PITTSBURGH >> Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin are taking their bromance to the next level.

The four-time NFL MVP ended months of “will he or won’t he” speculation by informing Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers he plans to join the team for the 2025 season, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The Steelers and the 41-year-old Rodgers had been circling each other for months. With mandatory minicamp coming next week, Rodgers apparently finds himself in a place where he can give the Steelers his full attention.

Ravens extend Bateman >> The Baltimore Ravens gave out another contract extension to a key offensive player, signing receiver Rashod Bateman through 2029.

The three-year, $36.75 million extension includes $20 million in guarantees, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The 25-year-old Bateman played all 17 games in 2024, catching 45 passes for 756 yards and nine touchdowns.Colts QB Richardson sidelined indefinitely >> Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has a shoulder injury that will sideline him indefinitely, coach Shane Steichen said.

Richardson aggravated a joint in his throwing shoulder, which he had season-ending surgery on in October 2023. The third-year quarterback reported soreness in his right shoulder during last week’s organized team activities and hasn’t practiced since.

Motor sports

Judges rule in favor of NASCAR in lawsuit >> A three-judge federal appellate panel ruled in favor of NASCAR in the antitrust lawsuit filed by two teams, one owned by Michael Jordan, and vacated an injunction that required 23XI and Front Row be recognized as chartered teams as their case snakes through the legal system.

Both race teams sued NASCAR late last year after refusing to sign new agreements on charter renewals. The charter system is similar to franchises in other sports, but the charters are revocable by NASCAR and have expiration dates. 23XI, which is owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, allied with Front Row in suing NASCAR after 13 other organizations signed the renewals last September and those two organization refused.

The two teams sued and asked for a temporary injunction that would recognize them as chartered teams for this season. The antitrust case isn’t scheduled to be heard until December.

Baseball

White Sox reach agreement for potential future sale >> The Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement that will give Justin Ishbia, the brother of Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, the chance to buy a future controlling interest in the club.

Ishbia will make capital infusions into the White Sox as a limited partner in 2025 and 2026, which will be used to pay down existing debt and support ongoing team operations.

Under the agreement, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf will have the option to sell controlling interest in the team to Ishbia from 2029-33. After the 2034 season, Ishbia can acquire the controlling interest.