With the four-game NBA Cup group stage in the rearview mirror, we’re in the midst of four do-or-die quarter-final matchups. Swap your holiday countdown cal for a basketball — ’tis the (NBA) season after all.

Another football Sunday is in the books, showcasing everything from acrobatic catches to remarkable rushing touchdowns (TDs) to game-clinching scores — and that’s just courtesy of LA Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.

The wait is over. An exhilarating regular season wrapped up on Saturday, as conference champions were crowned and teams punched their tickets to the inaugural 12-team CFP field.

While the men’s College Cup final four was set over the weekend, the women’s field of 64 is down to two, with ACC foes No. 2 seed North Carolina and No. 2 seed Wake Forest facing off for the title tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

LSU basketball star and Puma athlete Flau’jae Johnson announced a player exclusive shoe deal on Friday, shortly after UConn phenom Paige Bueckers’ historic player edition shoe with Nike last week. These moves are the new normal in college basketball, where women are outperforming men in terms of NIL and shoe deals.

EA Sports’ annual hockey video game NHL 25 launched an update last Thursday that included PWHL players for the first time. The GIST spoke with EA sports brand general manager and SVP Andrea Hopelain last week to gain insight on the company’s success incorporating women athletes in its games, a strategy that resonates strongly with its Gen Z players.

The Juan Soto sweepstakes came to an end on the first day of MLB’s Winter Meetings as the superstar outfielder signed a record-breaking $765M, 15-year deal with the NY Mets yesterday, trading his Pinstripes for orange and blue.

Friday’s WNBA expansion draft is in the books, meaning the Golden State Valkyries have officially selected their first-ever roster. Inspired by the W’s 13th franchise, today’s scroll breaks down expansion drafts across all sports. From the ice to the pitch, the more the merrier.

At long last, the College Cup is about to kick off. ICYMI: The 64-team field has been whittled down to four, with No. 1 seed Duke playing No. 2 seed North Carolina, and No. 2 seed Wake Forest taking on No. 3 Stanford in today’s all-ACC semifinals.

Some drivers are leaning into the brotherly love heading into this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale, while others are choosing a different way to express their feelings. The tea is hot, the beef is well done, and there’s plenty on the line as F1 prepares to cap off another dramatic season.

It’s officially conference championship time, and tomorrow’s games come with College Football Playoff (CFP) spots on the line. After teasing us all season, the selection committee will turn around and drop the official 12-team CFP field on Sunday

From the soon-to-be 14th WNBA team Toronto Tempo’s rather quick name drop, to tonight’s expansion draft, to major news in Seattle, the W offseason headlines are flying fast and furious. How’s that for pace?