Sports
Pope meets Sinner: No. 1 player gives Pope Leo XIV a racket on Italian Open off day
Pope Leo XIV has made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open.
ESPN’s new streaming app could replace cable for some but may end up costing them more
ESPN says its long-anticipated subscription plan will cost $29.99 a month. An analyst says that, combined with subscriptions to other stream services, could drive the cost up to the price of cable packages.
Major League Baseball lifts lifetime ban on Pete Rose and ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson
Major League Baseball has lifted the lifetime ban of Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and 15 other deceased players. The move clears the way for a Hall of Fame vote but doesn't guarantee admission.
Michael Jordan joins NBC as the network revives its NBA coverage
It has been over 20 years since NBC had rights to broadcast NBA games. Its last run was during the 90s, which coincided with Michael Jordan's reign over basketball.
Sovereignty beats out favorite Journalism to win the Kentucky Derby
The victory hands Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado his first career win in the Kentucky Derby. Sovereignty's trainer, Bill Mott, has won the Kentucky Derby once before.
The most exciting two minutes in sports is a show of ‘Latino excellence’
Latinos, many from outside the U.S. mainland, have risen in prominence in horseracing, from the grooms to some of the winningest jockeys.
Inside the glitz and glamor of the Kentucky Derby
Hats, horses and high rollers. These are just some of the things that add to the atmosphere of Churchill Downs on Derby Day.
What’s the deal with torpedo bats? See how this Baton Rouge bat manufacturer makes them
Marucci Sports gave WWNO's Louisiana Considered an inside look at how they make torpedo bats, the oddly-shaped bats giving hitters newfound strength.
Finally! Shedeur Sanders gets picked by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL draft 5th round
He had to wait until the fifth round, but Shedeur Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — his coach at the University of Colorado — has finally been drafted by the NFL.
Quarterbacks are the top two NFL Draft picks, but Deion Sanders’ son is still waiting
Cam Ward went from zero-star recruit to No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, and the Jacksonville Jaguars paid a ton use Cleveland's pick on Travis Hunter at No. 2. Colorado star Shedeur Sanders wasn't taken in the first round.
Where will Travis Hunter, Cam Ward and other top players be picked in the NFL Draft?
It's been almost 30 years since an NFL player played a true two-way season. Heisman winner Travis Hunter could be the next — but first, he has to be selected in the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday.
The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday. Here’s what to watch for
One top seed has never won a Stanley Cup. The other wasn't expected to make the playoffs at all. And a pair of brothers who burned bright for Team USA in February are set to return to the ice.
Trump administration says it is suing Maine over transgender athletes in girls’ sports
The DOJ says Maine is violating Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination at schools that receive federal funding. Gov. Janet Mills has promised to "vigorously defend" the state.
Hot off her NCAA title, Paige Bueckers cruises for 1st pick in the WNBA draft
Monday's WNBA Draft is expected to be the latest jewel in the crown of Bueckers, the 6-foot guard who barely a week ago led her UConn Huskies to their first national championship in a decade.
The 2025 Masters final round is underway, featuring a showdown between two greats
On Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, all eyes are on Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau — both of whom are vying for their first green jacket.
Florida heads to NCAA title game in a victory over SEC rival Auburn
Florida beat Southeastern Conference rival Auburn 79-73 in the Final Four on Saturday night. The Gators are going to the national championship game for the first time since their titles in 2006 and 2007.
Auburn completes sweep of No. 1 seeds into Final Four, beating Michigan State
The South Region champion Tigers, the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, became the last of the No. 1 seeds to advance to the Final Four — joining Florida, Duke and Houston.
Sears, Alabama can’t duplicate record 3-point night, fall to Duke with Final Four at stake
Duke handcuffed Alabama's All-American, Mark Sears, and did a pretty good job stifling the rest of the high-scoring Crimson Tide, too.
March Madness returns to Birmingham with women’s Sweet 16, Elite Eight games
The top women’s college basketball teams will play at Legacy Arena for a spot in the Final Four. Bringing the games to Birmingham was years in the making.
Top-seeded Auburn brushes off late-season lull to make Sweet 16 with contributions abound
Now, Auburn is in its first Sweet 16 since 2019 looking to top that Final Four run with its first national championship.
Alabama’s bench could be key to the Tide making another deep run in the NCAA tourney
With versatile point guard Mark Sears and mustachioed forward Grant Nelson, Alabama has two of the more recognizable players in the NCAA Tournament. The duo led the Crimson Tide to the Final Four last year and returned to school in hopes of delivering the program’s first national title.
No. 1 seed Auburn has a roster filled with ‘underdog kids’ looking for a turnaround in NCAA play
Auburn has an unusual roster makeup for an overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the Southeastern Conference’s regular-season champion — even in the topsy-turvy, transfer-friendly world of college sports.
Glenn Foster Jr’s family uses Super Bowl to bring awareness to his death, demand justice
The former New Orleans Saints player's family called on others, including the NFL, to advocate for Foster — who died while in police custody in Alabama.
‘Driven by something greater’: Meet Birmingham’s trainer to the stars of today and the future
Otis Leverette, better known as ‘Coach O,’ is a strength and conditioning coach in the South that’s impacting athletes' lives beyond sports.
College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress
Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican who is set to take over as chair of the powerful Commerce Committee, said recently that a college sports bill will be a top priority, accusing Democrats of dragging their feet on needed reforms.
Bill Battle, former Alabama AD who founded licensing company, dies
Bill Battle, who was athletic director at his alma mater, Alabama, where he played for Paul “Bear” Bryant's first national championship team, has died. He was 82.
In the Marble Bowl, the heated rivalry between Alabama and Auburn is getting ‘wilder’
The Marble Bowl is a competition that pits fans of the University of Alabama against Auburn University. No tight ends or cornerbacks, quarterbacks or linebackers are needed, although they can play, too.
Bobby Allison, NASCAR Hall of Famer and 3-time Daytona 500 winner, dies at 86
Allison’s family that said he died at home in Mooresville, North Carolina. A cause of death wasn’t given, but Allison had been in declining health for years.
‘A terrible experience’: LGBTQ+ students face challenges amid Alabama’s Title IX, sports ban debate
Transgender students’ rights have come under increased scrutiny with a new school year underway as Alabama continues to push back against new Title IX rules.
Bill Greason, the oldest-living Negro Leaguer, takes another trip around the bases at 100
Greason, a former pitcher for the Birmingham Black Barons, was honored for his contributions to baseball, his community and his country at a recent celebration.
High school football is back. How are Gulf South schools keeping players safe from the heat?
Student-athletes may not be too concerned about playing in extreme heat, but parents, coaches and trainers are taking plenty of precautions to keep them safe.
Why some Paralympians’ journeys run through Birmingham
As the Paralympic Games get underway in Paris this week, the Lakeshore Foundation's presence in Birmingham means Alabama has a small part in the events overseas.
