Kyle Tucker has agreed to a $240 million, four-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, bolstering their chance for a third consecutive World Series championship. A person familiar with the deal confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. When healthy, Tucker is among the best all-around players in the majors. But he has played in just 214 regular-season games over the past two years. He batted .266 with 22 homers and 73 RBIs for the Chicago Cubs last season. He was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Houston in December 2024 that moved slugging prospect Cam Smith to the Astros.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal prosecutors are investigating a major betting scheme involving NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games. The investigation has implicated 26 people, including over a dozen college basketball players who allegedly tried to fix games. Prosecutors say gamblers recruited players with promises of big payments for underperforming. The fixers then bet against the players’ teams, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf calls it an “international criminal conspiracy.” The indictment, filed in Philadelphia, includes bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy charges. The scheme involved more than 39 players from over 17 NCAA Division I teams, affecting more than 29 games.
Ilia Malinin, known as the "Quad God," landed the elusive quad axel jump a few years ago, sparking questions about the future of figure skating. The sport's six main jumps have remained unchanged since the early 1900s, with only the number of revolutions increasing. Malinin's achievement may have reached the limits of human performance, as experts believe a five-revolution jump is impossible. Despite his creativity, like his signature "raspberry twist," the rigid scoring system discourages innovation. Some skaters, like Jason Brown, suggest the next step could be rewarding artistic storytelling rather than extreme athletic feats.
Federal prosecutors have revealed a sprawling scheme to rig college basketball games while yielding big payouts to gamblers. An indictment unsealed Thursday alleges fixers started with two professional games in China before turning their focus to recruiting college players in America. The indictment cites roughly 30 college games impacted by that effort during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Prosecutors say the scheme eventually involved more than 39 players on 17 Division I men’s basketball teams. It comes as the NCAA has spent the past year pursuing its own probes for sports-gambling violations.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has a left oblique injury. Darnold got hurt during Thursday's practice and was listed as questionable for Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, but he said he’s confident he’ll play. Darnold said he felt something in his oblique while throwing passes to receivers with no defenders. The eighth-year quarterback said this is the first time he has dealt with an oblique issue and that he’ll be getting treatment leading up to the game. When asked about his chances of sitting out, Darnold said, “Very low percentage. Probably closer to zero.”
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Madison Keys plans to go quietly into the player tunnel at Rod Laver Arena before the season-opening major to take a photo of her name among the Australian Open champions and send it home to her mom. Almost 12 months after beating Aryna Sabalenka in last year's final, Keys is excited to be returning and trying to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time. She has reflected on the journey, recalling the challenges she faced. Keys became the oldest first-time women's champion at the Australian Open at 29. Despite a mixed year following her win, she's embracing the experience.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco's star linebacker Fred Warner is out for the 49ers' playoff game against Seattle. Warner returned to practice this week after a serious ankle injury in October. Coach Kyle Shanahan initially called it a season-ending injury, but hopes Warner could return if the team advances. The 49ers are also hoping to get receiver Ricky Pearsall back this week. Pearsall practiced on a limited basis and is listed as questionable. Safety Ji'Ayir Brown is out against Seattle, while linebackers Dee Winters and Luke Gifford are questionable.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama needed a fresh start after two frustrating losses so he decided to let it all go — his hair, that is. Sporting a freshly shaved head courtesy of a teammate, Wembanyama overcame an injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds Thursday night as San Antonio routed Milwaukee 119-101 to snap a two-game skid. Wembanyama exited early in the first quarter after banging knees with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but returned. San Antonio forward Keldon Johnson deserves some credit for the change in fortunes as well as Wembanyama’s new style. The idea for new look began last week when Johnson announced he was planning to shave his head and tried to convince his teammates to join him.
Fernando Mendoza arrived on Indiana’s campus last January carrying huge expectations for himself and the program. Outsiders almost immediately dubbed the new, highly touted transfer as the quarterback who could lead Indiana’s football program to unprecedented heights. Some even suggested Mendoza was a Heisman Trophy candidate who could emerge as the top prospect in the 2026 NFL draft. But the grounded grandson of Cuban immigrants ignored the chatter and focused instead on proving himself all over again. Now the first Heisman winner in Indiana history stands one win away from delivering the program's first national championship and all he wants to do is share the spotlight with his coaches and teammates.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Carson Beck's college football journey ends Monday night in the national championship game. Beck, who enrolled at Georgia at 17, has faced criticism and injury but now leads Miami against Indiana. Despite doubts, Miami has won seven straight games. Beck's leadership shone in the CFP semifinal, leading a game-winning drive against Mississippi. Inspired by Tom Brady highlights, Beck stayed calm under pressure. His college record stands at 37-5, with impressive stats. Beck reflects on his career, grateful for the challenges and opportunities. His final college game offers a chance to end on the highest of high notes.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Columbus 4 Vancouver 1
Final San Jose 3 Washington 2
Final Pittsburgh 6 Philadelphia 3
Final Buffalo 5 Montreal 3
Final Winnipeg 6 Minnesota 2
Final Boston 4 Seattle 2
Final Calgary 3 Chicago 1
Final N-Y Islanders 1 Edmonton 0
Final Utah 2 Dallas 1
Final OT Vegas 6 Toronto 5
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (9)Gonzaga 86 Washington State 65