Referees may

be replaced

PHOENIX (AP) — The NFL is moving forward with plans to begin hiring and training replacement officials in the next several weeks because negotiations with the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the conversations are private. The league and the NFL Referees Association have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024.

The current CBA expires on May 31. The NFL has increased its offer to a 6.45% annual growth rate in compensation over a six-year labor deal, but the NFLRA wants 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, the people said.

Veteran QBs

still unsigned

PHOENIX (AP) — Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson are still unsigned for the 2026 season.

Options vary for the four accomplished veteran quarterbacks. The 42-year-old Rodgers can return to Pittsburgh and play for new coach Mike McCarthy if he doesn’t choose to retire.

Cousins will likely have to settle for a backup role somewhere unless Rodgers retires or another starter gets hurt in the offseason. Garoppolo has an opportunity to go back to the Rams for a third season to play behind NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

Royals are

ABS winners

(AP) — Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals have been baseball’s best at utilizing their robot challenges through the first weekend of the Automated Ball-Strike System. Perez topped all catchers by going 4-0 on challenges, while San Francisco’s Heliot Ramos and Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suárez were the only batters who went 2-0 — Suárez won his appeals on consecutive pitches.

Three-time MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels is 3-1 on challenges. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. was the only batter who went 0-2. Kansas City and Arizona were the only perfect teams, with the Royals

4-0 and Arizona 3-0. Houston was 0-6 and St. Louis was 0-3.

Portland

hosts tourney

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland soccer tournament brought girls from immigrant and refugee families together to push back against fear tied to federal immigration enforcement. Organizer Som Subedi said the goal behind Sunday’s tournament was joy, unity and a place where families feel safe.

Some players have felt the immigration crackdown directly. Fifteen-year-old Valeria Hernandez says her brother inspired her love for soccer but was deported to Mexico late last year. Police officers and members of an immigrant rights group were there to provide a sense of security. Donations covered fees, jerseys and new cleats, so girls could just play.