The GIST

WNBA postseason viewership hits 25-year high on ESPN networks

The NY Liberty and Minnesota Lynx battled it out on the hardwood in last night’s thrilling Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, but the cherry on top of the women’s hoops cake has been the league’s postseason viewership numbers.

October 11, 2024

Celebrity investment is changing the game for women’s soccer, including for expansion team BOS Nation

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Launch day didn’t go as planned for NWSL expansion club BOS Nation FC, but it did successfully announce celebrity investment from actress Elizabeth Banks and gymnast Aly Raisman yesterday. The franchise uniquely boasts an all-women ownership group, but its incoming celeb investment follows an NWSL trend that’s helped franchises shine bright and far.

October 16, 2024

No. 1 NY Liberty bounce back, win WNBA Finals Game 2 over No. 2 Minnesota Lynx

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We’re only two games into the WNBA Finals, but as No. 1 NY Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said, there’s already a winner: women’s basketball. NY’s 80–66 Game 2 win over the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx was the most-watched Finals showdown in 23 years. And it’s just the beginning. Here’s how NY evened the thrilling best-of-five series on Sunday and a preview of what’s to come during tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Game 3 in Minneapolis.

October 16, 2024

The PWHL releases its 90-game schedule for the 2024-25 season

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Sharpen your skates because, before pre-season mini camps get underway soon, the PWHL released the Year Two schedule yesterday, with the action set to begin on November 30th. While waiting for puck drop, let’s break down the league’s sophomore schedule by the numbers.

October 16, 2024

⚾ You traded your baseball cap for a crown

NLCS even at 1-1, NY Yankees take commanding 2-0 ALCS lead

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The best-of-seven championship series are well underway, with two spots in the World Series — one from the American League (AL) and one from the National League (NL) — up for grabs.

October 16, 2024

SMU women’s volleyball claims its share of the national spotlight

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The No. 12 SMU Mustangs shot from mid-major stalwart to tricky trap team to bona fide natty threat.

October 16, 2024

Breaking down the women’s and men’s AP basketball preseason polls

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The AP dropped its preseason basketball polls on Monday and Tuesday, setting off two weeks of speculation.

October 16, 2024

Sports News

Celebrating the 13th annual International Day of the Girl

October 11, 2024

Today’s special edition highlights the benefits of sports access as well as the barriers to play for girls around the world.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #406

Talking hoops with WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes

October 17, 2024

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Talking hoops with WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes

Hoop, there she is!

Amid the ongoing WNBA Finals, today’s episode of The GIST of It is extra-hooptastic — WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes joins The GIST’s Associate Managing Editor Lauren Tuiskula for a wide ranging conversation on the league’s recent growth, Swoopes’ top takeaways from this Finals series so far, and even her prediction as to who will win it all. Trust us — you don’t want to miss this.

A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health insurance leaves behind. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.