Sports
The World Cup draw is here. Here’s why it matters — and how it will work
FIFA is about to determine which teams all 48 participating countries in the FIFA World Cup 2026 will face in the group phase of the tournament, which the U.S., Canada and Mexico are co-hosting.
Auburn tabs USF’s Alex Golesh as its next coach, replacing Hugh Freeze on the Plains
The 41-year-old Golesh, who was born in Russia and moved to the United State at age 7, is signing a six-year contract that averages more than $7 million annually to replace Hugh Freeze. Freeze was fired in early November after failing to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three seasons on the Plains.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
Blue Jays rout Dodgers 11-4 in World Series opener
Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, as the Toronto Blue Jays overwhelmed the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener Friday night in Toronto.
Chess body investigating ex-world champion who accused Daniel Naroditsky of cheating
U.S. chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky died this week at age 29. Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik had accused Naroditsky, among others, of cheating in the sport.
NBA coach Chauncey Billups, player Terry Rozier arrested in FBI gambling probe
Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat, was investigated by the NBA in 2023 in connection with suspicious gambling activity on a game that he exited early.
Sports ticket prices are getting more expensive — and pricing out many fans
For sports fans, there's nothing as exciting as going to see your team play. But what was once an affordable form of entertainment is becoming increasingly more expensive and pricing some loyal fans out.
Spanish league cancels plans for Barcelona to play regular-season match in Miami
The Spanish soccer league said Tuesday that plans for Barcelona to play a game against Villarreal outside Miami in December have been called off, following increased opposition to the match.
The Dodgers want to win another World Series. The Toronto Blue Jays are in their way
The Los Angeles Dodgers have put all the chips in on their pursuit of being baseball's first back-to-back champions since 2000. The Blue Jays and their red-hot lineup won't go down easy.
Why are so many rich Americans investing in British soccer teams?
American millionaires and celebrities are buying up British soccer teams in record numbers.
Shohei Ohtani hits 3 homers and strikes out 10 in Dodgers’ clinching 5-1 NLCS win over Brewers
Shohei Ohtani propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers back to the World Series with a two-way performance for the ages.
40 years ago, a woman made Harlem Globetrotters history
Forty years ago this month, the comedic basketball troupe, the Harlem Globetrotters, added a woman to its roster. NPR's Ashley Montgomery has the story of legendary athlete Lynette Woodard.
80-year-old grandmother becomes oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship
Just 20 years ago, Natalie Grabow was learning to swim. Now she's hailed as an inspiration after winning her age group at the famously grueling triathlon competition in Hawaii.
Trent Dilfer fired as UAB’s football coach
UAB has lost three straight, leaving it 9-21 in 2 1/2 seasons under Dilfer. The Blazers were 4-8 in 2023 and 3-9 last year.
A’ja Wilson scores 31 to lead the Aces to a third WNBA championship in 4 seasons
The Las Vegas Aces — once again — were an offensive force in the WNBA Finals, finishing off a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 victory.
The MLB postseason begins Tuesday. Who should you root for to win a World Series?
Twelve teams will enter October, but only one team will leave (with a ring). You can root for the three franchises that have never won a title before … or you can pull for the Yankees or Dodgers.
Latin superstar Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show
The National Football League, Apple Music and Roc Nation made the announcement during halftime of Sunday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
Ryder Cup MC steps down over foul-mouthed chant aimed at golfer Rory McIlroy
Some of the golf at this year's Ryder Cup has been overshadowed by interventions from passionate and unruly fans, as Americans tee off against Europeans in one of the sport's biggest events.
Random act of kindness: Mariners fan gifts historic ball to young stranger
A fan caught Cal Raleigh's history-making 60th home run ball. He promptly turned the valuable memento over to 12-year-old Marcus Ruelos.
MLB will allow players to challenge balls and strikes starting in 2026
With a tap of their head, players will be able to trigger an automated review when they disagree with an umpire's call. In spring training this year, just over half of challenges were successful.
Bruce Pearl, winningest men’s basketball coach in Auburn history, announces retirement
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement Monday less than six months after finishing the Tigers' best season in program history with another trip to the Final Four. Pearl's 38-year-old son Steven Pearl, who has been on his father's coaching staff for all 11 seasons at Auburn, will take over as coach.
A’ja Wilson snags a record fourth WNBA MVP
Wilson, a 6-foot-4 center for the Las Vegas Aces, has dominated this year. In her eighth season, she finished in the top five in points, rebounds, blocks and steals.
Anti-Israel protests turn Spanish Vuelta cycling race into a diplomatic battleground
Protests targeting an Israeli-owned team have seized the limelight at Spain's version of the Tour de France. The team under fire issued a statement saying that quitting the race is out of the question.
60 years later, Sandy Koufax’s perfect game is still amazing
Tuesday marks 60 years since Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game at Dodger Stadium. The 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs is still considered one of the best games in baseball history.
World Cup ticket sales are about to begin. Scoring them may not be easy — or cheap
FIFA is set to launch the first window of regular ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday. Brace yourself: because they may not be easy to get — or cheap.
Carlos Alcaraz wins his 2nd U.S. Open at match delayed by Trump’s attendance
The president's arrival delayed the match and left many ticketholders waiting in line. He watched from Rolex's luxury box.
Young Phillies fan is gifted swag after adult fan takes his home run ball
A boy in the stands of a Philadelphia Phillies game thought he'd scored a baseball hit by Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader, until another fan insisted the ball was hers.
Davey Johnson, who won 2 World Series with Orioles, managed Mets to title, dies at 82
Davey Johnson, an All-Star second baseman who won the World Series twice with the Baltimore Orioles as a player and managed the New York Mets to the title in 1986, died Friday.
Ken Dryden, Hall of Fame goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, dies at age 78
Dryden backstopped the NHL's most successful franchise to championships in six of his eight seasons in the league from 1970-71 to '78-79. He died after a fight with cancer.
Alcaraz beats Djokovic at the U.S. Open and will meet Sinner for Grand Slam final
Sinner is trying to become the first repeat men's champion in New York since Roger Federer won the tournament five years in a row. Alcaraz hasn't dropped a set as he pursues his second U.S. Open title.
Ivey, Ledbetter go to court to try and allow voucher students to participate in athletics
Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter filed the complaint in Montgomery Circuit Court against the Alabama High School Athletic Association. They are asking a judge to block the association's ruling on eligibility and pave the way for the students to participate in athletics this year.
