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States pour taxpayer dollars into college sports as athlete pay, soaring costs squeeze budgets

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.

Soccer fans launch global petition urging FIFA boss Infantino to resign over World Cup ‘betrayal’

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.

West Ham urges fans to stop singing chant containing ‘anti-Palestine message’

LONDON (AP) — West Ham has called on its fans to stop singing a chant “containing an anti-Palestine message” as the club prepares to host its first home game of the season in England’s second-tier Championship. West Ham says in a statement it is “aware of an offensive and divisive chant” being sung by a section of its supporters during its opening Championship match at Burnley on Sunday. One of West Ham’s summer signings was Israel winger Manor Solomon, who joined from Tottenham on a three-year deal.

US Open singles champions to earn a record $5.5 million, total player compensation up 20%

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Open singles champions will earn $5.5 million, the highest winnings in Grand Slam tennis history. Overall compensation for the final major of the year is rising to a record $108 million, a 20% increase from last year and a 44% jump since 2024. The financial details were announced Thursday by the U.S. Tennis Association, with play set to begin next week. Players will earn $140,000, largest in tennis history, just for making it into the 128-player singles main draw. A quarterfinalist earns $780,000, a semifinalist $1.45 million and the runner-up $2.8 million.

Max Verstappen extends contract with Red Bull to 2030 after he weighed up leaving F1

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.

SEC desperate to end 3-year championship drought. Will Alabama, Georgia, LSU or Texas come through?

Blame Alabama and Georgia. Point fingers at Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, too. The Southeastern Conference, once the most dominant league in the land, lost its stranglehold on college football over the last three years. The organization that boasts a combined 19 national championships since 1990 hasn’t even made the title game since Georgia won it all in back-to-back years to close out the 2021-22 seasons. It’s a drought the league desperately would like to end this season. But the path back to the top could seemingly be harder with the addition of a ninth conference game.

Once homeless and in liquidation, Coventry back in the Premier League after painful 25-year absence

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.

Grand Slam tournaments create player council to give players more input into biggest tennis events

NEW YORK (AP) — The Grand Slam tennis tournaments have created a player council, giving players greater input into matters involving the biggest events in the sport. The Grand Slam Player Advisory Council was announced Thursday by the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. It will begin following the final major of the year, which begins next week in New York. Players have been seeking a larger share of revenues from the Grand Slams, along with better representation, health options and pensions.

Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers to play NHL games in Germany in 2027

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.

Cavs acquiring Peyton Watson and trading Max Strus to Clippers in 4-team deal, AP source says

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.

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