And hello, long weekend. We’ll be off Monday for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but stay tuned for an NHL season preview Sunday Scroll. And ICYMI, yesterday’s MLB playoff preview has everything you need to know before the fun begins with today’s first pitch. So many sports, such little time!

• Speaking of, today’s newsletter is jam-packed with all the rest. Let’s get into it.

Content warning: This story contains accounts of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse.

The GIST: The fallout continues for NWSL leadership after the U.S. Soccer Federation published findings from its independent investigation into league-wide abuse. Fans of the Chicago Red Stars, Racing Louisville FC and the Portland Thorns maintained demands for ownership changes this week, and sponsors have also started to weigh in.

The latest: The Red Stars’ board removed owner Arnim Whisler from his governance role on Wednesday, while Portland majority stakeholder Merritt Paulson transferred control of the Thorns and MLS’ Timbers FC to general counsel Heather Davis. Portland execs Gavin Wilkinson and Mike Golub were also relieved of their duties this week.

• Yesterday, USWNT star Megan Rapinoe joined calls for Whisler and Paulson to actually sell their shares. “I don't think Merritt Paulson is fit to be the owner in Portland,” she said. “I don't think Arnim is fit to be the owner in Chicago.” Preach.

The brands: Portland partners Tillamook and Laurelwood Brewing Co. and Louisville sponsors GE and Barrell Craft Spirits announced Wednesday that they would not renew existing deals if the respective clubs did not institute meaningful change.

• Not all NWSL sponsors are acting in lockstep, though. Some have only gone so far as to acknowledge the horrific findings without laying out next steps.

The trend: North of the border, partners are putting their money where their mouths are. Tim Hortons said it will no longer support Hockey Canada’s men’s team amid its mishandling of sexual assault claims, but they will keep backing the women’s, paralympic and youth teams. Other sponsors are also set to withdraw “as soon as this week,” per a report.

Zooming out: From the NWSL to Hockey Canada and the NBA, sponsors are building a habit of leveraging their financial power to kick abusive and complicit leaders out of sports. We hope it evolves from a trend into an industry standard. Money talks.

*P.S. For more on the business of women’s sports, subscribe to our three-times weekly sports biz newsletter.

The GIST: Buckle up, Sunday is MLS’ Decision Day, aka the last day of the season, when all 28 teams play in seven simultaneous Eastern Conference (EC) games, followed by seven concurrent Western Conference (WC) games, with playoff berths on the line. Living for the chaos.

The context: Seven teams from each conference will advance to the playoffs, with the No. 1 seeds in each earning a first-round bye. LAFC has already locked up the Supporters Shield (best record in the league) and the top spot in the West, but first place in the East is still up for grabs.

• The contenders? The Philadelphia Union and CF Montréal. Philly can nab the title with a win, but Montreal will surge into the No. 1 spot with a win and a Union L or draw. Regardless, they’re both through to the postseason, along with NYCFC, NY Red Bulls and Inter Miami CF in the East.

• Out West, Austin FC, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy and Nashville SC are already through to the playoffs.

• That leaves two spots up for grabs in each conference — precisely the type of excitement Decision Day intended. Bring it on.

Who’s in the hunt: Three teams in the EC and four teams in the WC. In the East, FC Cincinnati can secure their first trip to the postseason with a win or draw against last-place D.C. United. In fact, Cincy can lose this game and still make it to the playoffs — so long as the Orlando SC vs. Columbus Crew match doesn’t end in a draw.

• Speaking of, the winner of Orlando vs. Columbus will advance, but if the game ends in a draw and Cincinnati wins or ties, Columbus will squeak past Orlando into the playoffs. Live look at us trying to keep it all straight.

• Then the focus will be on two games out West: the Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake and the Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Minnesota United. A W will earn a trip to the playoffs, but if things end in a draw, it's time to break out your calculator.

Tune in: All seven EC games kick off Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET, followed by the WC matchups at 5 p.m. ET. Are you ready for some fútbol?

Together With

🏈 NFL: The GIST’s Game of the Week — Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals

⚽ Women’s soccer: USWNT vs. England — Today at 3 p.m. ET — Fox

• The red, white and blue will take on the reigning Euros champs in a pre–Women’s World Cup friendly at sold out Wembley Stadium. *sips tea*

🎓🏈 NCAA football: No. 8 Tennessee (4-0) vs. No. 25 LSU (4-1) — Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET — ESPN

• The Volunteers look to remain undefeated while the Tigers are ready to pounce in this cross-division SEC battle — one of a handful of ranked Week 6 matchups.

• Another game to watch? The highly anticipated No. 1 Alabama vs. Texas A&M rivalry tilt, kicking off tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET. Hopefully there’s no rat poison this time.

🏈 NFL: Green Bay Packers vs. NY Giants — Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET — NFL Network

• Football for breakfast? Say less. Take a journey across the pond for the NFL’s second London game of the season.

🏎 F1: Japanese Grand Prix — Sunday at 1 a.m. ET — ESPN2

• While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is racing to make history with an early season-title win, his teammate Sergio Perez and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will try to skrrt him off the podium. Vroom, vroom.

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