Sports News | The GIST

World No. 20 Alex Eala wins big ahead of National Bank Open

Fresh off her historic DC Open victory, 21-year-old world No. 20 Alex Eala — the first Filipino to win a WTA title — is the player to know ahead of this week’s National Bank Open. From her meteoric rise to her powerful ball-striking, here’s why Eala’s been called the most exciting player on the WTA tour.

August 05, 2026

Kelsey Plum hits game-winner in Phoenix Mercury debut

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Kelsey Plum hits game-winner in Phoenix Mercury debut

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So much WNBA news, so little time — here’s everything you need to know from the last couple of days on the hardwood.

August 04, 2026

Breaking down both of the WNBA’s trade deadline deals and handing out flowers

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Twelve of the WNBA’s 16 teams stood pat at yesterday’s trade deadline, so let’s dissect the two deals that did go through before giving flowers to an undrafted rookie who’s making it rain.

August 03, 2026

Ace pitcher Tarik Skubal traded to LA Dodgers

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Tonight’s 6 p.m. ET MLB Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching, but the biggest blockbuster is already in the books: Ace pitcher Tarik Skubal is heading to the LA Dodgers, a move that will have an immediate impact on the playoff race…and perhaps lasting consequences on the future of the league.

August 03, 2026

The good, the bad, and the ugly of the WNBA this week

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It’s been zero days since the WNBA’s last incident, so let’s talk the good, the bad, and the ugly. Onward.

July 31, 2026

Women’s Pro Baseball League begins inaugural season

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The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) makes its long-awaited debut in front of a sold out crowd tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN Select in the U.S. and on YouTube for those outside the States. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the historic first pitch.

July 31, 2026

The WNBA trade deadlines looms as rivals take the hardwood

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A tunnel ’fit that speaks for itself, eyebrow-raising rumors ahead of Sunday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, one of the best rivalries in basketball on deck — no one does it quite like the WNBA.

July 29, 2026

NWSL mid-week preview, Esther González leaves Gotham FC for personal reasons

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NWSL mid-week preview, Esther González leaves Gotham FC for personal reasons

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July 29, 2026

Still missing the FIFA men’s World Cup? We have the perfect mid-week pick-me-up: The second half of the NWSL season is almost here and while teams like the Washington Spirit and Utah Royals are rising to the top, there’s still plenty of footy to play before the eight-team playoff field is finalized this fall. Here’s the latest moves and matches from the pitch.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #579

The week FIFA lost the plot

August 06, 2026

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There’s been some major drama going down at FIFA headquarters. Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced a plan to sell stakes in future World Cups to private equity firms — an announcement that was met with immediate backlash. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Alessandra Puccio explain why Infantino’s failed plan caused such a stir and detail the potential fallout from his latest bungle.