National Sports News
NFL »

Steelers LB TJ Watt returns to practice two weeks after surgery to repair collapsed lung
- Pro Picks: Bills will edge Eagles and 49ers will beat the Bears
- Commanders turn to 39-year-old Josh Johnson on Christmas with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota hurt
- Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a fractured throwing hand. Max Brosmer to start vs. Lions
- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says he supports suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf after fan incident
NBA »

Spurs celebrate big win over Thunder, but matchup with reigning champs not a rivalry yet
- Draymond Green, Steve Kerr have heated exchange in huddle during timeout before Green leaves court
- Nuggets' 19-0 run to begin game sets tone in 135-112 victory over Jazz
- Zion Williamson scores 24 to lead Pelicans over Mavericks for 5th straight win
- Carlisle to step down, Bickerstaff to become National Basketball Coaches Association president
MLB »

All-Star first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and Pirates agree to a $29 million, 2-year deal, AP source says
- Steelers WR DK Metcalf suspended 2 games following altercation with fan in Detroit
- White Sox expect Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to make quick impact and put up big numbers
- It's been 50 years since a lawyer's decision unlocked free agency in MLB and changed sports forever
- White Sox add Munetaka Murakami with $34 million, 2-year contract
College »

College Football Playoff ratings drop 7% as NFL competition impacts viewership
- LJ Martin's absence will open opportunities in BYU's run game, especially for a redshirt freshman
- Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos drops NCAA appeal, enters NFL draft
- BYU women's volleyball has a new head coach — and a key return from portal
- No. 12 BYU will be without star RB LJ Martin in Pop-Tarts Bowl
Golf »

Jumbo Ozaki dies of cancer at age 78. He had the most wins of any Japanese golfer
- Brooks Koepka is first player to defect from LIV. The next step is if PGA Tour will take him back
- Mito Pereira was one hole away from winning a major. Three years later the Chilean is retiring
- Matt Kuchar lost his father in February and ends the year with emotional PNC victory with his son
- Masters fields reaches 86 players with 13 from the world ranking
Soccer »

Ivory Coast starts Africa Cup title defense with a win as proud dad Zidane sees Algeria beat Sudan
- US defender Chris Richards optimistic about quick Palace return after foot injury
- Amorim says Fernandes to miss United game against Newcastle but appears optimistic
- Arsenal beats Crystal Palace in penalty shootout to reach League Cup semifinals
- Senegal starts Africa Cup campaign with 3-0 win over Botswana, Nigeria plods past Tanzania 2-1
Tennis »

Venus Williams weds Andrea Preti in Florida as part of a 5-day celebration of their union
- Three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka announces 2026 as his final year on tour
- Carlos Alcaraz ends 7-year partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero
- Aryna Sabalenka is the WTA Player of the Year again. Amanda Anisimova earns Comeback Player honors
- French tennis player Quentin Folliot suspended for 20 years, fined $70,000 for match-fixing
Racing »

NTSB unclear who was at controls in jet crash that killed ex-NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and 6 others
- NASCAR's Brad Keselowski breaks leg in skiing accident, expected to recover for Daytona 500
- Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family among 7 killed in North Carolina plane crash
- NASCAR mourns the loss of Greg Biffle, family in tragic plane crash in North Carolina
- Police believe retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family are among 7 dead in plane crash in North Carolina.
Most Recent

College Football Playoff ratings drop 7% as NFL competition impacts viewership
Joe Reedy, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 24 - 7:08 p.m. | Save Story
Last weekend's first round of the College Football Playoff averaged 9.9 million viewers on ABC, ESPN, TNT, TBS and truTV, according to ESPN and Nielson. That is a 7% drop from last year.

Ivory Coast starts Africa Cup title defense with a win as proud dad Zidane sees Algeria beat Sudan
CiarÁn Fahey, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 24 - 3:13 p.m. | Save Story
Ivory Coast got its Africa Cup of Nations title defense off to a winning start and France great Zinedine Zidane watched his goalkeeper son's safe hands as Algeria also started its campaign with a victory Wednesday.

Steelers LB TJ Watt returns to practice two weeks after surgery to repair collapsed lung
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 24 - 1:55 p.m. | Save Story
T.J. Watt is back. Sort of.

Spurs celebrate big win over Thunder, but matchup with reigning champs not a rivalry yet
Raul Dominguez, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 24 - 1:37 p.m. | Save Story
The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA just a year removed from two of the worst seasons in franchise history.

Pro Picks: Bills will edge Eagles and 49ers will beat the Bears
Rob Maaddi, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 24 - 1:14 p.m. | Save Story
Ten teams are in the NFL playoffs. Eight more are battling for the final four spots.

Commanders turn to 39-year-old Josh Johnson on Christmas with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota hurt
Ben Standing, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 24 - 11:20 a.m. | Save Story
The Washington Commanders will start 39-year-old Josh Johnson at quarterback for their Christmas Day home game against the Dallas Cowboys, coach Dan Quinn announced Wednesday.

Fenerbahce president detained in Istanbul drug investigation after positive narcotics test
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 24 - 11:00 a.m. | Save Story
The president of Fenerbahce, one of Turkey's leading sports clubs, was taken into custody in Istanbul on Wednesday as part of a widening drug investigation that has ensnared prominent entertainment and media figures, state media reported.

US defender Chris Richards optimistic about quick Palace return after foot injury
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 24 - 10:04 a.m. | Save Story
United States defender Chris Richards said it "won't be long" until he's back for Crystal Palace.

Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos drops NCAA appeal, enters NFL draft
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 24 - 9:06 a.m. | Save Story
Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos has dropped his appeal for another year of college eligibility and declared for the NFL draft.

Amorim says Fernandes to miss United game against Newcastle but appears optimistic
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 24 - 8:14 a.m. | Save Story
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim appeared optimistic about the injuries to Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo though he confirmed both midfielders will miss Friday's Premier League game against Newcastle.

Team official investigates drinking by England cricketers on Ashes tour as Duckett video emerges
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 10:15 p.m. | Save Story
England's managing director of men's cricket Rob Key says he will investigate the drinking habits of the England team following reports that their mid-Ashes beach resort break may have involved over-indulging of alcohol.

Jumbo Ozaki dies of cancer at age 78. He had the most wins of any Japanese golfer
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 9:44 p.m. | Save Story
Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, whose 113 worldwide victories were the most of any player from Japan, died Wednesday in his home country after a battle with colon cancer, the Japan Golf Tour said. He was 78.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a fractured throwing hand. Max Brosmer to start vs. Lions
Dave Campbell, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 7:28 p.m. | Save Story
J.J. McCarthy has a hairline fracture in his throwing hand that will keep him out of Minnesota's upcoming game against Detroit, making Max Brosmer the starting quarterback this week.

Miami Heat's Terry Rozier asks judge to throw out betting charges
Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 7:07 p.m. | Save Story
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier 's lawyers are asking a judge to throw out sports gambling charges that have kept him off the court this season, arguing that the government overreached by turning a private dispute over bettors' use of nonpublic information into a federal case.

All-Star first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and Pirates agree to a $29 million, 2-year deal, AP source says
Will Graves, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 6:41 p.m. | Save Story
The Pittsburgh Pirates took another step toward being a contender in 2026, agreeing to a $29 million, two-year contract with All-Star first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn that's designed to give one of the worst offenses in the majors a boost.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says he supports suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf after fan incident
Will Graves, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 5:51 p.m. | Save Story
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn't condone the actions that led to wide receiver DK Metcalf's two-game suspension by the NFL following an in-game altercation with a fan, but he added that Metcalf has his full support.

Bills QB Josh Allen feels ready to play despite sore right foot
John Wawrow, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 5:05 p.m. | Save Story
Wearing a T-shirt, shorts and running shoes following a walk-through practice, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen made his way to the podium with the slightest hint of a limp, and declared himself ready to play this weekend.

Brooks Koepka is first player to defect from LIV. The next step is if PGA Tour will take him back
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 4:36 p.m. | Save Story
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka became the first player to defect from LIV Golf, a significant blow to the Saudi-funded league that raises questions whether the PGA Tour will find a way for him to return.

Arsenal beats Crystal Palace in penalty shootout to reach League Cup semifinals
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 23 - 4:16 p.m. | Save Story
Arsenal will face Chelsea in the English League Cup semifinals after beating Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time Tuesday.


