Sports category, Page 317
Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon bring out best in each other
DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon’s childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too. MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby have developed a tight bond, which made winning the 4...
Mets spent more in 4 years than Pirates, Marlins and Rays over past 21
NEW YORK — The New York Mets led the major leagues in spending for the third straight season in 2024 and have totaled $1.36 billion in payroll and luxury tax over four years under owner Steve Cohen, exceeding what the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays each have...
Devils star Jack Hughes done for season after having shoulder surgeryVideo
NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Devils leading scorer Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery and is out for the season, a blow to the team’s hopes of making a playoff run. The team said Hughes had surgery on his right shoulder in Vail, Colo., on Wednesday after tests and conversations with...
Seahawks star receiver D.K. Metcalf requests trade
D.K. Metcalf wants out of Seattle. A person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press that the longtime Seahawks wide receiver asked for a trade. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the request was not announced publicly. Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler, has...
Lightning acquire Gourde and Bjorkstrand and Panthers get Vanecek as NHL trade action heats upVideo
The Tampa Bay Lightning answered the cross-state-rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers’ first couple of additions ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a big move of their own. The Lightning on Wednesday acquired forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle in a three-team trade that also...
Eagles retain All-Pro LB Zack Baun before he tests free agency
All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun is staying with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl champions announced Wednesday they agreed on a three-year deal with Baun through the 2027 season. A person familiar with the details told the Associated Press that Baun’s contract is worth $51 million, including $34 million guaranteed. The...
Seahawks release longtime wide receiver Tyler Lockett in cost-cutting move
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks released Tyler Lockett on Wednesday, parting ways with the franchise’s second all-time leading receiver in a cost-cutting move ahead of the new league year. Lockett, a 10-year veteran, caught 661 passes for 8,564 yards and 61 touchdowns in Seattle, trailing only Hall of Famer Steve...
Raiders extend pass rusher Maxx Crosby’s contract
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders extended the contract of star defensive end Maxx Crosby, the club said Wednesday. The terms weren’t immediately announced. Crosby has been one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers with 59 1/2 sacks since being selected in the fourth round of the 2109 draft....
ESPN draft analyst sees defensive line, receiver on Steelers’ radar, but in which order?
Fresh off watching prospects work out at the scouting combine, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid projected the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a wide receiver and defensive lineman — each from Texas — in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft next month. He admits the order could be reversed....
Cincinnati native Sam Hubbard retiring from football after 7 seasons with the hometown Bengals
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard announced his retirement Wednesday. The Cincinnati native spent seven seasons with the Bengals, who selected him in the third round of the 2018 draft. Hubbard had 38 1/2 sacks in 104 games while helping Cincinnati return to prominence, including a berth in...
Jaguars are releasing WR Christian Kirk after 2 injury-filled seasons, AP source says
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars are releasing receiver Christian Kirk after two injury-filled seasons. The move is expected to happen as soon as Wednesday, according to a person familiar with negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side has confirmed Kirk’s departure....
Duquesne star Megan McConnell named finalist for national Mid-Major Player of the Year honor
The world of women’s college basketball started noticing Duquesne senior guard Megan McConnell before the season, and now she’s on the threshold of one of the sport’s top honors. McConnell, a Chartiers Valley graduate, is one of the five finalists for the 2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year...
TKO Group, which houses WWE and UFC, partners with Saudi entertainment authority on boxing league
NEW YORK — TKO Group, the company that houses WWE and UFC, entered a multiyear agreement with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority to create a new boxing promotion, it was announced Wednesday. Led by UFC president and CEO Dana White and WWE president and TKO board member Nick Khan, TKO...
Coldplay working with FIFA to produce first-ever World Cup final halftime show for 2026
DALLAS — Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin is working with FIFA to curate the first Super Bowl-style halftime show at the World Cup final next year. The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — to be known as New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup — will host the final...
Chiefs trading All-Pro offensive guard Joe Thuney to Bears for 2026 4th-round pick, AP source says
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs are trading two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had...
NASCAR countersues 23XI and Front Row, as well as Michael Jordan’s agent, in dispute over charters
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR on Wednesday filed a counterclaim against Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports alleging they “willfully” violated antitrust laws by orchestrating anticompetitive collective conduct in connection with the most recent charter agreements. 23XI and Front Row were the only two teams out of 15 that...
A look at the unlucky 13 ‘first-shot’ goals the Penguins have allowed this season
It’s definitely an oddity. But a frequent one. In their 64 games this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have allowed a goal on the first opposition’s first shot 13 times. “Sometimes, it’s just a matter of getting yourself ready to go,” Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic said at PPG Paints Arena on...
Mark Madden: Bargain shopping Steelers likely to again make mediocre moves during free agency
NFL free agency starts March 12. That’s not far off. But there’s no reason to be excited about what the Steelers will do. Because they won’t do anything. Not until the first wave subsides. Then the Steelers will do their usual bargain shopping. The Steelers have a little over $60...
First Call: Justin Fields as Steelers’ 1st QB choice may be brewing; a look at chances of landing Davante Adams, Darius Slayton
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some direction for speculation about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation. We have gambling odds on the Steelers acquiring Davante Adams and information on another wide receiver who may be in the mix. Plus, we check in on a former Penguin who is hunting a career milestone,...
Robert Morris basketball brings ray of sunshine to bleak Pittsburgh sports landscape
Every Pittsburgh sports fan will admit one unfortunate truth these days: The entire local sports scene is at low tide. The Penguins are about to miss the playoffs for a third straight year. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in eight seasons. And the only thing the Pirates can...
After birth of 1st child, reliever Isaac Mattson ready to compete for spot in Pirates bullpen
BRADENTON, Fla. — After spending the better part of two days in a hospital, Isaac Mattson finally found time last Friday to go outside and throw a weighted plyometric ball against the fence in his backyard. “I was just trying to do a little bit of something,” Mattson said, “but...
Tim Benz: Travis Hunter’s ‘2-way player’ opinion makes sense but misses bigger picture
Maybe we finally found something Travis Hunter can’t do: talk baseball. The college football star recently won the Heisman Trophy as a two-way player. He excelled as a cornerback and wide receiver at Colorado. Now he is about to become a first-round draft choice, and many are wondering if he...
West Virginia wins at Utah to hand loss to former coach
SALT LAKE CITY — Javon Small scored 18 points to help West Virginia beat its former coach Josh Eilert and Utah 71-69 on Tuesday night. Small hit a 3-pointer and Eduardo Andre followed with an alley-oop dunk to spark a 14-6 surge to give West Virginia a 70-64 lead with...
Robert Morris men to host Wright State in Horizon League quarterfinals
The Robert Morris men’s basketball team Tuesday night learned who its quarterfinal-round opponent will be in the Horizon League Tournament. The top-seeded Colonials (23-8) will play host to No. 8 Wright State (15-17) at 8 p.m. Thursday in the second game of a doubleheader at UPMC Events Center. In the...
Minor league report: Penguins fall to Senators
Goaltender Filip Larsson made 24 saves on 27 shots for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 4-1 loss to the Belleville Senators at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. The result dropped Larsson’s record to 9-5-3. Forward Atley Calvert scored the lone goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (29-15-7-1). Highlights: Penguins defenseman Sebastian...
