Referee Steve Kozari taken off ice on stretcher after collision with Lightning's Haydn Fleury

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Referee Steve Kozari was taken off the ice on a stretcher after colliding with Tampa Bay defenseman Haydn Fleury in the third period of the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-4 win over the Lightning on Saturday. Kozari and Fleury ran into each other at center ice 6:11 into...

'Ozempig' remains Minnesota baseball team's mascot despite uproar that name is form of fat-shaming

For a Minnesota minor league baseball team known for a history of outlandish promotions, the idea of naming its longtime live pig mascot after the weight loss drug Ozempic made perfect sense. The St. Paul Saints quickly found out that not everyone was amused by the pig's name,...

76ers' Nick Nurse, Kelly Oubre fined $50,000 for confronting officials after narrow loss to Clippers

NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse and guard Kelly Oubre Jr. have each been fined $50,000 for their actions toward officials at the end of their 108-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The league announced Friday that Nurse was fined for aggressively...

MLS and referees reach 7-year labor deal, ending 37-day lockout that led to replacement officials

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Soccer and its referees announced a seven-year labor contract Tuesday, ending a 37-day lockout that led to the use of replacement officials. Match officials will average a 28.36% increase this year, followed by hikes of 3% in 2025, 6% in 2026, 3% each...

China hands down terms of life to 8 years for sports officials convicted of taking bribes

BEIJING (AP) — The former president of the Chinese Football Association has been sentenced to life in prison amid a wide-ranging crackdown on sports corruption. Chinese courts on Tuesday handed down sentences of between eight years and life in prison to officials in the Communist...

CONCACAF Nations League final twice stopped because of homophobic chants in pro-Mexican crowd

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The U.S.-Mexico CONCACAF Nations League final match was suspended in the late stages for the second straight year because of homophobic chants by pro-Mexican fans. Canadian referee Drew Fischer stopped play in the 88th minute of the United States' 2-0...

Russian officials raise the death toll to 115 in a concert hall attack claimed by the Islamic State group

After whistle hastens Samford's exit from March Madness, the referee could be next

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The referee who blew the critical whistle that worked against Samford at the end of its loss to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament might be following the Bulldogs straight out of town. It is routine for evaluators to analyze games and decide which officials move on...

Over 300 French sports coaches, teachers and officials accused of sexual abuse or cover-ups in 2023

PARIS (AP) — More than 300 French coaches, teachers and sports officials have been accused of sexual abuse or of covering up such wrongdoing in 2023, the country's sports minister said Thursday. France launched a nationwide effort to uncover and combat sexual violence in sports...

US water polo player Max Irving is inspired by his father, a longtime college basketball referee

WALNUT, Calif. (AP) — Throughout his water polo career — from growing up in Long Beach to playing for UCLA and the U.S. national team — Max Irving has drawn inspiration from his father, Michael. Each of them knows what it's like to work in front of a hostile crowd. ...