Sports

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer The chancellor at New Mexico State expressed his confidence in athletic director Mario Moccia less than a week after the men’s basketball team was shut down for what the chancellor said was a culture of bad behavior, egregious violations of the student code of conduct and other “despicable acts.”

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — The financially troubled parent company of regional sports networks that own the broadcast rights to 42 U.S. professional sports teams skipped about $140 million in interest payments due Wednesday. The missed payments by Diamond Sports Group started a 30-day grace period that could be the prelude to a bankruptcy filing, which

TAMPA, Fla, (AP) — Frankie Montas may need shoulder surgery, an indication the pitcher may become a long-term injury concern for the New York Yankees. Pitching coach Matt Blake says surgery “is on the table” for the 29-year-old right-hander. Montas was acquired from Oakland on Aug 1. and went 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in

By MARGARET STAFFORD Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce vowed to thousands of fans celebrating their Super Bowl championship that the team will be back for more in the future. During a victory rally Wednesday following a parade through downtown, Mahomes and Kelce joked about

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