This is for anybody going through times

The GIST: Grab your finest Pitbull aviators because the brightest stars in the WNBA will shine across two banner nights of All-Star festivities from Phoenix, Arizona. The weekend includes a 3-Point Contest, Skills Challenge, the actual All-Star Game, and a concert from Mr. 305 himself.

• Here’s what you need to know before the fun begins tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Dale.

Sabrina Ionescu will not defend her 3-Point Contest title: NY Liberty three-point queen Ionescu and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin “record breaker” Clark both declined to participate in this year’s clash, despite being the respective second- and third-best three-point shooters in the league.

• But the night won’t be without star power — NY’s Jonquel Jones highlights a still stacked 3-Point contest field, while Phoenix Mercury legend Brittney Griner will compete in the Skills Challenge with the support of her hometown crowd.

Team USA vs. Team WNBA gets the primetime treatment: In anticipation of next week’s (!!!) Paris Olympics, this year’s All-Star Game is Team USA (the 12 American Olympians) against Team WNBA, which features 12 All-Stars who aren’t heading to France.

• Team USA includes 11-time All-Star Diana Taurasi, who’s gearing up for her record-setting sixth Olympics, as well as superstars A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Griner, and Ionescu, just to name a few. Stacked is an understatement.

• Speaking of, Team WNBA isn’t to be underestimated. This team is loaded, but all eyes will be on rookies Clark and Angel Reese as these rivals become teammates for the very first time tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET. Hey now.

The GIST: ICYMI, the WNBA just netted the most lucrative media rights contracts in women’s sports history. On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that the league signed three media rights deals alongside the NBA for a grand total of $2.2B over the next 11 years — and they’re likely not done yet.

The context: The WNBA currently has four media deals with Disney, Amazon, CBS, and Ion that last through 2025 and are worth a combined $50M per year. In April, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the league hoped to double the value of these deals.

The new agreement: And, as is the trend in the W, they got the job done: Sources claim the WNBA is included in deals with the NBA’s media rights partners — Disney and Amazon, and newly added NBC — for a reported $200M annual average, four times the current annual value.

• It’s believed that the league will sign at least two more media rights agreements, which could potentially be with CBS and Ion — two existing W partners left out of the new deal.

The protection: Though the WNBPA is nervous about the NBA calling the shots, the contract also protects the WNBA if the deals’ values become outdated. Within three years, the W and its media partners can revisit the contracts and engage in good faith talks to reprice them according to league growth. Hoop yeah.

Girls running around the soccer field turn into strong leaders off it — just ask 17-year-old Evangeline Osieck. Osieck has been playing footy for most of her life and, thanks to BMO, aka “the Bank of Soccer,” she’s already learning how to inspire the next generation in the beautiful game.

• Osieck was a coaching trainee at the BMO – Girls Play ON! Kingston Leadership Day last summer, which gave her the confidence to become a youth soccer coach for the recent indoor season and work as a camp counselor this summer.

Osieck’s story is just one example of BMO’s commitment to fostering gender equity on the pitch. They’re opening young women’s eyes to opportunities beyond playing, like helping Osieck discover her passion for coaching and through other programs like their Women in Soccer Fellowship in partnership with Toronto FC. Now that’s how you grow the game.

We recently chatted with Team USA men’s gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, a pommel horse specialist who’ll be making his Olympic debut in Paris. From his mindset before a routine to what it’s like to be a part of Team USA, our conversation with Nedoroscik was flippin’ fantastic.

🕺 On staying calm under pressure: “I like to get real goofy before my routines…I like to vibe out, maybe sing or dance or something…That’s usually how I handle that pressure.”

🤞 On superstitions: “A lot of things weren’t going my way. So I decided I was just going to test the water and listen to all the songs I thought were superstitious…and I got them all out of my way. And then that World Championships, I won pommel horse and now I don’t have any superstitions.” Not even a little stitious.

🔥 On his mindset: “For me personally, I love to prove people wrong.”

Listen to the full episode with Nedoroscik today and subscribe to The GIST of It so you don’t miss the next athlete interview.

When you’re a small business owner, failing to manage your cash flow is like showing up to the diamond without your glove — not ideal, to say the least.

• Thankfully, Intuit QuickBooks helps small businesses lay the groundwork for success by keeping all your financials in one place — including invoices, payroll, and payments.

Looking for inspiration? See how these Canadian all stars are crushing it with their small business success today.

ICYMI, we recently partnered with our friends at Canadian Tire, long-time partner of Team Canada, to host the ultimate “We All Play for Canada” Team Canada Paris 2024 Olympic Games contest to give GISTers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

We are thrilled to announce the winners who will soon be on their way to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with co-founder of The GIST and co-host of The GIST of It podcast, Ellen Hyslop:

• Alexis H.

• Jay A.

• Sophia A.

• Joel S.

• Jaelyse G.

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who entered. We loved hearing how women’s sports have shaped your life.

• Stay tuned to @thegistca for on-the-ground coverage from Paris later this month.