Mayfield feels ‘disrespected’ by Buccaneers ownership after failing to agree on a new contract

August 1, 2026

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield feels "disrespected" by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is focused on playing his best football. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback didn't get the contract extension he sought and plans to play out the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal. "I've been pretty up front and honest about my feelings about Tampa, it being home for our family, raising kids here," Mayfield said Thursday. "We love it here. I wanted a deal done and set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that, and I did mean that. I don't know if they ...

Return of Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Oregon’s Dante Moore have Buckeyes and Ducks thinking big

August 1, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith downplays his chances of winning a Heisman Trophy even though he's generally regarded as college football's top returning player regardless of position. "I always felt that was a quarterback award unless you have a crazy season like ...

Big Ten: No league championship game if college football moves to a 24-team playoff

August 1, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — The Big Ten Conference would do away with its championship game if college football adopts a 24-team playoff. Commissioner Tony Petitti says that's a worthwhile sacrifice to get his preferred postseason format. "When we make this decision as a league – are we going to ...

Senators still working with SEC, Big Ten on thorny issues involved in college sports bill

August 1, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate negotiators worked Wednesday to resolve thorny differences with leaders of the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences over revisions to a bill designed to regulate college sports that sponsors want a vote on before the chamber goes on summer break next week. "Those conversations are ongoing," said one of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Cruz and co-sponsor Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., are pushing to bring the Protect College Sports Act to a vote before Aug. 7, the last day the Senate meets before going on break. Senators return for the second ...

NASCAR drivers head into week-long break before Iowa race pondering playoff chase

August 1, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Denny Hamlin had another bittersweet moment at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday. Sure, one of his 23XI Racing drivers, Corey Heim, reached victory lane at a crown jewel race. Again. But for Hamlin, it also was a brutal reminder about how frustrating the Brickyard ...

Jimmie Johnson adds Bryce Harper, Andy Roddick and other winners as investors to his NASCAR team

August 1, 2026

STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is adding some big-time winners to his race team. Johnson announced a strategic ownership group for Legacy Motor Club on Thursday that includes championship athletes, Grammy Award winners, entrepreneurs, ...