September 16, 2026 4:25 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. delivered record ratings for the women’s FIBA World Cup on TNT, with an average of 1.2 million people watching the Americans beat France in the gold medal game. It was the third most-watched women’s World Cup game and it peaked at 1.5 million viewers. The top two also came from this year’s tournament, which ended Sunday. The title game went up against the opening weekend of the NFL season and the U.S. Open men’s final. The WNBA has drawn huge ratings this season, thanks in no small part to Caitlin Clark’s star power.
September 15, 2026 4:20 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike McCarthy’s first win as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers came against the backdrop of cornerback Joey Porter’s absence. McCarthy opted to make Porter inactive for a season-opening victory over Atlanta, citing a back issue that forced Porter to miss a chunk of training camp. The decision came as a deadline for Porter to sign a long-term deal to remain in Pittsburgh came and went without an agreement. McCarthy said he is hopeful Porter will take a step forward in practice this week. The Steelers will take a step up in class in Week 2 when they visit defending AFC champion New England.
September 15, 2026 4:24 am
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kenneth Walker III ran for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns in his Chiefs debut, and Kansas City exacted some revenge on the Denver Broncos for stealing their AFC West crown with a 31-10 victory. Walker stole some of the spotlight from Patrick Mahomes and his surgically repaired left knee. Mahomes didn’t appear to be affected by the knee, or the brace he wore on it. He threw for 184 yards and two scores while running for another to help the Chiefs snap a three-game skid against the rival that ended their nine-year run as division champs.
September 15, 2026 4:25 am
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his first home run since May 24 as the New York Yankees clinched their record 61st postseason berth and ninth in 10 years. Spencer Jones was batting with two outs in the eighth inning of an 8-3 win against Minnesota when Toronto lost to Detroit, assuring the Yankees of at least an AL wild card berth Judge, who returned last week after missing more than three months because of a fractured rib, hit a three-run homer off A.J. Minter earlier in the six-run eighth to give the Yankees a 7-2 lead. The Yankees captain had been 3 for 20 with 11 strikeouts since returning.
September 14, 2026 4:30 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — T.J. Watt intercepted returned an interception of Cooper Rush 35 yards for a touchdown to help the Pittsburgh Steelers secure a 20-13 win over Atlanta. Pittsburgh began the Mike McCarthy era with a sluggish performance, particularly on offense. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed for 221 yards and a touchdown in the first game of his 22nd season and his reunion with McCarthy. Bijan Robinson accounted for 173 of Atlanta’s 238 total yards. Rush was filling in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa. He threw for a touchdown and a pair of interceptions that Pittsburgh turned into scores.
September 14, 2026 4:31 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joey Porter Jr. isn’t getting a new contract before the season starts. The Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback also isn’t playing in the opener against Atlanta. The team made Porter inactive 90 minutes before kickoff. Porter is entering the final season of his rookie contract signed in 2023. The Steelers have re-signed other players from his draft class, but not Porter. He tweaked his back during a mobility test in July and spent most of the preseason on the physically unable to perform list. The team has a tradition of not negotiating during the season, so talks will resume in mid-January.
September 14, 2026 4:34 am
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jaxson Dart connected with Isaiah Likely for two touchdowns and Devin Singletary on another, Cam Skattebo ran for one in his first game back from injury and the New York Giants opened the season by beating the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 in John Harbaugh’s debut as coach. Dart made one smart throw after another, mixing in a series of well-timed runs to keep the defense off balance. The Cowboys committed a series of costly penalties, and Dak Prescott threw an interception that contributed to New York scoring before halftime.
September 14, 2026 4:32 am
CHICAGO (AP) — Brandon Lowe hit a tiebreaking two-run single in Pittsburgh’s three-run sixth inning, and the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 to avoid a sweep of their weekend series. Bryan Reynolds had two hits for Pittsburgh, including an early RBI single. Carmen Mlodzinski, Luke Weaver and Mason Montgomery combined for 3 2/3 hitless innings in relief of Bubba Chandler. The Pirates closed out a 4-2 stay in Chicago. They swept the White Sox before dropping two of three against the Cubs. Miguel Amaya homered for Chicago, and Michael Busch had two hits. Matthew Boyd allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings in his second straight loss.
September 14, 2026 2:07 am
The Wild Things, down a run entering the ninth after leading 7-0, walked off the Y’alls on an RBI single by Cole Fowler with the bases full, winning 9-8 and punching their ticket to the Midwest Conference finals and a date with Evansville. The Wild Things will be the only Division Champion to play in the conference finals. Games 1 and 2 are in Evansville Tuesday and Wednesday this week at 7:35/6:35 p.m. CDT. Tickets are on sale now for Games 3-5 with Games 4 and 5 if necessary, in the best of five. Game 3 is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Friday, September 18, Game 4 at the same time Saturday, September 19 and Game 5 at 4:05 p.m. Sunday, September 20.
September 14, 2026 4:35 am
After knocking off top-ranked Ohio State, Texas is the new No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. Ohio State dropped out of the top five for the first time in two seasons. Oregon dropped 15 spots to No. 21 after losing at Oklahoma State. Michigan has returned to the poll at No. 19 following a win over Oklahoma, which fell to No. 24. Georgia and Notre Dame held their places at No. 2 and No. 3. Indiana and Miami moved up to No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
