The GIST

PWHL awards newest franchise to Detroit, proving power of Ally’s hometown marketing strategy

After three years of playing games in the Detroit market, the PWHL is finally ready to commit to the city. The league announced yesterday that it’s expanding to Detroit, MI, after hosting four games there.

May 07, 2026

Skechers chats about the brand’s basketball strategy amid its new WNBA partnership

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May 07, 2026

Rounding up the latest WNBA headlines ahead of the 2026 regular season

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The WNBA regular season tips off on Friday, but this league never sleeps. From a bona fide legend retiring to more wheeling and dealing as rosters are finalized, here’s the latest from the hardwood.

May 06, 2026

Sportico, CNBC share differing WNBA valuations that both prove rising value of the league

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Over the weekend, both Sportico and CNBC shared their estimated valuations for all WNBA teams. While both outlets came to the same conclusion — the Golden State Valkyries are the highest-valued team — they ended up with different calculations, likely because CNBC included the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire and Sportico did not. Let’s crunch the numbers.

May 05, 2026

Jordan Chiles and Pure Leaf highlight the value of athlete brand partnerships from both sides

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In April, we spoke with UCLA and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles about how she’s building out her brand portfolio and why brands want to work with her. And on Thursday, we also spoke with Zach Harris, VP and GM of the Pepsi Lipton Partnership North America, who oversees marketing for iced tea label Pure Leaf.

May 05, 2026

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Major League Volleyball semis

Together With

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Major League Volleyball semis

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Block party, loading. The Major League Volleyball (MLV) semis are set for tomorrow, where the top four regular-season finishers will battle for a spot in Saturday’s championship, not to mention a $1M bonus. As Tate McRae says, just keep watching.

May 05, 2026

Cherie DeVaux becomes first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby

A horse named Golden Tempo defied the 23-1 odds during the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, surging from last-place to win the Run for the Roses. With the victory, Cherie DeVaux became the first woman horse trainer to ever win the famed race — and her story is a true tale of groundbreaking grit.

May 04, 2026

Breaking down a weekend of Game 7s on the hardwood and the ice

Sports News

Breaking down a weekend of Game 7s on the hardwood and the ice

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May 04, 2026

While the first of the NHL conference semis started with a bang, this weekend was all about the best two words in sports — Game 7 — with three do-or-die NBA playoff games and another in the NHL. That’s a whole lot of heart-pumping action.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #554

Elle Duncan is geeking over WNBA tipoff

May 07, 2026

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At long last, we’re just one day away from the start of the highly-anticipated WNBA season. To celebrate, we have an extra-special treat: Acclaimed sports broadcaster and women’s basketball expert Elle Duncan sat down with The GIST’s Senior Editor Lauren Tuiskula to talk about her move to USA Sports, spill her spiciest women’s sports takes, and share insight into balancing fandom and professionalism in sports journalism. Sporty spices, this one’s for you.