The GIST

Unseeded Victoria Mboko defeats Naomi Osaka to win Canadian Open

With the US Open just over two weeks away, tennis’ hard court season is in full swing. There are high-stakes tune-up tourneys everywhere you look as players prepare to compete for a whole lot of cash in Queens, NY.

August 08, 2025

The highs and lows of the WNBA’s rapid growth

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Tonight’s WNBA Canada game was set to be a victory lap, celebrating the league’s growth and Toronto as its first Canadian expansion city. But some on- and off-court drama is crashing the party before the 10 p.m. ET tipoff, demonstrating the challenges of a rapid rise to the mainstream.

August 15, 2025

WNBA reportedly prefers Houston over bids to keep Connecticut Sun in New England

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This week, Front Office Sports (FOS) shared updates on the ongoing saga surrounding the sale of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. In early August, weeks after Steve Pagliuca pledged a record $325M to bring the Sun to Boston, FOS reported the Mohegan Tribe approved the deal, but the W never did.

August 15, 2025

Instagram and Spotify share data from Taylor Swift’s appearance on New Heights podcast

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Earlier this week, Taylor Swift broke the Internet by announcing she would join her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, for the first time to release initial details for her 12th album. Unsurprisingly, early data around Swift’s announcement further demonstrate the power of Swifties crossing over into the sports world.

August 15, 2025

Tylenol shares pain points for U.S. sports fans amid NWSL healthcare spending boost

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After inking a multiyear partnership with the NWSL earlier this year, Tylenol partnered with Wakefield Research to survey 2K U.S. sports fans to explore the pain points for soccer fans attending live sporting events. The results illustrate the natural marketing overlap for healthcare brands, which can utilize beloved women’s sports teams to appeal to fans.

August 13, 2025

Monica Arcuri to become just 24th girl to compete at the Little League World Series

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When the Little League World Series (LLWS), an annual tournament featuring the top 10- to 12-year-old baseball players from around the world, swings into action from hallowed Williamsport, Pennsylvania, today, you’ll see a girl take the diamond for just the 24th time in the tourney’s 78 years.

August 13, 2025

Ally marketing head Stephanie Marciano discusses brand’s WNBA, NWSL partnerships in rivalry series

This weekend, the WNBA and NWSL kicked off their respective slates of rivalry games, both presented by prominent women’s sports partner Ally. The WNBA is planning seven rivalry matchups through August 17th, while the NWSL hosted three key matchups during its inaugural Rivalry Weekend.

August 11, 2025

Sports Business

Gotham FC continues outreach to Gen Alpha fans with Dove, Rebel Girls book collaboration

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August 08, 2025

This week, Gotham FC is rolling out a first-of-its-kind partnership with longtime sponsor Dove and girls empowerment brand Rebel Girls (RG), which also signed existing partnerships with LOVB and AUSL after launching its dedicated sports vertical this year.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #485

Just the beginning: Breaking down tomorrow’s WNBA Canada Game

August 14, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Just the beginning: Breaking down tomorrow’s WNBA Canada Game

Buckle up.

The WNBA’s first-ever international regular-season game tips off in Vancouver tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET, marking the third Canada Game in the league’s history. Before the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream battle for Great White North bragging rights (and fight to maintain their playoff positions), tune into today’s episode of The GIST of It to learn about this monumental moment for Canada women’s basketball, the implications for the W’s future expansion plans, and of course, to hear who co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are rooting for. Swish swish.