And for the grand finale
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Congratulations!
You made it through the first week of 2024. How about we celebrate with some sports news?
— International hooper and former NBAer Ricky Rubio, reflecting on his 12-year NBA career as he announced his retirement from the league to focus on his mental health. Prioritizing your well-being is always a winning move.
NFL
🏈 And for the grand finale
The GIST: Seventeen weeks and countless controversial calls later, it all comes down to this: the NFL’s five remaining playoff spots (plus all-important seeding) will be decided over the next two days of final regular-season action. No pressure.
- As a quick refresher, 14 of the league’s 32 teams — seven from the American Football Conference (AFC) and seven from the National Football Conference (NFC) — make the postseason, with four AFC spots already locked in and five accounted for in the NFC.
Three-way tie atop the AFC South: The Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans boast identical 9-7 records, making the division crown (and the playoff berth that comes with it) anyone’s for the taking. The Jags hold the tiebreaker, so they’ll only need a dub over the Tennessee Titans, Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, to nab it.
- But first things first: tomorrow’s 8:15 p.m. ET game pits the Texans against the Colts. Winner majorly boosts their playoff odds and could even take the division title should the Jags falter. This one’s can’t miss.
Lowly NFC South still seeking winner: Giddy on up because we have another three-way race, this one in the NFC South, where no team owns a record better than .500. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can claim the crown with a win over the Carolina Panthers, Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, but the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons will be manifesting a Bucs loss as they square off against each other simultaneously.
Green Bay Packers control their destiny: No Aaron Rodgers, possibly no problem. The Pack could begin the sans-Rodgers era with a playoff appearance…if they top the Chicago Bears, Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. And if the Pack loses? Chaos ensues.
The game of the weekend: The NFL truly saved the best for last: Sunday’s 8:20 p.m. ET battle for the AFC East between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. The Fins have already clinched a postseason ticket, but the once–Super Bowl favorite Bills could miss the playoffs entirely with an L. Talk about down to the wire.
⚽ NJ/NY Gotham FC signs two more USWNT stars
Buoyed by an increased salary cap, the reigning NWSL champs signed former OL Reign midfielders Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett to multi-year contracts yesterday. After the additions of fellow USWNTers Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson earlier this week, the move adds even more starpower to the Big Apple’s latest superteam. If you can make it there…
🎓🏀 NCAA and ESPN agree to $920M deal, includes women’s March Madness
NCAA women’s basketball is valued at a record-setting $65M (!!!) in the NCAA’s new eight-year, $920M media contract with ESPN, a nearly 10-times increase from the current deal. However, despite ever-growing interest in women’s sports, the women’s March Madness tournament is still being sold as part of a bundle, unlike its lucrative male equivalent. Ugh.
- That said, the new deal does guarantee the women’s title game will air nationally, and the eight-year expiration date creates an opportunity for both the men’s and women’s tournaments to hit the market as their own bundle in 2032.
💰 Portland Thorns FC sold for record $63M
After more than a year on the market, RAJ Sports group, which holds part-ownership of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, purchased the three-time NWSL Championship franchise on Wednesday — the largest sale in league history. RAJ Sports have committed to both keeping the club in Portland and building a new training facility. Booyah.
🏒 PWHL’s successful opening week inspires optimism
A crowd of 8,318 fans — the largest audience to ever watch a pro women’s hockey game — took in Tuesday’s PWHL Ottawa vs. Montréal game, but PWHL Minnesota is coming for the throne. The squad expects to break that record at tomorrow’s 3:30 p.m. ET home opener against Montréal.
- Plus, the PWHL’s completely free YouTube streams of every game are bringing in serious numbers. Crying supportive tears.
🏒 PWHL: Toronto vs. New York — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet Ontario
- After a lopsided season-opening loss, Toronto will dress for revenge and look for their first franchise goal in tonight’s rematch in the Big Apple. It’s been waiting for you.
🏀 NBA: Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings — Tonight at 10 p.m. ET — Sportsnet One
- After making a, well, quick impression in his first two games with the Dinos, Immanuel Quickley will lead Toronto against the Kings before they face the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET. We the North.
🍁 NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. San Jose Sharks — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet Ontario
- Fresh off his game-winning and NHL–leading 30th goal of the season in Wednesday’s 2–1 overtime win vs. the Anaheim Ducks, center Auston Matthews and the Buds look poised to sweep their West Coast trip with a win against the last-place Sharks.
🥅 NHL: Ottawa Senators vs. Edmonton Oilers — Tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET — Sportsnet One
- And the hockey doesn’t stop there. The up-and-down Sens face a tall task in 900-point man Connor McDavid and the sizzling Oilers at Rogers Place. Saturday night plans, confirmed.
Together With FanDuel
As you read, Buffalo’s season will be on the line in Sunday’s Week 18 primetime road matchup. A win or tie against their AFC East divisional foe Miami Dolphins, and they’re into the postseason. Lose, and they leave their playoff dream in the hands of other teams.
- Of note, despite still being on the outside looking in, the Bills have FanDuel’s fourth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl (+950). Interesting.
It’s been a roller coaster season, but we’re taking one last FanDuel same game parlay (two or more bets combined together on the same game) for all the marbles: Bills to win (moneyline) and quarterback Josh Allen to score a touchdown. Hopefully see you in the playoffs, Bills fan.
Hi. It’s us. We’re the recommenders, it’s us.
📚 What to read
The Strong Girl by Molly Hurford. The historical fiction novel is inspired by the incredible story of Canadian athlete Louise Armaindo and includes great tips for strength training and endurance sport.
🎧 What to listen to
Normal Gossip. The hosts share juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know or meet. Spill that tea.
👗 Who to know
Max Alexander. The seven-year-old fashion designer has become a viral success.
Take Your Pick
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
As you read, the Bills and Dolphins will play for all the AFC East marbles on Sunday Night Football. Who do you think will take the title? Waiting all day for Sunday night, baby.
Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Janine Kiefer, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Bonnie Lee. 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.