Hope you’re using your two days without March Madness action wisely, because the men’s tournament comes roaring back tomorrow with the first half of the Sweet 16. Stretch, down some electrolytes, and set up your split screen — the Madness is only just beginning.

Yesterday, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) officially debuted its "This is Legendary" campaign ad, which the league describes as the largest marketing initiative for pro softball in the U.S. The star-studded spot will air across ESPN networks to promote the new league, which tips off June 7th.

Four days and 48 games later, the first two rounds of men’s March Madness wrapped last night, and not a single bracket survived. Here are the superlative performances from the weekend as you regroup before Thursday’s Sweet 16 tip-off.

The Madness is in full swing swish with the women’s second round halfway done. That’s right, eight of the Sweet 16 squads are already locked in, and today’s show-stopping matchups will determine the other eight.

During its record-breaking 2024 season, the WNBA saw a massive viewership jump across networks — especially when Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark graced the screen. And based on its 2025 regular-season schedule unveiled last week, the W is doubling down on 2024’s wins with increased broadcast exposure, giving an easy assist to its partners.

With 80 matchups already down, the men’s and women’s brackets have brought equal amounts of drama, buzzer beaters, and upsets. But equal is a relatively new concept for the tourney. Scroll on as we examine the recent and rapid growth on the women’s side. Ballin’, baby.

A hot new bombshell has entered the villa women’s sports space: Women’s Elite Rugby (WER). Before the league’s inaugural season (literally) kicks off tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET, let’s maul over everything you need to know.

With investment in women’s soccer on the rise globally, some of the sport’s brightest minds have teamed up to capitalize on its universal appeal in an adapted format. Yesterday, World Sevens Football (W7F) announced it would launch this May as a multi-city women’s soccer tournament.

Yesterday, U.S. Ski & Snowboard banked a three-year partnership with American apparel brand J.Crew, making it the governing body’s official lifestyle apparel partner. In J.Crew’s longest deal to date, the brand intends to amplify the connection between snow sports and their après ski lifestyle, especially as the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games roll around.

After an edge-of-your-seat opening day, the rest of the men’s field hits the dance floor today, gloriously converging with the women’s first-round tip-off for a thrilling 32 high-stakes games in one day.

It’s time to dance — the NCAA Division I (DI) women’s basketball national tournament (aka, March Madness) tips off with today’s First Four matchups. Before you enter a bracket (or three!) in The GIST’s very own women’s bracket challenge, let’s dig into everything you need to know about the most chaotic tournament in sports.

And they’re off! March Madness officially tipped off with two men’s First Four games last night, and the women start their party with their own First Four games tonight (keep an eye out for a Special Edition later today featuring everything you need to fill out your bracket).