Babe wake up, a new newsletter just dropped
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Welcome back!
We’ll always have the memes, but with the 2024 Paris Olympics officially in the books and the Paralympics still two weeks away, it’s a good thing there’s plenty of additional sports news to tide us over.
— Beloved British diver and knitting aficionado, Tom Daley, announcing his retirement. Daley won five medals — one gold, one silver, and three bronze — across five Olympics dating back to the 2008 Games. Miss you already.
Dearica Hamby lawsuit
⚖️ Order in the courtroom
The GIST: Three-time WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby has filed a federal lawsuit against the league and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, alleging unlawful workplace discrimination in relation to her second pregnancy.
The background: Hamby first signed with the Aces (then the San Antonio Stars) back in 2015 and was an integral member of the organization, contributing to their first championship in September 2022. Three months prior to that title run, Hamby signed a two-year extension to stick with the Aces.
- She later publicly announced her second pregnancy during the squad’s championship parade.
The turning point: Hamby was abruptly traded to the LA Sparks (her current team) in January 2023. She immediately voiced her displeasure, alleging she was “lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against,” prompting an investigation by the WNBPA.
- Hamby gave birth to her son, Legend, in April 2023 and went on to play all 40 Sparks games last season. Following the WNBPA’s investigation, the WNBA suspended Aces head coach Becky Hammon for two 2023 games and rescinded the team’s 2025 first-round draft pick.
The latest: Hamby filed a federal lawsuit against the league and the Aces on Monday, with Hammon’s alleged actions at the center of the suit, including claims that the Hall of Fame coach questioned Hamby’s devotion to the team, asked her if she planned the pregnancy, and did not deny that Hamby was being traded because of her pregnancy.
- Additionally, the suit alleges that the Aces incentivized Hamby to decline free agency in June 2022 by offering to pay her elder daughter’s private school tuition. According to Hamby, that promise was not fulfilled after she announced her second pregnancy.
The response: The WNBA has stated it’s reviewing Hamby’s complaint, while the Aces have not yet commented — though Hammon denied all accusations of wrongdoing in the past. Meanwhile, Hamby is averaging career-high points for the Sparks and just won a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic 3x3 team. Needless to say, we’ll be staying tuned to this evolving story.
WNBA
🏀 Back like they never left
The GIST: The Olympic break is in the rearview mirror, the trade deadline is looming, and the playoffs start in just over a month. It’s all systems go as the WNBA returns to action tomorrow — here are the top-of-mind questions before the second half tips off:
Can the Las Vegas Aces three-peat? The two-time defending champs uncharacteristically struggled in the first half, but rediscovered their form just before the break. That said, the Aces are currently fifth in the league standings, notably behind last year’s runners-up, the NY Liberty, and the perennial playoff contender Connecticut Sun.
- With Chelsea Gray back in the lineup and the rest of their full house of Olympians — A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young — Vegas appears to be playing their cards right, but it’s a crowded race at the top.
Will anyone beat out Wilson for MVP? The aforementioned Wilson leads the league in scoring and a whole host of other categories, making her the clear MVP frontrunner through the first half of the season.
- If the two-time league and Paris Olympic MVP continues her A’One play, she’ll surely lock in her third career league honors, but keep an eye on NY’s Sabrina Ionescu and Connecticut’s Alyssa “the Engine” Thomas, who’ll be looking to close the gap.
Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese for Rookie of the Year? This transformational NCAA rivalry has carried over to the W, where superstars Clark of the Indiana Fever and Reese of the Chicago Sky remain the favorites for Rookie of the Year.
- When it comes to the tale of the tape, Clark leads the league in assists, while Reese tops all W hoopers in offensive rebounds. If the stats remain close, this one could come down to which rook (if either of them) can lead their team to the postseason. Just heating up.
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🤸 The Court of Arbitration for Sport denied USA Gymnastics’ appeal to fight for gymnast Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal, stating that even conclusive new evidence does not allow for reconsideration. Make it make sense.
🍁 Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews is the captain now. The 26-year-old forward is set to become the franchise’s 26th captain and will replace veteran John Tavares.
🎾 American Jessica Pegula captured her second straight National Bank Open (NBO) title with a three-set Monday win over fellow American Amanda Anisimova, much to the delight of her Canadian grandparents. Love to see it.
- Meanwhile, Canadian sister duo Leylah Annie Fernandez and Bianca Jolie Fernandez reached the women’s doubles semis at the NBO and have big dreams to play together during the 2028 LA Olympics. Can’t wait.
🦁 After being waived by the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week, Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke (the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 2022) signed a three-year contract to return home to the BC Lions yesterday.
🚴 The Tour de France Femmes got off to a soaring start on Monday and, after three days of competition, Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering leads the pack with her compatriot Lorena Wiebes and American Chloé Dygert rounding out the top three. Wheelie good.
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays rookie Will Wagner provided the winning spark in his MLB debut, lifting the Jays to a Monday dub over the LA Angels. And following last night’s 6–1 victory, Wagner and Co. will swing for the sweep tonight at 9:38 p.m. ET.
⛳ Just five days after Olympic competition, the Women’s Scottish Open tees off from the Dundonald Links tomorrow, featuring gold medalist and newly minted LPGA Hall of Famer, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko. Tee-rific.
Peep our squad’s MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
🎉 Who’s focusing on fun
She Plays Golf Festival participants. Golf Canada put community building at the heart of their annual women-focused event — email Golf Canada to learn how to join in. Here’s to gabbin’ with the girls on the green.*
🥊 What to know
Algerian boxer and Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif filed a harassment complaint over the online harassment she experienced during the Paris Games. Good for her.
🍝 Who’s eating for free
Filipino gymnast and Olympian Carlos Yulo, who took home two golds from Paris. His reward? Free lunch buffets for life. Delish.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Fore!Question of the Day
The Olympics has inspired us to keep moving and grooving, so today we want to know: What’s your preferred workout method?
Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Janine Kiefer, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster and Alessandra Puccio. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.