Sports

Jones, who has three Super Bowl wins, said he wants to retire as the NFL owner with the most Super Bowl titles and signaled he may pursue a more aggressive approach in free agency.

The Panthers have contacted Cam Newton about beating the Keep Pounding drum before Saturday's wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams, and sources say the team is optimistic he will attend. The game is Carolina's first home playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in 10 years.

Lane Johnson practiced Wednesday for the first time since his Week 11 Lisfranc foot injury, and the Eagles will list his official status on Wednesday's injury report.

Lane Kiffin left for LSU with several assistants, and despite those midseason departures Ole Miss reached the College Football Playoff semifinals and will face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

John Harbaugh was fired as the Baltimore Ravens' head coach after 18 seasons; team officials say president Sashi Brown and general manager Eric DeCosta informed his staff and the organization has announced it will begin a search for a new head coach.

Steven Adams returned after a PCL injury and surgery and is contributing for the Houston Rockets; through 26 games he is averaging about six points and 8.5 rebounds while leading the team's strong offensive-rebounding effort, per Cleaning The Glass.

After scoring 30 points in 33 minutes in a 111-103 win over the Pelicans, LeBron James was praised by coach JJ Redick, who called the 41-year-old's late-career play 'a different form of greatness.' James said decisions about playing back-to-backs for the rest of the season are 'to be determined.'

Iowa (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten) stayed at No. 14 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll after wins over then-No. 25 Nebraska and Northwestern.

Zach Metsa scored his first NHL goal, which proved to be the game-winner in Buffalo's 5-3 win over Vancouver; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves and the Canucks rallied late before an empty-netter finished the scoring.

After four days of trials in Milwaukee, the U.S. named a 13-skater speed skating team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, led by Jordan Stolz and Erin Jackson. The group mixes veterans such as Brittany Bowe with several first-time Olympians and includes a strong team pursuit unit that set a world record late last year.

After a 3-14 season, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey said their first year as head coach and general manager taught them lessons they plan to use while evaluating the roster and staff this offseason.

Florida beat No. 18 Georgia 92-77, with Thomas Haugh scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds; Georgia center Somto Cyril was ejected in the first half after an altercation that officials reviewed.

Darryn Peterson is in the starting lineup for Kansas' game against TCU after returning from an injury absence, and he scored 26 points in 23 minutes in his Jan. 3 outing at UCF.

Ohio beat UMass 86-83; Javan Simmons scored 20 points and Jackson Paveletzke sealed the win with a late free throw.

The Detroit Lions announced the firing of offensive coordinator John Morton after one season. Head coach Dan Campbell took over playcalling in Week 10 and has not said whether he will remain the permanent playcaller.

Michael Bradley was promoted to head coach of the New York Red Bulls after a rapid rise through the club’s ranks, and he says he plans to build a dynamic, aggressive team as the club begins a rebuilding period.

Connor Bedard said he was disappointed to be left off Team Canada's Olympic roster and is using the decision to identify areas to improve; he returned to limited, non-contact practice after a Dec. 12 shoulder injury.

The 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe scored all 17 of his points in the second half of Monday's overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets after Joel Embiid delivered a stern halftime message about starting the game earlier.

Owner Amy Adams-Strunk said Mike Borgonzi will have final say on the 53-man roster and will lead the search for a new head coach, and both Borgonzi and president Chad Brinker will report to her.

Kobe Sanders, acquired with the Clippers' 50th pick, scored a career-best 20 points and helped Los Angeles beat Golden State 103-102 while Snoop Dogg guest-commented.

Iowa won 67-58 at Northwestern to move to 13-2 (4-0 Big Ten), despite committing 20 turnovers; Ava Heiden led Iowa with 23 points and Journey Houston provided bench help.

Justin Jefferson publicly backed second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy throughout a difficult season and said he plans to work with McCarthy in the offseason; Jefferson finished the year with 84 catches for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns.

Buffalo hosts the New York Jets in the season finale while the Bills plan a final send-off at Highmark Stadium and weigh who to rest before the playoffs; New York finishes the regular season 3-13 with Brady Cook starting.

Coach Mike Vrabel said "it looks good" that rookie left tackle Will Campbell will play Sunday after missing four games with a right knee injury; Campbell must be activated from injured reserve to appear in the game.

Las Vegas can clinch the top overall draft pick with a loss to Kansas City in the regular-season finale, and Andy Reid has announced he will return as Chiefs coach next season.

LeBron James played his first game as a 41-year-old and the Los Angeles Lakers lost 128-106 to the Detroit Pistons. James scored 17 points and showed moments of his enduring athletic ability.

VJ Edgecombe hit an overtime 3-pointer and scored 25 points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 139-136; he scored 13 points late in the game and added six rebounds.

Derrick White blocked seven shots, tying the NBA record for a guard. The Celtics won 129-119 and White finished with 27 points.

Several San Francisco 49ers players have received extra pay after meeting contract incentive targets. Kendrick Bourne and Mac Jones each earned $500,000 in recent games.

Coach Nick Sirianni has not decided whether to rest starters or try for the No. 2 seed in Week 18. A Philadelphia win plus a Chicago Bears loss would clinch the No. 2 spot.