The GIST

Flag Football World Championships underscore opportunities ahead of LA28

As we wrote in February, flag football participation is surging at the youth level, particularly for girls. There are more opportunities for girls to play flag compared to tackle football, and athletes (and their parents) are drawn to it as a “safer” option. Let’s look at the numbers that support the sport’s grassroots success.

August 22, 2026

Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd out for the rest of the season

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The recently-depleted Dallas Wings dug deep and snapped the surging Indiana Fever’s five-game win streak last night, but that’s just the start of the WNBA news with rookie injuries and a superstar’s impending retirement taking center stage.

August 21, 2026

Disgraced Portland Thorns president Gavin Wilkinson hired by the MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes

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The MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes hired former Portland Timbers and Thorns president Gavin Wilkinson as a consultant earlier this month, a move that garnered considerable controversy as Wilkinson was previously ousted from the NWSL following the damning 2022 Yates report. Buckle up.

August 21, 2026

The Golden State Valkyries can’t stop winning — on and off the court

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As you may have heard, the WNBA All-Star Game (ASG) is headed to the Bay in 2027 — a monumental dub for a team that will only have played since 2025. It’s the latest in a long string of achievements for the Golden State Valkyries, who can’t seem to stop winning on and off the court.

August 20, 2026

Getting creative with four-time MLB All-Star Ozzie Albies

Together With

Getting creative with four-time MLB All-Star Ozzie Albies

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Ozzie Albies is more than a four-time MLB All-Star, and Players’ Weekend is his chance to show it. See how he’s using Adobe Express to put his love of dogs front and center, while turning his custom gear into a win for the Ozzie Albies Foundation.

August 20, 2026

LA’s NBA teams are making headlines for the wrong reasons

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From family strife to alleged money mishandlings, the NBA is giving reality TV…and providing plenty of programming as both LA teams make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Let’s hoop to it.

August 19, 2026

New reports reveal feature key data around women’s sports fandom

Not one, but two major reports have dropped since our last newsletter and the results overwhelmingly show that women’s sports are no longer a trend, but a triumph. From increased viewership to brand loyalty and women impacting the growth of men’s sports, the data is singing the praises of this movement and it’s a song we love to hear.

August 18, 2026

Recapping an iconic weekend for women in hoops

Sports News

Recapping an iconic weekend for women in hoops

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August 16, 2026

It was a great weekend for women in hoops, with an iconic No. 3 jersey raised to the rafters in Phoenix, and three legendary W hoopers adding an orange blazer to their closets. Let’s give the gals their flowers.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #583

Teen girls stand up against hockey culture

August 20, 2026

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Teen girls stand up against hockey culture

Earlier this year, players on a girls’ team had their privacy repeatedly violated when two members of a U-13 boys’ team entered their dressing room multiple times while the women were changing. A disciplinary panel later raised concerns not only about the incidents themselves, but how adults around the boys responded — including repeatedly characterizing the behaviour as an “unfortunate incident” rather than treating it as an opportunity for accountability and education. Inspired by Rick Westhead’s reporting, today co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss what happened, the troubling “boys will be boys” response, and why changing hockey culture has to start long before players reach the pros.