Auto-racing (top)
In The Pits: Mayfield's last chance for resolution
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jeremy Mayfield will go head-to-head with NASCAR this week in what very well may be his last shot at racing again this season.
George replaced as head of Indy speedway
INDIANAPOLIS - Tony George's tenure as the leader of U.S. open-wheel racing and its biggest stage, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was marked by tumultuous changes. Now George himself is being replaced _ at the behest of a board led by his mother.
Weber won't call last 2 NASCAR races on TNT
ATLANTA - Play-by-play announcer Bill Weber will not call the last two races of TNT's NASCAR coverage.
Judge lifts suspension, says Mayfield can race
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Two months after a positive drug test for methamphetamines, Jeremy Mayfield is getting ready to return to NASCAR.
NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees a who's who of stars
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Stock car racing giants ranging from Bill France Sr. and Junior Johnson to Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt are among the 25 nominees for NASCAR's first Hall of Fame class.
'Marked' man Mayfield in for quite a fight
When NASCAR people talked about the need for speed, methamphetamines weren't part of the conversation.
Mayfield misses deadline to enter car at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jeremy Mayfield missed the deadline to enter this weekend's race after successfully fighting NASCAR to get back behind the wheel following a failed random drug test.
Bulgaria hopes to secure F1 race in 2011
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Bulgaria is hoping to strike a deal that would allow the Balkan country to host a Formula One grand prix in 2011.
Milwaukee Mile track faces uncertain future
MILWAUKEE - The historic Milwaukee Mile racetrack faces an uncertain future with its promoters behind on payments due to NASCAR and the Indy Racing League.
France defends NASCAR's drug policy
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Brian France defended NASCAR's drug testing policy as the toughest in professional sports, despite a federal judge's ruling that overturned driver Jeremy Mayfield's suspension.
Baseball (top)
Report: MLB loans millions to Rangers owner
NEW YORK - Major League Baseball has loaned millions to Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks, Yahoo! reported.
Padres expected to extend Black's contract
SAN DIEGO - It looks like Padres manager Bud Black is going to get a contract extension.
Report: Clemens didn't test positive in 2003
NEW YORK - Roger Clemens' lawyer says the pitcher was not among the more than 100 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.
High Desert's McOwen hits in 40th straight game
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - High Desert's James McOwen has extended his hitting streak to 40 games with a single in the ninth inning of a 6-4 loss at Rancho Cucamonga.
Report: Clemens didn't test positive in 2003
NEW YORK - Roger Clemens' lawyer says the pitcher was not among the more than 100 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.
Mystery surrounds missing Cuban pitcher
AMSTERDAM - A Cuban pitcher considered by many baseball scouts to be the No. 1 left-handed prospect in the world left his hotel and vanished before the first ball was thrown at a tournament in the Netherlands, leaving his whereabouts a mystery, a spokesman for the Dutch team said Friday.
Mariners activate RHP Shawn Kelley
BOSTON - The Seattle Mariners have activated right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Mike Carp to Triple-A Tacoma.
Mariners activate RHP Shawn Kelley
BOSTON - The Seattle Mariners have activated right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Mike Carp to Triple-A Tacoma.
Reds put IF Richar on DL, activate IF Encarnacion
CINCINNATI - The Reds activated third baseman Edwin Encarnacion from the 60-day disabled list Friday to replace infielder Danny Richar, who went on the 15-day disabled list with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Wrist injury sends Braves' 2B Johnson to DL
WASHINGTON - Struggling Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with right wrist tendinitis.
APNewsBreak: Target Field to open April 12
NEW YORK - Target Field has a target date.
Red Sox pitcher Dice-K's going to Florida
BOSTON - Boston right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will head to Florida on Monday to begin a spring training-like strengthening program that the Red Sox hope will get him back to the big leagues later this season.
Phillies designate Taschner for assignment
PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies have purchased the contract of right-hander Rodrigo Lopez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and cleared a roster spot by designating reliever Jack Taschner for assignment.
Basketball (top)
Rockets' Yao to wait week before surgery decision
BEIJING - Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot.
Source: Rockets agree on multiyear deal with Ariza
HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
Reports: Turkoglu headed to Toronto Raptors
TORONTO - Free agent Hedo Turkoglu will join the Toronto Raptors after spurning the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple reports.
Phil Jackson says he'll return to coach Lakers
LOS ANGELES - Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season, getting a clean bill of health following a record championship season.
AP Source: Pistons land FAs Gordon and Villanueva
DETROIT - The Detroit Pistons wanted to add talent and get younger this offseason.
Candace Parker to resume playing for LA Sparks
LOS ANGELES - Candace Parker is returning to action for the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday when they host the Phoenix Mercury.
US into second round at U-19 basketball worlds
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Seth Curry scored 12 points to lead the United States to a 71-55 victory over France on Friday, sending the Americans into the second round of the FIBA under-19 world junior basketball championships.
Phoenix police: Mercury's Taurasi cited for DUI
PHOENIX - Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi said Friday that she's embarrassed after being cited for drunken driving a few hours after she helped lead her team to victory over the Seattle Storm.
Report: Celtics offer Wallace a contract
BOSTON - The Boston Celtics have offered forward Rasheed Wallace a contract as part of a major push to land the coveted forward, according to a published report on Friday.
Boxing (top)
College (top)
NC State's Irving recovering after crash, surgery
RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina State linebacker Nate Irving is recovering from surgery after being hurt in a car crash.
Arkansas linebacker dismissed after DUI arrest
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas linebacker Khiry Battle has been dismissed from the team after a weekend arrest on a charge of driving under the influence.
Kentucky seeks to move Billy Gillispie lawsuit
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Kentucky Athletics Association says former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie has sued the wrong people and in the wrong place.
Texas LB treated for concussion after crash
AUSTIN, Texas - An attorney for Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle says the senior was treated for a concussion after crashing his car into an Austin apartment building last week.
No LA for Coach K, but another Olympics could work
Everybody wants to be wanted. And then there's Mike Krzyzewski.
Art Venegas leaves as UCLA men's track coach
LOS ANGELES - Art Venegas is out as UCLA's men's track and field coach after 10 years.
Strasburg wins Dick Howser Trophy
LUBBOCK, Texas - Former San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Washington Nationals last month, has been selected as the winner of the Dick Howser Trophy as college baseball's player of the year.
NCAA denies Kelvin Sampson appeal
INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA is finished with the latest Kelvin Sampson saga.
Ohio State AD to lead men's hoops committee
INDIANAPOLIS - Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith has been appointed chairman of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee for 2010-11.
Senate to hold hearing on college football's BCS
WASHINGTON - The Senate plans to hold a hearing next week looking into antitrust issues surrounding the Bowl Championship Series. It's the second time this year that Congress is shining a light on the polarizing system college football uses to crown its national champion.
Football (top)
Bills owner in no hurry to add games in Toronto
GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich. - Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is in no hurry to have his team play more than one annual regular-season game in Toronto.
NFL players put the heavy in metal
DALLAS - Marc Colombo lowers his bald head and leans his sweaty, 6-foot-8, 318-pound frame toward the microphone, growling to the crowd that the next song will "rip your face off."
Eagles, McCoy agree to terms on 4-year deal
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a four-year deal with second-round draft choice LeSean McCoy on Monday.
Report on Ky. player death: Coach followed rules
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A school system report released Wednesday on the heat-related death of a football player concluded a Louisville coach and his staff did not break any high school athletic rules, and found evidence the sophomore was ill with a headache and other symptoms before the practice.
Fla. judge won't release Stallworth crash video
MIAMI - A judge refused Thursday to release surveillance video depicting the moment a car driven by Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian in a drunk-driving crash.
Wash. state Ryan Leaf case dismissed
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A lawyer for Ryan Leaf says a fugitive action filed against the former NFL quarterback in Washington state has been dismissed.
Jets' Pace suspended by NFL for 4 games
NEW YORK - The NFL suspended Jets linebacker Calvin Pace for four games without pay Thursday for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Vick bankruptcy plan offers more to creditors
NORFOLK, Va. - Michael Vick's revised bankruptcy plan would funnel more of his future pay to his creditors and ensure that they receive a portion of his earnings even if the suspended NFL star doesn't return to the league.
Chiefs sign 5th-round pick Colin Brown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs have signed their fifth-round draft pick, offensive tackle Colin Brown.
Jaguars trade Northcutt to Lions for Alexander
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars have traded receiver Dennis Northcutt to the Detroit Lions for safety Gerald Alexander.
NFL coaches visit troops in Iraq in first USO trip
The soldiers expressed their gratitude over and over to the NFL coaches who made the trip to Iraq.
New league will consider signing Vick
NEW YORK - When the United Football League debuts in October, Michael Vick could be one of its players.
Golf (top)
Defending champ pulls out of Farr
SYLVANIA, Ohio - Defending champion Paula Creamer has withdrawn from the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic because of an injured left thumb.
Kim reaches 1-year anniversary of last win
BETHESDA, Md. - Anthony Kim pressed a cell phone against his ear as he listened to Tiger Woods, the tournament host of the AT&T National, congratulate him on another impressive victory that seemed to mark the arrival of America's next great golfer.
Tour to go ahead with groove changes
BETHESDA, Md. - PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem didn't have to spin this one. He made it clear Tuesday that the tour will go along next year with a new rule that changes the grooves in irons and wedges.
Woods to play exhibition to help Begay charity
BETHESDA, Md. - Tiger Woods is helping out longtime friend Notah Begay III, agreeing to play in his charity Skins Game at Turning Stone Resort next month to support Native American youth.
Hockey (top)
Blackhawks sign veteran center John Madden
CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks have signed John Madden, a center who has spent his entire 10-year career with the New Jersey Devils.
Canucks land free-agent winger Mikael Samuelsson
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Free agent forward Mikael Samuelsson signed a three-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.
Coyotes sign Heshka to 1-year contract
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Phoenix Coyotes signed defenseman Shaun Heshka to a one-year contract Friday.
Bruins' Recchi: Likely his last season in NHL
BOSTON - Mark Recchi wants one last chance to be a Stanley Cup champ again.
Penguins agree on 1-year deal with Fedotenko
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with forward Ruslan Fedotenko, who joined the team a year ago as a free agent.
Soccer (top)
Brazil peaking just chasing sixth World Cup title
JOHANNESBURG - The first World Cup to be staged in Africa looks likely to have a familiar winner.
Blatter praises Confed Cup, but problems persist
JOHANNESBURG - FIFA president Sepp Blatter gave Confederations Cup organizers an encouraging grade of 7.5 out of 10 on Monday while stressing work remains on transportation and housing for next year's World Cup.
Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid completed
LONDON - Cristiano Ronaldo's world-record transfer to Real Madrid from Manchester United has been completed.
Brazil moves to top of FIFA rankings; US at No. 12
ZURICH - Brazil has ended Spain's one-year reign as the world's top soccer team and the United States moved up two spots to No. 12.
Blissfully bleary US returns for CONCACAF Gold Cup
TUKWILA, Wash. - Bob Bradley was walking off the practice field toward the team bus when a father stopped the coach of the United States national team with a cheerful yell from a playground.
Former Romanian soccer player says he was informer
BUCHAREST, Romania - A former captain of Romania's national soccer team said he was an informer for the country's secret police during the regime of the late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
New guidelines approved to stop soccer racism
LONDON - European soccer authorities have approved new guidelines for referees to act against racism in stadiums. The governing body also says games could be called off because of offensive chants.
Donovan: Beckham has become a bad teammate
NEW YORK - David Beckham has become a bad teammate on the Los Angeles Galaxy, according to Landon Donovan.
US excited to have chance to play Brazil in final
JOHANNESBURG - Landon Donovan remembers the first time he played the Brazilians, when his under-23 team trudged off the field, victims of a 7-0 thrashing.
CONMEBOL says Copa final on despite swine flu
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Next week's first-leg match in the finals of the Copa Libertadores will go ahead in Argentina despite a swine flu outbreak that is blamed in the deaths of at least 44 people in the country.
Kaka ushers in latest Real Madrid era
MADRID - With the crowd chanting his name, Kaka received a roaring welcome Tuesday when he was introduced at his new home of Real Madrid before at least 50,000 fans.
Tennis (top)
Roddick, Blake, Bryans on US Davis Cup team
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - James Blake is joining Andy Roddick and the Bryan brothers on the U.S. Davis Cup team that will play Croatia in next month's quarterfinals.
Wimbledon officials play down flu fears
WIMBLEDON, England - Wimbledon officials played down swine flu fears Monday after four ball boys and girls were asked to remain home because of flu symptoms.
Venus faces lil' sis Serena in 4th Wimbledon final
WIMBLEDON, England - Venus Williams is just about the perfect older sibling: She supports Serena endlessly, protects her fiercely and even lets her pick which bedroom she wants when they're on the road. Where does Venus draw the line? At Grand Slam championships. The sisters face each other again in a major final, meeting Saturday for the Wimbledon title for the fourth time.
Ivanovic needs 1-2 weeks of rest for thigh injury
WIMBLEDON, England - Ana Ivanovic will rest for one to two weeks to recover from a thigh injury that forced her to quit her fourth-round Wimbledon match against Venus Williams.
Nadal left off Spain team for Davis Cup
LONDON - Top-ranked Rafael Nadal was left off Spain's team for the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday because of sore knees.
