Utah coach says team was shaken after experiencing racist hate during NCAA Tournament
SPOKANE, Wash. — Utah coach Lynne Roberts said her team experienced a series of “racial hate crimes” after arriving at its first NCAA Tournament hotel and was forced to change accommodations during the event for safety concerns.
Why did the NFL change the kickoff rule and how will it be implemented?
NFL owners were busy this week, approving a series of rule changes that address player safety, overhaul the kickoff and expand the use of instant replay.
No. 1 UConn begins title defense by cruising past Stetson 91-52 in NCAA Tournament
NEW YORK — Donovan Clingan scored 19 points and Cam Spencer added 15 as top-seeded UConn began defense of its national championship by cruising past 16th-seeded Stetson 91-52 Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
March Madness: ‘There’s something pure about Jack Gohlke,’ Oakland’s masterful 3-point shooter
PITTSBURGH — The shots at times looked crazy. Maybe some of them were crazy. Off balance. Deep. Double-teamed. Hand in his face. Hand on his back. Off flares. Off curls. Spotted up. On the run.
After whistle hastens Samford’s exit from March Madness, the referee could be next
SALT LAKE CITY — The referee who blew the critical whistle that worked against Samford at the end of its loss to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament might be following the Bulldogs straight out of town.
DC attorney general argues NHL’s Capitals, NBA’s Wizards must play in Washington through 2047
WASHINGTON — The attorney general for the District of Columbia contends that the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals are obligated to play their games in the downtown arena through 2047, the city’s latest salvo to keep the teams from leaving.
No. 1 seed South Carolina women blow past Presbyterian 91-39 to begin March Madness run
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Chloe Kitts wanted to improve her confidence heading into the NCAA Tournament. She likely gave everyone who picked South Carolina to win it plenty of good feelings going forward.
Reese, LSU overcome sloppy play to top Rice 70-60 in women’s NCAA tournament’s first round
BATON ROUGE, La. — Angel Reese had 10 points and 19 rebounds, and third-seeded LSU overcame a feisty performance by No. 14 seed Rice for a 70-60 victory on Friday in the first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
‘Every shot matters to someone.’ Basketball fans revel in, and bet on, March Madness tournament
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — This is the best time of the year for Mark Bawers: Day after day of uninterrupted college basketball, all of it consequential.
NFL retirees who say the league’s disability plan is a sham can proceed to trial
PHILADELPHIA — A lawsuit accusing the NFL’s disability plan of violating its duty to retired players by routinely denying valid injury claims can proceed to trial on most counts, a federal judge in Maryland has ruled.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasts 1 inning in Dodgers debut, gives up 5 runs to Padres
SEOUL, South Korea — Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted just one inning in his Los Angeles Dodgers’ debut after signing a record $325 million, 12-year contract, giving up five runs to the San Diego Padres in a 15-11 loss on Thursday night.
First day of March Madness yields upsets and blowouts
The first rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball championship began Thursday.
Monson’s boss says timing of ouster at Long Beach State was designed to inspire March Madness run
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Long Beach State’s athletic director said the timing of his decision to part with coach Dan Monson was done with the hope it might trigger the exact run that led the team on its unexpected trip to March Madness.
In Japan, Ohtani’s ‘perfect person’ image could take a hit with firing of interpreter over gambling
SEOUL, South Korea — Shohei Ohtani is referred to in Japan as “kanpeki no hito” — the perfect person — because of his manners and impeccable behavior.
No explosives found at Seoul stadium in police search following bomb threat against Ohtani
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean police said they’ve found no explosives at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome after searching the site Wednesday following a reported bomb threat against Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
NFL competition committee proposes a ban on hip-drop tackles and a radical change to kickoffs
The NFL competition committee is proposing a rule to penalize so-called “hip-drop” tackles and a radical change to kickoffs to add more returns without compromising safety.
Paris Olympics soccer draw: United States women face Germany and Australia. Men meet France
PARIS (AP) — The United States women’s soccer team will face Germany and Australia at the Paris Olympics when incoming coach Emma Hayes looks to get off to a flying start in the job.
Jimmy Garoppolo discloses reason for PED suspension, expresses excitement at fresh start with Rams
LOS ANGELES — After seven seasons of success and setbacks as a starting NFL quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo decided it was time to take a step back to recharge his career.
ESPN will remain the home of the College Football Playoff through 2031 under $7.8 billion deal
The College Football Playoff and ESPN announced a $7.8 billion deal Tuesday that will give the network exclusive rights to the expanded postseason through the 2031 season, with the national championship game moving to ABC starting in 2026.
The Rams sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo to back up Matthew Stafford; add safety Kamren Curl
LOS ANGELES — Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has signed with the Los Angeles Rams as the backup to Matthew Stafford.