Holmgren interested in meeting with Browns

Former Seattle and Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren is interested in working for the struggling Cleveland Browns.

Holmgren said on his weekly radio show on Seattle’s KJR that he has not yet spoken to Browns owner Randy Lerner, who is looking for a “serious, credible leader” football authority to run his struggling team. However, Holmgren did indicate he would welcome the chance to take on a rebuilding project like the 1-8 Browns.

“It takes a tremendous amount of energy, but there is a certain appeal there,” the 61-year-old Holmgren. “There’s something in my personality, too, that taking on those types of projects, that kind of gets me going. But there’s a lot of work to do.

Gavin and Sanders help VCU upset No. 17 Oklahoma

When Jeff Capel left Virginia Commonwealth to become the head coach at Oklahoma four years ago, his contract mandated that he bring his new team back to Richmond to play the Rams.

Capel received a very warm welcome Saturday night, and then the Rams showed him that things are just fine without him.

Jay Gavin scored 20 points, Larry Sanders 17 and Virginia Commonwealth never trailed in an 82-69 upset of No. 17 Oklahoma on Saturday night.

No. 11 Oregon slips past Arizona 44-41 in 2 OTs

Jeremiah Masoli tied it with a touchdown pass to Ed Dickson with six seconds left, then won it with a 1-yard run in the second overtime as No. 11 Oregon defeated Arizona 44-41 on Saturday night and took a big step toward the Pac-10 title.

Masoli threw for three scores and ran for three more as the Ducks rallied from a 24-14 deficit early in the fourth quarter.

The Ducks (9-2, 7-1 Pac-10) will earn a Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl berth with a victory over No. 20 Oregon State in a winner-take-all Civil War on Dec. 3 in Eugene.

Bush, Ellis, not making trip to Tampa

Running back Reggie Bush(notes) and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis(notes) are not traveling with the New Orleans Saints for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.

A team spokesman said Saturday that both players had been downgraded on the official injury report from questionable to out with knee injuries.

Both players are expected to be back at practice next week.

Bush missed practice this week with swelling in his left knee, the same knee on which he had surgery last December to repair cartilage. Bush is coming off one of his best games of the season in St. Louis last Sunday, when he gained 98 yards and scored two touchdowns on six rushes and a pair of receptions.

Rookies lead Hornets past Hawks, 96-88

The Hornets’ two rookies left the New Orleans Arena with bright-colored, glittery suitcases specially selected for them by veterans, Darren Collison’s(notes) with a “Little Mermaid” theme and Marcus Thornton’s(notes) emblazoned with Tinkerbell’s smiling visage.

“It keeps us grounded, I’ll tell you that much,” Collison said.

The way Collison and Thornton are playing lately, the Hornets might want to think of other ways to keep their egos in check.

Cal beats No. 14 Stanford 34-28 in Big Game

The California players listened quietly all week to the pregame talk about how powerful Stanford had a chance to go to the Rose Bowl.

The Golden Bears provided their emphatic answer in one of the most exciting and important Big Games in recent memory.

Shane Vereen ran for a career-high 193 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries and Mike Mohamed intercepted a pass from Andrew Luck at the 3 with less than 2 minutes left as Cal beat No. 14 Stanford 34-28 Saturday.

McCoy gets record, Texas wins Big 12 South 51-20

Colt McCoy set an NCAA record with his 43rd career victory as a starter, passing for 396 yards as No. 3 Texas wrapped up the Big 12 South title with a 51-20 victory Saturday night over a Kansas and embattled coach Mark Mangino.

McCoy, playing his final home games, improved to 43-7 in his career as a starter, breaking the record he shared with former Georgia quarterback David Greene (2001-2004).

Texas (11-0, 7-0) secured its first division title since 2005, with a Thanksgiving game at rival Texas A&M left to play before the Big 12 championship on Dec. 5 against Nebraska.

Clock runs out on LSU in 25-23 Ole Miss win

So many unusual things happened in the final 3 minutes of Mississippi’s victory Saturday against No. 10 LSU, it got confusing.

Even for the participants.

“I don’t know what all happened down there at the end,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. “I just know the scoreboard read 25-23 Ole Miss Rebels.”

Nutt’s confusion was nothing compared to what was happening on the LSU sideline as precious seconds ticked off the clock with less than a minute left and the game on the line.

Renault handed suspended F1 ban

Renault have been given a two-year suspended ban from Formula 1 for their role in fixing last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

The team were called before governing body the FIA to answer charges they had asked driver Nelson Piquet Jr to crash to help team-mate Fernando Alonso win.

Former team boss Flavio Briatore has been banned from FIA-sanctioned events for an unlimited period.

Ex-engineering director Pat Symonds has also been excluded for five years.

Briatore and Symonds parted company with Renault last week at the same time as the French car giant said they would not contest the charges.

Tour cuts Dubai prize pot by 25%

The European Tour has confirmed there will be a 25% reduction in the prize money awarded at the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

There will be the same reduction - from £6.1m to £4.6m - in the Race to Dubai bonus pool on offer to the season's top 15 money-winners.

The bonus pool winner will get £928,000 compared with £773,000 for winning the tournament on 19-22 November.

Cricket set for Champions Trophy

Cricket's second biggest 50-over event, the biennial Champions Trophy, begins in South Africa on Tuesday, as the sport's top eight teams vie for glory.

The tournament was to have been held in Pakistan last year but was postponed and moved because of security concerns.

Two teams from two groups of four will form the semi-finals, with the final to be staged in Centurion on 5 October.

Man City will not punish Bellamy

Manchester City will not discipline striker Craig Bellamy after an altercation with a fan in Sunday's 4-3 defeat at Manchester United.

The police and the Football Association are both looking at the incident.

Asked if the club would take any action against Bellamy, City's assistant boss Mark Bowen told BBC Radio 5 live: "No. I don't think there is any need to.

Nadal pulls out of Thailand Open

World number two Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week's Thailand Open as he continues to recover from an abdominal injury.

The Spaniard, 23, suffered a heavy defeat by Juan Martin del Potro in his last outing in the US Open semi-finals.

Australia nominates Melbourne for Super 15

The city of Melbourne has been selected by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) as the country's sole contender for inclusion in the expanded Super 15 rugby competition.

The southern hemisphere's provincial competition expands from 14 teams to 15 in 2011. Australia is competing with South Africa and New Zealand for the right to host the new franchise.

Rogge: 2016 decision will come down to “a couple of votes”

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said he expects the race for the 2016 Olympics to be decided by "a couple of votes" and that Chicago's bid should not hinge on whether Barack Obama goes to Denmark to push his home city's bid.

Sport quotes of the week

"Ha ha! No. I haven't spoken to Sven for a while!"
David Beckham is plotting his next career move - but it won't be with Notts County.

"You can't drive a space shuttle and expect not to have pressures."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic compares himself to an astronaut ahead of the England game.

"I support West Ham and Arsenal."
There's only two teams in London as far as Dizzee Rascal is concerned.

Federer battles into semi-finals

Defending champion Roger Federer withstands a superb fightback from Robin Soderling to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.

Hansen surges to lead in Germany

Denmark's Soren Hansen finishes his round strongly to secure a one-shot lead at the end of the first round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship at Gut Larchenhof.

Flutey admits England injury fear

Brive centre Riki Flutey fears a shoulder problem may rule him out of England's autumn international series.

White condemns England to defeat

Cameron White hit his first one-day international century as Australia easily beat England at the Rose Bowl to go 3-0 up in the seven-match series.

Brazilians rejoice over victory against Argentina

Partying fans gave Brazil players a hero’s welcome early Sunday as they arrived home from a convincing victory over Argentina in World Cup qualifying.

Brazil couldn’t have asked for more from its trip to Rosario on Saturday—a 3-1 win over their rival and a spot in next year’s World Cup. Argentina had lost only once before at home in 50 World Cup qualifying matches, a 5-0 defeat to Colombia in 1993.

Nearly 1,000 fans made it to Salvador international airport at around 6 a.m. to greet the Brazil team, which next faces Chile in the northeastern city on Wednesday.

For that match, Brazil coach Dunga will be without the services of Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Ramires and Lucio—all suspended after picking up yellow cards. In addition, Robinho and Elano are nursing minor injuries and are listed as doubtful.

“We are moved to see this kind of party for us here,” said Kaka, who made his 70th international appearance against Argentina. “I’m sure that at the stadium against Chile it’s going to be just as nice.”

Goal drought could cost France in WCup qualifying

While Spain and England are scoring freely and coasting toward qualification for next year’s World Cup, France has one of the lowest goal tallies among teams in contention to reach South Africa.

Despite having some of the world’s best forwards—including Barcelona’s Thierry Henry, Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema— France has scored only nine goals in seven qualification matches. Of the top two teams in the nine European qualifying groups, only Scotland with six goals has scored fewer.

“We have a big problem scoring goals, we don’t score enough,” Benzema said after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Romania. “It’s up to the strikers to work harder in front of goal. Given all the chances we had in the first half we should have won.”

Brazil beats Argentina to qualify for World Cup

Brazil can start preparing for its 19th consecutive World Cup. Argentina just hopes to find a way to somehow make it to South Africa.

“It’s going to be tough,” Argentina said after Saturday night’s 3-1 loss to Brazil. “It will be more difficult because of today.”

Luisao put the five-time World Cup champions ahead in the 24th minute, and Luis Fabiano scored in the 30th and 67th. Jesus Datolo got Argentina’s goal in the 65th.

Brazil (8-1-6) leads South American qualifying with 30 points, three ahead of Chile and Paraguay (both 8-4-3) and eight in front of Argentina (6-5-4) with three matches remaining. The top four teams advance to next year’s tournament, while the No. 5 nation goes to a playoff against the No. 4 nation in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Brazil became the seventh nation to join host South Africa in next year’s 32-nation field, following Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, North Korea and South Korea and the Netherlands.

“We’re happy,” Brazil coach Dunga said. “We beat a great team with great champions. (Lionel) Messi might be the best player in the world. We beat Argentina, which had not lost a match at home in qualifying.”

Argentina had not lost a home qualifier since a 5-0 defeat to Colombia in September 1993, and the defeat could cost Maradona his job. The Albiceleste play at Paraguay on Wednesday, then close South American qualifying at home against Peru on Oct. 10 and at Uruguay three or four days later.

Argentina benefited from Colombia’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador on Saturday. Had Ecuador won, it would have moved ahead of Argentina.

“Well, these things happen in football,” Maradona said. “This won’t break me.”

Blast during Colombian soccer celebration kills 1

Police in Colombia say one person was killed and at least 30 injured when a grenade exploded in a crowd celebrating a national soccer team win.

Antioquia state police commander Col. Luis Eduardo Martinez says three of the injured are in serious condition. The blast took place Saturday night in central Medellin, Colombia’s second-largest city, after the national soccer team beat Ecuador 2-0.

Martinez said the cause of the explosion is not yet known, but police think a reveler may have accidentally detonated the grenade by mishandling it.

He said police have ruled out a terrorist attack.

The plaza were the explosion took place—Parque San Antonio—was the site of a 1995 terrorist attack that left 23 people dead.

Funny Karate Injuries

Atletico Madrid emerge in Champions League qualifying

Atletico Madrid will seek to take a temporary, yet lucrative step, out of the huge shadow cast by neighbours Real on Tuesday by completing a qualifying round win over Greek side Panathinaikos to take their place in the Champions League group stage.

NBA Heat's Beasley checks into rehab: report

MIAMI, Florida (AFP) - Miami Heat's troubled forward Michael Beasley has checked into a Texas rehab facility, the Miami Herald reported on Monday.

Austrian ski great Toni Sailer dies at age 73

VIENNA – Austrian skiing great Toni Sailer, who in 1956 became the first skier to win all three Alpine gold medals at a Winter Olympics, has died. He was 73.

Sailer passed away in Innsbruck on Monday after a long illness, his Kitzbuehel Ski Club said Tuesday.

In Austria, where skiing is a national pastime, Sailer's death symbolized the end of an era.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer issued a statement paying tribute to Sailer as "a top athlete who already became a legend while he was alive."

Are Cowboys video screens too low?

Titans punters booted punts in warmups for Friday's preseason game up into large video screens that hang over the center of the field of the Cowboys new stadium. Dallas owner Jerry Jones said he's comfortable with the height of the screens.

Mauresmo, Kuznetsova win New Haven tennis opener

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AFP) - Top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and two-time major champion Amelie Mauresmo and got off to successful starts at the WTA Pilot Pen tournament.

South Africans rally for gender controversy runner

Some 1,000 fans sang and danced at the airport Tuesday in support of Caster Semenya as the runner, who is undergoing gender testing after her 800-meter win at the world championships, returned home to South Africa.

Semenya arrived on a flight from Germany with other members of the South African team after competing in Berlin. The 18-year-old, dressed in her team tracksuit with her gold medal around her neck, then was brought to a stage set up in the parking lot.

Former ref jailed for federal rule violation

According to Hillsborough County jail records, Donaghy was being held without bond Tuesday for a federal rule violation. Details were not available.

A message left early Tuesday at the office of Donaghy's attorney was not immediately returned.

Donaghy was given a 15-month sentence last year after he said he took thousands from a professional gambler in exchange for inside tips on games — including games he worked. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce.

Donaghy was moved to a halfway house this year after serving part his sentence in a federal prison camp. He was scheduled for release in October.

Busch breaks slump to sweep Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Kyle Busch was finally able to shake that anger.

Derided all week by rival Brian Vickers as a generally unhappy human being, Busch had reason to celebrate Saturday night when he held off Mark Martin over a frantic four-lap sprint to the finish at Bristol Motor Speedway. His fourth victory of the season put him back in contention for the Chase for the championship.

Orton sharp early, Hasselbeck better

SEATTLE - Kyle Orton's second preseason game as the Denver Broncos' starter was mostly a reassuring answer to his dismal debut. He completed 16 of his first 19 throws with a touchdown before he relapsed into another mistake.

Ancelotti on learning curve at Chelsea

LONDON (AFP) - Carlo Ancelotti admits he has learned a lot about English football during the first few days of the Premier League campaign.

Diaz gets Malignaggi over decision

HOUSTON - Juan Diaz beat Paulie Malignaggi in a 12-round, unanimous decision on Saturday night to win the vacant NABO junior welterweight championship.

Farrar wins again to reinforce Eneco Tour lead

LIBRAMONT, Belgium (AFP) - American Tyler Farrar of the Garmin team retained the overall lead of the Eneco Tour by winning the race's fourth stage after a sprint battle with Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen and Italian Francesco Gavazzi.

Dementieva to meet Sharapova in Toronto WTA final

Elena Dementieva avenged a tough Wimbledon defeat with a straight-sets victory over second-seeded Serena Williams to reach the final of the two million-dollar WTA hardcourt tournament here.

Riley, Garcia share lead at rainy Wyndham

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Sergio Garcia followed through on a fairway shot when he heard a noise that has become all too familiar this weekend at Sedgefield Country Club.

Power breaks vertebrae, sustains concussion

Driver Will Power of Team Penske broke two vertebrae in his lower back and sustained a concussion Saturday after crashing into Nelson Philippe of Conquest Racing during a practice session for the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.

Federer, Nadal looking to get back in swing

The temperature had already topped 80 degrees as Rafael Nadal pushed himself through his morning workout Monday, swatting balls around the court for a sweaty hour and 45 minutes.

He wished for more.

The 23-year-old Spaniard feels his limitations every day during his comeback from two months off the tour to let his aching knees rest and heal. Normally, he would have practiced another 45 minutes to get ready for his opening match this week at the $3 million Cincinnati Masters.

Can’t do it.

“I need to go slow, no?” he said, after the workout.

Vick discusses hurt of guilt, blame

Michael Vick says he cried in prison because of the guilt he felt about being involved in dogfighting, and was disgusted with himself for allowing it to happen.

In an interview with "60 Minutes" that aired Sunday night, Vick said the day he walked into prison he realized "the magnitude of the decisions that I made.

"And, you know, it's no way of, you know, explaining, you know, the hurt and the guilt that I felt. And that was the reason I cried so many nights. And that put it all into perspective," he said.

A three-time Pro Bowl pick during six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick served 18 months in federal prison for running a dogfighting ring and was reinstated last month by the NFL after being out of action since 2006.

extreme sports accident

Spider-man Goalkeeper

Funny Sports Mistakes

Funny Sports

Man Utd 3-2 Aston Villa

United took the lead when Cristiano Ronaldo scored from an indirect free-kick after a James Milner backpass.

Villa deservedly equalised when Carew headed in Gareth Barry's superb cross and Gabriel Agbonlahor headed Villa in front from Carew's left-wing delivery.

But Ronaldo's low shot made it 2-2 before debutant Macheda turned in the box and curled home to snatch victory.

It was an incredible finish to a match that twisted and turned - and had looked to be going the way of Villa rather than the Champions.

But after digging deep, and finding inspiration from an untried 17-year-old, United have leapfrogged Liverpool at the top of the table.

And they also avoided a third successive league defeat, which would have been more galling given that Villa were thumped 5-0 by Liverpool in their last match.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said his side's last-gasp 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday had placed the pressure on United, and he he looked to be right from the way the champions started against Villa.

They struggled with an unfamiliar back four that was forced upon them because of Rio Ferdinand's injury and Nemanja Vidic's suspension.

Gary Neville, retuning from injury, was brought in to partner John O'Shea in the heart of defence, but that proved to be a costly mistake.

Carew quickly served notice that he would enjoy the mismatch against Neville when his header was scrambled clear via Darren Fletcher and the post.

And the visitors were in the mood to expose United's vulnerabilities.

The pace of Agbonlahor, back in the side for the injured Emile Heskey, and the poise and passing of Barry was causing United all manner of problems.

But United were handed a lifeline when James Milner passed the ball back to Brad Friedel, who picked the ball up, and the resulting free-kick in the area was cracked in by Ronaldo after Ryan Giggs had rolled the ball to him.

The goal settled United's nerves and they began to stroke the ball around with more confidence, but without really penetrating.

And Villa remained dangerous on the break, particularly through Agbonlahor, whose speed was a big problem for Neville.

Ashley Young's free-kick was tipped over by Edwin van der Sar as Villa threatened.

From another quick counter Villa deservedly restored parity, Barry's excellent right-wing cross powerfully headed into the bottom corner by Carew as Neville stood by helplessly.

Shortly after, Neville was switched with right-back Jonny Evans - but it had been a half-hour to forget for the former United skipper.

He would have felt better if Ronaldo's glancing header had gone either side of Friedel rather than straight at the keeper and given United a half-time lead.

Instead, Villa struck again on 58 minutes when Ronaldo was caught in possession and Villa moved the ball quickly to Carew, and his cross was headed in by Agbonlahor.

United's response was to bring on 17-year-old Macheda for Nani.

The young Italian, who hit a hat-trick for reserves recently, appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after he fell under challenge from Curtis Davies.

Then at the other end Davies was close to converting Ashley Young's free-kick.

United needed something special from somewhere and it came from Ronaldo, who picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired a low drive into the bottom corner to drag his side level.

The impetus was all with the hosts now and it took a fine save from Friedel to deny Fletcher from 12 yards.

Substitute Danny Welbeck was next to be thwarted by Friedel as he saw his shot saved at point-blank range.

But United were not to be denied and substitute Macheda produced a moment of magic to win the game when he turned and curled a peach of a shot into the far corner.

Wasps star Lewsey to quit rugby

The World Cup winner in 2003, who secured 55 caps over 10 years, quit his international career last year.

The 32-year-old utility back has however, expressed his desire to still be part of this year's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

"I have never taken part in a winning Lions Test series. I would dearly love to go," said Lewsey.

Lewsey scored 22 tries for England, as well as winning earlier Lions honours, and helped Wasps to four Premiership titles, two Heineken Cups, a European Challenge Cup and two domestic cup successes.

Lewsey also revealed his next challenge would involve an attempt to climb Mount Everest in July 2010, before joining an accountancy firm as a management consultant. "I am 32 and I suppose I could have gone on for a few more years," Lewsey told the Sunday Times.

"But Vanessa (his wife) is finishing her doctorate, you have to think about real life and responsibility, the possibility of a family."

Lewsey won his first caps at inside centre and fly-half against the All Blacks on England's "Tour of Hell" in 1998 but did not establish himself as a first-choice starter until 2003, when he starred in wins in New Zealand and Australia after a Six Nations Grand Slam.

He played a major part of Sir Clive Woodward's England side that triumphed at the 2003 World Cup, playing five matches and scoring an English record-equalling five tries in the pool game against Uruguay.

The former Bristol player, who joined Wasps in 1998, has made the announcement as his club prepare for the three remaining games in the Premiership season.

He made 27 starts at full-back, 12 on the right wing, 11 on the left, one at inside centre, two at fly-half and two appearances off the bench.

After Lewsey missed out on selection for last year's Six Nations, he was then recalled to the elite squad by new manager Martin Johnson.

But following an indifferent start to the season with Wasps, Lewsey decided last December to focus his attentions on his club career.

He also failed to rule out a return to rugby, by saying: "One day, I may be back. I can count the number of great coaches I worked with on the fingers of one hand.

"Rugby has been my home, I have played it since I was four but it is time for the next step and the next challenge.

"In life, that is where the excitement comes from. Everest is seen as the ultimate challenge. It has been a goal of mine since I was young."

At the time of his international retirement last year, his Wasps coach Shaun Edwards described Lewsey as the "most successful back there has ever been in the northern hemisphere".

"That's not my opinion, that's a fact," Edwards added. "He's also one of the best big-game players there has ever been in professional rugby."

Van Pelt edges ahead in Houston

The American finished the day on 11 under after eight holes, with Fred Couples, England's Paul Casey, Colt Knost and Tommy Armour chasing hard.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson, England's Lee Westwood and Australian Geoff Ogilvy are a shot further back on nine under.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington was among half a dozen players at eight under.

Van Pelt, without a win in more than eight years on the PGA Tour, completed a second-round 67 on Saturday, then birdied three of the first seven holes in his third round.

Knost had led the field until a three-putt bogey at eight, while Casey, who shared the second-round lead at eight under, birdied the par five fourth and holed a 37-footer at the seventh.

Westwood looked in hot form, finishing the day with five birdies and a bogey, include three birdies in a row between nine and 11.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, preparing for his Masters debut next week, did not have the best of days with a second-round 73 and then dropped another two shots to fall to two under after 16 holes.

England's Justin Rose also disappointed with a two-over 74 earlier in the day, before ending his Saturday's third round on two over - level par for the tournament - after 15 holes.

The third round will resume later on Sunday, with the final round to begin immediately afterwards.

Sports

Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in

competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the

competitor are the sole or primary determinant of the outcome (winning or losing), but the

term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card

games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental

acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Sport is commonly defined as an organized,

competitive and skillful physical activity requiring commitment and fair play. Sports differ

from games based on levels of organization and profit (not always monetary). Accurate

records are kept and updated, while failures and accomplishments are widely announced in

sport news.

In British English, sporting activities are commonly denoted by the collective noun "sport".

In American English, "sports" is the term used for more than one specific sport. For

example, "football and swimming are my favorite sports", is more natural sounding to an

American than "I enjoy sport".

The term is sometimes extended to encompass all competitive activities in which offense and

defense are played, regardless of the level of physical activity. Both games of skill and

motor sport exhibit many of the characteristics of physical sports, such as skill,

sportsmanship, and at the highest levels, even professional sponsorship associated with

physical sports. Air sports, billiards, bridge, chess, motorcycle racing, and powerboating

are all recognized as sports by the International Olympic Committee with their world

governing bodies represented in the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports

Federations.[1]

Sports that are subjectively judged are distinct from other judged activities such as beauty

pageants and bodybuilding shows because an activity is being evaluated, rather than the

physical attributes of the contestant.

List Of Professional Sports

Auto racing
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Boxing
Cricket
Curling
Cycling
Field Hockey
Football
Golf
Team Handball
Ice Hockey
Inline hockey
Motorcycle racing
Lacrosse
Mixed Martial Arts
Paintball
Speedway
Rugby league
Rugby union
Softball
Tennis
Video games
Volleyball

List Of Professional Sports Leagues

A sports league is a professional body that governs the competition of its teams. They make the rules for competition and behavior and discipline its members as necessary.

Rugby league

* Australia
o National Rugby League (one team in New Zealand)
o Queensland Cup
o New South Wales Cup
o Jim Beam Cup

* France
o French elite championship
o Lord Derby Cup

* Great Britain
o Super League (one team in France)
o National Leagues
o Challenge Cup
o National League Cup

* New Zealand
o Bartercard Cup

* United States
o American National Rugby League

Rugby union

* Professional Rugby Players Association
* IRB Sevens World Series

* (Australia)
o Super 14
o Australian Rugby Championship (defunct)
o Australian Provincial Championship (at least dormant)

* (England)
o Guinness Premiership
o Heineken Cup
o EDF Energy Cup
o European Rugby Shield

* (France)
o Ligue Nationale de Rugby
+ Top 14
+ Rugby Pro D2
o Heineken Cup
o European Rugby Shield

* (Italy)
o Super 10
o Heineken Cup
o European Rugby Shield

* (Ireland)
o Magners League
o Heineken Cup
o European Rugby Shield

* (Japan)
o Top League
o Microsoft Cup

* (New Zealand)
o Super 14
o Air New Zealand Cup
o Ranfurly Shield

* (Russia)
o Professional Rugby League

* (Scotland)
o Magners League
o Heineken Cup
o European Rugby Shield

* (South Africa)
o Super 14
o Currie Cup
+ Premier Division
+ First Division
o Vodacom Cup

* (Wales)
o Magners League
o Heineken Cup
o EDF Energy Cup
o European Rugby Shield

Speedway

* Czech Republic: Ekstraliga

* Denmark: Danish Speedway League

* Germany: Bundesliga

* Poland:
o Speedway Ekstraliga
o Pierwsza Liga (1st League)
o Druga Liga (2nd League)

* Sweden:
o Elitserien
o Allsvenskan

* United Kingdom:
o Sky Sports Elite League
o Premier League
o Conference League

Paintball

* NPPL- National professional paintball league(based in US)

Mixed Martial Arts

* United States: Ultimate Fighting Championship a.k.a. UFC
o World Extreme Cagefighting a.k.a. WEC (a division of UFC)
* "World Combat League" founded by Chuck Norris

Lacrosse

Box / Indoor lacrosse

* NLL - National Lacrosse League (United States and Canada)
* MSL - Major Series Lacrosse (Canada)
* WLA - Western Lacrosse Association (Canada)
* ACL - Alantic Coast Lacrosse (Canada)
* WCL - West Coast Lacrosse (Canada)

Field lacrosse

* MLL - Major League Lacrosse (United States)

Motorcycle Racing

* MotoGP
* Superbike World Championship
* AMA Superbike Championship

Inline Hockey

Professional Inline Hockey Association (United States)

Ice Hockey

* National Hockey League (United States and Canada)
* American Hockey League (United States and Canada)
* Central Hockey League (United States)
* Kontinental Hockey League (Russia, with teams also in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Latvia)
* Deutsche Eishockey Liga (Germany)
* ECHL (United States and Canada)
* Elitserien (Sweden)
* Asia League Ice Hockey (Japan, South Korea and China)
* Nationalliga A (Switzerland)
* SM-liiga (Finland)
* Southern Professional Hockey League (Southeastern United States)
* United Hockey League (United States)
* GET-ligaen (Norway)

Team Handball

* German Bundesliga (handball)
* Liga ASOBAL (Spain)
* Championnat de France de handball

Golf

Men's

Top-level tours

* PGA TOUR (United States)
* European Tour
* Japan Golf Tour
* Asian Tour (Asia outside Japan)
* PGA Tour of Australasia (Australia and New Zealand)
* Sunshine Tour (southern Africa, mainly South Africa)
* Canadian Professional Golf Tour

Senior tours

* Champions Tour (United States)
* European Seniors Tour

Developmental tours

* Nationwide Tour (second-tier US tour, operated by the PGA TOUR)
* Challenge Tour (second-tier European tour)
* Japan Challenge Tour (second-tier Japanese tour)
* Alps Tour (third-tier tour operating in Austria, France, Italy, Morocco and Switzerland,

with events also in the Czech Republic and Tunisia)
* EPD Tour (third-tier tour based in Germany)
* Gateway Tour (third-tier US tour)
* Minor Leauge Golf Tour (low cost fourth-tier US tour)
* NGA Hooters Tour (third-tier US tour)
* PGA EuroPro Tour (third-tier tour based in the UK)
* US Pro Golf Tour (third-tier US tour)
* Telia Tour (men's version is a fourth-tier tour based in Sweden)

Women's

Top-level tours

* LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association; United States)
* LPGA of Japan Tour
* Ladies European Tour
* LPGA of Korea Tour (South Korea)
* Ladies Asian Golf Tour (Asia outside of Japan and Korea)
* ALPG Tour (Australia)

Senior tours

* Legends Tour (United States)

Developmental tours

* FUTURES Tour (second-tier US tour, operated by the LPGA)
* Step Up Tour (second-tier Japanese tour, operated by the LPGA of Japan)
* Telia Tour (women's version is a second-tier tour in Sweden, feeding to the Ladies

European Tour)

Football

Football: American and Canadian

United States

* National Football League (Official Page)
* United Football League (Official Page)
* Arena Football League (Official Page)

Canada

* Canadian Football League (Official Page)

Japan

* X-League

Football: Association Football

Albania

* Kategoria superiore

Algeria

* Algerian Championnat National

Argentina

* Primera División Argentina

Armenia

* Armenian Premier League

Australia and New Zealand

* Hyundai A-League

Austria

* Bundesliga

Azerbaijan

* AFFA Supreme League

Bangladesh

* B.League

Belarus

* Belarusian Premier League

Belgium

* Belgian First Division

Bolivia

* Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano

Bosnia and Herzegovina

* Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

* Campeonato Brasileiro
* Campeonato Brasileiro Série B

Bulgaria

* Bulgarian A Professional Football Group

Canada

* Canadian Soccer League

Chile

* Liga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera División

China

* Chinese Super League

Colombia

* Copa Mustang

Costa Rica

* Primera División de Costa Rica

Croatia

* Prva HNL

Cyprus

* Cypriot First Division

Czech Republic

* Gambrinus Liga

Denmark

* SAS Ligaen (top level)
* Viasat Sport Division (second level)

Ecuador

* Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol

El Salvador

* Primera División de Fútbol Profesional

Egypt

* Egyptian League

England

* Premier League
* The Football League, composed of:
o Football League Championship
o Football League One
o Football League Two

Estonia

* Meistriliiga

Finland

* Veikkausliiga

France and Monaco

* Ligue 1
* Ligue 2

Germany

* 1st Bundesliga
* 2nd Bundesliga
* 3rd Liga

Georgia

* Umaglesi Liga

Greece

* Super League Greece
* Second Division

Honduras

* Liga Nacional de Honduras

Hong Kong

* Hong Kong First Division League

Hungary

* Borsodi Liga

Iceland

* Landsbankadeild

India

* I-League
* I League 2nd Division
* National Football League (India) (Defunct)

Indonesia

* Liga Indonesia

Iran

* Persian Gulf Cup (Premier League)
* Azadegan League (1st Division)
* Iran Football's 2nd Division
* Iran Football's 3rd Division

Iraq

* Iraq Super League

Ireland

* FAI League of Ireland
o FAI Premier Division, the top level of the above

Israel

* Ligat ha'Al (Premier League)
* Liga Leumit (National League)

Italy

* Serie A
* Serie B
* Serie C1
* Serie C2

Japan

* J. League
* Japan Football League

Kazakhstan

* Kazakhstan Super League

Kuwait

* Kuwaiti Premier League

Latvia

* Virsliga

Lithuania

* A Lyga

Malaysia

* Malaysia Super League
* Malaysia Premier League

Malta

* Maltese Premier League

Macedonia

* Makedonska 1. Liga

Mexico

* Primera División de México (Premier Division)
* Primera División A
* Segunda División de Mexico
* Tercera División de México

Moldova

* Divizia Nationala

Montenegro

* Montenegrin First League

Morocco

* GNF 1

Netherlands

* Eredivisie
* Eerste Divisie

Northern Ireland

* Irish Premier League

Norway

* Tippeligaen (top level)
* Adeccoligaen (second level)

Paraguay

* Liga Paraguaya

Peru

* Primera División Peruana

Poland

* Orange Ekstraklasa

Portugal

* Portuguese Liga
* Liga de Honra (second level)

Qatar

* Qatar National First Division

Romania

* Liga I
* Liga II

Russia

* Russian Premier League

Saudi Arabia

* Saudi Premier League

Scotland

* Scottish Premier League
* Scottish Football League, composed of:
o Scottish First Division
o Scottish Second Division
o Scottish Third Division

Singapore

* Singapore Professional Football League (S.League)

Slovakia

* Corgon Liga

Slovenia

* PrvaLiga Telekom Slovenije

Serbia

* Serbian Superliga

South Africa

* Premier Soccer League

South Korea

* Korea Professional Football League (K-League)

Spain

* La Liga
* Liga BBVA

Sweden

* Allsvenskan

Switzerland and Liechtenstein

* Swiss Super League
* Challenge League

Syria

* Syrian League

Trinidad and Tobago

* Professional Football League

Tunisia

* Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1
* Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 2

Turkey

* Turkcell Super League
* TFF First League

Ukraine

* Ukrainian Premier League

Uruguay

* Primera División Uruguaya

United Arab Emirates

* UAE League

United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Bermuda

* Major League Soccer (MLS) (US and Canada - premier league)
* United Soccer Leagues (USL)
o USL First Division
o USL Second Division
o USL W-League
* Major Indoor Soccer League
* Women's Professional Soccer

Uzbekistan

* Uzbek League

Venezuela

* Primera División Venezolana

Vietnam

* V-League

Football: Australian rules football

* Australian Football League (Official Page)
* Victorian Football League
* South Australian National Football League (Official Page)
* West Australian Football League
* Victorian Women's Football League

Field Hockey

* Indian Premier Hockey League

Cycling

United States

* American Bicycle Association Bicycle Motocross (BMX)
* National Bicycle League (BMX)
* USA Cycling (multi discipline)

International

* UCI ProTour

Curling

* Canadian Curling Association

Cricket

* Australia
o Sheffield Shield
o Ford Ranger One Day Cup
o KFC Twenty20 Big Bash
o Cricket Australia Cup
o Women's National Cricket League
o Tasmanian Grade Cricket
o Sydney Grade Cricket
o Victorian Premier Cricket
o CA Under-19 Cup
o CA Under-17 Cup

* England
o County Championship
o Friends Provident Trophy
o Pro40
o Twenty20 Cup
o Second XI Championship
o Benson & Hedges Cup
o Minor Counties Cricket Championship

* India
o Indian Premier League
o Indian Cricket League
o NKP Salve Challenger Trophy
o Ranji Trophy
o Duleep Trophy
o Deodhar Trophy
o Irani Trophy
o Twenty20 Zonal Competition
o Vijay Hazare Trophy
o Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup

* New Zealand
o New Zealand first-class cricket championship
o State League
o State Twenty20
o State Championship
o State Women's Twenty20
o New Zealand limited-overs cricket trophy
o Hawke Cup

* Kenya
o National Elite League Twenty20
o Zonal League
o N.P.C.A. 50 Over League
o N.P.C.A. 20 Over League
o Sahara Elite League

* South Africa
o MTN Domestic Championship
o South African Airways Provincial Challenges
o Standard Bank Pro 20 Series
o SuperSport Series

* Sri Lanka
o Inter-Provincial Twenty20
o Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament
o M. J. Gopalan Trophy
o Premier Limited Overs Tournament
o Premier Trophy
o Royal-Thomian
* Bangladesh
o National Cricket League of Bangladesh
o One-Day Cricket League of Bangladesh

* Pakistan
o ABN-AMRO Cup National One-day Championship
o ABN-AMRO Twenty-20 Cup
o Nissar Trophy
o Patron's Trophy
o Pentangular Trophy
o Quaid-i-Azam Trophy

* Wales
o Minor Counties Cricket Championship
o MCCA Knockout Trophy

* West Indies {composed of each country with its own leagues)} -

* Barbados

* Guyana

* Jamaica

* Bermuda

* Leewards Islands

* Anguilla

* Antigua and Barbuda

* British Virgin Islands

* Nevis

* Montserrat

* St. Kitts

* St. Maarten

* United States Virgin Islands

* Trinidad & Tobago

* Bahamas

* Windward Islands

* Dominica Grenada

* St. Lucia

* St. Vincent & the Grenadines

* Cuba
o Carib Beer Cup
o KFC Cup
o Stanford 20/20
o TCL Under-19 West Indies Challenge
o TCL Under-19 West Indies Challenge Limited Overs Series
o Inter-Colonial Tournament
o WIWCF Women's Senior Tournament

* Barbados
o Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament

* Netherlands
o Nachenius Tjeenk Twenty20 Cup [1]
o Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond Cricket Tournament
o First Division
o Transitional Division
o Second Division
o Third Division
o Fourth Division
o Women Premier League
o Two-Day Competition

* Canada
o British Columbia Mainland Cricket Leagues
o Metro Vancouver Cricket League
o District Cricket Association [2]
o Inter-Provincial Competition
o Scotiabank National T20 Championship

* Scotland
o Cricket Scotland 50 Over Competition
o Lloyds TSB Scotland League

* Bermuda
o 50-Overs League
o Open Cricket
o 20-20 Cricket
o Bowl-Off

* Japan
o J2C League A [3]
o J2C League B
o J1C
o J2C
o Women's Tournament
o Women's League
o Japan Korea 06
o Univ. Satellite
o Univ. (Men)
o Univ. (Women)

* Ireland
o Antalis Cup
o Senior Two Title

* Argentina
o The NEC Trophy [4]
o First Division Championship
o Robin Stuart Shield
o Saturday Championships
o Sunday Championships
o Twenty20 League [5]

* Namibia
o Standard Bank Cup
o SAA Provincial Challenge
* Rwanda
o The National Suffo League

* Nepal
o National League [6]
o 2 Day National League
o National Twenty20 League
o U-19 National League
o Women Cricket League

* Zimbabwe
o Logan Cup
o Faithwear Cup [7]
o Twenty20 Cup
o MTN Domestic Championship

* Nigeria
o GTA 20/20 CRICKET TOURNEY [8]
o Iris Smart Technologies (CCC) League
o Super Four
o Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Tournament

* Estonia
o Estonian cricket league
o Ice cricket

* Hong Kong
o Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes
o Summer Eights [9]
o Saturday League
o Sunday League
o Social League
o Knock-out Tournament
o Hong Kong Cricket Association Round Robin

* Bahrain
o Bahrain Cricket League [10]

* Chile
o Metropolitan Cup
* Singapore
o Stan Nagiah Trophy

* America
o Pro Cricket
o Major League Cricket
o Colorado Cricket League
o Central West Championship
o Twenty20 League
o FREEDOM T20 Cricket Tournament [11]

* Uganda
o Castle Lager League [12]
o NCR20/20 Corporate League [13]
o East and Central Africa Cricket Championship (ECACC)
o Mawanda Cup
o Africa Zone VI Championship

* Papua New Guinea
o Papua New Guinea National Championships [14]
o Elite Super Series Twenty 20
o Elite Super Series 50 Over Competition

* Fiji
o Diwarka Prasad Trophy
o Pacific Games

* Samoa
o Pacific Games

* Tonga
o Pacific Games

* New Caledonia
o Pacific Games

* United Arab Emirates
o Alam Steel 4 Nations
o Pro Arch Trophy 2008
o AJCC -Corporate
o Alubond -Premier B

Boxing

* World Boxing Council
* World Boxing Association
* International Boxing Federation
* World Boxing Organization
* World Boxing League

Bowling

* Professional Bowlers Association
* United States Bowling Congress

Basketball

* A1 Liga (Croatia)
* ACB - Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto (Spain, first level)
* ABA - American Basketball Association
* Basketball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina
* BBL - Baltic Basketball League (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Sweden)
* BBL - Basketball BundesLiga (Germany)
* BBL - British Basketball League (United Kingdom)
* BLNO (Norway)
* BSN - National Superior Basketball (Puerto Rico)
* CBA - Chinese Basketball Association
* CBA - Continental Basketball Association
* E.O.K. - Greece Basketball Association
* Euroleague - Pan-European competition for elite clubs
* Eurocup - know as the ULEB Cup from 2002-2008. Is the second-tier transnational

professional basketball competition in Europe.
* EuroChallenge - is the top Men's Basketball competition directly run by FIBA Europe. The

competition was created in 2003 following the defection of several top European basketball

teams from the former European Champions' Cup which heralded the formation of the Euroleague

under the umbrella of ULEB.
* IBL - International Basketball League
* KBL - Korean Basketball League (South Korea)
* Korisliiga (Finland)
* LBL - Latvian Basketball League
* LEB - Liga Española de Baloncesto (Spain, second level)
* LEGA Basket A (Italy, first level)
* LegADue (Italy, second level)
* Ligat HaAl (Israel)
* LKL - Lietuvos Krepšinio Lyga (Lithuania)
* LNB - Liga Nacional de Básquetbol (Argentina)
* LNB - Ligue Nationale de Basketball (France)
* LNBP - Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (Mexico)
* Naša Sinalko Liga (Serbia)
* NBA - National Basketball Association
* NBA D-League - NBA Development League
* NBA Summer Pro League
* NBL - National Basketball League (Australia)
* NLB League, also known as Adriatic League (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia,

Montenegro and Slovenia)
* Opportunity League (Montenegro)
* PBA - Philippine Basketball Association (Philippines)
* PBL - Premier Basketball League (United States)
* PLK - Polska Liga Koszykówki, also called Dominet Bank Ekstraliga for sponsorship reasons

(Poland, men)
* PLKK - Polska Liga Koszykówki Kobiet, also called Torell Basket Liga for sponsorship

reasons (Poland, women)
* SKL - known for sponsorship reasons as Liga UPC Telemach (Slovenia)
* SBL - Super Basketball League (Taiwan)
* TBL - Turkish Basketball League
* TPBL - Texas Pro Basketball League
* USBL - United States Basketball League
* WBA - World Basketball Association
* WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association

Baseball

* China Baseball League (China)
* Chinese Professional Baseball League (Taiwan)
* Dominican Winter Baseball League
* Independent Baseball (United States/Canada)
o American Association of Independent Professional Baseball
o Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
o Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
o Continental Baseball League
o Frontier League
o Golden Baseball League
o Liga Norte de Sonora
o Northern League
o South Coast League
o United League Baseball
* Korean Baseball Organization
* MLB - Major League Baseball
* MiLB - Minor League Baseball
o ApL - Appalachian League
o AzL - Arizona League
o AzFL - Arizona Fall League
o CalL - California League
o CarL - Carolina League
o EL - Eastern League
o FSL - Florida State League
o GCL - Gulf Coast League
o IL - International League
o LMB - Mexican League
o LMP - Liga Mexicana del Pacífico (Winter League)
o MwL - Midwest League
o NYPL - New York - Penn League
o NwL - Northwest League
o PCL - Pacific Coast League
o PBL - Pro Baseball League
o PL - Pioneer League
o SAL - South Atlantic League
o SL - Southern League
o TL - Texas League
* Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan)
* Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League
* Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

Auto racing

* A1 Grand Prix
* American Le Mans Series
* British Touring Car Championship
* DTM - German Touring Car Masters
* Formula One, aka Grand Prix racing
* FIA GT
* Grand Am
* IndyCar Series (Indy Racing League)
* Le Mans Series
* NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
* NHRA (National Hot Rod Association)
* SCCA World Challenge
* V8 Supercar (Australia)
* World Rally Championship
* World Touring Car Championship

Tennis

* Association of Tennis Professionals
* Women's Tennis Association
* World TeamTennis

Volleyball

* Lega Pallavolo Serie A (Italian League)
* Female Superior Volleyball League
* V.League
* Pro A (French League)
* AVP (beach volleyball)

Video Games

* Championship Gaming Series
* Cyberathlete Professional League
* Electronic Sports World Cup
* Major League Gaming
* World Cyber Games