She said what she said

The GIST: Need a little push to say exactly what’s on your mind? Look no further than the aforementioned Collier’s exit interview, where the five-time All-Star lambasted Commissioner Engelbert and the league office in a two-page prepared statement. Receipts, incoming.

👀 What Collier said: The Lynx star spoke candidly about two of the biggest issues plaguing the league: ongoing CBA negotiations between the W and the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA), and the league’s oft-criticized officiating, saying the latter is “the perfect example of the tone-deaf, dismissive approach that our leaders always seem to take.”

Okay, that’s a lot to dissect:

1️⃣ The league’s CBA negotiations are a hot topic, especially with the October 31st deadline looming. Amid an already tense (and public) back-and-forth between the WNBPA and the league, Collier shared that Engelbert had previously said players should be grateful for the platform the league provides, a stark contrast to the WNBPA’s stance on more representative pay.

2️⃣ Collier discussed the WNBA’s sustainability in a similar vein. Engelbert has used the league’s long-term viability as a reason not to pay players more, citing a push for profitability. But Collier argued that “what’s truly unsustainable” is an on-court product marred by poor officiating.

• Collier elaborated, calling the lack of urgency to address the refereeing issue “self-sabotage” and arguing that the real threat to the WNBA’s sustainability isn’t money or viewership — it’s league office accountability.

3️⃣ Collier co-founded innovative 3v3 league Unrivaled last year, so if anyone knows the trials and tribulations of running a league, it’s her. The seven-year WNBA vet highlighted the importance of the “human element” of leadership, something both current and former players feel is lacking under Engelbert.

The response: Support for Collier is pouring in from players across the league, as well as from the WNBPA. Engelbert also responded to Collier’s statement, saying her “focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA.” Only time will tell exactly what that future looks like — and whether Engelbert will be a part of it.

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The GIST: As if that wasn’t enough WNBA news for one day, the Finals matchup is officially set. The Phoenix Mercury will face the Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-seven championship series after last night’s 107–98 overtime (OT) win over the Indiana Fever. Here’s how it all went down.

🃏 Las Vegas Finals-bound for third time in four years: We’ve seen this film before as four-time MVP A’ja Wilson led the Aces in points (35), rebounds (eight), blocks (four), and steals (four) in the dub. But she didn’t have to do it alone: Jackie Young dropped a playoff career-high 32 points, while savvy veteran Chelsea Gray chipped in eight (of her 17) in OT.

• Still, the Fever deserve their flowers. Despite losing leading scorer Kelsey Mitchell to injury in the third quarter and Aliyah Boston to foul trouble in the fourth, they forced OT, a testament to the resilience they’ve shown all season. Now someone get these gals some Tylenol.

👀 What to expect when the WNBA Finals start Friday at 8 p.m. ET: The Aces hold the regular-season edge over the Mercury, having won three of four contests, but Phoenix may benefit from extra rest after wrapping up their series Sunday. One thing’s for sure: Wilson will be ready to bring the heat against another perennial MVP candidate, the Mercury’s triple-double queen, Alyssa Thomas. Can’t wait.

The GIST: And just like that, the MLB playoffs are underway with yesterday’s mostly low-scoring but always high-stakes quadruple-header of Wild Card action. This opening round is best-of-three, meaning the divisional series will be set by the next time we talk. Blink and you’ll miss it.

🐯 Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal strikes out 14 in 2–1 Game 1 win: The reigning American League Cy Young winner brought out the claws yesterday, silencing a dangerous Cleveland Guardians offense on their home turf. The Guards’ ninth-inning surge came up short, but this team never quit — they’ll need to harness that same fight in today’s 1:08 p.m. ET must-win Game 2.

🐻 Back-to-back fifth-inning homers power Chicago Cubs to 3–1 victory: Right fielder Seiya Suzuki and catcher Carson Kelly both launched solo shots to take the lead, and the Cubbies never looked back against the San Diego Padres. San Diego sluggers Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado were both held hitless, so expect them to come out swinging today at 3:08 p.m. ET.

🧦 Boston Red Sox top NY Yankees 3–1 in pitcher’s duel: Lefty aces Garrett Crochet (Boston) and Max Fried (NY) both wowed, with Crochet striking out 11 and Fried holding the Sox scoreless for 6.1 innings, until Boston capitalized on the NY bullpen, putting up two runs in the seventh inning. It’s always thrilling between these bitter foes — Game 2 goes tonight at 6:08 p.m. ET.

💙 Defending champ LA Dodgers score early and often in 10–5 win: The Blue Crew blasted five (!!!) home runs and pitcher Blake Snell struck out nine as LA fended off a late comeback attempt from the underdog Cincinnati Reds. Now the Dodgers will have sharp pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound to try and close this thing out tonight at 9:08 p.m. ET.

🏈 Welcome to the winner’s circle. In a sea of Week 4 surprises, Bonnie just kept swimming, clinching the top spot in this week’s free-to-play NFL Pick’ems Challenge and scoring $100 in GIST swag for their efforts. Not too shabby for a few bold predictions.

• Think you have the skills to do the same? We think so, too. All you have to do is pick who you think will win each of this week’s 14 matchups.

🔑 There’s no gatekeeping here, just one important rule: Make your picks before tomorrow’s 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff between the San Francisco 49ers and LA Rams. The leaderboard waits for no fan.

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