The GIST

It turns out all the rumors are true. After much deliberation, the WTA Finals will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2024 to 2026. Despite human rights concerns from women’s tennis athletes and journalists, the WTA ultimately followed the money.

April 05, 2024

Saudi Arabia reportedly makes push to merge ATP, WTA with proposed PIF Tour

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According to The Telegraph, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) wants to merge the WTA and ATP tennis tours with a limited-time, $2B offer that expires in 90 days. The rebranded PIF Tour would reportedly replace the proposed Premium Tour, a joint WTA–ATP circuit that’s been in development since January.

March 15, 2024

Saudi Arabia reportedly offers $2B to unite the WTA and ATP Tours

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New attempt at sportswashing just dropped: Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered to invest $2B to unite the WTA and ATP Tours, the latest effort by the oil-rich country to steer attention away from their atrocious human rights record through sport.

March 15, 2024

A proposed WTA-ATP merger is picking up steam

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The women’s tour is particularly receptive to the concept, which would produce a new “Premium Tour” to exist alongside the Grand Slams — and offer women athletes equal pay.

January 31, 2024

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner win at the Australian Open

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One epic fortnight Down Under later, a defending champ retained their Australian Open crown, while a rising star clinched their first-ever Grand Slam title.

January 29, 2024

It's time to crown Australian Open champions

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After two weeks of shocking upsets and sheer domination Down Under, it’s time to crown the first Grand Slam champions of the year.

January 26, 2024

Coco Gauff is through to her first-ever Austalian Open semi

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The women’s and men’s semifinals are officially set Down Under, highlighted by two defending champs eager to retain their crown.

January 24, 2024

Sports News

World No. 4 Coco Gauff cruises into the Australian Open quarter-finals

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January 22, 2024

The Grand Slam Down Under enters its second week in Melbourne, with courtside vibes and IRL visitors hitting all-time highs as the quarter-finals begin.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #359

NHL playoff preview & the latest on Jontay Porter

April 18, 2024

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NHL playoff preview & the latest on Jontay Porter

Howdy!

It’s Christmas in April for co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz, with the NHL Playoff picture all but set ahead of Saturday’s postseason puck drop. Today’s episode includes a deep dive on all things playoff hockey, from why the Stanley Cup is arguably the hardest trophy to win in sports to the gals’ picks to win it all.

Then after the break, El and Steph shift gears to cover an unfortunate NBA story: Now former Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter has been banned from the NBA for life after making illegal sports bets on league games and disclosing confidential health information to a bettor in order for them to profit off a parlay. And it’s just the latest instance of pro sports entangling with sports gambling.

A huge thanks to our pals at Aflac for supporting today’s pod! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health insurance leaves behind. Learn more at aflac.com.