Long live all the magic we made
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Missed you!
Mere days into the action, and the Australian Open is already serving up upsets — fan favorites world No. 17 Frances Tiafoe and No. 6 Ons Jabeur were eliminated in the second round. Wipe your tears and then game, set, make your way through today’s sports news.
— Four-time Grand Slam champ Naomi Osaka, affording herself well-deserved grace after losing in the first round of the Australian Open. Osaka gave birth to her daughter, Shai, only six months ago, making her return to major competition worth celebrating, no matter the final outcome.
NWSL free agency
⚽ Ballin’ out
The GIST: Less than one year after a knee injury sidelined her for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson inked the largest and highest-paying contract in NWSL history yesterday, a $2M, five-year deal. Money talks.
The context: The NWSL landscape is evolving, and quickly. Following years of surging interest in the women’s game, the league secured the largest media rights deal in women’s sports in November. Since then, two players have signed record-breaking, multi-million dollar agreements: Houston Dash forward María Sánchez and Swanson.
- Furthermore, 2024 is an expansion season, one that, beginning March 16th, will see 14 (!!!) clubs competing under a $2.75M salary cap — a 40% increase from 2023. In response, NJ/NY Gotham FC got their superteam on, while the Dash and Red Stars (among others), are making major investments in individual stars.
Zooming out: Beyond the increased cash flow, what’s also helped make blockbuster signings like Swanson’s possible is the NWSL’s second-ever free agency period, authorizing eligible players to choose where they’ll play and put down roots.
- And with two months to go before free agency ends, veteran players, including Portland Thorns defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Meghan Klingenberg, are still on the market. The fun has just begun.
🏆 NFL Super Wild Card weekend more than delivered, dwindling the playoff field to eight ahead of this weekend’s Divisional Round matchups.
🦅 With his Philadelphia Eagles among those eliminated, All-Pro center Jason Kelce reportedly told his teammates that he plans to retire. Long live all the magic we made.
🤝 Alabama football didn’t waste any time replacing the recently retired head coach (HC) Nick Saban, tapping former Washington HC Kalen DeBoer to take his place. Roll on.
⚡ National championship–winning Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh interviewed for the open LA Chargers HC gig on Monday and the Atlanta Falcons job yesterday as he weighs a move back to the NFL.
👀 And in more HC movement news, the Falcons also interviewed former New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick for their open role on Monday. Wonder what they talked about.
🎓 As anticipated, USC quarterback and projected No. 1 pick Caleb Williams officially declared for the NFL Draft yesterday. Only question now is: where will he land?
Together With Topps
🏀 Gotta catch ’em all
Nothing can match experiencing iconic women’s sports moments in person, but Topps has the next best thing: their '23-'24 Bowman U Chrome Basketball collection, which immortalizes today’s most legendary women’s and men’s players.
- Dedicated to capturing today’s collegiate stars, this year’s Bowman U Chrome Basketball line is also a memento of one of the most exciting times in women’s hoops history. It’s like a physical manifestation of the momentum around the gals’ game.
- This year’s cards feature future WNBA hoopers like UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Stanford’s Cameron Brink. Get in the game and check out the new set today.
🏒 PWHL: Minnesota vs. Ottawa — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — YouTube
- First-place Minnesota suffered their first loss of the season over the weekend, while fourth-place Ottawa is fresh off a win. Expect both teams to come out firing in this mid-week puck off.
🏒 PWHL: Boston vs. Toronto — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — YouTube
- In a battle of the bottom of the standings, there’ll be no love lost between these hockey-loving cities as they begin their rivalry from the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
⛳ LPGA: HGV Tournament of Champions — Tomorrow through Sunday — Peacock, The Golf Channel
- The 2024 LPGA Tour begins tomorrow in the Sunshine State, where US Open winner Allisen Corpuz will look to pick up where she left off last season and earn a piece of the $1.5M purse. Time to par-tee.
🎾 Australian Open: No. 4 Coco Gauff vs. Alycia Parks — Tomorrow at TBD — ESPN
- While you were sleeping, Gauff sent fellow American Caroline Dolehide packing in a straight set win, setting up a third-round clash with yet another compatriot. The kids are certainly alright.
Together With Stanford Graduate School of Business
Ready to level up in the world of sports business, but not sure where to start? You're in luck because the Sports Management Club at the Stanford Graduate School of Business is hosting their 11th Sports Innovation Conference (SIC) next Wednesday, January 24th.
- Learn from the best in the biz including Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart and five all-star female execs from the WNBA, NWSL, PWHL, LOVB, and the Women’s Sports Network. Secure your spot ASAP before ticket sales end this Friday, January 19th.
Here’s what has The GIST team currently hyped:
🏈 Who to follow
Mona Stevens. The German football player is making a name for herself in Europe as an ambassador for flag football on behalf of the NFL. Hut, hut, hell yeah.
🍵 What to drink
President’s Choice. The Chocolatey Peppermint Herbal Tea is perfect for a cozy and cuddly night in.
📽️ What to watch
The Iron Claw. Starring Calvin Klein’s latest star, Jeremy Allen White, and Zac Efron, the wrestling-focused film has generated tons of buzz.
Take Your Pick
Boston
Toronto
The first chapter in the Boston-Toronto PWHL rivalry will be written when the squads take the ice tonight. Who’s your pick to win this sure-to-be-spicy mid-week clash?
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.