To the surprise of absolutely no one
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Merry one week ’til Christmas!
And happy almost Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. The countdown to the holiday break is on, which means it’s time to reflect on an incredible 2024. Reply to this email with your favorite sports moment from the last year — you might just see it featured in an upcoming newsletter.
- Start thinking back as you scroll through today’s news.
— Sidelined San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, sharing a long-awaited update after suffering a stroke six weeks ago. To the surprise of absolutely no one, the lovable curmudgeon Popp hasn’t exactly been a model patient while recovering — turns out, those who are “less than coachable”…coach.
NBA Cup final
🏀 Feeling lucky
The GIST: The Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks hoisted the second-annual NBA Cup last night, beating the Western Conference No. 1 seed Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder 97–81 under the neon Vegas lights. With clear eyes, full hearts, and pockets that are $514.9K heavier, here’s how the Bucks went all in to snag in-season tournament glory.
How it happened: The low-scoring, back-and-forth affair was blown wide open in the second half, beginning with a dominant third quarter in which the Bucks outscored OKC by 12. As is par for the NBA course, three-point shooting was the difference in this one as Milwaukee knocked down 17 shots from downtown compared to the Thunder’s pedestrian five.
- Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced ah-det-oh-KOON-boh) was as dominant as ever, posting 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and three blocks to claim tournament MVP honors. Someone get this man his chicken nuggets.
Zooming out: NBA ratings are down this season, and while there are a few reasons, a big one is entertainment value…or lack thereof. The league did innovate to spice up the long 82-game regular season, changing player rest rules to ensure there’s more star power on the court and adding the NBA Cup in an attempt to make early-season games more interesting for players and fans alike.
- But early numbers indicate that the second iteration of the in-season tournament isn’t capturing fans’ attention in the same way it did last year, with group-stage viewership down 10% amidst a general numbers decline. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board.
🎓🏐 Four No. 1 seeds square off in the NCAA volleyball national tournament semis
The natty tourney semis are set for tomorrow from Louisville, with familiar conference foes facing off for spots in Sunday’s championship. First, it’s Pitt vs. Louisville at 6:30 p.m. ET, an ACC throwdown that could see five sets if their two regular-season meetings (which Pitt won) are any indication.
- Then 30 minutes after game one, Penn State takes on Nebraska. The Nittany Lions topped the Cornhuskers in four sets in their only regular-season meeting, forcing the squads to share the Big Ten title. Drama like this? Absolutely killer.
🏀 Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson inks six-year contract extension with Nike
Announced yesterday, the three-time WNBA MVP’s new deal ranks among the most lucrative shoe endorsements in the women’s game, alongside fellow Nike athletes Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Sabrina Ionescu (NY Liberty), and USC hooper JuJu Watkins.
- Aptly named the A’One, Wilson’s signature shoe is expected to be released in the spring of 2025. Of course
she has a shoeit’s going to be a’mazing.
⚽ NWSL narrows expansion sights to Denver
And then there was one. The NWSL is reportedly engaging in exclusive negotiations with Denver for the league’s 16th expansion team, set to debut in 2026 alongside Boston.
- The price tag? It’s big, ranging between $105 and $120M — more than double the most recent NWSL expansion fees (paid by Bay FC and Boston) with the possibility of setting a new record in American women’s sports. Stay tuned.
Together With The GIST
👕 Wear your heart on your sleeve
Want to show off your support for women in sports? We thought so. And with The GIST’s capsule collection, you can. The pieces are sporty, bold, and playful…just like our GIST community.
Speaking of, this collection truly has something for everyone: Basketball-specific threads for hoops fans, “leveling the playing field” looks if you love making a statement, and tennis tees if you want to, ahem, serve.
But don’t just take our word for it, check it out for yourself. Happy shopping!
🏆 The Women’s Euro 2025 groups have been set ahead of this summer’s tourney — and Group D looks downright dastardly, featuring No. 4 England, No. 10 Netherlands, No. 11 France, and Euro debutant, No. 30 Wales.
📺🏐 The Pro Volleyball Federation inked a media deal with Fox ahead of the league’s sophomore season starting in January, while the inaugural All-Star Match will air nationally on CBS come February. Spike it and they will come.
✨ LA Sparks rookie Cameron Brink (after recovering from a torn ACL) will suit up for Unrivaled’s Lunar Owls in 2026, signing a multi-year deal with the new 3v3 league yesterday.
🏀 The Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm will hoop at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, this summer, marking the first regular-season WNBA game to tip off outside of the U.S.
🏈 A trio of NFL starting quarterbacks (QB) will be riding the pine in Week 16 after Kirk Cousins, Jameis Winston, and Will Levis were benched by the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans, respectively. No sniffing greatness here.
- Elsewhere, Detroit Lions superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson says he’s “on track” for a Super Bowl return after fracturing his fibula and tibia in October. Now all that’s left is for his Lions to make it to the Bayou — easier said than done.
🏒 Forward Kevin He became the first Chinese-born player to ink an NHL contract yesterday, signing a three-year, entry-level deal with the Winnipeg Jets.
🔁 The defending champ Florida Panthers exploded for three goals in the third period to top the Edmonton Oilers 6–5 in Monday’s Stanley Cup Final rematch. Some things change, others stay the same.
Recs from our roster!
🏃 Who to admire
Duncan McCabe, who ran 700 miles to create incredible GPS art of a dancing stick figure. Groovy.
🎥 What to stream
The Turnaround, a Netflix film about how one fan’s call for a standing ovation changed the season for a Philadelphia Phillies star. Pass the tissues.
🏅 Who to celebrate
Forbes 30 Under 30. ICYMI, the 2025 list is out and features 13 female athletes including WNBA star Caitlin Clark, track & field Olympian Gabby Thomas, and the one and only, rugby icon Ilona Maher.
Take Your Pick
Denver Broncos
LA Chargers
Giddy up for tomorrow’s 8:15 p.m. ET AFC West battle between the Denver Broncos and LA Chargers. Both squads are firmly in the playoff hunt, making this Thursday Night Football divisional clash a true must-see.
- LA won by one score when they last met in October — who ya got this time around?
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