Sports

By The Associated Press Alex Ovechkin says his father, Mikhail, has died at age 71. The Washington Capitals captain delivered the news in Russian on his Instagram account along with family photos and video. Ovechkin left the team yesterday to tend to a family health matter regarding a loved one. Coach Peter Laviolette said he

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Athletic Commission is scheduled to discuss potential rules changes for UFC-backed slap fighting competitions during its monthly meeting. The commission in October unanimously approved sanctioning slap fighting. Unarmed combatants take turns forcefully slapping each other in this new sport. The NAC approved in

MADISON. Wis. (AP) — Freshman Connor Essegian scored a career-high 23 points, including 5 of 6 free throws in the final 45 seconds, and Wisconsin held off Michigan 64-59 despite missing its last 15 shots.  Essegian’s basket at the 10:45 was the last one for the Badgers, and his two free throws at 10:27 following

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Barcelona has denied a possible conflict of interest for having made payments for technical reports on referees to a company that belonged to the vice president of the refereeing committee in Spain. Radio station SER Catalunya says the payments for information on how referees officiate were

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced that Minnesota will host a World Cup cross country ski event next February, giving the Americans a rare home-course advantage. This will mark the first World Cup event the U.S. has hosted in the sport since 2001. The races will be held inside a

By NOAH TRISTER AP Baseball Writer BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Bryan Reynolds requested a trade this offseason. He also had no real power to force one. So he’s back at spring training with Pittsburgh, preparing for another season with the Pirates. Pittsburgh’s first workout for pitchers and catchers was Wednesday, but for outfielders like Reynolds

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan is celebrating his 60th birthday on Friday by making a $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish. It is the largest donation ever received from an individual in the organization’s 43-year history. Jordan’s hope is that his decision to celebrate his birthday by donating to Make-A-Wish will inspire

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Danny Green is back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who believe the veteran forward can help them make a postseason run. Green began his career with the Cavaliers in 2009. He returns as a three-time champion with a proven postseason resume. The Cavs signed the 35-year-old free

By MARGARET STAFFORD Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Fans lined up Wednesday morning to get a prime spot in downtown Kansas City as the city celebrates the Kansas City Chiefs’ second Super Bowl championship in two years. Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes will join teammates, family and

By MAURICIO SAVARESE AP Sports Writer SAO PAULO (AP) — Ramon Menezes will serve as Brazil’s interim coach while the search continues for a permanent successor to Tite, who stepped down after the World Cup. The 50-year-old Menezes guided Brazil’s Under-20 team to the South American championship title on Sunday and the Brazilian Football Confederation

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 champ, says he will compete again in IndyCar’s biggest race this May before retiring. The 48-year-old Brazilian made the announcement on Twitter 100 days before the May 28 race is scheduled to be run. This is the third consecutive year

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Daniel Suárez has signed a second extension in six months with Trackhouse Racing, getting a multiyear deal done after landing a one-year contract last August. The team announced Suárez’s latest extension the same day NASCAR kicked off Speedweeks with Daytona 500 media day and pole qualifying. The team declined to

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton insisted he will not be silenced by offseason rules that prohibit drivers from speaking out on political issues. Hamilton said Wednesday he will continue to use his global platform to promote his wide-ranging interests, which include social justice and race, human rights

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer MERIBEL, France (AP) — Norwegian skiers collected three of the six medals in the individual parallel events at the Alpine skiing world championships. Maria Therese Tviberg of Norway and Alexander Schmid of Germany won gold in the women’s and men’s races. Tviberg beat Wendy Holdener of Switzerland in the

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Alex Bowman has received a three-year contract extension from Hendrick Motorsports that will keep him with the team through the 2026 season. Bowman missed five races late last season with a concussion. Hendrick also locked in Bowman’s sponsor, Ally, to a five-year extension through

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer Mercedes will return to its all-black color scheme in a bid to shave weight from its car and be competitive again after last year’s winless season for Lewis Hamilton. The car was revealed amid a promise from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff that the car will be competitive.