Maaddi May. 19, 2022 01:59 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. Deshaun Watson's going to huddle up the Browns on the beach. Cleveland's new quarterback is treating some of his new offensive teammates to a weekend in the Bahamas to do some bonding and field work. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
AP source: Browns QB Watson to meet with NFL reps in Texas

By Tom Withers May. 16, 2022 01:07 PM EDT

Kentucky Derby entrant Simplification works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Horse racing's new governing body in rush to starting gate

By Beth Harris May. 05, 2022 02:25 PM EDT

FILE - Line judge Robin DeLorenzo gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Michigan State and Rutgers on Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. The NFL has hired 10 new on-field officials, including DeLorenzo becomes the third woman on the NFL’s roster of on-field game officials. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Michigan State at Rutgers 10/9/2021

May. 03, 2022 02:03 PM EDT

First Asian American among NFL's 10 new on-field officials

May. 03, 2022 01:09 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has hired 10 new on-field officials, including the first Asian American to officiate in the league and a former player. Lo van...

FILE - Former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson speaks during the first day of the House of Athlete Scouting Combine in Plantation, Fla., March 3, 2021. The Browns have spoken to an NFL investigator looking into claims by Jackson, who said the team intentionally lost games in 2016 and 2017. Jackson, now coaching at Grambling State, was fired by Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam eight games into the 2018 season with a 3-36-1 record. He has said the team paid him bonuses to lose and that he believes he was set up to fail. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
NFL clears Browns after former coach said team tanked games

By Tom Withers May. 02, 2022 07:12 PM EDT

FILE - Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins looks to the sideline during a timeout in second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Dec. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Cardinals three-time All-Pro receiver Hopkins has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Cards' Hopkins suspended 6 games for violating PED policy

By David Brandt May. 02, 2022 04:57 PM EDT

FILE - The National Football League logo appears on the 50 yard line for NFL Super Bowl 56 in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. The NFL is telling a judge there are multiple reasons why a lawsuit brought against it by three Black coaches who allege racist hiring practices should fail. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Flores lawyer: Unconscionable for Goodell to arbitrate suit

By Larry Neumeister May. 02, 2022 01:14 PM EDT

FILE - Southern California wide receiver Drake London runs for a touchdown against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Oct. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. London was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL draft Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Falcons draft USC WR London, get much-needed big-play threat

By Charles Odum Apr. 28, 2022 09:25 PM EDT

Wearing a jacket with a painting depicting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Seattle Seahawks fan Wallace Watts records a water show at the Fountains of Bellagio on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Las Vegas, the day before the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Raiders' Waller, Ferrell meet Air Force members before draft

Apr. 28, 2022 01:36 PM EDT

FILE - Dan Snyder, co-owner and co-CEO of the Washington Commanders, poses for photos during an event to unveil the NFL football team's new identity, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. Dan Snyder's ownership of his hometown NFL team in Washington has been full of more controversy than playoff success for more than two decades. Still, the past couple of years have been tumultuous enough to raise the question of how tight Snyder's grip is on the once-storied franchise. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
EXPLAINER: Snyder holds tight grip as owner of Commanders

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 28, 2022 03:12 AM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his touchdown with fans during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns are betting on betting. The team announced a long-term partnership Tuesday, April 26, 2022, with Bally's that will make the gaming leader the official sports betting partner of the NFL team. As as part of the agreement, Bally's will have a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns team with gaming giant Bally's as betting partner

By Tom Withers Apr. 26, 2022 12:34 PM EDT

FILE - Washington Commanders jerseys are displayed at an event to unveil the NFL football team's new identity, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. The NFL's Washington Commanders denied several allegations of financial impropriety in a letter written to the Federal Trade Commission. The 105-page letter including testimony, emails and other documents comes as a response to the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee asking the FTC to look into the team's business practices. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Virginia AG launching investigation into NFL's Commanders

By Sarah Rankin Apr. 25, 2022 08:32 PM EDT

FILE - The National Football League logo appears on the 50 yard line for NFL Super Bowl 56 in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. The NFL is telling a judge there are multiple reasons why a lawsuit brought against it by three Black coaches who allege racist hiring practices should fail. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
NFL gives defense against Black coaches' discrimination suit

By Larry Neumeister Apr. 21, 2022 04:29 PM EDT

Republican rips Democrats for investigation into Commanders

Apr. 21, 2022 12:28 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican on the U.S. House Committee for Oversight and Reform blasted Democrats on Thursday for their investigation into the NFL’s Washington...

FILE - Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson enters a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. Watson's first offseason program with the Cleveland Browns is the first chance for the controversial quarterback to meet new teammates. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Watson embraced by teammates in Browns' offseason program

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2022 06:10 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
QB Watson's legal woes far from over as he reports to Browns

By Juan A. Lozano Apr. 20, 2022 04:50 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson holds his jersey during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Deshaun Watson reports to Browns for first offseason program

By Tom Withers Apr. 19, 2022 10:56 AM EDT

FILE - Former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson speaks during the first day of the House of Athlete Scouting Combine in Plantation, Fla., March 3, 2021. The Browns have spoken to an NFL investigator looking into claims by Jackson, who said the team intentionally lost games in 2016 and 2017. Jackson, now coaching at Grambling State, was fired by Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam eight games into the 2018 season with a 3-36-1 record. He has said the team paid him bonuses to lose and that he believes he was set up to fail. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Browns speak to NFL on 'tanking' claims made by former coach

By Tom Withers Apr. 18, 2022 08:42 PM EDT