COVID-19 pandemic

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2017, file photo, University of Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, left, smiles as he talks to Florida's new NCAA college football coach Dan Mullen after Mullen arrived at the airport in Gainesville, Fla. Florida’s athletic department had a $54.5 million shortfall during the 2020-21 fiscal year because of the coronavirus pandemic, significant financial losses the Gators were able to weather with a supplement from the Southeastern Conference and a sizeable reserve. (AP Photo/Mark Long, File)

Florida recovering from $54.5M shortfall amid pandemic

By Mark Long Jun. 11, 2021 02:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 29, 2020 file photo, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster speaks during a COVID-19 briefing as state epidemiologist Linda Bell, left, looks on, in West Columbia, S.C. McMaster ended South Carolina’s ongoing pandemic-related state of emergency on Monday, June 7, 2021. The Republican said during a news conference that the coronavirus situation in the state had improved to the point that it was no longer necessary. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)

The Latest: South Carolina ends academic year with deficit

By The Associated Press Jun. 11, 2021 11:48 AM EDT

Notre Dame-Wisconsin game at Lambeau rescheduled for 2026

Jun. 07, 2021 06:42 PM EDT
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Notre Dame-Wisconsin matchup at Lambeau Field that was scrapped last year because of the pandemic has been rescheduled for Sept. 5,...

FILE - Florida head coach Dan Mullen walks on the field before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Virginia in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, file photo. Florida football coach Dan Mullen received a three-year contract extension worth an additional $1.5 million annually following a disappointing season that closed with a three-game losing streak and included several public relations missteps and NCAA sanctions. The Gators released Mullen's contract Tuesday, June 1, 2021, in response to a public records request. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Florida gives Mullen 3-year extension, $1.5M raise annually

By Mark Long Jun. 01, 2021 12:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck enters the stadium with the team prior to the start of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, in Minneapolis. Fleck spoke for many coaches nationwide in December 2020, when he noted he still hadn’t shaken the hands of about half the prospects who were about to sign with his program. Those days finally are coming to an end. The NCAA has lifted the recruiting dead period that has been in place since March 13, 2020, due to the pandemic. The NCAA returns to its usual recruiting calendar Tuesday, June 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)

End of recruiting pause has football programs catching up

By Steve Megargee Jun. 01, 2021 02:24 AM EDT

Postponed 2020 Arkansas-Notre Dame game rescheduled for 2028

May. 28, 2021 01:31 PM EDT
Notre Dame said Friday its home game against Arkansas that originally was set for 2020 and wasn't played due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be played in 2028. ...

Full bowl lineup returns after pandemic-shortened 2020-21

By Ralph D. Russo May. 27, 2021 03:12 PM EDT
After the pandemic cut the college football bowl season almost in half last year, a full lineup of 44 postseason games is scheduled for 2021-22. ...

Ohio State pondered playing football without Big Ten in 2020

By Ralph D. Russo May. 27, 2021 12:36 AM EDT
The president of Ohio State University asked athletic director Gene Smith if the Buckeyes could “go independent” in a text message sent the day after the Big...

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) watches during the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, May 24, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

The Latest: Notre Dame prepares for full football attendance

By The Associated Press May. 26, 2021 04:32 PM EDT

Senior Bowl, NFL to hold combine for top HBCU prospects

May. 26, 2021 10:58 AM EDT
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — The Senior Bowl and the NFL will hold a pre-draft combine for top prospects from Historically Black College and Universities next January. ...

AP Top 25 Podcast: Start 2021 season with 5 games in 5 days

Ralph D. Russo May. 26, 2021 09:44 AM EDT
From Knoxville, Tennessee, to Tallahassee, Florida, with stops in Blacksburg, Virginia, and Atlanta along the way. ...

FILE - In this Monday, April 5, 2021 file photo, Baylor guard Mark Vital (11) blocks a shot by Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert during the second half of the championship game in the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Big 12 Conference is distributing about $345 million of revenue to its 10 schools, the second year in a row the number has been lower because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at the end of two days of league board meetings held virtually, that the overall revenue was about $50 million short of what had been expected before COVID-19. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Big 12 revenue lower again in pandemic at $34.5M per school

By Stephen Hawkins May. 25, 2021 07:13 PM EDT

The Latest: U of Maryland allows home games at full capacity

By The Associated Press May. 24, 2021 10:49 AM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The University of Maryland will...

Huskers, Northwestern to open '22 football season in Ireland

May. 20, 2021 12:22 PM EDT
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern will play Nebraska in Ireland to open the 2022 football season. The schools said Thursday that the game...

Fans watch a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in St. Louis. The Cardinals have significantly loosened their COVID-19 guidelines, saying fully vaccinated fans attending games at Busch Stadium will no longer be required to wear masks inside the ballpark. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The Latest: South Carolina to have full house for football

By The Associated Press May. 19, 2021 04:27 PM EDT

Bama-Miami; Clemson-Georgia highlight ESPN's opening weekend

By The Associated Press May. 18, 2021 01:05 PM EDT
ESPN's opening weekend of college football features defending national champion Alabama facing Miami in Atlanta and Clemson vs. Georgia in Charlotte, North...

NC State AD Corrigan gets 2-year extension into April 2026

May. 14, 2021 04:38 PM EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State athletics director Boo Corrigan has received a two-year contract extension through April 2026. ...

James Madison quarterback Cole Johnson (12) is sacked by Sam Houston State linebacker Ysidro Mascorro (50) during the fourth quarter of a semifinal game in the NCAA college football FCS playoffs, Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Huntsville, Texas. Sam Houston came from behind to edge James Madison 38-35, for a berth in the FCS national championship game. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Unique, exhausting season reaches finale with FCS title game

By Hank Kurz Jr. May. 13, 2021 03:04 PM EDT

The Latest: Georgia Tech to allow full capacity for football

By The Associated Press May. 12, 2021 11:36 AM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Georgia Tech will allow full...