NFL retirees who say the league’s disability plan is a sham can proceed to trial
PHILADELPHIA — A lawsuit accusing the NFL’s disability plan of violating its duty to retired players by routinely denying valid injury claims can proceed to trial on most counts, a federal judge in Maryland has ruled.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasts 1 inning in Dodgers debut, gives up 5 runs to Padres
SEOUL, South Korea — Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted just one inning in his Los Angeles Dodgers’ debut after signing a record $325 million, 12-year contract, giving up five runs to the San Diego Padres in a 15-11 loss on Thursday night.
First day of March Madness yields upsets and blowouts
The first rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball championship began Thursday.
Monson’s boss says timing of ouster at Long Beach State was designed to inspire March Madness run
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Long Beach State’s athletic director said the timing of his decision to part with coach Dan Monson was done with the hope it might trigger the exact run that led the team on its unexpected trip to March Madness.
In Japan, Ohtani’s ‘perfect person’ image could take a hit with firing of interpreter over gambling
SEOUL, South Korea — Shohei Ohtani is referred to in Japan as “kanpeki no hito” — the perfect person — because of his manners and impeccable behavior.
No explosives found at Seoul stadium in police search following bomb threat against Ohtani
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean police said they’ve found no explosives at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome after searching the site Wednesday following a reported bomb threat against Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
NFL competition committee proposes a ban on hip-drop tackles and a radical change to kickoffs
The NFL competition committee is proposing a rule to penalize so-called “hip-drop” tackles and a radical change to kickoffs to add more returns without compromising safety.
Paris Olympics soccer draw: United States women face Germany and Australia. Men meet France
PARIS (AP) — The United States women’s soccer team will face Germany and Australia at the Paris Olympics when incoming coach Emma Hayes looks to get off to a flying start in the job.
Jimmy Garoppolo discloses reason for PED suspension, expresses excitement at fresh start with Rams
LOS ANGELES — After seven seasons of success and setbacks as a starting NFL quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo decided it was time to take a step back to recharge his career.
ESPN will remain the home of the College Football Playoff through 2031 under $7.8 billion deal
The College Football Playoff and ESPN announced a $7.8 billion deal Tuesday that will give the network exclusive rights to the expanded postseason through the 2031 season, with the national championship game moving to ABC starting in 2026.
The Rams sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo to back up Matthew Stafford; add safety Kamren Curl
LOS ANGELES — Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has signed with the Los Angeles Rams as the backup to Matthew Stafford.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley eager to prove his work ethic with the Titans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Calvin Ridley had a message Friday for anyone worried the Tennessee Titans overpaid for him or that the wide receiver who missed essentially two NFL seasons won’t live up to his new four-year, $92 million deal.
Lured by the passion for soccer, growing number of foreign players join Argentina’s women’s league
BUENOS AIRES — After watching Lionel Messi lift the World Cup trophy for Argentina, Japanese striker Ichika Egashira packed her bags and took a plane to the other side of the planet to play where her soccer hero was born.
Russell Wilson is eager to reboot his career in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are betting big on it
PITTSBURGH — Russell Wilson didn’t come out Friday and say he expects to be the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh.
Aaron Donald announces his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Rams
LOS ANGELES — Aaron Donald spent 10 years flattening quarterbacks, crushing ball-carriers, fighting through perpetual double-teams and generally wrecking NFL offenses. He was relentless, reliable and infinitely resourceful while he led the Los Angeles Rams all the way to a Super Bowl championship.
Michigan fires Juwan Howard, the former Fab Five star, after five seasons coaching men’s basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan fired coach Juwan Howard on Friday after five seasons, parting ways with the former Fab Five star whose return to his alma mater included a Big Ten title and advancing in two NCAA Tournaments before closing with two straight disappointing seasons.
Running backs had plenty of options this week, even if the position still faces challenges
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A year after his position was in crisis, Derrick Henry still feels a bond with his fellow running backs.
UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman from hospital bed: ‘I’m the happiest man in the world’
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — UFC Hall of Famer and former champion Mark Coleman called himself “the happiest man in the world” as he embraced members of his family from a hospital bed.
College swimmers, volleyball players sue NCAA over transgender policies
ATLANTA — Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among more than a dozen college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Thursday, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing transgender woman Lia Thomas to compete at the national championships in 2022.
Bees cause a buzz and lengthy disruption at Indian Wells tennis
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — A swarm of bees forced a nearly two-hour disruption to the quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday.