The GIST

Sportico, CNBC share differing WNBA valuations that both prove rising value of the league

Over the weekend, both Sportico and CNBC shared their estimated valuations for all WNBA teams. While both outlets came to the same conclusion — the Golden State Valkyries are the highest-valued team — they ended up with different calculations, likely because CNBC included the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire and Sportico did not. Let’s crunch the numbers.

May 05, 2026

Jordan Chiles and Pure Leaf highlight the value of athlete brand partnerships from both sides

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In April, we spoke with UCLA and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles about how she’s building out her brand portfolio and why brands want to work with her. And on Thursday, we also spoke with Zach Harris, VP and GM of the Pepsi Lipton Partnership North America, who oversees marketing for iced tea label Pure Leaf.

May 05, 2026

Cherie DeVaux becomes first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby

A horse named Golden Tempo defied the 23-1 odds during the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, surging from last-place to win the Run for the Roses. With the victory, Cherie DeVaux became the first woman horse trainer to ever win the famed race — and her story is a true tale of groundbreaking grit.

May 04, 2026

Breaking down a weekend of Game 7s on the hardwood and the ice

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While the first of the NHL conference semis started with a bang, this weekend was all about the best two words in sports — Game 7 — with three do-or-die NBA playoff games and another in the NHL. That’s a whole lot of heart-pumping action.

May 04, 2026

Breaking down a weekend of Game 7s on the hardwood and the ice

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May 04, 2026

How one NWSL team built a regional culture from the ground up

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In March, we interviewed Courage COO Ralph Vuono about winning fans in an atomized regional culture, and how the club plans to further energize Courage Country — and prospective sponsors.

May 02, 2026

Breaking down the 2026 Women’s Elite Rugby season

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A sports league where you can watch every game for free? Yes, please. Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the 15-a-side rugby union league captivating sports fans begins its second season tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET. Let’s ruck and roll.

May 01, 2026

Sports Business

Brand interest in new fencing, dance leagues illustrate marketing power in “niche” sports

April 30, 2026

Two new leagues — the World Fencing League (WFL) and International Dance League (IDL) — are gearing up to serve avid fandoms for niche sports. But are they really that niche? Maybe not, and brands are counting on that wide appeal. Let’s boogie.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #553

The pros and cons of the NWSL’s potential calendar change and will a Canadian team finally win the Stanley Cup

May 05, 2026

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The pros and cons of the NWSL’s potential calendar change and will a Canadian team finally win the Stanley Cup

It’s been 33 years since a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup, and with the second round of the playoffs underway, just one squad remains in contention: the Montreal Canadiens. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dig deep on the Habs, the NHL’s youngest team, before highlighting the other NHL playoff series that has our undivided attention. After that, in today’s Personal Training Session, El and Steph answer GISTer questions about a potential change to the NWSL.