The GIST

Netflix bags U.S. media rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments

Netflix pulled off quite the heist on Friday by acquiring the U.S. media rights for the 2027 and 2031 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC). It will be Netflix’s first time covering an entire sports tournament and marks FIFA’s biggest deal with a streamer, not to mention it’s the first time the WWC’s U.S. rights were sold separately from the men’s FIFA World Cup.

December 23, 2024

USWNT veteran Becky Sauerbrunn retires from professional soccer

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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.

December 18, 2024

UEFA establishes second-tier club tournament as investment in women’s soccer deepens

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In addition to sweetening the pot for Europe’s national teams, UEFA has been committed to creating a holistic ecosystem for women’s soccer at the club level. On Monday, the organization shared details around the Women’s Europa Cup, a second-tier club competition hoping to drive domestic investment in the women’s game across Europe.

December 18, 2024

Vermont men’s soccer wins its first national championship in epic comeback victory

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History made. Vermont men’s soccer defeated No. 13 Marshall 2–1 in overtime (OT) on Monday to claim its first national title in program history — and the school’s first championship in any team sport.

December 18, 2024

Marshall and Vermont, two unexpected teams, earn spots in the men’s college soccer championship game

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If you like an underdog, you’re gonna love this: No. 13 Marshall and unranked Vermont will play tonight for a National Title after both programs upset their way to the ‘ship. Marshall has one previous title, earned against Indiana in 2020, while Vermont is hoping to take home the trophy for the very first time.

December 16, 2024

Saudi Arabia awarded 2034 FIFA men’s World Cup despite history of human rights abuses

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While trying to distance themselves from a reputation of bribery and corruption, international soccer’s governing body FIFA is once again drawing significant flack after a controversial decision regarding the 2034 men’s World Cup (WC) tournament. Let’s dive in.

December 13, 2024

The men’s College Cup field is set, with the championship game set to take place on Monday

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From 48 teams down to four, the men’s College Cup semis are set for today, with two spots in Monday’s championship game on the line.

December 13, 2024

College

Women’s College Cup championship kicks off tonight, while men’s College Cup is officially set

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December 09, 2024

While the men’s College Cup final four was set over the weekend, the women’s field of 64 is down to two, with ACC foes No. 2 seed North Carolina and No. 2 seed Wake Forest facing off for the title tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #422

Volleyball's spotlight moment, plus a College Football Playoff primer

December 19, 2024

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Volleyball's spotlight moment, plus a College Football Playoff primer

Hello, hello!
Forget the holidays — it’s playoff season for a few fall college sports: women’s volleyball and football. On this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz first preview tonight’s national volleyball tournament semifinals, where all four No. 1 seeds will be duking it out for a spot in Sunday’s championship. And volleyball is just getting started in the U.S., with major news about the Pro Volleyball Federation and League One Volleyball dropping this week.
Then in part two, it’s all about the College Football Playoff, which begins on Friday night. The gals dig through the revamped 12-team format before shouting out the top players to watch on the gridiron. Hut, hut.
A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.