Making it Instagram official
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Monday to all!
But especially to the Indiana Fever, who snagged the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft for the second straight year. While we wait to see if Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (the projected top selection in 2024) joins forces with her former NCAA foe, Aliyah Boston, hoop, err hop, to the rest of today’s news.
— USC’s Bronny James Jr. (son of LeBron), expressing his gratitude after making his college basketball debut yesterday with his proud family sitting courtside, nearly five months after suffering a cardiac arrest. Goosebumps.
Shohei Ohtani
⚾ Sho him the money
The GIST: Turn off those tweet notifications and stop tracking that flight: Shohei Ohtani watch is officially over. Baseball’s biggest star has reportedly inked the biggest contract in North American pro sports history, announcing via Instagram on Saturday that he’s chosen the perennial playoff–contending LA Dodgers as his next team.
The details: While the Dodgers have yet to announce the deal themselves, Ohtani’s historic contract is reportedly for a record-setting $700M over 10 years. Perhaps the most coveted free agent of all time (regardless of sport), the Shohei sweepstakes rumor mill reached a fever pitch before Ohtani broke the news himself, writing “I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world.” Mission accomplished.
The dollars and cents: It’s hard to fully comprehend Ohtani getting that truly jaw-dropping bag, but for some perspective, his deal is worth nearly as much as his new teammate Mookie Betts’ and NY Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s deals combined — the third and fourth biggest baseball contracts, respectively.
- It also tops valuations for six NHL franchises, 23 MLS franchises, and, as Caroline Fitzgerald of GOALS Sports pointed out, the yearly payroll for every athlete in the WNBA, NWSL, Athletes Unlimited, WTA, LPGA, and PWHL…combined. Mind-numbing.
Zooming out: From his incredible success as a two-way star to his dedication to the game and unrelenting desire to win, we’ve truly never seen a baseball player like Shohei Ohtani. How lucky are we to bear witness as history unfolds.
🏀 LA Lakers win the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament
Tourney MVP LeBron James posted 24 points and 11 rebounds in his squad’s 123–109 championship game win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, leading the Lakers to the first-ever NBA Cup (and the $500K checks per player). Father time, who?
⛳ Lydia Ko and Jason Day claim Grant Thornton Invitational title
World No. 11 New Zealand’s Lydia Ko sunk a clutch birdie to lift the Down Under duo to victory at 26-under par yesterday while Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners finished in second at 25-under. So good for the game.
⚽ The Columbus Crew dethrone LAFC to win third franchise MLS Cup
The Crew made it rain with two first-half goals in front of their home crowd on Saturday, and that was all they needed to top the defending champs 2–1 and win their second MLS Cup in the last four years.
🎓🏈 LSU quarterback (QB) Jayden Daniels named 2023 Heisman Trophy winner
The fifth-year QB totaled 50 touchdowns (TDs) and nearly 5,000 total yards in just 12 regular-season games en route to winning the coveted Heisman Trophy, college football’s MVP award. Daniels received 503 first-place votes (of 928), with Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., Oregon QB Bo Nix, and Ohio State wide receiver (WR) Marvin Harrison Jr. rounding out the voting.
🎓🏐 The NCAA volleyball tournament semifinals are set
After a weekend of quarter-final thrillers, three No. 1 seeds, overall No. 1 Nebraska, Pitt, and Wisconsin, along with defending champions No. 2 Texas will serve for a spot in the national championship starting this Thursday.
Together With Verizon
🏠 Home dubs hit different
Playing at home is a boon for sports teams, but when your whole fam’s WFH-ing in your crib over the holidays, that crowded WiFi network crushes home-field advantage quickly.
- Luckily, Verizon’s the home squad’s MVP. The nation’s top network is so reliable, you'll never have to worry about your WiFi when
that important work callthe NFL’s delicious slate of Christmas Day games rolls around. So clutch.
🐦⬛ Baltimore Ravens WR Tylan Wallace dodged, ducked, dipped, dove, and dodged his way to an epic walk-off punt return TD and a 37–31 overtime victory over the LA Rams.
🟤 Vintage QB Joe Flacco showed up for the injury-plagued Cleveland Browns, throwing three TDs in his second start for the squad, a tight 31–27 dub over the Jacksonville Jaguars. And that’s on 16 years of NFL experience.
✅ Jets QB Zach Wilson silenced the haters with “the best game of his career,” leading the Green Machine to a 30–6 upset of the Houston Texans.
👀 The Dallas Cowboys moved into first place in the NFC East by dominating their forever rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, 33–13, setting up a tight division title battle with just four weeks left in the regular season.
💜 In his first game back since injuring his hamstring on October 8th, Minnesota Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson exited their last-minute 3–0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders with a possible chest injury, seriously hampering Minnesota’s shaky playoff chances.
🤝 With Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith sidelined, the San Francisco 49ers inched one step closer to a playoff berth, beating the ’Hawks 28–16.
📺 Settle in for a Monday Night Football double-feature (and the most chaotic ManningCast ever) with the NY Giants facing the Green Bay Packers tonight at 8:15 p.m. ET while the Tennessee Titans take on the Miami Dolphins simultaneously. Pop that corn.
Giveaway Alert
College Football Playoff put your stress levels through the roof? Take a break with your bestie and enjoy a five-night, all-inclusive stay for two in Panama.
- Have a fabulous time at the Los Establos Boutique Resort, where all meals, beverages, and activities are covered. Enter to win today.
Peep our squad’s MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
⚽ What to know
On Friday, the U.S. and Mexico submitted a joint bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, entering a three-bid race that also includes Brazil and a joint entry from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Footy, footy, footy, footy, rockin’ everywhere.
🍷 What to sip
A glass of Deldon. Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne recently launched Deldon Wines, making her the first WNBA player with a namesake wine. Cheers.
🏀 What we're still thinking about
Rapper Lil Wayne shouting out Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark after she notched her historic 3,000th career point last week. Weezy knows ball.
Question of the Day
Amid Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking contract news, let’s do some daydreaming: What would you do with $700M? Reply to this email with your thoughts and we might just feature your response in our next newsletter or a 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 Annie Chan. 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.