STONY BROOK, N.Y. (AP) – With Iran qualifying for the World Cup, Arad Ershad had visions of splurging on flights and tickets to attend one of the team’s upcoming first-round matches in Los Angeles.

The NIL deals that are transforming college sports are also allowing NFL teams to gain insight into how a young player will react to having money before they get a big pro contract.

The Big Ten Conference amassed nearly $70 million from NCAA distributions that will be paid for team appearances and performances in the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Wild have added a Viking.

PITTSBURGH (AP) – It might be a stretch to say that the rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin saved the NHL. There is no doubt their arrival ushered in a new era for a league desperately in need of a jolt after losing the 2004-05 season to a lockout.

MIAMI (AP) – Pete Fairbanks is back with the Miami Marlins after the reliever was away from the team for a few days for the birth of his child.

Colton Herta’s hopes of returning to the Indianapolis 500 in the middle of his bid to reach Formula 1 took a hit with a calendar clash Thursday after Formula 2 races were rescheduled.

MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) – Max Verstappen’s race engineer and close ally GianPiero Lambiase is set to leave the Red Bull team in 2028 and will join Formula 1 rival McLaren as its chief racing officer.