NAMES & FACES

Tiger Woods

It appears that the 14-time major champion will go another full year without playing one of golf’s majors. Two days after Woods said his back was progressing, he announced on his website that he has had a fourth back surgery at the Texas Back Institute to alleviate pain. “The surgery went well, and I’m optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain,” Woods said. “When healed, I look forward to getting back to a normal life, playing with my kids, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I have been battling so long.” Typical recovery from the surgery is six months. Woods’s last played Feb. 3 in the Dubai Desert Classic, where he shot 77 and withdrew because of back spasms.

David Stern

The former NBA comissioner says he likes the direction of the league since he retired in 2014. “In addition to the talent, I’m in awe of the shooting skills of Steph Curry, of Klay Thompson, of a (Russell) Westbrook and a (James) Harden, etc.,” Stern said. “But I’m also in awe of the potential the league has both digitally and globally. So the game is strong, the attendance is at a record, the future is extraordinary internationally and the league is a leader under Adam (Silver) in the digital sphere.” Stern, 74, advises venture capital firms from his position atop DJS Global Advisors and has invested in a number of startups, some of them in sports technology. He still watches plenty of games.