Ripped skinny jeans lying on the floor
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
You good?
Because we’re not. A short week bookended by last night’s fiery Team USA vs. Team Canada special isn ’t for the faint of heart. Take a deep breath, then dig in.
— Jordan Chiles’ mom Gina, reacting to Olympic gold medalist and World Champion gymnast Chiles and three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson’s cover girl moment as TIME Women of the Year. Talent truly has no height limit…or minimum.
4 Nations Face-Off Championship
🏒 A campaign for the best game you can name
The GIST: Political tension? Check. Glove dropping? Check. Moments that made you cry? Check. The NHL’s innovative 4 Nations Face-Off tournament had it all, with Canada defeating Team USA to win the inaugural trophy in dramatic fashion last night. Here’s how it went down.
Connor McDavid scored the golden goal to clinch a Red and White victory: A sudden death, 5-on-5 overtime (OT) was the only way to settle this one after 60 minutes of tit-for-tat regulation play ended in a 2–2 stalemate.
- It was only fitting that the best player in the world and face of the NHL, Edmonton Oiler McDavid, scored the OT goal to secure the Canadian win and silence the Boston crowd.
- McDavid was awarded Player of the Game honors, while the Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon won the tournament MVP.
- And though the Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk (pronounced kuh-CHUCK) didn’t win any official awards, he stood out as the best American all tourney long.
Zooming out: Sure, Canada was crowned the winner, but the true victor of the 4 Nations Face-Off? The NHL. The league revamped a tired All-Star format and found undeniable success, evidenced by the competition’s record-setting viewership, new fandom, and last night’s Super Bowl–esque ticket prices.
- But best of all, the 4 Nations revitalized one of the oldest, most storied rivalries in international sport — perfect timing with NHL players returning to Olympic hockey for the first time since 2014 next February. NBA, take notes.
⚖️ Luis Rubiales found guilty of sexually assaulting Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso
The disgraced former president of the Spanish football federation has been fined more than $10K for kissing Hermoso without her consent after Spain won the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC). Rubiales has been forbidden from communicating with Hermoso or going within 200 meters of the athlete for one year. Good.
- However, Rubiales will not serve prison time for the assault as he was acquitted of coercion, along with former Spanish women’s head coach, Jorge Vilda.
- Both men repeatedly downplayed the unsolicited kiss in the WWC aftermath, sparking outrage among women’s football supporters and giving momentum to Spain’s own “Me Too” movement. Rubiales remains the target of a separate corruption investigation.
🇨🇦 No. 6 CanWNT draw 1–1 with No. 17 China in Wednesday’s Pinatar Cup opener
The Red and White kicked off its head coach Casey Stoney–era by holding on for a tie with China in the first match of the international friendly tourney in Spain. Midfielder Julia Grosso scored Canada's lone goal and will be counted on once more when CanWNT faces No. 31 Mexico tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.
🤕 San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama likely done for the season
The Spurs’ lone All-Star, reigning Rookie of the Year, and 7-foot-3 cheat code has been sidelined, effective immediately to treat a blood clot in his right shoulder. Scary. Wemby was playing some of his best basketball this season, leading the league in blocks per game, but will unfortunately no longer be eligible for Defensive Player of the Year.
- In other NBA news, the Milwaukee Bucks Bobby Portis Jr. will serve a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy after his assistant allegedly mixed up two very similarly named pain medications. Yes, seriously.
🏀 Unrivaled: Lunar Owls vs. Rose — Tonight at 7:15 p.m. ET — TSN+
- Expect a spicy showdown as the top two teams in the 3v3 league go head-to-head tonight. Fresh off her 1-on-1 tourney win (which also awarded her Lunar Owls teammates $10K each), Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier will have to contend with the Rose’s Point Gawd, Chelsea Gray. Bring it on.
🏐 PVF: All-Star Match — Tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. ET — Roku
- In a historic first for women’s pro volleyball, this highly-anticipated All-Star Match will be the first nationally broadcast in the U.S., and if there was ever a game to showcase the sport’s firepower, it’s this one.
- This All-Star throwdown features 24 of the league’s best players, including reigning MVP Leah Edmond and defending Libero of the Year, Morgan Hentz. Time to dive.
🏒 PWHL: Boston Fleet vs. NY Sirens — Sunday at 4 p.m. ET — TSN
- Beep, beep — it’s time for Takeover Tour stop No. 6. The PWHL is playing its first-ever game in Buffalo, with East Coast rivals Boston and NY sharpening their skates for a battle royale. With Fleet captain Hilary Knight taking on burgeoning NY legend Alex Carpenter, you know this one’s going to be great.
⚽ MLS: San Diego FC vs. LA Galaxy — Sunday at 7 p.m. ET — MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
- For the first time in MLS’ 30-year history, 30 teams are in action, thanks to the addition of expansion team San Diego FC. But the exceptionally ill-kitted newcomers aren’t exactly easing into league play, taking on the defending champion Galaxy in their first-ever match.
Recs from our roster!
✨ What to wear
STRIPT Official. Ari Davis’ brand is built for bold baddies and will take you from the gym to a night out.
💇🏾♀️ What to worry less about
Your hair. This Instagram reel breaks down how to help Black women maintain hair care while participating in sports.
🏀 What to pre-order
Candace Parker’s book, “The Can-Do Mindset,” dropping on June 3rd. The WNBA legend shares her blueprint for success.
Question of the Day
Today marks less than one month until the first day of spring, which means outdoor activities are just around the corner. With that, we want to know: Which athletic apparel and footwear brand do you most often purchase from?
- Make your selection below, or reply to this email with your brand of choice.
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lauren Tuiskula, Megan Murray, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Molly Potter. Fact-checking by Mikaela Perez and Rachel Fuenzalida. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Ellen Hyslop, Lauren Tuiskula, and Alessandra Puccio.