The highlights of Thursday's AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, https://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan . You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, https://newsroom.ap.org . Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports .
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The latest in sports
Dodgers beat Mariners 8-4 to complete 3-game sweep and Shohei Ohtani steals 39th base of the season
Arenado hits a 10th-inning grand slam to give the Cardinals a 10-6 win over Brewers
Rookie Bo Nix wins Broncos’ starting QB job over Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson
All times EDT
TOP STORIES
TEN--US OPEN PREVIEW
NEW YORK — A year ago, Coco Gauff headed into the U.S. Open on the best run of her career, a series of superior hard-court performances that presaged her first Grand Slam title. Things haven't gone nearly as well in the leadup to her first major tournament as the defending champion. By Tennis Writer Howard Fendrich. SENT: 760 words, photos. With TEN--US Open Draw, TEN--US Open Guide, TEN--US Open-Women’s Capsules, TEN--US Open-Men’s Capsules (all sent).
GLF--BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele lead a 50-man field for the BMW Championship at Castle Pines, the longest course in PGA Tour history. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m.
GLF--WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — The first round of the Women's British Open at the home of golf at St. Andrews gets underway Thursday. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4 p.m.
FBC--T25-IOWA-FERENTZ SUSPENDED
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz meets with the media following reports he and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr will be suspended for the Aug. 31 opener against Illinois State for committing a rules violation in the recruitment of quarterback Cade McNamara. SENT: 200 words, photos. Updates coming after 2:30 p.m. media availability.
SOC--CHAOS AT CHELSEA
In the years to come, the experiment unfolding at Chelsea under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will be a fascinating case study in how to run a soccer club. Because no one — in England or beyond — has ever seen anything like what has been happening at Stamford Bridge over the past two years. Chelsea has spent nearly $1.3 billion on 39 players across five transfer windows since the American investors bought Chelsea for an initial $2.5 billion in May 2022. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says “it’s not a mess like it looks from the outside." By Steve Douglas. SENT: 900 words, photos.
NOTABLE
BBN--REDS-PIRATES
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes (7-2, 2.30 ERA) gets the start on Thursday when the Pirates host Cincinnati. Nick Lodolo (9-5, 4.55) gets the nod for the Reds. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
BBA--CONTENDING ROYALS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After taking two of three from the Angels, the Kansas City Royals have reached 71 wins — 31 more than they had through 27 games last season, and by far the biggest improvement in the majors. They have perhaps the most exciting player in baseball in Bobby Witt Jr., whom they already have signed to a long-term extension. And a team that lost 106 games a year ago is fighting for the best record in the American League as the season hits the homestretch. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 7 p.m.
FBN--JETS-RODGERS-PRESEASON
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the New York Jets’ starters will not play in the preseason finale against the Giants on Saturday night, coach Robert Saleh announced Thursday. Rodgers' first game since tearing his Achilles tendon last season will be the regular-season opener at San Francisco on Sept. 9. By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. SENT: 500 words, photos.
FBN—COMMANDERS-EAGLES-TRADE
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles acquired wide receiver Jahan Dotson and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft from the Washington Commanders for a third-round pick and two seventh-round picks from the 2025 draft in a rare deal between the NFC East rivals on Thursday. SENT: 250 words, photos.
SOC--NWSL RESTART
National Women's Soccer League teams have traditionally experienced a bump in interest following a successful U.S. run in a major international tournament. But the United States hadn't claimed a title since the 2019 Women's World Cup. That all changed this summer, when a reinvigorated U.S. team won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. By Soccer Writer Anne M. Peterson. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 8 p.m.
ALSO:
SOC--NWSL-PLAYERS-AGREEMENT
NEW YORK — The National Women’s Soccer League and its players have reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement that eliminates the draft, guarantees all contracts, provides for parental leave and childcare benefits and promises more money for the players. SENT: 550 words, photos.
FBC--PICK SIX-CRITICAL GAMES JOURNEY
A dream road trip to see every AP Top 25 team — with conference realignment adding some spice. By Noah Trister. SENT: 850 words, photos.
FBC--T25-FLORIDA STATE-GEORGIA TECH PREVIEW
No. 10 Florida State and Georgia Tech flew nearly 4,000 miles to kick off the college football season in Ireland. ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be on hand for its first international broadcast, and all eyes will be on dual-threat quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Haynes King. By Mark Long. SENT: 700 words, photos. With FBC—T25-Florida State-Georgia Tech-Preview Capsule (sent).
FBC--BIG 12 PREVIEWS
Season previews for Big 12 teams: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Baylor, Cincinnati, Central Florida, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah, West Virginia. UPCOMING: 500 words each, photos by 8 p.m.
US—UFC-JON JONES-DRUG TEST
A bench trial is scheduled Thursday for UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who has pleaded not guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges stemming from a drug test at his home in which he was accused of being hostile. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Developing from 4 p.m. trial.
BKN—HOWARD-SEXUAL ASSAULT SUIT
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A Georgia man dropped his lawsuit accusing former NBA star Dwight Howard of sexual assault after attorneys for Howard alleged the man deleted text messages showing their encounter was consensual. SENT: 200 words, photos.
FOR TOMORROW
OLY--PARALYMPICS-TRANSGENDER SPRINTER
AP interview with visually impaired sprinter Valentina Petrillo, who is set to become the first transgender woman to compete at the Paralympics in Paris. Petrillo, 50, says she feels fortunate to be able to realize her dream and compete in the women’s sprint events for visually impaired, five years after transitioning. Unlike the international athletics federation, its para counterpart — World Para Athletics — has not banned transgender women from competing in women’s events.
FBC—UNSETTLED ATHLETICS-SUPER TWO
For months, college athletic directors have publicly worried about the looming impact of the NCAA’s $2.8 billion antitrust settlement that will affect hundreds of schools big and small, with some all but wondering if sports will need to be cut. Not at Ohio State, where the school president confidently predicted that all 36 programs — no school has more — will survive even if money starts going directly from schools to athletes. Not at Texas, where the nation’s wealthiest athletic department by some measures will start seeing even more revenue after leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. The separation of powers in college sports is growing. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo. With FBC--Unsettled Athletics-Athlete of the Future.
BKL--FEVER-CLARK'S ASSIST
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark became a college star for her record-breaking scoring conquests and those trademark logo 3-pointers. Three months into her pro career, Clark is crafting a new image — seasoned point guard. Sure, it’s taken the No. 1 overall draft pick some time to get acquainted to her new job. Now, though, Clark appears to be settling in and getting quite comfortable. By Michael Marot.
FBN--NEW COORDINATORS
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Kyle Shanahan’s decision to bring in an outsider to run the San Francisco 49ers defense backfired last season when the previously dominant unit took a step back in 2023 under Steve Wilks. That led to the decision to make a change and promote Nick Sorensen to run the defense this season. The 49ers are one of at least nine teams that made the playoffs last season and will have a new play-caller on offense, defense or both in 2024. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow.
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Thursday's EDT Time Schedule
MLB
Cleveland at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
Colorado at Washington, 1:05 p.m.
Milwaukee at St. Louis, 2:15 p.m.
Detroit at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Oakland, 3:37 p.m.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 6:40 p.m.
L.A. Angels at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.
Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7:08 p.m.
Houston at Baltimore, 7:08 p.m.
N.Y. Mets at San Diego, 9:40 p.m.
WNBA
Dallas at New York, 7 p.m.
NFL Preseason
Indianapolis at Cincinnati, 8 p.m.
Chicago at Kansas City, 8:20 p.m.
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