Her sister was a witch
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
What a weekend!
Playoff action aplenty, upset stunners, and some epic knockouts — today’s newsletter has everything you need to know from the last 72 hours in sports. Pulling no punches as we head into this new week.
— LA Laker LeBron James, admitting he has only one or two seasons left in the NBA before his retirement. LeBron’s still cooking in his 22nd season, recording his 117th career triple-double on Friday before nailing back-to-back threes in a Saturday victory. It’s not over ’til it’s over.
Grey Cup
🏈 What a man gotta do
The GIST: The Toronto Argonauts are dancin’ on top of cars after winning the 111th Grey Cup last night, outlasting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to secure a 41–24 victory. Drop the confetti because we’re suckers for a championship-winning squad.
Argos win league-best 19th Grey Cup: Toronto was playing with their backup quarterback (QB), but signal caller (and championship MVP) Nick Arbuckle was more than up to the challenge, tossing two touchdowns (TDs) and 252 yards to add to the Argos’ record-extending title haul.
- While it was a back-and-forth affair heading into the fourth quarter, Toronto dominated the final frame, posting a Grey Cup record 24 points.
- The offense did their part to hoist the hardware, but it was the defense who took the wind out of Winnipeg’s sails, intercepting Bombers QB Zach Collaros four times in the second half, including the second-longest pick-six in Grey Cup history.
Bombers drop the ball…again in the ’ship: Yesterday marked the fifth straight season Winnipeg’s competed on the CFL’s biggest stage, a remarkable achievement. But after winning it all in 2019 and 2021, they’ve lost in the last three editions of the Grey Cup, including two title losses to the Argos in three years. Oof.
NWSL Playoffs
⚽ Caught a vibe
The GIST: After a weekend of thrilling semis, the 2024 NWSL Championship is set, with the No. 1 seed Orlando Pride set to take on No. 2 seed Washington Spirit at Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium this Saturday. Hold your applause — here’s how it happened.
Spirit advance on penalty shootout following late equalizer: 2023 champs and No. 3 seed NJ/NY Gotham FC took an early second-half lead and nearly ran away with the win, until Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt’s noggin evened the score 1–1 in the 93rd minute, forcing extra time.
- Despite playing with only 10 after defender Bruninha was sent off for yellow card accumulation following a foul on Spirit striker Trinity Rodman, Gotham held Washington scoreless in extra time, sending things to a penalty shootout.
- That’s when Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury was downright heroic, saving three consecutive penalties to send Washington to the ’ship for the first time since their 2021 title run. She’s a brick…wall.
Orlando advances to first-ever NWSL title game: In a match featuring two of the league’s strongest forward lines, the Pride emerged victorious, staying undefeated at home this season with yesterday’s 3–2 win over the No. 4 seed Kansas City Current.
- With the game tied 1–1 at halftime, the Pride exploded with two epic goals in the second half: First, striker Barbra Banda nailed a clean strike to give Orlando the lead in the 53rd minute, then forward Marta netted what would ultimately be the game-winner.
- Now, the 38-year-old GOAT will make her first NWSL Championship appearance in her eighth season in the league, facing off against a youthful Spirit squad. Magic.
🐃 Quarterback (QB) Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills hand Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season
These longtime AFC foes added yet another thrilling chapter to their rivalry yesterday. Josh Allen did Josh Allen things, sealing a 30–21 win over the two-time defending Super Bowl champs and ending KC’s bid for a perfect season in the process.
- On the flipside, Allen’s counterpart, Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes, threw two interceptions in the L (and is now tied with a league-worst 11 on the season), with his second of the game coming on the final drive. Yeesh.
⬆️ Pittsburgh Steelers increase AFC North lead with win over QB Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers continue to be Jackson’s Achilles’ heel — Pittsburgh held the Ravens to season lows in points and total yards en route to an 18–16 divisional victory, Pittsburgh’s fifth straight win. But Baltimore didn’t help themselves: Kicker Justin Tucker missed two field goals in the first half, a concerning recent trend for the typically reliable veteran.
🐦 Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads game-winning drive for first win over San Francisco 49ers in three years
Down by four in the fourth quarter, the 34-year-old signal caller used his legs to find the end zone, leading Seattle to a 20–17 win, their first since December 2021 against their forever rivals. The win leaves both teams with the same 5-5 record, creating a world of chaos in the NFC West standings.
Take Your Pick
Houston Texans
Dallas Cowboys
To close out Week 11 NFL action, giddy up for a Texas-themed 8:15 p.m. ET Monday Night Football showdown between the Houston Texans and the QB Dak Prescott–less Dallas Cowboys. With Lone Star State bragging rights on the line, which team do you think will come out on top?
Together With Canadian Women & Sport
💪 More than 1M girls are missing out on the benefits of sports
If teenage romcoms taught us anything, it’s that growing up isn’t easy — but sports can help ease those inevitable growing pains. In partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and IMI Consulting, Canadian Women & Sport’s 2024 Rally Report found that:
🧠 70% of girls believe that sports positively impact their mental health
❤️ One in two girls said sports participation positively influences their body image
📣 Seven in 10 girls are excited to be women’s sports fans
👟 40% of girls are more interested than ever in playing sports
So, what’s the problem? More than 1M Canadian girls are missing out on the benefits. In order to ensure every girl has the opportunity to play, reimagining girls’ sports through increased investment, girl-centered coaching practices, and safe, supportive environments is everything.
- It’s time to make these women’s sports love letters go viral — download The 2024 Rally Report today to learn more.
👀 The Dallas Wings won the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft in yesterday’s draft lottery, while the LA Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Washington Mystics received the second, third, and fourth picks, respectively.
🔎 The Seattle Storm is investigating its coaching staff following allegations of player mistreatment during the 2024 season.
⛳ World No. 1 Nelly Korda nailed five straight birdies to clinch The Annika tournament yesterday, her seventh LPGA title of the season. No wonder she’s the Player of the Year.
🎾 Great Britain ousted defending Billie Jean King Cup champs Canada and will play Slovakia in tomorrow’s semi. Meanwhile, Poland faces Italy today in the other semi, possibly pitting world No. 2 Iga Świątek of Poland against Italy’s No. 4 Jasmine Paolini. Fireworks, loading.
🏆🎾 World No. 1 Jannik Sinner did not drop a set in this year’s ATP Finals, topping then-No. 5 Taylor Fritz yesterday to win his latest trophy in a successful but scrutinized year.
🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs winger Ryan Reaves has been suspended for five games following a hit to the head on Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.
😢 CanWNT and Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan suffered an ACL injury during a game against Liverpool on November 10th and will likely miss the rest of the WSL season. Here’s to a speedy and safe recovery.
👊 Boxer Katie Taylor retained her super lightweight title on Friday, beating Amanda Serrano after a controversial decision in an otherwise thrilling headline fight.
Together With The GIST
As a GISTer, you know that our community members are multi-faceted. GISTers are sports fans, fashion lovers, athletes, parents, TikTokers, co-workers, the list goes on and on.
The companies GISTers work for also make great partners. If your company wants to authentically reach folks like yourself, we’d love to chat.
Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:
🎧 What to listen to
Stories of Strength. Nev Schulman chats with ex-soccer pro Brittany Wilson about mental health in sports and the sacrifices throughout her career.
🏅 What to watch
The Trin Spin — catch Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman lighting up the pitch with her signature spin. Epic.
👟 What to wear
The Monopoly x Nike LeBron 22s. These board game-inspired kicks drop in two colorways this month.
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Emily Ohman, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Marga Sison. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.