National Sports - The Morning Sun

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes speaks to the media during NFL football Super Bowl 58 opening night Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. The San Francisco 49ers face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 on Sunday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Now a father of two, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has a new perspective on football and life

Patrick Mahomes is a different quarterback than he was four years ago, when the Kansas City Chiefs played the San Francisco 49ers in his first Super Bowl. He’s a different man, for that matter, a … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 2/7/24

FILE _ Tiger Woods reacts to winning the 2005 Masters in a playoff with Chris DiMarco on the 18th hole during final round play of the tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 10, 2005. Woods has ended his 27-year relationship with Nike. The swoosh was a big part of his apparel. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

Tiger Woods makes it official: His 2024 debut will come next week at Riviera

Tiger Woods has been pointing to Riviera for his 2024 debut. He made it official with a statement on X saying he looks forward to being a playing host next week at the Genesis Invitational. The … more

2/7/24

Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves sits during his trial in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Dani Alves goes on trial Monday a year after he allegedly sexually assaulted a young woman at a Barcelona nightclub. The 40-year-old Alves is accused of sexually assaulting the woman on the night of Dec. 30, 2022. He denies any wrongdoing(Alberto Estevez/Pool Photo via AP)

Soccer star Dani Alves denies alleged sexual assault, testifies he's 'not that type of man'

Testifying in court Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves denies accusations that he sexually assaulted a young woman at a Barcelona nightclub. After two days of listening to testimony from the alleged … more

By JOSEPH WILSON | 2/7/24

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy speaks to the media during NFL football Super Bowl 58 opening night Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. The San Francisco 49ers face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Pro Picks: Purdy will lead the 49ers to another comeback win, ruining Chiefs' repeat bid

The underdog Kansas City Chiefs are playing for history against the San Francisco 49ers. No team has been the underdog in consecutive Super Bowls and won both games. The two previous defending … more

By ROB MAADDI | 2/7/24

FILE - Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts in the women's team free skate program during the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Beijing. Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has been disqualified from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport comes almost two years after Valieva's doping case caused turmoil at the Beijing Games. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Russian skater’s strawberry dessert excuse was rejected by judges in Olympic doping case

A strawberry dessert contaminated by her grandfather’s heart medication was offered in sport's highest court as a possible cause of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva’s positive doping test. … more

By GRAHAM DUNBAR | 2/7/24

Yani Chang and Yiwen Chen of China compete during the women's synchronized 3m springboard diving final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

China's Chen and Chang win 3rd straight world title in women's synchronized springboard

Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani of China have captured their third straight diving world title in women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard. The decorated duo gave China its fifth diving gold medal of the … more

2/7/24

FILE - UConn head coach Geno Auriemma calls out to his team in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Dayton, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Hartford, Conn. Auriemma says he's less excited than his staff about the prospect of becoming the third coach in Division I college basketball history to reach 1,200 wins. It's a milestone the Hall of Famer could get on Wednesday night, Feb. 7, 2024, when his No. 11 UConn Huskies face Seton Hall in Hartford. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

Auriemma says players and winning championships are more important to him than reaching 1,200 wins

Geno Auriemma says he’s less excited than his staff about the prospect of becoming the third coach in Division I college basketball history to reach 1,200 wins. It’s a milestone the Hall of Famer … more

By PAT EATON-ROBB | 2/7/24

Nebraska's Jordy Bahl throws during softball practice Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. A Nebraska softball program that hasn't won a conference championship in 10 years enters this spring believing it can win a national championship. Call it the “Jordy Bahl Effect.” (Nikos Frazier/Omaha World-Herald via AP)

Jordy Bahl's move to Nebraska creates overwhelming softball ticket demand and national title hopes

Nebraska softball is enjoying a surge in popularity with the addition of pitching phenom Jordy Bahl. She shocked the college softball world last June when she announced her transfer to the … more

By ERIC OLSON | 2/7/24

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, right, battles for the ball against Vissel Kobe's Ryuho Kikuchi during the friendly soccer match between Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami CF at the National Stadium, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Messi plays and has chances but Vissel Kobe beats Inter Miami 4-3 on penalties in a friendly

After leaving fans disappointed in Hong Kong, Lionel Messi put in a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo in Inter Miami’s latest exhibition match in Asia. However, he still left some supporters wanting … more

By STEPHEN WADE | 2/7/24

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving signs autographs after the team's NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

Kyrie Irving ready to leave turbulent times in Brooklyn behind and focus on future in Dallas

Kyrie Irving is ready to leave the turbulent times in Brooklyn behind and focus on his future in Dallas. A year after he was traded by the Nets, Irving returned for the first time Tuesday night and … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 2/7/24

FILE - Houston Astros' José Altuve runs after his 2,000th career hit, a single off Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Aug. 19, 2023, in Houston. Altuve and the Astros agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract that covers 2025-29. Houston announced a new multiyear deal Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, without disclosing details. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox, File)

José Altuve and Houston Astros agree to new contract adding $125 million for 2025-29

José Altuve and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract that covers 2025-29. Houston announced a new multiyear deal for Altuve on Tuesday without disclosing financial … more

By RONALD BLUM | 2/7/24

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

Kyrie Irving scores 36 points in return to Brooklyn, leads Mavericks to 119-107 win over Nets

Kyrie Irving scored 36 points in a dazzling return to Brooklyn exactly one year after he was traded to Dallas, leading the Mavericks to a 119-107 victory over the Nets. Luka Doncic had 35 points, 18 … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 2/6/24

FILE - Dartmouth's Robert McRae III (23) takes a pass from Jackson Munro (33) as Duke's Jaylen Blakes (2) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Nov. 6, 2023. A National Labor Relations Board regional official has decided that Dartmouth basketball players are employees of the school, clearing the way for an election that would create the first-ever labor union for NCAA athletes. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown, File)

Labor victory for Dartmouth basketball players only start of path to a union deal

A ruling that gives the Dartmouth basketball team the right to unionize has far-reaching implications for all of college sports — from the quaint, academically oriented Ivy League to the big-money … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 2/6/24

FILE - A Tennessee cheerleader runs with a flag before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee has been in contact with NCAA investigators and a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, the inquiry is into potential rules violations related to name, image and likeness compensation for multiple athletes.(AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

Judge keeps NCAA's restrictions on NIL in place for now, denying request by Tennessee and Virginia

A judge has kept in place NCAA rules prohibiting name, image and likeness compensation being used as a recruiting inducement, denying a request for a temporary restraining order by the states of … more

By TERESA M. WALKER and RALPH D. RUSSO | 2/6/24

Brock Purdy remains unfazed by rise from last pick in the draft to Super Bowl QB

Minutes after the San Francisco 49ers finished off a stunning comeback to win the NFC championship, star defender Nick Bosa pulled aside quarterback Brock Purdy and marveled at his journey. Purdy has … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 2/6/24

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes participates in the NFL football Super Bowl 58 opening night Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. The San Francisco 49ers will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 Sunday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Chiefs are Super Bowl underdogs against the 49ers. Turns out they kind of like it

The Chiefs are underdogs heading into the Super Bowl against San Francisco, a situation they have rarely experienced in the six years that Patrick Mahomes has been their starting quarterback. But it … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 2/6/24

FILE - Kyle Larson sits on the car that he will drive in the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 after is was unveiled at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. Larson will attempt to drive both the Indianapolis 500 and the Charlotte NASCAR Cup Series auto races on the same day next year. Larson nearly lost control of his Arrow McLaren ride during a four-plus-hour test at Phoenix Raceway on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, but the NASCAR star and 2021 Cup Series champion managed to save the open-wheel car from hitting the wall at 180 mph.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

NASCAR star Kyle Larson tests the limits of his Indy 500 ride at Phoenix Raceway

Kyle Larson is coming off the longest test session of his IndyCar career. Larson was behind the wheel of his Arrow McLaren ride for more than four hours at Phoenix Raceway on Monday. The NASCAR star … more

By MARK LONG | 2/6/24

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts after making a 3-point basket in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)

AP Player of the Week: Freshman JuJu Watkins of USC leads Trojans to two big wins

JuJu Watkins of USC is The Associated Press national player of the week in women's college basketball. The freshman guard scored 51 of her team's 67 points in an upset victory over then-No. 4 … more

By The Associated Press | 2/6/24

FILE - Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. watches his two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The Kansas City Royals and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. agreed Monday to the longest contract in franchise history, an 11-year pact that includes three years of team options that could keep the rising star with the ballclub through the 2037 season.(AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Royals make official SS Bobby Witt Jr.'s mammoth 11-year, $288 million-plus contract

The Royals have officially signed 23-year-old shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to his 11-year deal worth more than $288.7 million guaranteed. It is easily the longest and richest in club history. The deal … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 2/6/24

This photo provided by Dowling Catholic High School shows basketball player Caitlin Clark with head coach Kristin Meyer at the girls state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 25, 2020. Clark is now on the cusp of becoming Division I women's basketball's all-time leading scorer. An early sign of how her career would evolve happened when she was a high school junior. In a game against Mason City she scored 60 points and made 13 3-pointers on 17 attempts. (Earl Hulst/Dowling High School via AP)

Caitlin Clark was a grade-school phenom. Her 60-point game in high school was sign of things to come

Caitlin Clark was in sixth grade when Iowa associate head coach and chief recruiter Jan Jensen first saw her play basketball. Jensen said Clark was shooting her signature deep 3-pointers even then … more

By ERIC OLSON | 2/6/24