Bernard Muir led Stanford athletics in the Cardinal’s leap to the Atlantic Coast Conference after the implosion of the Pac-12.

A new athletics director will be at the head of the department in Stanford’s second year in the North Carolina-based conference.

Stanford announced on Tuesday that Muir will step down at the end of the academic year, which runs through June 10. The news was first reported Monday by ESPN and confirmed by Jon Wilner of this news organization.

“I am forever proud of the history we made and protected, the long list of championships and champions, and the focus we applied to connecting those committed to this university to the greatest good for the Cardinal,” Muir said in a statement. “My experience at Stanford will forever hold its significant place on my treasured journey in collegiate sports.”

Since Muir took over in 2012, Stanford has won 33 NCAA titles and 46 national championships overall, the school’s release said. Those titles include the the 2021 women’s basketball championship, three straight men’s soccer titles (2015-2017) and two women’s soccer titles (2017 and 2019).

The Cardinal’s downturn on the football field and the difficulty of cross-country travel for the teams competing in the ACC are daunting challenges for the next athletics director.

The school will name an acting AD in the coming weeks before embarking on a search for Muir’s permanent replacement.

“Bernard has led the Cardinal to more championships than any other college athletic program and has helped Stanford navigate the biggest changes the college athletics landscape has ever seen,” Stanford president Jon Levin said in a statement.

— Michael Nowels

WNBA

Taurasi retires after 20 years, 3 titles, 6 gold medals >> Diana Taurasi is retiring after 20 seasons, ending one of the greatest careers in women’s basketball history.

The WNBA’s career scoring leader and a three-time league champion, Taurasi announced her retirement in an interview with Time magazine. The Phoenix Mercury — the only WNBA team she played for — also confirmed her decision.

“Mentally and physically, I’m just full,” Taurasi told Time. “That’s probably the best way I can describe it. I’m full and I’m happy.”

With her taut hair bun and supreme confidence, Taurasi inspired a generation of players while racking up records and championships.

Taurasi led UConn to three straight national titles from 2001-04 and kept on winning after the Mercury selected her with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2004 WNBA draft.

The 42-year-old won her sixth Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games and finishes her WNBA career with 10,646 points, nearly 3,000 more than second-place Tina Charles.

In addition to her three WNBA championships with the Mercury, Taurasi won six Euroleague championships while playing year-round most of her career. She was the 2009 WNBA MVP and is one of four players to earn WNBA Finals MVP honors more than once (2009, 2014).

College basketball

Tar Heels’ Davis gets 2-year extension >> North Carolina coach Hubert Davis has signed a two-year extension running through the 2029-30 season, and hired basketball agent Jim Tanner as the men’s basketball program’s executive director and general manager.

The school announced Tanner’s hiring roughly three weeks after Davis talked about plans to hire a GM in the era of players being able to profit from their athletic fame with their name, image and likeness.

College football

No decisions yet on possible CFP format changes >> Commissioners who are part of the College Football Playoff had some discussions in Dallas about possible changes for next season, including how the 12-team field is seeded.

Several members of the CFP Management Committee, which is made up of all 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, said they need more data before deciding on any changes.

“We had a really good discussion,” Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said. “Good heartfelt conversations. Everyone gave their point of view and we’ll vet it out and see what happens.”

The committee is expected to meet again in March, a possible virtual session when it could review seeding models and other information. Another meeting is scheduled in April.

NHL

Ovechkin scores but Flames beat Caps >> Matt Coronato scored to help the Calgary Flames beat the Washington Capitals 3-1, to move into a playoff spot despite Alex Ovechkin getting one step closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record.

Ovechkin scored five minutes into the third period to score his 883rd goal and move 12 back of passing Gretzky’s mark of 894. It was also his 30th goal of the season, reaching that milestone for the 19th time in his 20 years in the league.

MLS

Messi fined for incident with NYCFC assistant >> Major League Soccer fined Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for placing his hand on a New York City FC assistant coach’s neck.

The incident happened during Saturday’s 2-2 draw.

Messi was exiting the pitch following the full-time whistle after receiving a yellow card for a verbal exchange with referee Alexis Da Silva. The reigning league MVP had some words with New York City assistant Mehdi Ballouchy and covered his mouth as two Miami assistants intervened. Messi started to walk away, then turned back toward Ballouchy. He put his right hand on the back of Ballouchy’s neck and squeezed hard enough that it appeared to stun him.