Football
FILE - UConn's Paige Bueckers stretches during a practice session for a college basketball game in the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament April 2, 2022, in Minneapolis. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
As leaders lobby, NCAA searches for ways to rein in boosters

By Ralph D. Russo May. 05, 2022 06:09 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State gathers before an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Alabama in Miami Gardens, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. Football players earn the most, followed by women’s and men’s basketball players, according to Opendorse. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Ohio State at Alabama 1/11/2021

May. 05, 2022 04:48 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State gathers before an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Alabama in Miami Gardens, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. Football players earn the most, followed by women’s and men’s basketball players, according to Opendorse. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Miami's Wong shows college sports hurtles toward free market

By Jim Vertuno May. 05, 2022 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban is concerned about the current state of college football. He recently told The Associated Press "I don't think what we’re doing right now is a sustainable model.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
AP source: SEC, Pac-12 leaders to push for NIL law in DC

By Ralph D. Russo May. 05, 2022 12:25 AM EDT

FILE - Then-Ohio State receivers coach Stan Drayton calls out to players during NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 16, 2011. New Temple coach Stan Drayton is one of 15 Black head coaches currently set to start next season at 131 FBS schools. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam, File)
Temple, Maryland rare D-I schools with top Black leadership

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 15, 2022 01:22 PM EDT

Lamar returning to Southland Conference after short WAC stay

Apr. 08, 2022 05:36 PM EDT
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — Lamar is going back to the Southland Conference after a short stay in the Western Athletic Conference, announcing plans Friday to return in...

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright pauses between batters while wearing No. 21 on his cap during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 7, 2022, in St. Louis. Winners of the Roberto Clemente Award, like Wainwright, will wear his No. 21 on back of their caps for the rest of their major league careers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Opening Day in MLB: New No. 21 patches, NL DHs and Guardians

By Ben Walker Apr. 08, 2022 02:53 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 17, 2017, file photo, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks to reporters during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas. Bowlsby said Tuesday, April 5, 2022, that he will step away from his role as Big 12 commissioner later this year after a decade in that job. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Big 12 commish Bowlsby stepping away from role this year

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 05, 2022 07:29 PM EDT

Baylor, AD Mack Rhoades agree on 10-year contract extension

Apr. 04, 2022 07:12 PM EDT
WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor announced a 10-year contract extension for athletic director Mack Rhoades on Monday, saying the deal would allow him to “complete his...

FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Wisconsin’s fortunes the last two seasons generally have depended on how well quarterback Graham Mertz has protected the football. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
Wisconsin at Rutgers 11/6/2021

Apr. 04, 2022 04:26 PM EDT

FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Wisconsin’s fortunes the last two seasons generally have depended on how well quarterback Graham Mertz has protected the football. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
Badgers QB Mertz remains upbeat after offseason speculation

By Steve Megargee Apr. 04, 2022 04:25 PM EDT

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski watches during practice for the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 1, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Coach K on an NCAA revamp: 'Time to look at the whole thing'

By Eddie Pells Apr. 01, 2022 05:26 PM EDT

FILE - George Mikan, of the Minneapolis Lakers, polishes off the sign on the marquee of Madison Square Garden in New York, on Dec. 13, 1949. Madison Square Garden won't host the NIT semifinals and championship game the next two years, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision — ending a college basketball tradition that dates to 1938. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity late Wednesday night, March 23, 2022, because no public announcement had been made. (AP Photo/Jacob Harris, File)
Column: NIT joins other sports tradition in fading away

By Paul Newberry Apr. 01, 2022 04:41 PM EDT

FILE -Saint Peter's Doug Edert, right, reaches for a pass past Purdue's Ethan Morton during the first half of a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Philadelphia. Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina and Duke will play in the first Final Four to take place under the new world of “name, image and likeness” endorsements in college sports. It allows college players to earn money through endorsements. And as his team's Cinderella run to the Elite Eight gained steam, Saint Peter's guard Doug Edert got into the act, announcing on Instagram that he'd struck a deal to hawk chicken wings.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
March Madness paying off for players under mishmash of rules

By Eddie Pells Mar. 30, 2022 01:01 PM EDT

Ohio State guard Taylor Mikesell (24) and Texas guard Aliyah Matharu (2) eye a loose ball during the second half of a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Spokane Regional - Sweet 16 - Game 2 (win) at Spokane Regional - Sweet 16 - Game 1 (win) 3/27/2022

Mar. 25, 2022 08:52 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Mar. 24, 2022 11:12 AM EDT
March 25 1934 — Horton Smith wins the first Masters golf tournament by one stroke over Craig Wood. 1947 — Holy Cross, led by George...

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Mar. 21, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
March 22 1932 — The blue lines are eliminated with the center red line used to determine offsides in an experiment by the NHL. With both teams out of...

St. Peter's guard Matthew Lee (15) drives past Kentucky guard TyTy Washington Jr., right, during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama Crimson Tide at Tulane Green Wave 3/21/2022

Mar. 17, 2022 07:24 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Mar. 17, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
March 22 1932 — The blue lines are eliminated with the center red line used to determine offsides in an experiment by the NHL. With both teams out of...

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James celebrates after cutting down part of the net after the team defeated Texas A&M during an NCAA men's college basketball Southeastern Conference tournament championship game Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tennessee has something to prove, and it's not NCAA seeding

By Michael Marot Mar. 16, 2022 07:07 PM EDT