Having wicked dreams
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Welcome to a new week!
Is needing to scroll through every post from WNBA All-Star a valid excuse to call out of work? Today’s newsletter recaps a truly wild weekend (on and off the court), along with the rest of the latest from the sports world. Turn it up.
— Dallas Wings rookie and WNBA All-Star Paige Bueckers, confirming her relationship with former UConn teammate and longtime bestie Azzi Fudd in a viral edition of “WAG Talk.” The hardest of launches.
WNBA All-Star
🏀 Let her cook
The GIST: From a shoe phone capturing all the action to the StudBudz streaming the non-stop party, WNBA All-Star Weekend truly left no crumbs…but players are still hungry for their rightful piece of the pie.
⭐ Minnesota Lynx Napheesa Collier dominates All-Star Game (ASG): Add another accolade to her lengthy résumé — Collier dropped an ASG–record 36 points to earn MVP honors on Saturday. Another key to Team Collier’s convincing 151–131 win over Team Clark? The Seattle Storm’s Skylar Diggins tallying the first-ever ASG triple-double. When the All-Stars align…
🗽 NY Liberty sweep All-Star Friday night: Natasha Cloud is a perfect one-for-one in Skills Challenges, winning Friday’s opening event in a blistering 36.4 seconds, before a generous Sabrina Ionescu became just the second player to win the W’s 3-Point Contest more than once, her second victory in three years. That seafoam trophy case is looking quite full.
🤝 Labor negotiations take center stage in Indianapolis: Collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks between the league and the Women’s Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) loomed large over the weekend festivities — especially when players suited up in “Pay Us What You Owe Us” warm-up shirts ahead of Saturday’s ASG.
- The bold statement underscores the wide gap between the WNBA and WNBPA when it comes to revenue sharing and salary structure, though the parties reportedly made progress surrounding family planning and retirement benefits during Thursday’s in-person meeting.
- That said, the WNBPA plans to stand firm ahead of the league’s October 31st negotiation deadline, especially after a record-breaking number of players came to the table on Thursday. This battle has only just begun.
UEFA Women’s Euro
⚽ Flying high, defying gravity
The GIST: And just like that, the UEFA Women’s Euro semis are set. But before we preview what’s to come, we simply must recap the jaw-dropping action from this weekend’s quarter-finals (QF). Let’s go.
😱 World No. 3 Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger leads her team to penalty shootout win: Berger channeled her inner Elphaba against No. 10 France on Saturday, recording multiple gravity-defying saves to help her squad advance despite competing down a player for much of the game thanks to an early red card.
- Onto the next one: Die Nationalelf faces No. 2 Spain — who, as expected, prevailed over hosts No. 23 Switzerland 2–0 in Friday’s QF — on Wednesday.
👀 But first, it’s No. 5 England vs. No. 13 Italy in tomorrow’s 3 p.m. ET semi: Sadly amid disturbing allegations of racist abuse directed at defender Jess Carter, the defending champ Lionesses are preparing for a second straight semis appearance. In good news for England fans, captain Leah Williamson will likely be available after an injury scare.
- This England squad is notorious for their slow starts, an especially bad look against Italy, who have scored first in all four of their matches this tourney. One Italian player to watch? Captain Cristiana Girelli, who scored twice in their QF dub. Bellissimo.
Together With DoorDash
The WNBA All-Star Game? Riveting. Tonight’s dinner? Not so much, because while you were taking in all the glorious hoops action in Indianapolis this weekend, there simply wasn’t time to pick up groceries. It happens to the best of us.
🤝 Luckily, DoorDash can help, whether you want pad thai from a new local spot or prefer to make your own with groceries delivered straight to your door.
- And hey, with five regular-season WNBA games locked and loaded for tomorrow night — including a showdown between the defending champ NY Liberty and the Indiana Fever — you might as well stock up now so you won’t miss a minute. Delish.
⛳ World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler wins The British Open for fourth career major title
And this one was a no-doubter. Scheffler led by as many as seven shots in yesterday’s fourth and final round at Royal Portrush, cruising to his second major title of the season. Not to mention, it’s Scheffler’s 11th straight top-eight finish, equalling the PGA record set by a little someone named Tiger Woods. An impressive feat, even if the 29-year-old chases joy elsewhere.
- The American is now one U.S. Open win away from becoming just the seventh golfer to complete the coveted Grand Slam (aka winning all four majors) — but he’ll have to wait until next season to do it.
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays sweep San Francisco Giants, prepare to face rival NY Yankees
Turns out home really is where the heart is. The American League (AL) East–leading Jays picked up right where they left off before the All-Star break, sweeping their three-game weekend series vs. the Giants to match the franchise record for consecutive home wins (10).
- Now they need to keep the good times rolling at Rogers Centre: The Bronx Bombers, Toronto’s AL East foe, come to town starting tonight at 7:07 p.m. ET. The division’s top spot hangs in the balance with the Yanks three games back on the blue birds.
💰 Unrivaled signs 14 college basketball players to NIL deals
Unrivaled — the innovative women’s hoops 3v3 league — is getting in on the name, image, and likeness game for the second straight season. Their athlete roster, which included just Bueckers and LSU star Flau’jae Johnson in 2024, has expanded to 14 hoopers, boasting the aforementioned Fudd, USC star JuJu Watkins, and TCU’s Olivia Miles.
- And as if that news wasn’t wonderful enough, Canadian phenom Syla Swords is also in the mix. The 19-year-old was spectacular in her freshman campaign at Michigan, averaging 16.4 points per game. Eh-xcellent.
🚴 Reigning champ Tadej Pogačar maintains lead at the Tour de France
Fifteen stages down, six to go at the world’s biggest cycling competition, where three-time winner Pogačar is still leading the way while his teammate, Tim Wellens, clinched his first-ever Tour win on stage 15 yesterday. Next up: 171.5 km of hills from Montpellier to Mont Ventoux, starting tomorrow.
Together With CIBC
At The GIST, we're in the business of changing the world, but revolutions aren’t easy. That’s why we partnered with CIBC, aka a founding partner of the Toronto Tempo, to help bring five lucky winners’ ambitions, big or small, within reach. Here’s how:
📝 Personalized support from The GIST — whether you're stuck on a problem, looking to connect, or seeking fresh inspiration
🤳 Spotlight features on our socials and right here in this newsletter
🤝 The opportunity to connect with other changemakers
But the best part? Entering is easy: Simply tell us about the goals you’re chasing and how CIBC and The GIST can help make them happen. Share your passions, and leave the rest up to us.
Here’s what has GIST HQ buzzing:
🎉 Who to celebrate
New Zealand, who won the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in dramatic fashion yesterday, edging out hosts Emirates Great Britain and Martine Grael’s Brazil in the winner-takes-all final race. How’s that for heart-pounding?
🏓 What to play
Padel. A blend of tennis and squash, the sport has surged in popularity and attracted significant attention from luxury brands.
🎧 What to listen to
Sportly, a podcast that dives deep into the sports world’s hidden stories. Queue it up.
Take Your Pick
Indiana Fever
NY Liberty
After a very entertaining WNBA All-Star Weekend, it’s time to get back to business as teams push for September’s playoffs. Which team do you think will earn the dub in tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET tip-off between these star-studded squads?
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, Grace DePaull, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Katie Kehoe Foster. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Mikaela Perez. 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.