This Barbie is a WNBA legend
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Wednesday!
It’s an extra happy one because Lindsey Harding — aka the first woman to win the NBA G League Coach of the Year award — agreed on a deal to become an assistant coach with the LA Lakers yesterday. Let’s celebrate by hooping right into today’s news.
— Basketball legend Sue Bird, who’s the first WNBA player to have her own Barbie doll — one that rocks Bird’s iconic No. 10 jersey and has bendable knees. This Barbie is GOATed.
PWHL Minnesota allegations
🏒 What’s going on?
The GIST: Less than two months after hoisting the inaugural Walter Cup, PWHL Minnesota is facing troubling allegations of bullying and verbal abuse amid an offseason already rife with controversy.
- As detailed on the latest episode of The GIST of It, here’s a timeline of the fallout that followed Minnesota’s championship win on May 29th.
June 8th — General manager Natalie Darwitz is fired by the PWHL: Darwitz was dismissed nine days after leading Minnesota to the inaugural title, with the league citing “both internal and external reviews.”
- The ouster was shocking — Darwitz is a living legend in the State of Hockey as a three-time Team USA Olympian and two-time NCAA champ at the University of Minnesota.
- Sources told Minnesota’s Star Tribune that Darwitz’s removal was a result of “clashes” with head coach Ken Klee, who was reportedly backed by veteran players including team captain and PWHL trailblazer Kendall Coyne Schofield.
June 11th — Minnesota’s draft pick sparks controversy: With the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft, Minnesota selected forward Britta Curl — a controversial choice after Curl previously liked posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) that were anti-trans and anti-LGBTQIA+, as well as others that promoted COVID-19 conspiracy theories.
- Curl’s selection was met with immediate backlash from Minnesota fans, but the decision was defended by Klee. Curl later apologized for her online behavior.
July 10th — Klee dismisses three staff members: A now-former Minnesota staffer spoke under anonymity to The Hockey News, calling Klee’s workplace environment divisive and toxic. Other former staffers stepped forward following that initial report, further alleging Klee used offensive ableist language while speaking to players.
- The PWHL is now investigating these disturbing allegations. No place for this in the sport.
The Open Championship
⛳ It’s the oldest story in the world
The GIST: The final men’s golf major of the season tees off from the birthplace of the sport tomorrow, with a record $17M purse and the Claret Jug — golf’s most coveted trophy — on the line. Fore!
The links at Royal Troon will test the game’s best: Golf’s oldest major is always extra special because it’s played on ever-tricky links courses. Mostly treeless and built along the coast, the unpredictable and breezy weather conditions pose an additional challenge for the pros, meaning Scotland’s Royal Troon will pair serious drama with the stunning backdrops.
Rory McIlroy looking to end 10-year major drought: After a tragic collapse at last month’s US Open, all eyes will be on the No. 2 golfer in the world to finish the job and finally win his fifth career major. McIlroy’s quest begins tomorrow at 5:09 a.m. ET, alongside American Max Homa and England’s Tyrrell Hatton.
- Other golfers standing in his way include last week’s Scottish Open winner and hometown hero, Robert MacIntyre. The Scot is on a roll, collecting two PGA Tour wins in the last six weeks.
- And you certainly can’t count out 2024 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who’s been a contender at every major this year. Nothing is promised at The Open.
Together With Netflix
✨ Absolute cinema
Gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles’ story is one of the greatest in sports. It’s one of perseverance in the face of adversity, the human behind the accolades and stats…and even a love story.
- A narrative this heartrending deserves the Hollywood treatment — which is why the sports doc pros at Netflix created Simone Biles Rising, available now, only on Netflix.
- The docuseries gives you an all-access pass to Simone’s return to her sport’s pinnacle, from behind-the-scenes insights into elite competition to intimate details about her life off the mat.
You’ve been awed by her unbelievable performances and straight up dominance, but this doc goes deeper to show how her resilience in the face of adversity might just be Biles’ most impressive feat yet.
- Watch Simone Biles Rising now on Netflix — and come prepared with tissues.
⚽ The temps were sizzling but the stat sheet was ice cold — the USWNT drew No. 44 Costa Rica 0–0 in last night’s friendly, the squad’s final match before heading to Paris for next week’s Olympic group stage opener. Hopefully they’re just saving the golazos for the Games.
⚾ The American League continued their MLB All-Star Game dominance last night, beating the National League 5–3 behind Boston Red Sox outfielder and ASG MVP Jarren Duran’s fifth inning home run. Hey now.
🏴 Gareth Southgate resigned as the English men’s national team head coach yesterday, ending a relatively successful eight-year tenure that was sullied by two second-place Euro finishes. That said, could he be the answer the USMNT is looking for?
🏀 Team USA men’s basketball’s pre-Olympic tour continued with a 98–92 tune-up win over Australia on Monday. Next up, taking on three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić’s Serbia squad today at 12 p.m. ET.
🥎 The Women’s Softball World Cup final four is nearly set, with three-time defending champs Team USA, Japan, and the Netherlands advancing. They’ll be joined by either Italy or Canada after today’s Final Stage Games. Batter up.
🥍 The countdown is on to the fourth season of Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse. The 56-player field kicks off the innovative five-week season starting tomorrow, but not before our special edition preview hits your inbox. Ripping that twine.
⛳ Fresh off last weekend’s Evian major championship in France, the best in women’s golf are heading to Ohio to compete in this weekend’s Dana Open, one of the longest-running events on the LPGA Tour.
👊 The women’s UEFA Euro 2025 field is taking shape. World No. 3 and defending champs England punched their ticket yesterday, along with No. 15 Italy and 2022 quarter-finalists, No. 11 Netherlands. Fan-footy-tastic.
Together With The GIST
🏅 The road to Paris: A conversation with the USWNT’s Kristie Mewis
Earlier this month, we had a chance to chat with 2020 Olympic bronze medalist and fan favorite Kristie Mewis. Mewis won’t be heading to Paris as she rehabs a lingering injury, but still has plenty of insight to share, ranging from deets on new USWNT coach Emma Hayes to what she’s streaming on Netflix. Here are a few highlights:
⚽ On what Emma Hayes brings to the USWNT: “Emma is probably exactly what this team needs…I mean, how many titles has she won?” Enough said.
🥇 On the experience of being an Olympian: “There are so many twists and turns and anybody can win on any given day now…Nothing is handed to you…Every single day and every single moment you have to just be on.”
📈 On the growth of women’s sports: “Just from my rookie year to now, it is like a completely different world…And just to even think about what it’s going to look like in the next five, 10 years, I’m just so happy that I’m able to be a part of it.” Just the beginning.
Listen to the full episode with Mewis today and subscribe for even more athlete interviews to come.
Sponsored by SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Expectation vs. reality posts — funny on social media, not on your vacation. Luckily, SpringHill Suites by Marriott lives up to the hype, with comfy furniture and mini fridges in every room, plus amenities like a gym, pool, fire pit, 24-hour market, bar, and complimentary hot breakfast.
- The best part? SpringHill Suites by Marriott exclusively offers suites with extra living space — particularly clutch when traveling with the fam. A truly photo-worthy vacation is just a few clicks away.
Here’s what has The GIST team currently hyped:
🏰 What’s not too far away
Shrek 5. The beloved movie franchise is making a comeback and the next installment is slated for a July 2026 release. Ogres, assemble.
👟 What your feet need
Xero Shoes. Live life feet first with their comfortable barefoot shoes. Word on the street: They are life-changing.
🏐 What to listen to
Serving Pancakes, a new podcast that digs into all things League One Volleyball. Aces.
Take Your Pick
As the first half of the WNBA regular season comes to a close (and we look ahead to Pitbull yelling timber at the upcoming All-Star Weekend festivities), let us know who you think will win tonight’s 7:30 p.m. ET matchup between the surging Indiana Fever and the embattled Dallas Wings.
Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, and Lisa Minutillo. Editing by Lisa Minutillo, Emily Ohman, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster and Alessandra Puccio. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.