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From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!
There’s no better way to celebrate than by catching up on the latest sports news with The GIST’s all-women and -nonbinary newsroom. We’re so grateful to be here with you, today and every day.
— Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, telling The GIST what he wishes more people knew about him ahead of his first-ever Super Bowl. And that’s on privacy.
Milano Cortina Olympics
🏅 Baby, let the Games begin
The GIST: Hop on the nearest zamboni — the Milano Cortina Olympics are officially underway, with mixed doubles curling starting today. The official Opening Ceremony isn’t until Friday, but there are plenty of updates to report before the torch reaches Milan. Andiamo.
🏒 The women’s hockey tourney starts tomorrow — and the ice is good to go: The Games’ official ice master has given the surface at Santaguila Arena two thumbs up, a reassuring sign considering the main arena’s extremely delayed construction. Who needs food stands anyway?
- Italy will break in that ice in tomorrow’s group stage game vs. France, while the U.S. (10:40 a.m. ET) and Canada (3:10 p.m. ET) will play at the smaller arena across town.
🇨🇦 Injuries force last-minute changes to Canadian rosters: 🏒 Reigning Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett is officially replacing center Anthony Cirelli in Milan as the latter was injured playing for his NHL team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Sunday. Talk about stepping up.
- ⛸️ Meanwhile, the figure skating squad suffered a major blow on Monday: Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps have pulled out of the team event after Stellato-Dudek suffered an injury in training.
🇺🇸⛷️ Injured American skier Lindsey Vonn is not done yet: Despite rupturing her left ACL in a crash last Friday, Vonn’s comeback is still on — the 41-year-old plans to compete in her best event, the downhill race, on Sunday. Vonn insists she is not in pain and has not cried since the shocking injury. Couldn’t be us.
PRESENTED BY Toyota
🌟🏈 A woman’s place is on the gridiron
📈 Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country — and no surprise, women and girls are to thank.
In some states, high school girls’ flag is an officially sanctioned sport, and to celebrate that progress, Toyota is hosting the Glow Up Classic tonight ahead of Super Bowl LX.
- This black-light flag football showdown will gather the Bay Area’s top high school female athletes on the same field that hosts the NFL Pro Bowl Games a day earlier, where they’ll be coached by NFL greats from Team Toyota. Now that’s how you level the playing field.
💰 WNBA, players’ union Monday meeting “helpful” as collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations continue
After a rocky start, the parties’ first in-person meeting since September reportedly allowed the two sides to share the reasoning behind their respective proposals and ask each other questions. Communication is key — but where does that leave us?
- The WNBA has said they’ll work on an official response to the union’s proposal that was submitted over a month ago (better late than never), while the players’ top priorities are still revenue sharing, retirement benefits, and professional standards, including facilities.
🏈 NFL will play first regular-season game in Paris, France, in 2026
Move over, Pitbull — the NFL’s coming for the title of Mr. Worldwide, revealing Monday that the New Orleans Saints will play at Stade de France (opponent TBD) next season. It’s the sixth international city on the docket in 2026, joining London, England; Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; and Munich, Germany.
- As for last night’s gridiron glory, Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice coached the NFC to the Pro Bowl title, beating the AFC 56–50 in a seven-on-seven flag football game to secure the conference’s fourth straight dub. Last night was lit, but tomorrow? The girls will glow.
🏀 LA Clippers trade James Harden to Cleveland Cavaliers
With tomorrow’s 3 p.m. ET deadline looming, the Clippers swapped the 11-time All-Star for injured guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick. The blockbuster trade lowkey makes sense for both teams: The Cavs are trying to bolster their roster for a title run this year, while the Clippers simply refused to give Harden the lucrative extension he wanted.
- As for the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, the Milwaukee Bucks are countering trade offers for the two-time NBA MVP. While potential teams have been moving and shaking to create roster space, the bids are reportedly “underwhelming.” Okay, then.
PRESENTED BY Toyota
💪 It’s no surprise Toyota is the team behind the Glow Up Classic. The Official Automotive Partner of the NFL represents a nationwide community of fans that have used Toyota vehicles for road trips, practice drop-offs, and tailgates, uniting families and communities around America’s favorite sport for almost 70 years.
- After tonight’s Glow Up Classic, Toyota will upgrade a local youth flag field in San Jose with permanent lights, leaving a lasting impact long after the final whistle of Super Bowl LX.
- Touchdowns aren’t the real goal; it’s touching hearts by helping people access the community-building power of sports. Learn more about how Toyota is ALL IN. ALL SEASON here.
🏐 LOVB: Atlanta vs. Austin — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — USA Network
- February’s
loveLOVB month, and if January’s five-set thriller between these two teams is any indication, you’re in for a real treat. Which star are you sweet on ahead of this kill-er match — Atlanta opposite hitter Tessa Grubbs or Austin outside hitter Logan Eggleston?
🏒 NHL: San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche — Tonight at 9 p.m. ET — ESPN+
- A trio of Canadians lead the Hart Trophy race ahead of the Olympic break, including two centers who will go head-to-head tonight: Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini and Avalanche icon Nathan MacKinnon. Keep your enemies close, and your countrymen closer.
🎓🏀NCAA women’s basketball: No. 5 LSU vs. No. 4 Texas — Tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET — ESPN
- This SEC showdown is one of five ranked matchups gracing our screens tomorrow. Expect junior Madison Booker and the Longhorns to dress for revenge after falling 70–65 to senior Flau'jae Johnson and the Tigers last month.
⛳ PGA: WM Phoenix Open — Tomorrow through Sunday — Golf Channel/CBS
- The PGA Tour’s infamously rowdy tourney just got even wilder: The famed Coliseum at the iconic 16th hole already seats a mind-boggling 20K people and will now feature a removable four-story structure, better sightlines, and the Pin Hi Club. A(n even bigger) par-tee.
PRESENTED BY Toyota
✨ The best part of the Toyota Glow Up Classic? Mentorship in real time: The team captains for this showdown are San Francisco 49ers quarterback (QB) Brock Purdy and Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love. Imagine getting tips on your spiral from these guys.
- After all, one of the best ways to support the growth of girls’ flag football is by elevating the level of play, one stellar pass at a time. Glow up, indeed.
Question of the Day
What Olympic sport are you most looking forward to watching at the Milano Cortina Games?
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