Bloom where you’re planted
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Friday!
This short week felt anything but, but there’s no better way to dive into the weekend than with a top-notch sports news round up. You earned it.
— Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, cracking jokes after participating in a charity 5K race to raise money for autism. If you had fun, then you won.
Canada Soccer lawsuit
⚽ What’s going on?
The GIST: On the eve of No. 10 CanWNT’s 6–0 CONCACAF W Gold Cup win over No. 104 El Salvador, the Canadian Soccer Players’ Association (which represents CanWNT) filed a lawsuit against its employer, Canada Soccer, for $40M, alleging financial negligence.
The background: CanWNT has been negotiating a new labor agreement with Canada Soccer since their previous deal expired in 2021. CanWNT threatened to strike at the SheBelieves Cup in February 2023, advocating for equal pay with the men’s team amid drastic budget cuts.
- CanWNT ultimately competed in that tourney under threat of legal action from Canada Soccer and without any resolution to their wage dispute. Then in March, it was reported that CanWNT’s funding was “on life support,” leading Canada’s Parliament to demand answers regarding Canada Soccer’s finances.
- Members of Parliament specifically asked why Canada Soccer agreed to a controversial media rights deal with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), in which CSB would only pay Canada Soccer a max of $3.5M per year for the sponsorships rights to CanWNT and CanMNT through 2027 — a serious undervaluation.
The latest: And that’s where Wednesday’s lawsuit comes in. Canada Soccer’s total sponsorship deals are estimated to be worth $15 to 20M annually, but the filing alleges Canada Soccer only receives the previously agreed upon annual fee of $3.5M from CSB. What?
- The TL;DR? CanWNT’s players’ union is suing their employer for making what they consider to be a bad business deal, one that has significantly hampered Canada Soccer’s overall revenue and directly impacts the conditions under which the athletes play.
Zooming out: From Spain’s La Roja to Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz to Zambia’s Copper Queens, CanWNT — the reigning Olympic champs — are among several senior women’s national teams speaking out against inadequate treatment from their governing bodies. Imagine if they could simply focus on fútbol.
🥌 The Scotties Tournament of Hearts playoff rounds begin today at 12 p.m. ET with defending champion Kerri Einarson, Ontario’s undefeated Rachel Homan, and six-time winner Jennifer Jones all in the mix. Holy sheet.
🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews is now the fastest U.S.-born player to score 50 goals in a season, accomplishing the feat during Wednesday’s 6–3 win over the Arizona Coyotes.
🍁 Matthews and the Buds continued to tear up the west coast with last night’s 7–3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights and will shoot for their seventh straight dub when they battle the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET.
🎓🏀 No. 4 Iowa women’s basketball superstar Caitlin Clark is now 75 points away from breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time NCAA scoring record after dropping 24 in last night’s 86–69 loss to No. 14 Indiana. More history in the making.
⛳ Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien leads the way after one round at the Honda LPGA Thailand but Canadian Brooke Henderson isn’t too far behind, sitting tied for third at five-under. Tee-riffic.
🏉 The HSBC World Rugby Sevens series is taking over Vancouver for the weekend, with the world No. 6 Canadian women squaring off against world No. 3 France to open the tournament tomorrow at 3:58 p.m. ET.
- Meanwhile the world No. 11 red and white men will try for a win against world No. 1 Argentina. Ruck and roll.
⚽ After disappointing 2023 campaigns, Toronto FC and CF Montréal kick off the new MLS season this weekend. CFM takes on Orlando City SC tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET before the Reds clash with FC Cincinnati on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
🏒 PWHL: New York vs. Toronto — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — TSN4
- Fresh off their first-ever home win, New York will look to bring it on the road against a Toronto squad that hasn’t lost a game in February. Ice, ice, baby.
🏀 NBA: Toronto Raptors vs. Atlanta Hawks — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — Sportsnet One
- Thanks to some hardcore inspiration, Gary Trent Jr. delivered the knockout blow to lift the Dinos to a 121-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets last night. Hopefully they bring more of that energy against All-Star Trae Young and the Hawks.
⚾ MLB: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays — Tomorrow at 1:07 p.m. ET — Sportsnet
- Buy some peanuts and cracker jacks because shortstop Bo Bichette and the Jays will open up Spring Training with an exhibition game against the Phils before facing their American League East rivals, the NY Yankees, on Sunday afternoon.
🇨🇦 CONCACAF W Gold Cup: No. 10 CanWNT vs. No. 50 Paraguay — Sunday at 5 p.m. ET — OneSoccer
- All eyes are on newly-minted captain Jessie Fleming to help the red and white keep the on-pitch momentum going as they take on La Albirroja for their second group stage match.
Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:
📚 What's back in session
School at Abbott Elementary. Tune into the season three premiere for some special Philadelphia Eagles cameos.
🤠 What to look forward to
Act II. After releasing two country-inspired songs during the Super Bowl, Beyoncé announced a new album dropping on March 29th. Bey-haw!
📖 What to read
About Patrick Mahomes' success. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s branding journey turned him into the NFL's most marketable star and it's a playbook worth studying.
Question of the Day
As you read, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inching closer to even more history. With the regular season winding down, when do you think she’ll pass Pete Maravich’s record? Make your voice heard below.
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, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alexis Allison, and Dee Lab. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.