The GIST

Breaking down anti-doping whereabouts failures

Yesterday, swimmer Penny Oleksiak, Canada’s most decorated Olympian, was banned from competition until 2027 for an anti-doping rules violation. No, the 25-year-old wasn’t caught taking banned substances — she was penalized for a whereabouts failure. Let’s discuss.

November 26, 2025

New app plans to exclusively cater to women’s sports as sector sees growth

Last week, Rival — set to be the first sportsbook built exclusively for women’s sports — shared its plans to be active in three U.S. betting markets by 2026. The platform will include bets across the NWSL, WNBA, NCAA women’s basketball, WSL, WTA, and more, differing from the existing platforms that center men’s sports.

November 25, 2025

New Parity data illustrates the power of Gen Z spending in women’s sports

Yesterday, Parity shared data from a survey of 2.4K U.S. Gen Z adults that ascertained their perspectives and purchasing behaviors. Compounding on previous data reflecting positive Gen Z attitudes toward women’s sports, this new report clarifies how Zoomers feel about women’s sports, women athletes, and sponsors in the space.

November 14, 2025

WNBA legend Candace Parker becomes first woman co-chair of Pro Athlete Community

Today, The GIST is exclusively sharing that Pro Athlete Community (PAC) — an organization that supports retired athletes in their post-playing careers — has named WNBA legend Candace Parker as a co-chair on its board of advisors. This is a pivotal move for the org as it recruits more women into its community of over 1.6K retired pro athletes, many of whom are men.

November 10, 2025

NIL deal platform Opendorse shares key insights on today’s women college athletes

Last week, collegiate NIL platform Opendorse shared data-backed insights on why brands should partner with women athletes. The platform points out only 8%-12% of House vs. NCAA settlement payments are allocated to women athletes across more than a dozen programs, totaling roughly $2M of a $20.5M maximum budget.

November 10, 2025

India’s Women’s Cricket World Cup win sets the stage for growth in South Asian diaspora

On Sunday, India won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time ever, doing it on their home turf in front of more than 40K fans. It’s a transformative moment for women’s cricket in the country, which, despite its storied legacy on the men’s side, is just building up its women’s fandom thanks to recent domestic investment and increased exposure.

November 05, 2025

New data shows UK women’s sports is fielding more women fans than ever

The stars aligned for women’s sports in the UK this year, with the country hosting international tournaments like the Women’s Rugby World Cup, promoting domestic leagues like the Barclays Women’s Super League, The Hundred, and the Netball Super League, and winning the UEFA Women’s Euro title (again).

November 03, 2025

Sports Business

Tour de France sponsor Zwift illustrates how a brand can transform a sport

October 27, 2025

Last week, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift confirmed its 2026 route, which will be the race’s longest course in its four-year history. And rather than beginning immediately after the men’s Tour de France, the women’s race will now begin one week later, with the push for a longer course and a separate schedule fueled by explosive interest in the women’s race.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #514

Max Verstappen’s villain to hero arc should be studied

December 04, 2025

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Max Verstappen’s villain to hero arc should be studied

Vroom, vroom.

The 2025 Formula 1 season is coming down to the wire: After an uncharacteristically slow start, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has stormed back and is threatening to derail McLaren’s World Drivers’ Championship dreams. Is Verstappen’s stunning season the best comeback in F1 history — and would a fifth straight title make him the racing world’s GOAT? Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz debate on today’s episode of The GIST of It.

Thanks to Fan Duel for supporting today’s podcast. From the rink to the court to the pitch, FanDuel is the home for women’s sports betting in Ontario. Download the FanDuel app or click here to get started.