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Big 12 Conference to ban former NFL players, too

NEW YORK — The Big 12 Conference on Wednesday followed the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences in banning players who were on NFL rosters from returning to college. The decision by the Big 12 came a day after rulings by the SEC and Big Ten. Earlier Wednesday, the NFL made it clear that players who leave the NFL to return to college won’t be allowed to come back to the league this season. NFL executive Troy Vincent reiterated the policy at the league’s meetings Wednesday, saying any player who returns to college would not be eligible to play in the NFL until 2027. Atlantic Coast ...

Chicago Sky bans Freedom from future home games

CHICAGO — The Chicago Sky have banned Enes Kanter Freedom from their home games after the former NBA center was ejected from Sunday’s loss to the Indiana Fever. Owner Michael Alter made the announcement in a rare news conference on Tuesday. Alter told reporters Freedom is not allowed ...

Threat of FIFA boycott will be withdrawn by European teams

MONACO — European soccer body UEFA is set to formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances Gianni Infantino’s failed World Cup sell-off plan will not be revived. UEFA’s member federations are meeting Thursday in Monaco ahead of the Champions League ...

SEC joins Big Ten in banning pro players

The Southeastern Conference passed a rule Tuesday banning players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues, joining the Big Ten in taking a strong stand against this month’s unexpected surge of pro players trying to return to college. The SEC’s ...

Akron football team picks an OC for a day

AKRON, Ohio — Some people thought Andrew Goodrich was bonkers when he suggested that the University of Akron hold a contest to name an “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” for its home opener against Robert Morris on Sept. 12. But after the Zips’ athletic director explained and refined ...

Williams, Alcaraz lose

NEW YORK — Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz are out of the mixed doubles tournament at the U.S. Open. After winning their debut playing together, Williams and Alcaraz got knocked out in the mixed doubles quarterfinals by Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in straight sets. It was Williams’ first match back at the Grand Slam tournament in New York since 2022 as she makes a return to tennis at age 44. Alcaraz had not played since April because of a right wrist injury. Now the question is whether Williams will play women’s doubles alongside her older sister, Venus. WNBA team ...