Blaming the supermoon for everything
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
It’s (almost) the weekend!
And this Friday feeling is that much better knowing NWSL postseason action is right around the corner — along with our special edition preview before the quarter-finals kick off tonight. Keep your eyes peeled, make your picks in our NWSL playoff bracket challenge, and LFG.
— Unrivaled No. 1 draft pick and newly-minted Breeze BC hooper Paige Bueckers, after the innovative 3v3 league revealed all eight Season 2 team rosters on Wednesday. Finding a Bueckers replica jersey won’t be easy though: They sold out in mere minutes.
Women’s basketball
🏀 The plot thickens
The GIST: Project B, a new women’s basketball league set to launch in November 2026, announced its first player signing on Wednesday: WNBPA president and 10-time WNBA All-Star Nneka Ogwumike. There’s a lot to unpack, so lace ’em up and let’s hoop to it.
❓ What is Project B?: The global league will feature traditional 5-on-5 basketball and run from November to April — notably not conflicting with the WNBA schedule. Six 11-player teams will compete in two-week tournaments across Europe, Asia, and Latin America on a traveling circuit.
- Project B’s investment group is stacked with starpower from WNBA icon Candace Parker to legends like tennis’ Novak Djokovic and football’s Steve Young. Former WNBA All-Star Alana Beard will serve as the league’s chief basketball officer.
- But Project B’s biggest draw is the money: The salaries will reportedly dwarf what’s offered by both the WNBA and Unrivaled, while also offering players equity stake in the league. Money talks, after all.
❓ How does Project B fit into the women’s basketball landscape?: Project B isn’t a direct competitor for the WNBA as it will run during the W’s offseason. Instead, it’ll run concurrently with Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited, offering a tournament-based 5-on-5 product. This stands in stark contrast to Unrivaled’s unique 3v3 version of basketball and AU’s player-first competition model.
❓ I heard sportswashing is involved?: You’d be right. This new, lucrative sports venture is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) through its entertainment company Sela. And while the PIF claims to stand on a pillar of inclusivity, Saudi Arabia is known for its human rights abuses — aka textbook sportswashing.
- Alongside its infamous men’s sports involvement, the PIF has deepened its impact on the women’s sports space in recent years, from the WTA to the Women’s World Cup — and now women’s basketball.
Together With Delta Air Lines
📝 Your checklist for the NWSL quarter-finals
We love to raise the stakes here at The GIST — that’s why we’re adding a little extra fun to the NWSL Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, thanks to our friends at Delta Air Lines. We created a NWSL Road to the Trophy Checklist for you to complete at any upcoming postseason match.
If you’re going to a game, you could win a $50 NWSL digital gift card or the $500 Grand Prize Delta gift card if you…
👯 Make a new friend from a different city,
📸 Share a photo from the match,
🌊 And start the wave or a cheer, among other things.
Delta knows every fan’s journey to, from, and during the game is unique — but no matter how you get there, everyone can tap into that competitive soccer spirit. Save the NWSL Road to the Trophy Checklist now and submit it here once you’re done — the pitch is calling.
🇺🇸🏒 Forward Abbey Murphy notches hat trick in Rivalry Series opener
Murphy’s heroics paced the Americans to a 4–1 win over Team Canada, marking the sixth straight time Team USA opened the series with a win. But history hasn’t been kind to the red, white, and blue: Despite taking every opener, they’ve lost four of five Rivalry Series. This four-game set is a marathon, not a sprint — an important reminder ahead of tomorrow’s 6 p.m. ET rematch.
🏒 Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin becomes first NHL player to score 900 career goals
The league’s regular-season goal-scoring leader just keeps adding to his Hall of Fame–worthy résumé, lighting the lamp for the 900th time in the Capitals’ lopsided 6–1 Wednesday win over the St. Louis Blues — a sneaky, spinning beauty of a goal. The next record to chase? Wayne Gretzky’s regular-season-plus-playoff goals mark of 1,016.
- In other icy news, the NHL’s Eastern Conference is having a parity party: For the first time since 1974 (when conferences were first introduced), none of the East’s 16 teams have a losing record.
🎓🏈 NCAA football Week 11 kicks off with College Football Playoff (CFP) field wide open
With the first CFP rankings of the season officially released earlier this week and exactly one month until the CFP Selection Show, pressure’s on for teams to prove their postseason mettle. That means every game matters, but we’ve circled tomorrow’s 12 p.m. ET Big 12 matchup between No. 7 BYU and No. 8 Texas Tech.
- The Red Raiders boast one of the best defenses in the nation, while the undefeated Cougars have made come-from-behind scoring surges their brand. Winner gets conference bragging rights and likely a big jump in the rankings — this is going to be good.
🎾 WTA Finals: No. 5 Jessica Pegula vs. No. 6 Elena Rybakina — Today at 10 a.m. ET — DAZN
- Tennis’ season-ending championship rolls on with a spot in tomorrow’s final on the line when Pegula and Rybakina serve into the first semi, followed by a US Open Final rematch between No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Amanda Anisimova. Aces only.
🏎️ F1: Brazilian Grand Prix — Sunday at 12 p.m. ET — ESPN
- There’s four races left on the calendar, three drivers in contention for the World Drivers’ Championship, and just 36 points separating them. With a race win worth 25 points and a sprint weekend on deck, we’re in for an absolutely epic few days of racing. Vroom, vroom.
🏈 NFL: New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday at 1 p.m. ET — CBS
- The Patriots have won six straight and sit atop the AFC East with a 7-2 record, but a team coming off a bye week is a scary sight, especially since Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has a knack for orchestrating game-winning drives.
Tired of sports spaces that don’t get you? Introducing The GIST Plus — your safe, women-led sports community built for fans who want connection, not gatekeeping.
- Get access to our members-only Discord, exclusive content (think additional podcasts and newsletters), and real-life perks (discounts to your local watering hole or to watch your favorite teams).
- An example of some behind-the-scenes content? Take this week’s members-only podcast conversation with Temwa Chanwinga, the NWSL’s 2025 Golden Boot winner.
Fandom should feel like you belong. Learn more and join The GIST Plus today.
Peep our squad’s MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
🎺 What to listen to
The Mariachi Rams. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2016, the Rams have embraced the city's character by featuring the Mariachi Rams, who play on an elevated stage during home games.
⛷️ What to read
This article about Lindsey Vonn’s unprecedented attempt at an Olympic comeback. The gold medal skier talks about her surprise return to the tour and addresses critics who question her goal of competing in the 2026 Games.
📢 Who’s back in action
Flava Flav. The rapper is joining the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton team as its newest sponsor and official “hype man” ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Question of the Day
As you read, Unrivaled’s Season 2 rosters are set. Which club will you be rooting for in the new year?
On Monday, we asked what you’re looking forward to watching in November. 18% voted for NWSL Playoffs, 17% voted for NFL, 14% voted for NCAA football, 13% voted for NCAA hoops, 11% voted for NHL, 10% voted for NBA, 9% voted for PWHL season start, and 8% voted for F1.Today’s email was brought to you by Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, Grace DePaull, Charlotte Mackenzie, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Molly Potter. 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. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.