State governments
Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves reacts Saturday, July 21, 1973, in Atlanta after hitting 700th career home run against the Philadelphia Phillies. (AP Photo)
Aaron's death prompts call to change name: Braves to Hammers

By Paul Newberry Jan. 23, 2021 02:29 PM EST

New York considers allowing some fans at Bills playoff game

By Marina Villeneuve And John Wawrow Dec. 23, 2020 03:35 PM EST
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York health commissioner is considering whether to allow 6,700 fans to attend a rare Buffalo Bills home playoff game if all...

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) in the bench area during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jags have plenty to offer in search for new general manager

By Mark Long Nov. 30, 2020 04:18 PM EST

Louisville fans sit socially distant during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Charlottesville, Va. (Erin Edgerton/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Latest: No. 15 Marshall postpones game vs Charlotte

By The Associated Press Nov. 16, 2020 11:18 AM EST

A fan wearing face mask to protect against coronavirus waits for the start of the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Sweden at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
The Latest: NFL's Washington team not yet allowing fans

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2020 12:27 PM EDT

Seats are empty due to the coronavirus orders at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, during the ATP bett1HULKS Indoors tennis match between Germany's Alexander Zverev and Spain's Fernando Verdasco, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. Zverev won the match 6-4, 6-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Latest: Md. allowing up to 10% capacity at NFL stadiums

By The Associated Press Oct. 16, 2020 03:15 PM EDT

Panthers owner frustrated over not having fans at NFL opener

By Steve Reed Sep. 02, 2020 07:01 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers owner David Tepper expressed frustration with government officials over not allowing fans in the stadium for the team’s Sept....

A Herriman player wear a mask during a high school football against Davis on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Herriman, Utah. Utah is among the states going forward with high school football this fall despite concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that led other states and many college football conferences to postpone games in hopes of instead playing in the spring. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Latest: Texas A&M to have reduced capacity for football

By The Associated Press Aug. 18, 2020 12:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, right, and his wife Dee Haslam walk to the playing field before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland. Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam will stand in support of quarterback Baker Mayfield and any other Cleveland players who kneel during the national anthem this season. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns owners support Mayfield choice to kneel during anthem

By Tom Withers Aug. 16, 2020 04:01 PM EDT

Native American advocate Carl Moore sits near the phrase "We Bleed These Colors" along a walkway which leads from the Bountiful High School parking lot up to the football field Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Bountiful, Utah. While advocates have made strides in getting Native American symbols and names changed in sports, they say there's still work to do mainly at the high school level, where mascots like Braves, Indians, Warriors, Chiefs and Redskins persist. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Native mascots still a sticking point in high school sports

By Sophia Eppolito And Felicia Fonseca Aug. 09, 2020 11:11 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 12, 2020, file photo, Miami Marlins' Jonathan Villar, left, Jesus Aguilar, center, and Jon Berti wait to bat during a baseball scrimmage at Marlins Park in Miami. Marlins CEO Derek Jeter blamed the team's coronavirus outbreak on a collective false sense of security that made players lax about social distancing and wearing masks. Infected were 21 members of the team's traveling party, including at least 18 players. None is seriously ill, Jeter said Monday, and he expects all to return this season. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
The Latest: AP Source: divisions to decide NCAA fall champs

By The Associated Press Aug. 04, 2020 12:27 PM EDT

Bears cancel season ticket packages due to COVID-19 pandemic

Jul. 24, 2020 01:48 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears canceled season ticket packages on Friday because they’re not sure how many fans — if any — will be allowed at...

Nathan Chen with coach Raf Arutunian learn Chen's score after his the men's senior free skate program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Lynn Hey)
The Latest: SWAC postpones fall sports, eyes spring football

By The Associated Press Jul. 20, 2020 05:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2009 file photo, the Washington Redskins logo is shown on the field before the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Landover, Md. 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/Nick Wass, File)
Maryland governor: Probably time to change Redskins name

By Brian Witte Jul. 08, 2020 06:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, AFC quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens signs autographs for fans during Pro Bowl NFL football practice in Kissimmee, Fla. Lamar Jackson announced he will hold his annual “Funday with LJ” event in Florida amid the state's spike in coronavirus cases. Jackson's third annual event will be held Saturday and Sunday in his hometown of Pompano Beach, Florida, according to a flyer shared on his Instagram page Monday, July 6, 2020. Social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people is currently not allowed in Pompano Beach, according to the city’s website.(AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
Ravens quarterback to hold Florida social event amid virus

Jul. 07, 2020 08:50 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2017, file photo, football fans toss footballs on the lawn outside the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will reopen Wednesday, June 10, 2020, after nearly a three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Pro Football Hall of Fame to reopen on Wednesday

Jun. 09, 2020 01:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2019, file photo, Oklahoma State linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga poses during an NCAA college football media day in Stillwater Okla. Oklahoma State University officials said Wednesday, June 3, 2020, that three returning student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 although they were not showing symptoms. Among them is OSU linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, who said on Twitter he tested positive for the virus after he attended a protest in Tulsa. The 21-year-old Ogbongbemiga says he protected himself during the protest. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
The Latest: Detroit Pistons set to reopen practice facility

By The Associated Press Jun. 03, 2020 01:38 PM EDT

The gates of St. Edwards' Lewis-Chen Family Soccer Field are locked and marked closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Austin, Texas. In response to the economic impact of COVID-19, St. Edwards says they are cutting cut six sports programs including men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf and men's soccer. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Latest: Massachusetts Gov. Baker OKs pro team practices

By The Associated Press May. 29, 2020 03:44 PM EDT

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, seated toward center, and city of Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson, seated left, along with various state government representatives, host a news conference regarding the area's coronavirus situation, Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at City Hall, in Amarillo, Texas. (David Gay/Amarillo Globe-News via AP)
The Latest: Iowa AD looking at different football scenarios

By The Associated Press May. 28, 2020 01:27 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 8, 2020, file photo, an empty Parkview Field minor league baseball stadium is shown in downtown Fort Wayne, Ind. Unlike the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball that can run on television revenue, it's impossible for some minor sports leagues in North America to go on in empty stadiums and arenas in light of the coronavirus pandemic. These attendance-driven leagues might not play again at all in 2020, putting some teams in danger of surviving at all and potentially changing the landscape of minor league sports in the future. (Mike Moore/The Journal-Gazette via AP, File)
The Latest: Kansas athletics facing imposing budget woes

By The Associated Press May. 27, 2020 02:15 PM EDT