Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two-time WNBA Coach of the Year Curt Miller is the new coach of the Los Angeles Sparks after seven seasons with the Connecticut Sun. The Sparks announced the move in press release Friday. Miller led the Sun to two trips to the WNBA finals, including last season when they lost to

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer Taylor Fritz is in the midst of a breakthrough season on the tennis tour. He reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, won three tour titles and recently became the first U.S. man since 2017 to make his debut in the top 10 of the ATP. He turns 25 next

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Some might say it’s a rebuild. Others might go so far as to call it tanking. Either way, the Carolina Panthers already own the worst record in the NFL at 1-5 and find themselves well positioned to get the No. 1 pick in the 2023

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer The focus in NASCAR has yet to shift to the actual playoff racing as only three events remain to crown a new Cup champion. But as the series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway, the conversation over safety concerns has shifted to retaliation and what is over the line. Bubba

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will start this week’s game against Miami. Pickett left last week’s upset win over Tampa Bay in the third quarter after being knocked legally to the ground by Buccaneers linebacker Devin White. Doctors gave Pickett the OK to practice

SALERNO, Italy (AP) — Former France winger Franck Ribéry has ended his playing career in Italy because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013. He announced the decision in a video posted on social media where

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Formula One’s sanctioning body found there should have been a delay in sending a recovery crane onto the track at the Japanese Grand Prix. An investigation into the events of that rain-shortened race announced Friday found that race officials did not account for Pierre Gasly’s

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona has agreed to return for an 11th season after leading the majors’ youngest team to a division title and the AL Division Series in 2022. The 63-year-old Francona has not yet signed a contract, but said he intends to be back.

PALMA, Spain (AP) — Dale Whitnell has taken a one-stroke lead halfway through the Mallorca Open after shooting 8-under 63 to equal the course record set the previous day by fellow Englishman Marcus Armitage. Whitnell made six birdies to go with an eagle to move to the top of the leaderboard. Ryan Fox carded a

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Top-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta has been eliminated from the Napoli Cup by Miomir Kecmanović. Busta had to pull double duty at the beleaguered tournament. He comfortably beat Fabio Fognini on Friday morning but couldn’t back that up as he went on to lose to the fifth-seeded Kecmanović 7-5, 6-2. The Serbian

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russian soccer clubs will challenge FIFA at sport’s highest court next month over emergency rules that let players suspend their contracts and leave since the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The Court of Arbitration for Sport set Nov. 21 for an appeal hearing. It’s been brought against FIFA by eight clubs including

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer The Texas Rangers have hired Bruce Bochy as their manager, bringing the three-time World Series champion with 2,003 career victories out of a short retirement to take over a team that has had six consecutive losing seasons. Texas made the surprising announcement Friday, just more than two weeks after

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Sports Writer An organization calling for reform in college sports has filed a complaint with the U.S Department of Justice against the NCAA. The National College Players Association is accusing those involved with the governing body of violating antitrust laws by capping compensation for athletes. The NCPA has been

By MARGARET STAFFORD Associated Press A 19-year-old chess grandmaster is seeking $100 million in a federal lawsuit alleging a rival chess player and others destroyed his career with false accusations of cheating, elevating a controversy that has roiled the chess world since September. Hans Niemann filed the lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in St.

By TIM REYNOLDS and ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writers MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — There’s some symmetry in that Don Shula’s perfect 1972 season with the Miami Dolphins featured what was famously called the “no-name defense.” Now 50 years later, Shula’s name is on just about everything. There are Shula-branded steakhouses and burger places. Dolphins

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Veteran forward Eric Staal and the Florida Panthers have agreed to terms on a one-year, $750,000 contract, a deal that makes him a teammate again with his younger brother Marc. Eric Staal will not play in Florida’s game Friday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning,

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer MORIOKA, Japan (AP) — Add Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi to a growing list of female athletes who have been targeted by their governments for defying authoritarian policies. Rekabi competed in a climbing event in South Korea without wearing a headscarf, mandatory for women in Iran. She returned to Iran

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Disgruntled wide receiver Elijah Moore will sit out the New York Jets’ game Sunday against the Denver Broncos after requesting to be traded amid frustration over his lack of playmaking opportunities. Coach Robert Saleh said Friday “trading him is not an option,”

SALERNO, Italy (AP) — Former France winger Franck Ribéry has ended his playing career because of insurmountable knee problems. The 39-year-old Ribéry played for France in the 2006 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013. He announced the decision in a video posted on social media where the Salernitana