September 4, 2026 4:34 am
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s chances of fielding former NFL players improved Thursday night when a Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in a high-profile eligibility case. East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued his ruling the night before LSU was due to submit its 105-man roster to the Southeastern Conference, which last week announced heavy potential punishment for teams that bring in ex-pros. The ruling clears the way for LSU to list some former NFL players on its roster. How many games they might be eligible to play remains to be seen.
September 4, 2026 4:35 am
Former Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez plans to plead guilty rather than go forward with a trial next week stemming from an October 2025 fight with a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel. The motion on Thursday asks Marion County Superior Court to schedule a hearing for Sanchez to plead guilty and be sentenced. Online records didn’t indicate which charges Sanchez plans to plead guilty to. Sanchez faces a felony battery charge and three misdemeanor charges for what prosecutors have said was a fight over parking. The ex-NFL quarterback’s jury trial had been set to start Tuesday. Sanchez was let go by Fox Sports in November.
September 3, 2026 2:16 pm
The Washington Wild Things have swept the Frontier League MVP and Pitcher of the Year awards for the second time in franchise history. Andrew Czech is Washington’s fourth league MVP, join Josh Loggins (2003), James Harris (2018) and Caleb McNeely (2024). Czech is in his sixth Wild Things season and is hitting .333 with 28 doubles, 26 home runs and 101 RBI. He leads the league in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS, shares the league lead in RBI and is second in home runs behind teammate Anthony Brocato who was named to the All-Frontier League team. Kobe Foster is the fifth Wild Things pitcher to win POY honors, joining Jared Howton (2002), Aaron Ledbetter (2007), Thomas DOrminy (2018), Ryan Hennen (2021). Foster is 9-3 on the year with 94.2 innings of work. His 2.38 ERA is best in the league and nearly a full run better than any other qualified pitcher, and has allowed just 22 walks while striking out 82 batters. Foster tossed the team’s fourth no-hitter back on June 12th against New Jersey, striking out 14 batters in the win that came one week after a complete-game shutout of Florence, earning his Pitcher of the Week honors. Foster, the League’s 2022 Rookie of the year, is the career wins and strikeout leader for the Wild Things, helping the squad clinch the FL Central Division title.
September 2, 2026 8:00 pm
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rafael Devers continued his hot hitting with his 32nd home run of the season and the San Francisco Giants scored twice in the 10th inning to defeat Pittsburgh 5-4, ending the Pirates’ four-game winning streak. Devers had a solo shot with one out in the first inning to open the scoring a night after the Giants dropped a wild 13-12 decision in the series opener. The first baseman extended his hitting streak to 10 games by going 2 for 3 with two walks. Bryce Eldridge’s RBI double down the left-field line in the 10th inning put the Giants ahead 4-3 and Turner Hill added a sacrifice fly.
September 3, 2026 4:18 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, but the same old standards as they enter 2026. McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, is tasked with putting the reigning AFC North champions in position to defend their title. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is back for his 22nd and final NFL season. The team upgraded the talent around Rodgers, acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman and selecting pass catcher Germie Bernard in the draft. The defense, led by longtime captain Cam Heyward and outside linebacker TJ Watt, could be one of the top in the AFC. The key to Pittsburgh’s season will be a new-look offensive line that is relatively young and inexperienced.
September 3, 2026 4:21 am
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes remains on track to start for the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. The two-time MVP has been focused on returning since undergoing knee surgery in December. Doctors initially thought he might not be ready until October, but Mahomes exceeded expectations in his rehab. He worked with the first team throughout training camp, though he didn’t play in any preseason games. Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes will continue practicing. The team faces some uncertainty with their offensive line because of injuries, but they’re making adjustments to ensure protection for Mahomes.
September 3, 2026 4:19 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year by the NBA, and the team was ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks and pay a $30 million fine for violating salary cap circumvention rules in a case involving Kawhi Leonard. Also, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been banned for six months and team president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year. Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty. The league’s decision follows a nearly yearlong investigation. The penalties reflect the league’s firm stance on maintaining fair play and financial integrity. The Clippers say they will challenge the decision.
September 2, 2026 4:22 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brandon Lowe scored from third base on a error with two outs in the ninth to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 13-12 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Lowe led off the ninth inning with his fourth hit of the game and eventually moved to third. Pittsburgh backup catcher Rafael Flores Jr. hit a grounder that led to a throwing error by Giants third baseman Osleivis Basabe, allowing Lowe to score. Lowe’s performance included his 29th home run of the season. Oneil Cruz also had four hits and drove in four runs for Pittsburgh. The Pirates have won five of their last seven games.
September 2, 2026 2:36 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joey Porter Jr.’s back feels good enough for practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but contract issues are on his mind. The cornerback hasn’t committed to playing in the season opener against Atlanta on Sept. 13 if a new deal isn’t reached. Porter, entering the final year of his rookie contract, believes he’s one of the league’s best defensive backs and wants to be compensated accordingly. General manager Omar Khan wants Porter to stay in Pittsburgh, but negotiations seem stalled. The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating once the regular season begins, adding urgency to the talks.
September 2, 2026 4:24 am
The last play of the 2025 regular season determined the winner of the AFC North. Then Baltimore and Pittsburgh — the two teams playing in that game — soon entered new eras. Gone are coaches John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin. The former spent 18 seasons with the Ravens, the latter 19 at the helm of the Steelers. Jesse Minter and Mike McCarthy took over those jobs, part of an offseason in which three of the division’s four coaching positions changed hands. Cleveland replaced Kevin Stefanski with Todd Monken.
