Sports team and league operation
Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, former NBA player and players union deputy Roger Mason, left, listens as entertainer Ice Cube, right, announces the launch of the BIG3, a new 3-on-3 professional basketball league, in New York. Hundreds of sports-related businesses got in line for the government-funded Payroll Protection Plan designed to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the four North American major sports leagues — the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball — applied, but both Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League were represented. Rapper Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league says it returned almost half of the $1.6 million it received, but givebacks were rare. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Sports jumps on PPP bandwagon, but big leagues take a pass

By The Associated Press Jul. 06, 2020 10:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 8, 2020, file photo, Harris English hits out of a bunker onto the 14th green during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament in Orlando, Fla. Before the PGA Tour season was halted by the coronavirus, English worked his way up to No. 24 in the FedEx Cup. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
The Latest: Nets' DeAndre Jordan says he has coronavirus

Jun. 29, 2020 03:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 31, 2020, file photo, cars speed past empty stands during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. Tennis and golf tournaments could be in real financial trouble if they are held without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. The biggest team leagues such as the NFL and NBA seem to be in good shape because they derive most of their money from TV contracts worth billions each season. NASCAR also relies mainly on broadcast rights fees. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
For tennis and golf, tournaments without fans come at a cost

By Howard Fendrich Jun. 11, 2020 02:58 AM EDT

The gates of St. Edwards' Lewis-Chen Family Soccer Field are locked and marked closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Austin, Texas. In response to the economic impact of COVID-19, St. Edwards says they are cutting cut six sports programs including men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf and men's soccer. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Latest: West Indies cricket cutting pay by 50%

By The Associated Press May. 29, 2020 07:36 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2019, file photo, New Jersey Devils right wing Kurtis Gabriel works out prior to an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Newark, N.J. The NHL is hoping to move to Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice facilities and allowing small group workouts, early next month. The league, which was forced to pause its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a 22-page memo detailing the plan Monday, May 25, 2020. The document stresses there's no exact date for the start of Phase 2 or a timetable for how long it will last. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
The Latest: NHL players will get daily tests if play resumes

By The Associated Press May. 26, 2020 10:52 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2017 file photo, players challenge for the ball in front of the empty south tribune because of a ban following fan trouble during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg at Germany's biggest stadium in Dortmund, Germany. Bundesliga will now restart on May 16, 2020 when Dortmund will play the derby against Schalke at home without spectators due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, file)
The Latest: China's football association to cut pay

By The Associated Press May. 07, 2020 07:41 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2019, file photo, the main gate of Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis is shown. It is finally May and acceptable to declare this a crummy year for Roger Penske to have purchased Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
The Latest: Indy high school to hold graduation at Speedway

By The Associated Press May. 05, 2020 04:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 25, 2020, fikle photo, medical personnel from BayCare test people for the coronavirus in the parking lot outside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Nobody can say with precise certainty how many coronavirus tests that the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball would need before those leagues can resume playing games. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
For sports, coronavirus testing remains a major hurdle

By Tim Reynolds May. 01, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 5, 2018, file photo, Mike Smith rides Justify to victory during the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The move of the Triple Crown’s first leg to Labor Day weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic will mark the first time the Derby won’t run on the first Saturday in May since 1945. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
The Latest: North Carolina considering allowing NASCAR race

By The Associated Press Apr. 23, 2020 04:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 18, 2019, file photo, jockey Tyler Gaffalione, right, reacts aboard War of Will, as they crosses the finish line first to win the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore. A measure in Maryland to redevelop Pimlico Race Course to keep the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown in Baltimore is scheduled for a hearing before state lawmakers. The “Racing and Community Development Act of 2020” is set for a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
The Latest: NCAA suspends infraction hearings, arguments

By The Associated Press Apr. 03, 2020 04:09 PM EDT

Driver Joey Logano stands on his race car at the start-finish line as he celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
The Latest: NASCAR's Logano sets up $1 million recovery fund

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2020 02:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2019 file photo, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is introduced during an NBA preseason basketball game between the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors in Saitama, near Tokyo. Silver said in an interview Saturday, March 21, 2020 that the league is considering all options, best-case, worst-case and countless ideas in between, as it tries to come to grips with the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
AP Source: 20% base salary reductions for top NBA executives

By Brian Mahoney Mar. 26, 2020 06:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, March 7, 2020, file photo, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) talks with guard Donovan Mitchell, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, in Detroit. Both players have tested positive for the coronavirus. Gobert's test result forced the NBA to suspend the season. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
The Latest: AP source: Salary reductions for top NBA execs

By The Associated Press Mar. 26, 2020 01:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 14, 2019, file photo, Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy during the presentation after he defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final match of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. The All England Club says it plans to make a decision next week whether to postpone or cancel Wimbledon because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Laurence Griffiths/Pool Photo via AP, File)
The Latest: Hurricanes ask employees to take time off

By The Associated Press Mar. 25, 2020 02:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2018, file photo, Josh Harris is shown during ceremonies before a hockey game in Newark, N.J. The New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers have done an about-face on cutting salaries for employees making more than $100,000. A day after announcing the temporary 20% pay cuts because of the economics effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the teams' co-owners rescinded them. Co-owner Josh Harris says after listening to his staff and players, it’s clear that the pay cuts was the wrong decision. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Teams and leagues drawing up employee game plans on fly

By Tom Canavan Mar. 24, 2020 07:40 PM EDT

- FILE - In this Wednesday, March 4, 2020, file image, F1 driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands drives his car through one of the two banked corners during a test and official presentation of the renovated F1 track in the beachside resort of Zandvoort, western Netherlands. The iconic Monaco Grand Prix was added Thursday to a growing list of Formula One races to be postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The first seven races of the Formula One season have now been postponed, with Netherlands and Spain joining Monaco as the latest to be called off. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
The Latest: Packers helping provide $1.5 million for relief

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2020 07:17 AM EDT

FILE - In this April 9, 2013, file photo, United States' Kacey Bellamy, Julie Chu and Meghan Duggan, from left, stand with IIHF president Rene Fasel as they are presented with the trophy after the U.S. team defeated Canada 3-2 in the gold medal game at the women's ice hockey world championships in Ottawa, Ontario. The women’s world hockey championships in Canada have been canceled because of the new coronavirus. International Ice Hockey Federation President René Fasel tells The Associated Press the decision was made by conference call Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
The Latest: Australian rules football suspends league

By The Associated Press Mar. 21, 2020 06:37 AM EDT

Dylan Blackthorn boards up Hillside Farmacy restaurant right before the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans gatherings, shuts down restaurants, bars, schools on Thursday, March 19, 2020. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Latest: Pro Motocross cancels season-opening event

By The Associated Press Mar. 19, 2020 11:21 AM EDT

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman lays down a bunt during a spring training baseball practice in North Port, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
The Latest: Big South Conference cancels all spring sports

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2020 12:55 PM EDT