AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:31 p.m. EDT

WNBA outlook is promising after record-setting year, although the league has a few challenges ahead NEW YORK (AP) The WNBA outlook seems promising heading into the offseason following a banner season with record ratings, attendance and a first-time champion in New York.

Soon after the confetti stopped falling on the sellout crowd at Barclays Center following Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, the league and its players turned their attention to 2025.

It was less than 24 hours later the players union opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement.

The decision was expected with a new 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $200 million per year beginning in 2026.

The players are looking for a bigger share of the revenue pie as well as pensions and higher salaries.

The current CBA will still be in effect through next season.

Maria Sharapova and the Bryan brothers are elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame Maria Sharapova and brothers Bob and Mike Bryan are first-ballot selections for the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Newport, Rhode Island-based Hall announced the results for the Class of 2025 on Thursday.

Sharapova and the Bryans will be inducted in August.

Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam singles champion who was the first Russian woman to reach No.

1 in the WTA singles rankings.

The Bryan twins won a record 16 major titles in mens doubles together, an Olympic gold medal and spent more than 400 weeks at No.

1 in the ATP doubles rankings.

NBA opens investigation into Joel Embiid's playing status after 76ers star misses season opener The NBA is now investigating why Philadelphia center Joel Embiid did not play in the teams nationally televised season-opener against Milwaukee.

The league confirmed the probe on Thursday.

It was opened as part of the NBAs player participation policy that went into effect last season.

Such a move was to be expected: The NBA has said that any time a star player misses a game an investigation can be opened to promote compliance with league rules and can include independent medical review and related determinations regarding player availability.

Parent of WWE and UFC is buying Professional Bull Riders, On Location and IMG for $3.25 billion TKO Group, the sports entertainment company that houses WWE and UFC, is buying Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and IMG from Endeavor Group in an all-stock deal valued at $3.25 billion.

TKO said Thursday that the acquisition will complement its existing businesses as well as broaden its reach in the premium sports market.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of next year.

New York Liberty basketball team honored with ticker-tape parade in Canyon of Heroes NEW YORK (AP) Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and their New York teammates were showered in ticker-tape as the Liberty celebrated winning the WNBA title in the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan.

New York Sen.

Chuck Schumer, Gov.

Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the thousands who lined the streets on Thursday.

The Liberty won the franchises first championship, beating the Minnesota Lynx in overtime in a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Arsenal has a discipline issue and it could cost the team the Premier League title Arsenal has a discipline problem and it might yet cost Mikel Artetas team a shot at the English Premier League title.

Arsenal has had three players sent off in the opening eight rounds of a league campaign that is seeing yellow cards being dished out at an unprecedented rate.

It continues something of a running theme under Arteta.

Since he arrived as manager in late 2019, Arsenal has collected 18 red cards in the Premier League.

That's five more than the next team.

The only games when Arsenal dropped points this season came when the team had a player dismissed.

League leader Liverpool visits Emirates Stadium on Sunday in the headline match of the ninth round.

A comparison of Mbappe's Real Madrid and Yamal's Barcelona ahead of their first clasico BARCELONA, Spain (AP) When Real Madrid added Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona looked doomed to becoming a regular runner-up to its fierce rival.

Then Hansi Flick arrived with fresh ideas, Lamine Yamal blossomed into a star, his teammates stepped up their game, and Saturdays clasico promises to be a highly entertaining match.

It will be the first clasico for Mbappe and Flick.

Barcelona leads La Liga by three points from second-placed Madrid.

At Aaron Judge's urging, the Yankees have minted a new vibe NEW YORK (AP) These Yankees have minted a new vibe going into their first World Series since 2009.

Baseballs most tradition-bound team, with a grandiose granite-and-limestone stadium and pinstriped home uniforms that have hardly changed since 1936, has added a flamboyant flash to its accessories: Statue of Liberty green.

Its on cleats, chest protectors, batting gloves, wrist and elbow guards.

This is one team happy to be told it looks like statues at least sartorially.

Judge is the Yankees ultimate influencer and if he goes green, the rest of the team follows.

Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela served as a cultural ambassador for Mexican Americans, Mexicans For Mexicans and Mexican Americans, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela was a beacon of hope, inspiration and pride.

With news of Valenzuelas passing Tuesday night, many recall the times they watched baseball games at home with their parents simply because Valenzuela was playing, even those who were not sports fans.

They say he opened doors for future generations of Mexicans.

Chiefs acquire three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans, AP source says KANSAS CITY, Mo.

(AP) A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are acquiring three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams havent announced the trade.

The Chiefs are sending a conditional fifth-round pick to the Titans, according to NFL Network.

The 32-year-old Hopkins gives Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs another playmaker to help replace injured receiver Rashee Rice.

Hopkins was in his second season with the Titans after spending his first seven in Arizona and three in Houston..

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