NASCAR lawsuit

trial opens

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The federal antitrust trial against NASCAR has opened with Michael Jordan in attendance. The retired NBA star co-owns the 23XI Racing team, which, along with Front Row Motorsports, is suing NASCAR.

They allege the stock car series is monopolistic and forces teams to comply with rules and financing they oppose. A jury of six men and three women was seated Monday for the trial, expected to last a couple of weeks.

Jordan’s presence influenced jury selection, with several potential jurors dismissed due to their admiration for him. The case has been ongoing for over a year.

Chiefs’ playoff

hopes dwindle

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid is defiant about his team’s playoff chances despite recent setbacks. The reigning AFC champions are 6-6 with five games left. Even if they win them all, they need help to reach the postseason.

The Chiefs dropped to the 10th spot in the AFC playoff order after the Steelers lost to the Bills on Sunday. Reid emphasizes a fighting spirit, saying they’ll “go after you every game.”

The Chiefs are third in the AFC West and nearly out of the division title race. Penalties and mental mistakes have been major challenges this season. Reid remains focused on the opportunities ahead, beginning Sunday night against Houston.

Texas No. 2

in women’s poll

(AP) Texas has climbed to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll after defeating two top teams in a Thanksgiving tournament. The Longhorns beat then-No. 2 South Carolina and then-No. 3 UCLA in Las Vegas.

This marks the first time in 25 years a team has beaten two top-three teams so quickly. Texas received 10 first-place votes, while No. 1 UConn received 22.

South Carolina dropped to third, and UCLA is fourth. LSU remains fifth, setting an NCAA record by scoring over 100 points in each of their first eight games. Michigan, Maryland, TCU, Oklahoma, and Iowa State complete the top 10.

Gardner avoids

Achilles injury

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen says starting cornerback Sauce Gardner is expected to miss “some time” after injuring his left calf during Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans, but that Gardner avoided hurting his Achilles tendon.

Steichen didn’t provide details on how much time the two-time All-Pro might miss but said he believed Gardner would return this season and that he’s not expected to go on injured reserve.

App helps

judge skating

(AP) — A new app designed by a pair of computer scientists aims to revolutionize the way figure skating is judged. The app, called OOFSkate and designed by Jerry Lu and Jacob Blindenbach, uses AI to analyze skaters’ jumps and provide feedback on height, rotation speed, airtime and landing quality.

This technology aims to automate the technical judging of figure skating while leaving the artistic side to humans. Lu and Blindenbach, who met at the University of Virginia, developed the app to help athletes train better. U.S. Figure Skating supports the project.