AP Sports SummaryBrief at 11:35 a.m. EST

Crypto’s ties to sports raise ethical questions

Sports fans who view their favorite players as role models might think twice before taking their financial advice, too. The bankruptcy of FTX and the arrest of its CEO are raising new questions about the role celebrity athletes such as Tom Brady, Steph Curry, Naomi Osaka and others played in lending legitimacy to the largely unregulated landscape of crypto. It is also reframing the conversation about just how costly blind loyalty to favorite players or teams can be for the average fan. FTX itself had numerous ties to sports before its eventual collapse. Separately, dozens of athletes have endorsed crypto, and in doing so, have led some of their fans to follow suit.

Messi seeks glory, Argentina meets France in World Cup final

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — It’s now or never for Lionel Messi in the World Cup final between Argentina and France. The Argentina superstar’s once-in-a-generation career will be defined to many by whether he leads his country to the World Cup title on Sunday. The 35-year-old Messi is looking to win soccer’s biggest prize to secure his place alongside Pelé and Diego Maradona in the pantheon of the game’s greatest ever players. Standing in his way is defending champion France and Kylian Mbappé. The striker is the player best positioned to take over from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as soccer’s marquee name and is seeking to emulate Pelé by being a champion at his first two World Cups.

Pitino vs Pitino: Dad-son matchup highlights Lobos-Iona game

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — University of New Mexico coach Richard Pitino says the upcoming matchup against Iona is business as usual for the unbeaten Lobos. But he acknowledges the game is getting added exposure because it pits him against his father, Rick. The Pitinos will be on opposing benches for just the third time on Sunday. Richard Pitino is 0-2 against his father. Both losses came when the elder Pitino was coaching Louisville. New Mexico comes into the game on a 10-game winning streak.

Deion Sanders aims for perfect finish with Jackson State

ATLANTA (AP) — It goes without saying that Deion Sanders is eager to win his last game with Jackson State. The Tigers (12-0) aim to beat North Carolina Central (9-2) in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday and cap an unbeaten season. Sanders will then turn his focus to Colorado, the next stop on his coaching journey, where he will hit the recruiting trail as soon as time allows. But at least for the next 24 hours, Sanders’ focus is solely on Jackson State, a program that coach “Prime,” as he likes to be called, built into a powerhouse among historically Black colleges and universities. The Tigers went 27-5 under his watch and Sanders was twice named the Southwest Athletic Conference coach of the year.

Goggia stuns with downhill win despite broken fingers

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Italian skier Sofia Goggia has dominated the fourth women’s World Cup downhill of the season despite undergoing surgery on two broken fingers the day before. Goggia beat runner-up Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia by 0.43 seconds. Goggia had her left hand bandaged and the glove attached to her ski pole with duct tape but seemed not visibly hampered by the injury. Goggia charged down the 2.5-kilometer course in her usual gutsy style. Kira Weidle of Germany finished third. Mikaela Shiffrin was fourth and the American leads the overall standings 50 points clear of Goggia.

EXPLAINER: Why are Argentines such ardent World Cup fans?

Argentina arguably has the World Cup’s most fervent fans. They are known for their rhythmical singing, incessant drumming and trance-like ferocity. The country’s history of success at the World Cup is rivaled by few. Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 and lost in the final three times. This fervor will only grow as Lionel Messi leads Argentina against defending champion France in Sunday’s final in Qatar. Argentines take pride in the intensity and they are proud to be known for it around the world. Argentines care deeply about soccer and they are among the best in the world at it.

Tiger Woods limping in a tournament he wouldn’t dare miss

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods and his 13-year-old son share more than a fundamentally sound golf swing. Both are limping at the PNC Championship. Woods is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot that has him in a cart. Charlie rolled his ankle and was hobbling along during the pro-am Friday. It’s not enough to keep either of them from playing this 36-hole tournament. They were runner-up a year ago. Woods says playing with a severe limp might set his recovery back a little. But he says it’s worth it to be able to play in a tournament with his son.

Broncos rule out Russell Wilson for Cardinals game Sunday

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are holding quarterback Russell Wilson out of this weekend’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, even though he passed concussion protocol Friday. Coach Nathaniel Hackett said the organization decided it was best to keep him out until the Broncos play the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day. Wilson suffered a head injury at the end of a 14-yard scramble toward the goal line in the Broncos’ 34-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend. Hackett said Wilson wasn’t pleased with the decision, but the organization wanted to take every precaution with Wilson’s health.

Boone: `Uncomfortable, somber’ until Judge agreed to stay

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Boone was worried, wondering whether Aaron Judge would leave the New York Yankees for the San Francisco Giants. The Yankees’ manager thought back to last Tuesday and said “all the tea leaves that day and the uncertainty of it all, it was a little bit of an uncomfortable, somber, not sure day.” Then he learned in the middle of the night that Judge had agreed to accept a $360 million, nine-year contract to stay.

Davis injured, but LeBron leads Lakers past Denver 126-108

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 30 points, Russell Westbrook had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers smoothly overcame Anthony Davis’ latest injury in a 126-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Davis missed the second half with a right foot injury, but the Lakers still produced some of their prettiest team basketball of the season down the stretch of their second win in six games.  James and Westbrook took charge on both ends, while Thomas Bryant scored 21 points and Austin Reaves got 16. Nikola Jokic had 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Nuggets.