A growing number of states are providing tax dollars to university athletics. The move comes as major college sports programs now are paying millions of dollars to athletes. The financial battle for the best athletes has strained many athletic departments, which are now running deficits. North Carolina and Louisiana are earmarking sports betting taxes for their universities. Wisconsin has added money in its state budget for athletic costs at its flagship university. And Connecticut has created a tax credit program to benefit university athletics. Analysts see the state funding efforts as an emerging trend.
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — Max Verstappen has extended his Formula 1 contract with Red Bull to 2030, the team has announced. Verstappen has won four world driving championships since making his debut with the team in 2016 and has 71 Grand Prix victories. The announcement Thursday ahead of Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix this weekend ends speculation he could seek a blockbuster move to another team. It comes despite Red Bull struggling to match the pace of leading team Mercedes this season.
With all the chatter about what value top LIV players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau might bring to the PGA Tour if they choose to return, Rory McIlroy was pointed in a question. He asks what value they have brought to LIV Golf? The rival league is trying to survive without the backing of Saudi money and the future is in doubt. LIV CEO Scott O'Neil says there is a deadline for players to commit to 2027 without saying when it is. Scottie Scheffler is OK with them coming back but under a penalty.
Houston Texans receiver Jayden Higgins is expected to miss the season with a torn ACL, a person with knowledge of his injury tells The Associated Press. Higgins fell awkwardly while running a route during a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday in Houston. Coach DeMeco Ryans said at the time that Higgins was being evaluated for a leg injury. The second-year receiver was expected to team up with No. 1 wideout Nico Collins in the Texans offense led by quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Coventry opens the Premier League season on Friday away to defending champion and title favorite Arsenal. It's a match that would typically be one to fear for a promoted team but it’s purely something to celebrate for Coventry. Over the past 15 years, the club from central England has had to deal with being placed into liquidation amid a long fight with hated owners, plunging into the fourth tier of the English game, and also losing its home. Now Coventry is back in the top division after a 25-year absence and is managed by a great of the English game in Frank Lampard.
GENEVA (AP) — A collection of soccer fan groups from around the world have launched a petition calling for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president after he tried to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The petition also calls for “FIFA to be rebuilt so that the current debacle can never happen again.” The fan groups include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa and, in North America, the Independent Supporters Council, plus about 40 national fan groups worldwide. Infantino’s plan for a commercial spinoff was dropped amid a global backlash.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Peyton Watson is heading from Denver to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade that will also have the Cavaliers sending Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers. A person familiar with the trade said Wednesday night that Watson will sign a four-year contract with the Cavaliers worth $88 million that includes a player option and trade kicker. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. Watson was a restricted free agent who spent his first four NBA seasons with Denver.
NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL and NHLPA say the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers will play two regular season games in Germany next year. The Bruins are set to play in Munich, while the Oilers will play in Cologne during the 2027-28 NHL season. The league aims to grow hockey in Germany by bringing more games to Europe. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says this move will deepen engagement with fans and partners. The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators are already scheduled to play in Düsseldorf in December. The NHL and NHLPA plan to continue bringing games to Germany for at least the next three seasons.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd is set for season-ending surgery on a sore knee that has sidelined this year’s No. 1 overall pick for the past five games. The team says Fudd will have arthroscopic surgery on her right knee next week in Connecticut. That's where she starred for UConn before becoming the Huskies’ second consecutive top overall pick by Dallas. Reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers was the No. 1 choice last year. Fudd was eased into the lineup as a rookie, coming off the bench for the first six games. She scored 24 points in that sixth game and immediately became a full-time starter.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks signed cornerback Trevon Diggs on Wednesday. A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press the contract is expected to be a one-year deal. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the terms hadn’t been announced. Diggs is a two-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in interceptions in 2021 with Dallas. His performance has declined over the last few years, in part because of two major knee surgeries. Diggs gives the Seahawks another option in the secondary. Seattle is hoping to bring in cornerback Terrion Arnold, but his status for 2026 is uncertain because he faces felony charges.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Pittsburgh 4 Detroit 3
Final Minnesota 6 Atlanta 4
Final Chicago White Sox 3 Chicago Cubs 0
Final Arizona 7 Boston 6
Final San Francisco 1 Cleveland 0
Final Seattle 7 Milwaukee 5
Final Washington 6 Texas 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 7 Toronto 6
Final N.Y. Yankees 5 Baltimore 3
Final Kansas City 9 Athletics 7
Final Houston 3 L.A. Angels 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final N.Y. Mets 4 San Diego 2
Final Philadelphia 4 Miami 1
Final Cincinnati 5 St. Louis 4
Final L.A. Dodgers 6 Colorado 4