i Page 397 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Nasa Hataoka kicks off LPGA season with Tournament of Champions lead
Nasa Hataoka of Japan racked up seven birdies to open the LPGA season in style, setting the first-round lead at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Thursday in Orlando, Fla.,Hataoka rolled in consecutive birdies at Nos. 10-11 and 15-16 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club to head to th...

Villanova, Providence each look to move past difficult UConn losses
Villanova and Providence each recently showed that they can hang with the big boys of the Big East.,After both teams nearly defeated No. 2 UConn within the last week, the Wildcats and visiting Friars square off Friday.,Due to a scheduling quirk, both Villanova and Providence enter this one immediate...

Falcons complete 2nd GM interview with Ian Cunningham
The Atlanta Falcons completed a second interview with Ian Cunningham for their general manager position, the team announced on Thursday., ,Cunningham, 40, has spent the past four seasons (2022-25) with the Chicago Bears as assistant general manager. Before that, he spent five seasons with the Philad...

Mets sign Craig Kimbrel, Austin Barnes to minors deals
The New York Mets signed reliever Craig Kimbrel and catcher Austin Barnes to minor league contracts on Thursday with invitations to spring training.,Terms were not disclosed, but The Athletic previously reported that Kimbrel will earn a base salary of $2.5 million if he makes the major league roster...

Alexander Volkanovski returns home to defend UFC title vs. Diego Lopes
The UFC returns to Sydney on Saturday with a featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in the night's main event from Qudos Bank Arena to top a 14-fight card., ,Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) is making his first defense of his title after regaining it last April aga...

Bengals WR Tee Higgins added to Pro Bowl roster
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has replaced the Baltimore Ravens' Zay Flowers on the AFC roster for the Pro Bowl Games.,Higgins, who was a second alternate, collects his first Pro Bowl honor after wide receiver Flowers, selected for two consecutive seasons, opted out.,In their fourth y...

Grand Slam Track files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing $40m in debts
Grand Slam Track filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a court filing last week, citing more than $40 million in debts and less than $1 million in total assets.,The league, led by four-time Olympic gold-medalist sprinter Michael Johnson who serves as the commissioner, claimed it would treat ...

No. 21 Saint Louis faces Dayton, seeking 15th straight win
Nearing the halfway mark of conference play, No. 21 Saint Louis is well on its way to having the best season by an Atlantic 10 team since Dayton's 29-2 campaign in 2019-20. ,The Billikens look to continue their dominance on Friday when they host the Flyers.,Saint Louis (20-1, 8-0 A-10) won its 14th ...

No. 3 Michigan, No. 7 Michigan State put win streaks on line
It promises to be a Big Ten showdown of epic proportions when No. 3 Michigan visits No. 7 Michigan State on Friday night at East Lansing, Mich.,The Wolverines (19-1) and Spartans (19-2) are part of a three-way tie for first (9-1) in conference play along with No. 5 Nebraska.,Michigan State has won i...

Josh Allen on crutches as Bills introduce coach Joe Brady
Josh Allen was sporting crutches and a walking boot as the Buffalo Bills introduced Joe Brady as their new head coach on Thursday in Orchard Park, N.Y.,Allen underwent surgery to repair the fifth metatarsal in his right foot Monday. The operation likely will require an eight-to-10-week recovery time...

Two Broncos among finalists for new Protector Award
Two Denver Broncos offensive linemen were among the six finalists announced Thursday for the NFL's inaugural Protector of the Year Award.,Denver left tackle Garrett Bolles and right guard Quinn Meinerz are joined by Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, Detroi...

USWNT great Crystal Dunn retires from soccer at 33
Decorated defender Crystal Dunn announced her retirement from soccer on Thursday at age 33.,The U.S. Women's National Team great won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2024 Olympic gold medal.,The three-time NWSL champion, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, made the announcement through a...

Stars to host Golden Knights in 2027 Stadium Series at AT&T Stadium
The Vegas Golden Knights will be the Dallas Stars' opponent for the previously announced 2027 Stadium Series game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the NHL announced Thursday.,The game will be played on Feb. 20 and broadcast on ABC at the retractable-roof venue which can have a capacity of over 1...

Thunder's Luguentz Dort, Pelicans' Jeremiah Fears fined
The NBA fined Thunder guard Luguentz Dort and Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears $25,000 each on Thursday after an on-court altercation.,The incident occurred at the conclusion of Oklahoma City's 104-95 home victory against New Orleans on Tuesday night.,Dort wrapped up Fears after the Pelicans rookie had...

Fox to air record 70 World Cup matches, with 40 in primetime
Fox Sports will air 70 matches and its sister station FS1 will show an additional 34 of the games being played in the 2026 World Cup, the networks announced Thursday.,Those matches are the 104 to be contested in what is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams. They will total 304 hours of live cover...

EWCF commits $45M to inaugural Esports Nations Cup
More details emerged on Thursday about the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,The competition will run from Nov. 2-29 and includes a $45 million commitment from the Saudi-backed Esports World Cup Foundation.,That total includes $20 million in prize money paid directly to pla...

Senegal, Morocco fined, bans issued for AFCON incident
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been suspended for five matches and fined $100,000 for "unsporting conduct" after he told his team to leave the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.,The Confederation of African Football levied the punishment to Thiaw on Thursday as well as ...

Tennis Australia boss on player privacy concerns: 'We've heard you'
Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed Thursday that he has heard several players' pleas for privacy away from the court.,Tiley's comments on Tennis Channel Live in Melbourne came on the heels of third-seeded Coco Gauff frustratingly smashing her racket on...

Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez signs 7-year deal through 2032
The Cleveland Guardians signed seven-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez to a new seven-year contract that runs through the 2032 season.,The club did not announce the financial terms on Thursday but multiple reports earlier this month placed the value at $175 million, or $25 million per season ...

Earthquakes sign German striker Timo Werner
The San Jose Earthquakes acquired forward Timo Werner from Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig on a permanent transfer Thursday and signed him to a designated player contract through June 2028. ,San Jose acquired the German international's "discovery priority" from Red Bull New York for $50,000 in 2026...