Reaching new heights
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Oh hi!
Did you hear the news? Taylor Swift, aka the most engulfed football fan, will make her New Heights debut tonight at 7 p.m. ET, at long last appearing on the pod co-hosted by her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, longtime Philadelphia Eagle Jason Kelce.
- Whether she discusses her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” or Aristotle, you know we’ll be ready for it. And you know what else we’re ready for? Today’s sports news. 1, 2, 3, let’s go…
— Three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, in disbelief after becoming the first W player to post a 30-point, 20-rebound double-double during her Las Vegas Aces’ 94–86 Sunday win over the Connecticut Sun. A’mazing.
Little League World Series
⚾ Throw like a girl
The GIST: 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.
- So before the on-field action and viral interviews begin, let’s slide into the history of girls playing Little League baseball and the recent uptick in girls’ participation. Batter up!
💪 Rule change paves the way for girls to play ball: In 1974, 35 years after Little League was first founded, the organization amended its charter to permit girls to compete. Since then, millions have taken the diamond, having the choice to opt for baseball, which on the surface is similar to the oft-prescribed softball but differs in rules, strategy, and skillset.
- Belgium’s Victoria Roche was the first girl to reach the famed tournament in 1984, blazing a trail for those to follow, including Mo’ne Davis, who took the sports world by storm in 2014 when she became the first girl to win a game and throw a shutout in the LLWS. Legendary.
‼️ Monica Arcuri to represent Australia at LLWS: Arcuri is set to become just the second girl to represent The Land Down Under when her squad opens play vs. Panama today at 5 p.m. ET. But the milestone is becoming a trend — Arcuri’s appearance will mark the sixth straight LLWS with a girl on the roster. Today’s Little Leaguers, tomorrow’s pros.
🏀 Minnesota Lynx clinch WNBA playoff spot
The top team in the league nabbed the first postseason berth of the season without taking the floor last night, as the Indiana Fever’s narrow 81–80 loss to Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings cemented the Lynx’ third consecutive postseason appearance. One spot down, seven to go — and the race couldn’t be tighter.
👀 LA Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani sued
In the midst of yet another career season, baseball’s biggest star is once again the subject of off-field controversy. On Friday, Ohtani and his agent were accused of interfering with a $240M Hawaiian real estate deal, allegedly pushing both a developer and broker out of the project that Ohtani is the celebrity spokesperson for, purportedly for Ohtani’s financial gain.
- The reigning National League MVP, who signed a then-record $700M, 10-year contract in 2023, was brought into the real estate project to attract potential Japanese buyers. Hmm.
⛳ BMW Championship, the penultimate FedEx Cup Playoffs event, begins tomorrow
Fifty golfers remain in contention to hoist the FedEx Cup, with the second of the competition’s three events teeing off tomorrow at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Baltimore, Maryland. Only the top 30 finishers will proceed to next week’s TOUR Championship, where the winner will take home a cool $10M.
- Defending champ and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads the FedEx Cup standings, though he’ll compete without his longtime caddie for the second straight week.
👟 Pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis breaks his own world record for the 13th time
The Olympic and world champion pole vaulter literally raised the bar again yesterday, clearing a record-breaking height of 6.29 meters (20.636 feet) at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial meet in Budapest. The greatest pole vaulter of all time, Duplantis has broken his own record three times this year alone and will compete in the Diamond League in Poland this weekend. Hop to it.
Together With Simple App
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- You don’t need a reformer machine to get your burn on — just try Simple App’s wall pilates. Here’s a three-month free trial on us. You’re welcome.
⚾ MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers — Today at 2:10 p.m. ET — MLB.TV
- The MLB–best Brew Crew just can’t lose, picking up their 11th straight win with last night’s 14–0 victory over the Pirates. How are they doing it? The power of friendship, baby. See if they can channel TSwift and make it 12 in a row today.
🏀 WNBA: Golden State Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — WNBA League Pass
- Cheered on by their new supportive bestie, Violet the Raven, the expansion squad Valkyries are on an impressive run with six wins in their last 10 games. But with Golden State fan favorite Kate Martin possibly out of the lineup, can the recently struggling ’Stics pull off a W?
🎾 Cincinnati Open: World No. 2 Coco Gauff vs. No. 61 Lucia Bronzetti — Tomorrow — Tennis Channel
- The final tune-up tourney ahead of the US Open enters the Round of 16, a prime opportunity for defending French Open champion Gauff to recover her hardcourt footing after a tough summer.
⛳ LPGA: Portland Classic — Tomorrow through Sunday — Golf Channel
- With the stunning backdrop of summer in the Pacific Northwest, world No. 52 Canadian Brooke Henderson will swing for a third title at the annual Oregon event hosted at Columbia Edgewater. Fore!
Peep our squad’s MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
⚽ What to read
This piece about the culture of women’s football. The women’s side of the beautiful game isn't just breaking records, it's reforming the visual culture of the sport with creative kits, logos, and a personality-led ethos.
🏀 Who to know
Katie Benzan. At just 27, the former Maryland basketball standout is making history as the youngest ever female general manager in the G League, helming the Salt Lake City Stars.
🧱 What to build
Nike x LEGO. The two brands will be back with more block sets in September, mixing sports heritage with playful creativity.
Question of the Day
With Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce making all the headlines, let’s talk about power couples in the sports world. There are so many out there, but we’ve listed a few of our faves below. Select your favorite, and if you don’t see yours, reply to this email with your top duo.
Simone Biles and Jonathan “Mr. Biles” Owens
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, the royal couple of Seattle
A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo, aka A’Bam
Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton, the breakout couple
Livvy Dunne and Paul Skenes, Gen Z’s ‘It Couple’
Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, of “She’s gay, Marcus” fame
On Monday, we asked you which WNBA team will claim the final playoff spot. 42% voted for the Seattle Storm, 33% voted for the LA Sparks, and 24% voted for the Washington Mystics. Down to the wire.Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, Grace DePaull, Charlotte Mackenzie, 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.