Media and entertainment industry
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 Thursday, March 19, 2020 file photo, a mask lies on a lawn in Willowbrook, Ill. On Friday, June 26, 2020, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting that wearing face masks can cause fungal and bacterial pneumonia. There’s no evidence that normal use of face masks can cause fungal or bacterial infections. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

By Ali Swenson, Beatrice Dupuy, Arijeta Lajka And Amanda Seitz Jun. 26, 2020 05:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, March 2, 2020 file photo, a man wearing a mask as a precaution against passing or receiving germs casts his ballot on the eve of Super Tuesday, at a voting center in Sacramento, Calif. On Friday, June 19, 2020, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting all California registered to vote as an independent will not be able to vote Republican in 2020. Information contained in the post does not apply to the general election this fall. During California’s presidential primary election on March 3, independent voters, also known as “no party preference” voters, could vote in the Democratic presidential primary without changing their party affiliation, but not in the Republican primary. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

By Ali Swenson, Beatrice Dupuy, Arijeta Lajka And Amanda Seitz Jun. 19, 2020 03:33 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

In this image made from a May 2020 teleconference provided by SiriusXM, Adam Schein, clockwise from upper right, Rich Gannon, Warren Moon and Phil Simms discuss NFL issues during a radio show. With the coronavirus pandemic forcing radio and television stations to do most of their work from home, SiriusXM was ahead of the curve since most of their sports talk show hosts were already doing shows out of their homes. (Evan Neel/SiriusXM via AP)
SiriusXM radio calls audibles for sports shows in pandemic

By Joe Reedy May. 23, 2020 10:32 AM EDT

The supporter's entrance of the Signal Iduna Park, Germany's biggest stadium of Borussia Dortmund, is closed in Dortmund, Germany, Thursday, May 14, 2020. Bundesliga will now restart on May 16, 2020 when Borussia Dortmund will play the derby against FC Schalke 04 at home without spectators due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Latest: Aussie rules football to kick off on June 11

By The Associated Press May. 14, 2020 01:04 PM 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

FILE - In this July 14, 2005, file photo, Team Sweden pulls during the men Tug of War competition at the World Games in Duisburg, Germany. Joining the array of postponed events in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Thursday that the 11th edition of the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama will now be held in the summer of 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
The Latest: NASCAR delays next generation car until 2022

By The Associated Press Apr. 02, 2020 05:27 PM EDT

FILE - At left, in a March 8, 2020, file photo, car owner Jack Roush is shown in the garage area prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. At right, in a June 7, 2019, file photo, Brad Keselowski prepares to practice for a NASCAR cup series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. Ford and Chevrolet are among the American automakers who have stepped in to build personal protective equipment for health care workers battling the new coronavirus. Now NASCAR, driver Brad Keselowski and Roush Fenway Racing have joined the effort, using their idled equipment and technology to produce face shields and other needed PPE items.(AP Photo/File)
NASCAR industry steps up to produce PPE's in COVID-19 crisis

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 31, 2020 03:46 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