January 8, 2024

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The NFL’s Black Monday always brings a grim vibe to the end of the league’s regular season, but the Washington Commanders and new owner Josh Harris are thinking differently about how they want to replace Ron Rivera. … Nike and Tiger Woods broke all sorts of new ground together over nearly three decades, but their relationship is now over. … And speaking of relationships, the Kansas City Royals’ status with Jackson County, Mo., is complicated.

— Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Black Monday: Harris Takes Next Steps in Commanders Overhaul [[link removed]]

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Harris hit the reset button Monday, more than five months after his ownership group seized control of the Washington Commanders with a record $6.05 billion purchase.

Head coach Ron Rivera was fired, a search team for both his replacement and the head of football operations was announced, and Harris told reporters at the team’s headquarters there were more changes ahead.

“As you can see, we’re a little busy,” Harris quipped when asked if the Commanders’ name would be among tweaks to the team. “We are picking a new head of the front office, a new coach, and we are busy working on the next improvements to our stadium. Then, obviously, our new home and thinking about that.”

Harris and his 20 co-owners didn’t officially take over the team until July, days before the start of training camp. Sources told [[link removed]] Front Office Sports over the summer that the 2023 season would be used to evaluate the entire organization, including the front office and coaching ranks.

In the four seasons since then-owner Dan Snyder hired Rivera—amid increased scrutiny over toxic workplace issues that eventually threatened Syder’s grasp of the team—the now-former coach compiled a 26-40-1 record with one playoff appearance. The team finished 4-13, a mark that ensured the Commanders would secure the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on April 24.

“This was not a fun season for the ownership group,” said Harris, whose priority is now in hiring the head of football operations—duties shared among Rivera, GM Martin Mayhew, and executive VP Marty Hurney—before selecting a head coach.

It became clear Monday that Harris and others in ownership had a plan, as they announced that former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman would advise the search for both a new head coach and a head of football operations. The Commanders requested to interview several current assistants and front-office employees with other teams on Monday.

Black Monday Rewind

At midnight, the Atlanta Falcons were the first team to dump their coach following Sunday’s end to the regular season. Arthur Smith exited the Falcons with a 21-30 record over three seasons. Also:

Carolina Panthers: After the midseason firing of Frank Reich, the team parted ways with GM Scott Fitterer. Los Angeles Chargers: Like the Panthers, the Bolts are in the market for a new head coach and GM after the respective December firings of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco. New England Patriots: As of Monday afternoon, there wasn’t an update on Bill Belichick’s future as head coach. He’s expected to meet with owner Robert Kraft. #️⃣ ONE BIG FIG

Big-time Bonus 🏀

$35,000,000

The amount in bonus money that Mark Cuban is distributing to Dallas Mavericks employees after selling his majority interest in the NBA team, according to an internal memo [[link removed]] that ESPN’s Tim MacMahon obtained. “To calculate your bonus, we used a framework that took into consideration how long you have worked for the Mavs,” Cuban noted.

Just Undo It. Woods Confirms Split With Nike After Historic 27-year Run [[link removed]]

The Augusta Chronicle

One of the most impactful and lucrative athlete endorsement deals in sports history is now over.

On Monday, golf icon Tiger Woods confirmed growing rumors [[link removed]] that he is ending his 27-year relationship with Nike. The athletic footwear and apparel company is believed [[link removed]] to have paid Woods an estimated $500 million since signing the superstar in 1996 at just 20 years old and has been deeply intertwined with the ups and downs of his career, including 15 major tournament victories and 82 PGA Tour event wins. But Woods is parting ways with Nike for what “will certainly be another chapter.”

“I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods said [[link removed]] on X. “The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories.”

Nike, for its part, was gracious publicly, posting [[link removed]] on Instagram: “It was a hell of a round, Tiger. … You challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old-school way of thinking. You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge, we’re grateful.”

The red polo Woods is wearing in that Nike post on Instagram became a staple of his Sunday rounds for years, symbolizing the deeply intertwined brand relationship between Nike and Woods.

Woods did not disclose his future endorsement plans or a timetable to reveal a decision, except to say “See you in L.A.,” likely referencing a plan to play in next month’s Genesis Invitational in west Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades, Calif. Since returning from ankle surgery in 2022, Woods has notably played golf tournaments wearing FootJoy shoes. Even in what is likely the twilight of his pro career, the 48-year-old now stands as one of the major free agents in sports endorsements.

As the Swoosh Turns

The dissolution of the Nike-Woods relationship arrives as the company revealed [[link removed]] plans last month to cut $2 billion in costs over the next three years, an initiative that will include staff reductions. Nike also has pulled back its presence in golf, including an end to equipment manufacturing in 2016. The company, however, still has a presence in the sport, particularly through its Jordan brand, manufacturing products such as shoes, gloves, hats, and shirts.

Jason Day additionally left Nike recently for relative newcomer Malbon Golf, but Rory McIlroy is among the stable of top golfers still with the brand.

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Royals Commit To Building New $2B Ballpark in K.C., But It’s Complicated [[link removed]]

Kansas City Royals

After months of rising uncertainty [[link removed]] and local political angst [[link removed]], the Kansas City Royals have opted to build their new stadium in downtown Kansas City—and taxpayers are likely to get a better deal in the process. But there are still plenty of complications surrounding the planned $2 billion project.

The Royals declared their intent to construct a ballpark and mixed-used development in downtown Kansas City and remain in Jackson County, discarding a prior option [[link removed]] to shift to a larger parcel in neighboring Clay County. The statement is part of a bid to extend by 40 years a current sales tax appropriation in Jackson County that would be used to help supply about $350 million in public funds toward the project. The Royals are still considering [[link removed]] a pair of stadium site options in Jackson County, including a location in south Kansas City at the site of the former Kansas City Star printing press pavilion.

The club made a joint statement with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, who are similarly seeking to extend the tax and renovate [[link removed]] Arrowhead Stadium. The teams face a Jan. 23 deadline to get on an April public ballot, and the tax issue is also set to be considered Monday by the Jackson County legislature.

“The partnership between Jackson County, the Chiefs, and the Royals has been a tremendous success over the past 50 years and directly responsible for much of the great momentum our hometown has built,” the teams said.

The statement follows recent negotiations in which the Royals and Chiefs agreed to pay stadium insurance previously handled by Jackson County, which is projected to yield $80 million to $100 million in savings to taxpayers. A further concession by the teams will allow the county to utilize about $140 million in an existing park property tax for non-sports purposes. County officials have been pushing for improved terms in the talks, in keeping with a growing national trend [[link removed]] surrounding public funding for pro stadiums.

Still Plenty of Hurdles

Despite the improved clarity around the Royals’ stadium search, potential problems remain. Most of all, the team is reportedly [[link removed]] still far apart in the lease and development negotiations with Frank White, Jackson County executive.

“No agreement has been finalized with either team,” White said. “As we navigate these crucial negotiations involving potential commitments of billions of taxpayer dollars, I want to make it abundantly clear: I have not, and will not, rush into any agreement.”

The Royals and Chiefs could circumvent White and get on the ballot without his approval, but that would require enough time and legislative support to overcome a veto. Currently one of MLB’s worst-attended, lowest-spending, and poorest-performing clubs, the Royals are eyeing the new stadium development as a key mechanism to improve their fortunes on and off the field.

Conversation Starters ESPN will have all hands on deck for Monday night’s college football National Championship Game. The network will air more than 12 hours [[link removed]] of studio coverage around the event. Washington football could become the first non-Nike school to win the National Championship since 2010. Check out a breakdown [[link removed]] of the Huskies’ $119 million deal with Adidas. Hockey’s minor league Hershey Bears topped their own mark Sunday night, collecting a record [[link removed]] 74,599 toys for charity during their annual Teddy Bear Toss. Editor’s Picks How Michigan Turned a Sign-Stealing Scandal Into a Successful Marketing Ploy [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The Wolverines’ official retailer launched a wildly popular merchandise line around the phrase “Michigan vs. Everyone.” We’re One Year Out From a 12-Team CFP. It’s Anyone’s Guess What That Looks Like [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]On-campus logistics, media rights, and revenue are uncertain one year out. Mississippi Attorney General Yanks Lawyers in Brett Favre Defamation Case [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]An upcoming book written by the state auditor questions the integrity of the AG. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by A.J. Perez [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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