Tiger Woods is no longer a Nike athlete after 27 years, ending a partnership between the swoosh and golf’s biggest star and raising questions about the future of both in the sport.

Woods in a social media post thanked Nike co-founder Phil Knight for his “passion and vision” that brought Nike and the Nike Golf partnership with Woods together.

Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports, confirmed the end of the deal that began in 1996.

Nike also posted to social media, saying in a photo, “It was a hell of a round, Tiger.”

COMMANDERS FIRE RIVERA

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders have fired coach Ron Rivera. Controlling owner Josh Harris announced the move Monday.

The Commanders lost eight in a row to finish 4-13 after opening with back-to-back victories.

Washington made one playoff appearance by winning the NFC East at 7-9 in 2020 during Rivera’s four seasons in charge of the team’s football operations.

General manager Martin Mayhew and a majority of the front office and coaching staff are also expected to depart as new ownership begins sweeping changes to put its stamp on the organization.

FALCONS FIRE HEAD COACH

ATLANTA (AP) — Arthur Smith has been fired by the Atlanta Falcons after completing his third straight losing season.

Smith inherited a rebuilding project in his first NFL head coaching job and failed to lift the Falcons from their playoff drought.

The 41-year-old son of FedEx founder Fred Smith went 7-10 in each of his three seasons.

Atlanta closed the season with an ugly 48-17 loss at New Orleans, its second consecutive lopsided defeat. That sealed Smith’s fate.

He was hired by the Falcons in 2021 after a decade-long stint as an assistant with the Tennessee Titans in which he moved up to offensive coordinator.

HOUSTON JUMPS KU IN AP POLL

By The Associated Press

Purdue is still atop the AP Top 25 but Houston has jumped Kansas into second place as the last unbeaten team in Division I men’s college basketball.

The Boilermakers picked up five more first-place votes and has 54 of the 63 available.

The Cougars received seven first-place votes after improving to 14-0 for the third time in school history.

Kansas had the other two first-place nods but fell to third.

Defending national champ UConn and Tennessee rounded out the top five. San Diego State, Utah State and Creighton are ranked at the expense of Ole Miss, James Madison and Providence.