To the surprise of absolutely no one
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Merry one week ’til Christmas!
And happy almost Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. The countdown to the holiday break is on, which means it’s time to reflect on an incredible 2024. Reply to this email with your favorite sports moment from the last year — you might just see it featured in an upcoming newsletter.
- Start thinking back as you scroll through today’s news.
— Sidelined San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, sharing a long-awaited update after suffering a stroke six weeks ago. To the surprise of absolutely no one, the lovable curmudgeon Popp hasn’t exactly been a model patient while recovering — turns out, those who are “less than coachable”…coach.
NBA Cup final
🏀 Feeling lucky
The GIST: The Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks hoisted the second-annual NBA Cup last night, beating the Western Conference No. 1 seed Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder 97–81 under the neon Vegas lights. With clear eyes, full hearts, and pockets that are $514.9K heavier, here’s how the Bucks went all in to snag in-season tournament glory.
How it happened: The low-scoring, back-and-forth affair was blown wide open in the second half, beginning with a dominant third quarter in which the Bucks outscored OKC by 12. As is par for the NBA course, three-point shooting was the difference in this one as Milwaukee knocked down 17 shots from downtown compared to the Thunder’s pedestrian five.
- Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced ah-det-oh-KOON-boh) was as dominant as ever, posting 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and three blocks to claim tournament MVP honors. Someone get this man his chicken nuggets.
Zooming out: NBA ratings are down this season, and while there are a few reasons, a big one is entertainment value…or lack thereof. The league did innovate to spice up the long 82-game regular season, changing player rest rules to ensure there’s more star power on the court and adding the NBA Cup in an attempt to make early-season games more interesting for players and fans alike.
- But early numbers indicate that the second iteration of the in-season tournament isn’t capturing fans’ attention in the same way it did last year, with group-stage viewership down 10% amidst a general numbers decline. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board.
USWNT
⚽ Another legend hangs up her boots
The GIST: USWNT veteran defender and former captain Becky Sauerbrunn is retiring from pro soccer, effective immediately, she announced yesterday. To celebrate the queen of consistent defense, here’s a look at her legendary career by the numbers. Not not crying.
219: Sauerbrunn had 219 caps (aka, appearances) for the USWNT across her 16-year international career. She retires as one of the longest tenured players in national team history, having made her first appearance in 2008. And that’s on longevity.
2: Sauerbrunn won two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2015, 2019), as well as one Olympic gold (2012) and one bronze (2021). Notably, the defender played every minute of the USWNT’s dominant 2015 Cup run.
0: A staunch defender, Sauerbrunn never scored for the national team, making her the USWNT record holder for most caps without a goal. She was busy, okay?
4: The center back was named NWSL Defender of the Year four times and played in every season of the league’s existence, winning three championships in that 11-year span.
Unquantifiable: Along with her incredible talent on the pitch, Sauerbrunn will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to justice, including playing a major role in the USWNT’s equal pay fight and consistently advocating for the trans community and racial equality. She’s one of one.
Together With REI Co-op
👟 Last-minute holiday adventure deals
Still need a little something for under the tree? REI Co-op has the perfect gift for any outdoorsy person in your life, including 40% off select KEEN footwear (online only) and 25% off Merrell Hiking Boots.
- And get this: REI Co-op members can save an extra 20% off one REI Outlet item, tomorrow only. Just use the code OUTGIFT24 at checkout. Because December shopping doesn't have to break the bank.
🎓🏐 Four No. 1 seeds square off in the NCAA volleyball national tournament semis
The natty tourney semis are set for tomorrow from Louisville, with familiar conference foes facing off for spots in Sunday’s championship. First, it’s Pitt vs. Louisville at 6:30 p.m. ET, an ACC throwdown that could see five sets if their two regular-season meetings (which Pitt won) are any indication.
- Then 30 minutes after game one, Penn State takes on Nebraska. The Nittany Lions topped the Cornhuskers in four sets in their only regular-season meeting, forcing the squads to share the Big Ten title. Drama like this? Absolutely killer.
🏀 Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson inks six-year contract extension with Nike
Announced yesterday, the three-time WNBA MVP’s new deal ranks among the most lucrative shoe endorsements in the women’s game, alongside fellow Nike athletes Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Sabrina Ionescu (NY Liberty), and USC hooper JuJu Watkins.
- Aptly named the A’One, Wilson’s signature shoe is expected to be released in the spring of 2025. Of course
she has a shoeit’s going to be a’mazing.
⚽ NWSL narrows expansion sights to Denver
And then there was one. The NWSL is reportedly engaging in exclusive negotiations with Denver for the league’s 16th expansion team, set to debut in 2026 alongside Boston.
- The price tag? It’s big, ranging between $105 and $120M — more than double the most recent NWSL expansion fees (paid by Bay FC and Boston) with the possibility of setting a new record in American women’s sports. Stay tuned.
🇺🇸⚽ World No. 1 USWNT head coach Emma Hayes was named FIFA Coach of the Year yesterday, while three members of her Olympic gold–winning squad — defender Naomi Girma, midfielder Lindsey Horan, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher — earned FIFA Best 11 honors. LFG.
🏆 The Women’s Euro 2025 groups have been set ahead of this summer’s tourney — and Group D looks downright dastardly, featuring No. 4 England, No. 10 Netherlands, No. 11 France, and Euro debutant, No. 30 Wales.
📺🏐 The Pro Volleyball Federation inked a media deal with Fox ahead of the league’s sophomore season starting in January, while the inaugural All-Star Match will air nationally on CBS come February. Spike it and they will come.
✨ LA Sparks rookie Cameron Brink (after recovering from a torn ACL) will suit up for Unrivaled’s Lunar Owls in 2026, signing a multi-year deal with the new 3v3 league yesterday.
🏀 The Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm will hoop at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, this summer, marking the first regular-season WNBA game to tip off outside of the U.S.
🎓⚽ Unseeded Vermont men’s soccer won the College Cup with a golden goal on Monday, topping No. 13 seed Marshall 2–1 in overtime to clinch the school’s first-ever national title in a team sport. Chills.
🏈 A trio of NFL starting quarterbacks (QB) will be riding the pine in Week 16 after Kirk Cousins, Jameis Winston, and Will Levis were benched by the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans, respectively. No sniffing greatness here.
- Elsewhere, Detroit Lions superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson says he’s “on track” for a Super Bowl return after fracturing his fibula and tibia in October. Now all that’s left is for his Lions to make it to the Bayou — easier said than done.
The GIST's Bracket Challenge
🏈 Touchdown! Enter The GIST’s free College Football Playoff bracket challenge
The GIST: Twelve teams will compete in the College Football Playoff (CFP), but you can get in the game by choosing your winner and making a free bracket (March Madness style) with The GIST.
What’s on the line: The top three brackets will win Ticketmaster gift cards: $300 for first, $200 for second, and $100 for third — perfect for snagging seats at a sporting event or concert.
How to play: Sign up for free and we’ll remind you to lock in your picks before the CFP officially begins tonight. Touchdown, call the amateurs.
Together With Skyscanner
It’s no secret that women’s sports are part of a Femininomenon, even influencing global travel. That's right, Skyscanner forecasted seven travel trends for 2025, and hitting the road for a game is one of them. Powerful.
- Think you can guess the other top travel trends? Be warned: Skyscanner, the best place to find ultra-cheap flight fare, may just inspire you to book on the spot.
Recs from our roster!
🏃 Who to admire
Duncan McCabe, who ran 700 miles to create incredible GPS art of a dancing stick figure. Groovy.
🎥 What to stream
The Turnaround, a Netflix film about how one fan’s call for a standing ovation changed the season for a Philadelphia Phillies star. Pass the tissues.
🏅 Who to celebrate
Forbes 30 Under 30. ICYMI, the 2025 list is out and features 13 female athletes including WNBA star Caitlin Clark, track & field Olympian Gabby Thomas, and the one and only, rugby icon Ilona Maher.
Take Your Pick
Denver Broncos
LA Chargers
Giddy up for tomorrow’s 8:15 p.m. ET AFC West battle between the Denver Broncos and LA Chargers. Both squads are firmly in the playoff hunt, making this Thursday Night Football divisional clash a true must-see.
- LA won by one score when they last met in October — who ya got this time around?
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Megan Murray, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Emily Ohman, Molly Potter, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Mikaela Perez. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.