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 Basketball icon Michael Jordan, a friend of Woods, issued the
strong comments in an article in which ESPN.com detailed Woods' deep
decline following the death of his father in 2006.
"I think he really wishes he could retire, but he doesn't know how
to do it yet," said Jordan, "and I don't think he wants to leave it
where it is right now."
Woods is currently recovering from multiple back surgeries and
hasn't won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
Jordan theorizes that Woods would probably like to land one more big
accomplishment before walking away from the sport.
"(If he) could win another major and walk away, he would, I think,"
Jordan said. "... The thing is I love him so much that I can't tell
him, 'You're not gonna be great again.'"
 UFC
Conor McGregor's retirement plans are off after less than 48 hours.
The brash MMA fighter and UFC star released a statement Thursday
morning that clarified a cryptic Twitter announcement on Tuesday
indicating he was retiring.
"I'm not retiring," McGregor's statement posted via Facebook said.
"For USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) and for the UFC and my
contract stipulations - I AM NOT RETIRED."
UFC president Dana White pulled McGregor from the UFC 200 main event
on Wednesday. White said the issue was with McGregor not cooperating
with promotion of the major event for which he was the name draw.
NBA
The Washington Wizards agreed to terms with Scott Brooks to become
their new coach, according to published reports.
The two sides agreed on a five-year, $35 million contract, according
to multiple reports.
Washington had zeroed in on Brooks as the replacement for fired
Randy Wittman and increased their pursuit out of fear the Houston
Rockets might make a run at Brooks once Houston's postseason
concludes.
The Wizards also coveted Brooks because they plan to make a run at
signing Washington, D.C. native Kevin Durant during the summer
free-agency period. Durant played for Brooks for seven seasons in
Oklahoma City.
Brooks, 50, went 338-207 with the Thunder and reached the NBA Finals
in 2012. He was fired after the 2014-15 season.
MLB
Former San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds will be back in uniform
at AT&T Park on Friday for the first time since 2007.
He will be donning the uniform of the Miami Marlins.
Bonds, 51, is in his first season as Miami's hitting coach and the
Marlins open a three-game series against the Giants on Friday. Just
don't suggest to Bonds that spotting him in the visiting dugout will
be strange.
 "It's not going to feel strange," Bonds said. "That's my home. That
will always be my home. I don't feel strange at home.
Bonds won five of his seven National League MVP awards while wearing
a Giants' uniform. He set baseball's all-time homer record and
finished his career with 762.
NFL
Based on the immediate interest in cornerback Josh Norman, the free
agent will not be out of work for long.
The Carolina Panthers on Wednesday rescinded the franchise tag tying
Norman to the NFC champions for the 2016 season, setting Norman
loose on the open market. A one-year tender with the Panthers would
have paid Norman nearly $14 million in 2016.
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Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman pulled the plug when
contract negotiations fell apart and Norman found little interest
after the Panthers granted him permission to seek a trade.
Several teams -- 10 according to ESPN's David Newton -- with excess
salary cap space reached out to Norman on his first day of free
agency. The San Francisco 49ers, who have plenty of cap space and a
need at the position, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins,
Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and
Chicago Bears all made contact.
--San Diego Chargers general manager Tom Telesco is willing to trade
the third overall pick in the NFL draft if he gets the right offer.
The Tennessee Titans traded the No. 1 pick to the Los Angeles Rams
and the second pick in the draft was dealt from the Cleveland Browns
to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Most expect quarterbacks Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) and Jared
Goff (Cal) to be picked 1-2, giving the Chargers their pick of all
non-quarterbacks in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The top three picks in the draft have been traded only three other
times -- 1967, 1975 and 1997.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Notre Dame plans a modified schedule marked with major programs and
the end of the Shamrock Series.
Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said after this year's Nov. 12 game
with Army in the Shamrock Series, in which Notre Dame plays a
relocated home game in a major city, the series will be paused to
allow the Irish to maximize its home schedule.
That revised schedule could soon include a renewal of the rivalry
with Michigan, which has the support of Wolverines coach Jim
Harbaugh and the new athletic administration staff.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Wisconsin junior forward Nigel Hayes has declared for the 2016 NBA
draft, according to published reports.
Hayes doesn't plan to sign with an agent, which will present an
opportunity for him to withdraw from the draft by May 25 and return
to school.
Hayes averaged 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds last season but shot
just 36.8 percent from the field. The percentage was a sharp drop
from his sophomore mark of 49.7 when he averaged 12.4 points and 6.2
rebounds.
--Junior forward Marcus Lee intends to remain in the NBA draft and
discussed the decision with Kentucky coach John Calipari.
Lee was a coveted college recruit but as a role player for the
loaded Wildcats averaged just 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game
last season.
The 6-foot-9 forward said he still hasn't hired an agent, but is
intent on staying in the draft.
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