🇨🇦⚽ This is very bad
New report alleges long standing culture of spying by CanWNT and CanMNT staff
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Canada Soccer’s drone scandal escalated yesterday with a jaw-dropping TSN report that staff members and contractors from both CanWNT and CanMNT have used drones to spy on other teams for years, including during CanWNT’s gold medal run at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Canada Soccer has since suspended CanWNT head coach Bev Priestman, citing “additional information” about drone use prior to the Paris Olympics. Shocking doesn’t even begin to cover it.
July 25, 2024
🥎 The background
Everything you need to know about AU Softball 2024
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Hope you have some extra screens at the ready — not only is today the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, it’s also the start of the fifth annual Athletes Unlimited (AU) softball season.
July 26, 2024
📊 A (data) set shot
Relo Metrics shares data insights on the value of WNBA sponsorship
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Ever wonder how much exposure a half-court logo gets? That’s where Relo Metrics — a firm that uses AI to measure sports marketing efficacy — steps in. Last week, Relo spoke with The GIST to share exclusive WNBA insights from its proprietary software that tracks brand exposure.
July 26, 2024
✨ She’s all that
Athleta activates around inspirational Olympic athletes to win over Gen Alpha
Women-centric athleisure brand Athleta is leaning further into its brand identity with its long-running Power of She campaign. In its current form, the messaging has crystallized into centering inspirational Olympic and Paralympic women athletes as brand ambassadors, giving Gen Alpha consumers something to aspire to.
July 26, 2024
⚙️ How it works
A Paris 2024 Olympic Games women's soccer preview
The Olympic Opening Ceremony doesn’t sail down the Seine until tomorrow, but the women’s soccer tourney kicks off in just a few hours. Always ahead of the game.
July 25, 2024
⛴️ Open ’er up
The Paris 2024 Olympics officially begin with an ambitious Opening Ceremony
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The glitz, the celebs, the ’fits — there’s nothing quite like the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Here’s what to expect from what’s bound to be an epic display in Paris.
July 25, 2024
🤸 First-time sport: Breaking
Everything you need to know about the new Olympic sports debuting at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
We’re coming in hot with another Olympic Special Edition — this time, with everything you need to know about the new (and new-ish) sports gracing the Paris 2024 Games.
July 24, 2024
🏒 What’s going on?
Troubling allegations of workplace abuse within PWHL Minnesota
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July 17, 2024
Less than two months after hoisting the inaugural Walter Cup, PWHL Minnesota is facing troubling allegations of bullying and verbal abuse amid an offseason already rife with controversy. As detailed on the latest episode of The GIST of It, here’s a timeline of the fallout that followed Minnesota’s championship win on May 29th.
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Ep #384

Gender parity at the Paris Olympics

July 25, 2024
Gender parity at the Paris Olympics

The Paris Olympics are almost here!

In a very special episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive into gender parity at the Olympics, sponsored by our pals at Canadian Tire. Since 1900 when women first competed at the Olympics to 2024, there’s been enormous progress in terms of gender equity at the Games — and the Paris Olympics will be the most equitable ever.

In addition to discussing the history of women at the Olympics, this episode features two insightful conversations with Kim Saunders of Canadian Tire and Julia Wilkinson, a former Team Canada Olympic swimmer, who have both seen the growth of women’s sports firsthand from a business and athlete perspective. Trust us — you don’t want to miss this.

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⭐ All the stars
WNBA All-Star Game shatters viewership records as league skyrockets in popularity
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This year’s WNBA All-Star Weekend (ASW) became an epicenter for women’s basketball culture like never before, and it was more than just brands (and celebs) showing up at the marquee event. As expected, fans tuned in on TV, which sponsors anticipated and prepped for with numerous ASW activations.
July 24, 2024
🔥 Blazing a trail
Former USWNT players bringing starpower and views to broadcast platforms
Women’s soccer players have been featured in primetime more than ever this year — and no, we’re not just talking about the matches on TV. Many active and retired women’s soccer stars are going from the pitch to the mic as they’re increasingly seen as assets in the media game.
July 24, 2024
🇨🇦⚽ Keep hittin’ repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
Everything you need to know about No. 8 CanWNT at the Paris Olympics
The No. 8 CanWNT begin their gold medal defense tomorrow, taking on No. 28 New Zealand at 11 a.m. ET in one of the first games of the Paris Olympics, so here’s a deep dive on the red and white.
July 24, 2024
🇫🇷 Bienvenue à Paris
A guide to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
In preparation for the biggest two weeks in international sport, we’re coming at you with a three-part Olympic primer, starting with today’s overview of the Games.
July 23, 2024