New year, same GIST
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy New Year!
The sports world continued turning over the break: historic losing streaks ended, NFL playoff spots were booked, and mascots were eaten since we last chatted. Let’s get right to it, shall we?
— No. 2 Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., reflecting on the three season-ending injuries that threatened to derail his career after leading his team to a College Football Playoff (CFP) semis win on Monday and booking a CFP title game date with No. 1 Michigan next week. Never back down, never what?
NWSL
⚽ Empire state of mind
The GIST: Defending champions NJ/NY Gotham FC are making all the money moves this offseason, signing two USWNT superstars, with two more reportedly on the horizon. NY can’t get enough of their superteams.
The official signings: On New Year’s Eve, versatile midfielder/defender (and Long Island’s own) Crystal Dunn officially joined Gotham from the Portland Thorns. That first Big Apple power move was shortly followed by yesterday’s signing of former Chicago Red Stars defender Tierna Davidson.
- Dunn and Davidson anchored the USWNT’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup–winning defense and are no strangers to new challenges: less than four months after giving birth, Dunn returned to the pitch in September 2022, while Davidson recently made a full recovery from a 2022 ACL tear.
The rumors: But that’s not all. The Athletic’s Meg Linehan reports that USWNT midfielders Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett could also join Gotham by the end of the week. The Bats would then boast seven active players in the USWNT pool following Kristie Mewis’ recent departure to play in the English Women’s Super League. Stacked is an understatement.
Zooming out: With the 2024 NWSL salary cap still undecided, it begs the question of how Gotham can afford to roster all of these major names. But it also underscores the importance of the league’s second-ever free agency period, giving athletes all the power to decide their playing destinations.
🏒 Montreal defeated Ottawa 3–2 in overtime in front of a record-setting crowd last night, a fitting follow-up to Monday’s historic PWHL inaugural season opener between New York and Toronto. Goosebumps.
🎾 Grand Slam winners Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, and Emma Raducanu recorded wins in their opening matches of the 2024 season, returning from injuries (and maternity leave for Osaka) in triumphant fashion. Smashing.
⚽ Spain women’s national team player Jenni Hermoso testified to a Madrid court yesterday that the kiss from former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales, following her team’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup win, was not consensual.
🇺🇲 Team USA is through to the World Juniors semis after cruising to a 7–2 victory over Latvia in yesterday’s quarter-finals. Their next foe? Finland, tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. ET. Red, white, and booyah.
⚾ Amid allegations of multiple inappropriate relationships with minors and failing to appear to a meeting with prosecutors, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday.
🏒 PWHL: Minnesota vs. Boston — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — YouTube
- The inaugural puck drops continue, this time from Boston, where these hockey-obsessed locales close out the opening week of PWHL play. Puck yeah.
🎓🏀 NCAA women’s basketball: No. 23 TCU vs. No. 6 Baylor — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — ESPN+
- Sedona Prince and the undefeated Horned Frogs will be looking to leap to an upset victory over their also undefeated Big 12 foes. Something’s gotta give.
⛳ PGA: Sentry Tournament of Champions — Tomorrow through Sunday — Golf Channel and NBC
- The first PGA event of the new season tees off from the Aloha State, where the tour’s best golfers will compete for a piece of the $20M purse. Fore!
🏀 NBA: Milwaukee Bucks vs. San Antonio Spurs — Tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET — TNT
- Prepare for a battle of the big men as rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs host Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second-in-the-Eastern-Conference Bucks.
Here’s what has The GIST team currently hyped:
📆 What to mark on your cal
“The Netflix Slam,” featuring country mates Rafael Nadal and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz squaring off in a one-of-a-kind exhibition match from Las Vegas on March 3rd. Aces.
📺 What to relive
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, specifically the USWNT's emotional journey, with the documentary Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team.
🍺 How to keep cool
With a BrüTank cooler. Perfect for tailgates, it keeps all the drinks and snacks chilled.
Question of the Day
The new year is here, which means it’s time to start on those resolutions. So we want to know: what are your sports resolutions for 2024? Whether it’s going to watch your fave team live, buying merch, or sharing this newsletter with your people, reply to this email with your sports goals and we just might feature you in an upcoming social post.
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 Parul Kanwar. 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.