Total Apex University Logo

AP Style for Sports

1. Why AP Style for Sports Matters

A writer who mishandles sports formatting looks unprofessional, inconsistent, or amateurish.

A writer who follows AP Style produces clean, credible, newsroom‑ready sports content that matches ESPN‑level standards.

Correct sports formatting improves:

  • Clarity
  • Professionalism
  • Reader trust
  • SEO consistency
  • Mobile readability
  • Statistical accuracy
  • Editorial consistency

Every Total Apex contributor must master AP Style sports rules because they appear constantly in game recaps, previews, features, rankings, trades, and breaking news.

2. AP Style for Team Names

A. City + Team Name on First Reference

Always use the full team name on first reference.

Correct

  • The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Suns.
  • The New York Yankees won 5–3.

Incorrect

  • The Lakers defeated Phoenix.
  • The Yankees won.

After first reference, you may use:

  • The mascot (Lakers, Yankees)
  • The city (Los Angeles, New York)
  • The team (the team, the club)

B. No Apostrophes in Team Names

Correct

  • the Lakers
  • the Warriors

Incorrect

  • the Laker’s
  • the Warrior’s

C. Singular vs. Plural Team Names

Team names that are plural take plural verbs.

Correct

  • The Lakers are winning.
  • The Yankees have clinched.

Team names that are singular take singular verbs.

Correct

  • The Miami Heat is struggling.
  • The Colorado Avalanche is on a streak.

3. AP Style for Scores

A. Use Numerals for All Scores

Correct

  • The Lakers won 112–108.
  • They lost 3–2 in overtime.

Incorrect

  • The Lakers won one hundred twelve to one hundred eight.

B. Use En Dashes (–) for Scores

Correct

  • 112–108
  • 3–2
  • 7–6 (OT)

Incorrect

  • 112-108
  • 3 to 2

C. Winning Team Always Listed First

Correct

  • The Warriors beat the Celtics 120–115.

Incorrect

  • The Celtics lost 115–120.

D. Spell Out Overtime on First Reference

Correct

  • The game went to overtime.
  • They won 4–3 in overtime.

Acceptable on second reference

  • OT

4. AP Style for Records & Standings

A. Use Hyphens for Win‑Loss Records

Correct

  • The team is 10–5.
  • He finished the season 12–3.

Incorrect

  • 10 and 5
  • 10/5

B. Use Commas for Multi‑Category Records

Correct

  • The pitcher is 12–4, 2.85 ERA.
  • The goalie is 18–10–3.

Incorrect

  • 12–4 2.85 ERA
  • 18-10-3 (use en dashes)

C. Spell Out “Record” When Needed

Correct

  • They improved to a 5–2 record.
  • He holds a 9–1 record.

Incorrect

  • They improved to 5–2 record.

5. AP Style for Player Positions

A. Lowercase Positions

Correct

  • quarterback Joe Burrow
  • forward LeBron James
  • pitcher Gerrit Cole

Incorrect

  • Quarterback Joe Burrow
  • Forward LeBron James

B. Capitalize Positions Only Before Names in Formal Titles

Correct

  • Coach Erik Spoelstra
  • Manager Aaron Boone

Incorrect

  • coach Erik Spoelstra (generic use)

6. AP Style for Rankings & Seedings

A. Use “No.” for Rankings

Correct

  • No. 1 Georgia
  • No. 7 Duke

Incorrect

  • #1 Georgia
  • #7 Duke

B. Use Numerals for Seeds

Correct

  • the No. 3 seed
  • the 5‑seed Warriors

Incorrect

  • the third seed
  • the #5 seed

7. AP Style for Stats & Game Details

A. Use Numerals for All Stats

Correct

  • He scored 28 points.
  • She had 12 rebounds.
  • He rushed for 110 yards.

B. Use Hyphens for Stat Lines

Correct

  • He went 3‑for‑4.
  • She shot 7‑of‑12.

Incorrect

  • 3 for 4
  • 7 of 12

C. Use Numerals for Time Remaining

Correct

  • with 3:12 left in the fourth quarter
  • at the 2‑minute warning

Incorrect

  • with three minutes left

8. Sports‑Specific AP Style Rules

Football

  • a 45‑yard field goal
  • a 12‑play drive
  • a 3‑yard loss

Basketball

  • a 3‑point shot
  • a 12‑0 run
  • a 20‑rebound game

Baseball

  • a 2‑run homer
  • a 5‑inning start
  • a 3‑game series

Hockey

  • a 2‑goal lead
  • a 5‑on‑3 power play
  • a 30‑save performance

Soccer

  • a 2–1 win
  • a 1–0 clean sheet
  • a 3‑match unbeaten streak

9. Common AP Style Sports Mistakes (and Fixes)

A. Using hyphens instead of en dashes for scores

❌ 112-108  

✔️ 112–108

B. Capitalizing positions

❌ Quarterback Patrick Mahomes  

✔️ quarterback Patrick Mahomes

C. Using # for rankings

❌ #1 Alabama  

✔️ No. 1 Alabama

D. Using apostrophes in team names

❌ the Warrior’s  

✔️ the Warriors

E. Writing out numbers in stats

❌ He scored twenty points.  

✔️ He scored 20 points.

Final Takeaway for Total Apex Writers

AP Style sports formatting is all about clarity, consistency, and professionalism.

Total Apex AP Style Sports Essentials

  • Use full team names on first reference
  • Use en dashes for scores
  • Use numerals for all stats
  • Use hyphens for records
  • Lowercase positions unless formal titles
  • Use “No.” for rankings
  • Keep team names plural or singular based on official usage
  • Keep sports writing clean, fast, and readable

Mastering AP Style sports ensures every Total Apex article — from recaps to previews to features — is polished, consistent, and newsroom‑ready.