Sports

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre filed lawsuits Thursday in Mississippi, accusing the state auditor and two sportscasters of defaming him in public discussions about the misspending of welfare money that was supposed to help some of the poorest people in one of the poorest states

The Southeastern Conference says it distributed an average of $49.9 million to its 14 member schools for the fiscal year that ended last August. Commissioner Greg Sankey said Thursday the league divided $721.8 million of total revenue among its members. That included $698.5 million distributed by the league office and $23.3 million retained by schools

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman says he has not discussed a contract buyout with forward Kevin Love, who was recently dropped from the team’s playing rotation. The five-time All-Star was not traded at the deadline. Altman says Love has not approached the team

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer PHOENIX (AP) — While the fight song for the Philadelphia Eagles may be “Fly, Eagles Fly,” the offensive formula that carried the team to the Super Bowl was more grounded. With a trio of capable running backs, one of the best running quarterbacks and a dominating offensive line,

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Keisei Tominaga already is one of the most popular players in his home country. The exuberant sharpshooter known as the ‘Japanese Steph Curry’ also is building a big fan following at Nebraska in what otherwise has been another dismal season for the Cornhuskers. Coach Fred

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Carlos Dunlap signed with the Kansas City Chiefs because the longtime NFL defensive end was tired of losing. Six times he had appeared in the playoffs and yet he never won a game. Now, Dunlap might book-end his first playoff victory with one in the

TAMPA, Fla, (AP) — Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar will miss the final two games of a current road trip with a head injury. Colorado coach Jared Bednar announced the news before the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Makar will also miss Saturday’s matchup at Florida and will be re-evaluated when the

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer The U.S. Open is adding the NCAA champion to its field. It’s part of slight changes to exemption categories. The U.S. Open will be played June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club. Among the tweaks to the exemption categories are creating five spots for PGA Tour players based on

By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press Ten retired players are accusing the NFL of lying and flagrantly violating federal law in denying disability benefits. The allegations are found in a potential class-action lawsuit that was filed Thursday in Baltimore. The players say they left the game with lingering physical or cognitive injuries that make their daily

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have traded center Mason Plumlee to the Los Angeles Clippers for point guard Reggie Jackson and a 2028 second-round draft pick. The Hornets also sent forward Jalen McDaniels to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two former Ohio State football players have been acquitted on charges of rape and kidnapping stemming from a sexual encounter they had with a woman in an apartment the two players shared. Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint embraced each other and cried after the jury’s verdict was read Thursday. Their attorneys

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer First it was Kyrie Irving to Dallas. Then came Kevin Durant to Phoenix. The breakup in Brooklyn is rebuilding some contenders in the West. Trade deadline day in the NBA on Thursday featured plenty of moves, with the Suns making the biggest as they chase the first championship in

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals for his new Saudi Arabian team Thursday bringing his career tally in domestic leagues to 503. Four days after his 38th birthday Ronaldo scored twice in each half to help Al Nassr defeat Al Wehda 4-0 in a Saudi Pro League game. The five-time Ballon

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have reached an agreement to trade Devonte’ Graham and four second-round draft choices to San Antonio in exchange for Josh Richardson. That’s according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have signed veteran infielder/outfielder Charlie Culberson to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league spring training. Culberson turns 34 on April 10. He has hit .248 with 30 homers and 145 RBIs over portions of the past 10 seasons with the San Francisco Giants, Colorado

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta is attempting to bolster its playoff hopes in two trades which involved the Hawks sending out a combined seven second-round draft picks. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the details who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team