The real Super Bowl is the friends we made along the way
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Super Bowl weekend!
You already know we’ll have a full Sunday Scroll preview before kickoff, but there’s another must-watch matchup before the big game: No. 2 Iowa women’s hoops star Caitlin Clark netted 27 points last night and is now just 39 away from breaking the all-time NCAA women’s scoring record.
- Her next game? Sunday at 1 p.m. ET vs. Nebraska. Prepping for the real Super Bowl as we scroll through today’s news…
— U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, responding to a question from two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson yesterday. Wilson’s currently promoting her debut book Dear Black Girls and continuing to crush it on and off the hardwood.
WNBA free agency & NBA trade deadline
🏀 Did not see that one coming
The GIST: While the defending champ Las Vegas Aces are running it back after re-signing Candace Parker to a one-year deal on Wednesday, the rest of the pro hoops scene is about to look pretty different amid stunning WNBA and NBA news.
Elena Delle Donne will take a break from basketball: The two-time MVP and highly coveted free agent has decided to take time away from the game and not sign the one-year supermax deal her current team, the Washington Mystics, offered her. EDD led the ’Stics to their only title in 2019 and has seven career All-Star appearances but has struggled with injury in recent years.
- Delle Donne missed the entire 2020 season due to health concerns and has overcome multiple back surgeries across her nine-year W career. Wishing her nothing but the best.
Toronto Raptors active at NBA trade deadline: The Dinos are collecting Canadians like infinity stones, adding British Columbia product and former Utah Jazz player Kelly Olynyk to a roster that already features Torontonian R.J. Barrett and Montréal’s Chris Boucher. Oh, Canada indeed.
- As for the rest of the league, most of the big names on the trade block stayed put, but yesterday’s deadline did see some sharpshooters and difference makers swapping jerseys.
- The surging NY Knicks made quite the splash, picking up double-digit scores Bojan Bogdanović and Alec Burks from the Detroit Pistons while the Western Conference–leading Oklahoma City “how did they get there?” Thunder gained three-point specialist Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets. Let the playoff push begin.
🏈 Lamar Jackson wins NFL MVP honors
Baltimore Ravens quarterback (QB) Lamar Jackson won his second MVP last night after a dominant all-around season that saw the Ravens clinch their first-ever No. 1 postseason seed. Meanwhile, Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud snagged Offensive Rookie of the Year after being the only signal caller in the league to toss at least 20 touchdowns and less than five interceptions. Well deserved.
⚾ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins MLB record salary arbitration case
The All-Star Toronto Blue Jays first baseman won an MLB record $19.9M arbitration case against his squad on Wednesday. The two sides couldn’t come to a salary agreement by last month’s deadline, sending them to arbitration.
- How does it work? When a player and their team can’t agree on a salary, an independent panel looks at a player’s statistics to determine a fair number. It’s an awkward process, with players essentially pitted against their teams. Hopefully, there’s no bad blood brewing.
⚽ CanWNT announces Gold Cup roster
Headlined by Chelsea FC defender Kadeisha Buchanan and newly inked Portland Thorns midfielder Jessie Fleming, world No. 10 CanWNT has announced the 23 players that will rep the red and white at this month’s CONCACAF W Gold Cup — their first competition since soccer legend Christine Sinclair retired from international play.
🏀 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament: No. 5 Canada vs. No. 4 Spain — Today at 9:30 a.m. ET — Sportsnet
- Yesterday’s dominant rebounding performance against No. 19 Hungary helped Canada lead wire-to-wire in the tournament’s opening match. Now, they have to overcome a talented Spanish squad in order to book their ticket to Paris 2024. Allez.
🇨🇦 Rivalry Series: USA vs. Canada — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — TSN1/4
- The comeback queens are at it again after a flurry of third period goals lifted the red and white to a 4–2 game five win on Wednesday. It’s on to Regina for tonight’s game six, with Canada looking to even the series at three games apiece.
🏒 NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — CBC
- The Buds and forward John Tavares (who’s lit the lamp three times in the last three games) will try to avenge their 4–2 December loss. Death, tax evasions, and a spicy Battle of Ontario rivalry.
Together With FanDuel
Forget about rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs or the San Francisco 49ers, it’s all about former NFL star Rob Gronkowski this Super Bowl — are you Team Make or Team Miss?
- After his unforgettable field goal fumble last year, Gronk is back for redemption in FanDuel’s Kick of Destiny 2.
- And you can pick whether Gronk makes or misses his field goal attempt for free by downloading the FanDuel app.
While you’re there, don’t miss out on FanDuel’s lineup of Super Bowl novelty bets. From the classic coin toss call to predicting the winning coach’s Gatorade shower color to speculating on Taylor Swift’s outfit, there’s no tortured poets here.
Here’s what has The GIST team currently hyped:
🏀 What to watch
Steph vs. Sabrina. The All-Star shooting showdown between Golden State Warrior Steph Curry and NY Liberty icon Sabrina Ionescu is set for February 17th, and it’s about to rain three-pointers. Grab an umbrella.
♥️ What to plan for
Valentine’s Day. Rumor has it Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce might be taking Taylor Swift on a date to…Chili’s? Spicy.
🏈 What to shop
This Aritzia Endgame Jersey which coincidentally features Travis Kelce’s number.
Question of the Day
Super Bowl weekend has it all: football, entertainment, and, perhaps most importantly, snacks. With the big game on deck, what’s your go-to food to pair with the action? Select an option below or reply with what’s on your Super Bowl spread. Bonus points for pics!
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